Pierre Éric Pommellet

Vast’s Launcher Company Completes E-2 Engine 6th Hotfire Test 🚀 A major milestone for Vast: the E-2 engine has successfully completed its 6th hotfire test. This is not just a technical achievement — it signals the kind of innovation that can reshape the space economy. Reliable and repeatable propulsion systems are essential for the next wave of space infrastructure — from manufacturing in orbit to satellite constellations and advanced launch systems. Innovations like the E-2 engine lower costs, boost efficiency, and expand what’s possible for commercial space ventures. Investing in space is not only about vision. With patience, persistence, and breakthrough technologies, it becomes one of the most rewarding opportunities, as SpaceX’s 2000x growth journey has already proven. I explored these dynamics in more detail in my new newsletter Invest in Space Tech: https://lnkd.in/dkwrcU-k

193

3 commentaires

Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky has Begun the Assembly Process for CH-53K ״Pereh״ Helicopters Purchased by the Israel Ministry of Defense for the Israeli Air Force 🚁 The 12 helicopters were purchased as part of a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract signed between the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) and the U.S. Government, with an estimated value of hundreds of millions of dollars. Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky has now received the cockpit and cabin sections of the first CH-53K “Pereh” helicopter for final assembly. The first helicopter is expected to arrive in Israel in 2028 and replace the Israeli Air Force's “Yas'ur” helicopters. The CH-53K “Pereh” helicopters will be adapted to the Israeli Air Force's operational needs and will bring a payload capacity of up to three times that of the existing CH-53D “Yas'ur” helicopters, higher flight speed, enhanced battlefield survivability, and operational efficiency. The helicopter features state-of-the-art digital flight and control systems that enhance flight safety and routine maintenance. IMOD Mission to U.S.

164

3 commentaires

Why Major Naval Powers Avoid Competitive Bidding for Complex Warships Approaches to awarding complex warship projects vary widely across nations. While India has been expanding the role of competitive bidding in shipbuilding, most major naval powers follow a different model for their most advanced warships. United States: The U.S. Navy relies on a few highly specialized shipyards, often with single-source arrangements for each class of vessel. Nuclear aircraft carriers: Built solely by Newport News Shipbuilding (HII). Submarines: Shared between Newport News Shipbuilding and General Dynamics Electric Boat. Destroyers & amphibious ships: Assigned to specific builders. The government ensures a predictable flow of contracts to sustain workforce and infrastructure. Open competition is rare; continuity delivers learning-curve efficiencies and avoids costly skill loss. Western Europe: France: Naval Group, partly state-owned, is the designated builder for all major combatants - frigates, destroyers, submarines, and the aircraft carrier - usually through direct nomination. Italy: Fincantieri, largely state-owned, owns all major naval shipyards and is the sole prime contractor for Italian Navy warships. Spain: Navantia, 100% state-owned, designs and builds frigates and submarines for the Spanish Navy under direct nomination. These models maintain industrial base stability, avoid duplicating expertise, and foster close collaboration between navy and yard. Russia & China: Russia: Most naval shipyards are consolidated under the state-owned United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC), which allocates projects based on yard specialization. No open bidding for one-off combatants; the government issues long-term build plans. China: The China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) oversees all major naval shipbuilding. Yards have defined roles - destroyers, frigates, submarines - under centralized PLA Navy planning, enabling standardized designs and high production rates. Common Thread: Across these nations, strategic nomination or stable industrial partnerships ensure quality, consistency, and retention of critical skills. Even with private defence contractors, governments avoid switching builders for each class to prevent inefficiencies and capability erosion. Competition is reserved for areas where it drives genuine value. Takeaway for India: Major naval powers do not treat high-end warship building like generic procurement. Their focus is on long-term capability, not just initial acquisition cost - a perspective worth reflecting on as we chart India’s warship building policy. #Shipbuilding #DefenceIndustry #MaritimeSecurity #DefencePolicy #MakeInIndia #IndianNavy #DefenceProduction #AtmanirbharBharat #Warships #MaritimeStrategy

265

62 commentaires