Alan Pellegrini, CEO of Thales North America, says geopolitical risks are fueling global defense spending, while trade uncertainty and ATC modernization offer both challenges and opportunities. ...

Company Overview - VPT, Inc. is a global provider of innovative DC-DC power converters and EMI filters for avionics, military, and space applications, serving organizations like NASA, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing [4] - VPT is part of the HEICO Electronic Technologies Group, which operates in niche segments of the aviation, defense, space, and electronics industries [5] Leadership and Expertise - Trevor Rice has joined VPT, bringing extensive technical background and decades of leadership in power conversion solutions, previously serving as Director of Sales at XP Power [1][3] - Rice's experience includes roles in engineering and sales at Luna Innovations, where he held multiple positions including Director of Business Development [2] Strategic Goals - Trevor Rice expressed enthusiasm about contributing to VPT's legacy in high-reliability power solutions and aims to work with the sales team to enhance customer value across North America [3] - Paul Andersen, former Vice President of North American Sales at VPT, highlighted Rice's addition as a reinforcement of the company's commitment to innovation and customer-focused solutions in the power electronics industry [3]

Group 1 - A Swiss delegation, consisting of over 25 representatives from academia and private institutions, arrived in Hong Kong on May 10 for a week-long visit aimed at promoting international partnerships and expanding bilateral exchanges, with a focus on understanding the innovation ecosystem in Greater China [1] - The first stop of the Swiss delegation was a seminar in Hong Kong on May 12, organized by the Swiss Digital Security Alliance, themed "Hong Kong - Gateway to China and Asia," which focused on digital transformation, cybersecurity, and cross-border investment in the era of artificial intelligence [1] - Hong Kong's Acting Director of Investment Promotion, Liu Zhi Yuan, highlighted the advantages of Hong Kong for international tech companies, emphasizing its potential as a partner for Switzerland in various sectors including life sciences, deep tech, fintech, education, and creative industries [2] Group 2 - Liu Zhi Yuan noted that the recent passage of the new Computer Systems Security Law enhances the protection of critical infrastructure in Hong Kong, allowing businesses to operate in a safer environment and boosting confidence [2] - The introduction of the Greater Bay Area standard contracts facilitates the secure and efficient transfer of personal data, promoting cross-border collaboration and seamless development of digital services [2] - Franz Grüter, Chairman of the Swiss Digital Security Alliance, stated that the visit aims to establish sustainable cooperative relationships, highlighting Hong Kong's strategic value as a connection point between international and Chinese markets for Swiss enterprises [2][3] Group 3 - The Hong Kong Digital Policy Office shared insights on the development of digital infrastructure and AI ecosystem policies, emphasizing the need for policy innovation alongside technological upgrades in the digital age [2] - The seminar included panel discussions led by industry experts from Thales, Swire Coca-Cola, and the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park, focusing on cybersecurity challenges in the AI era [2] - The Hong Kong Investment Promotion Office plans to actively collaborate with the Swiss Consulate General, the Hong Kong Swiss Chamber of Commerce, and other relevant institutions to support Swiss enterprises in expanding their business in Hong Kong [3]

Core Insights - Atos Group has appointed Pierre-Yves Jolivet as Executive Vice-President and Head of Eviden and Cyber Business, indicating a strategic move to enhance leadership in these critical areas [1][5] - Pierre-Yves Jolivet brings extensive experience from Thales, where he led the Cyber Digital Business Line, showcasing his expertise in cybersecurity and defense sectors [2][5] - Atos is recognized as a global leader in digital transformation with approximately 78,000 employees and annual revenue around €10 billion, emphasizing its significant market presence [5] Company Overview - Atos operates in 68 countries, providing tailored end-to-end solutions across various industries, and is the European leader in cybersecurity, cloud, and high-performance computing [5] - The company is committed to decarbonization services and products, aiming to create a secure and sustainable digital environment for its clients [5][6] - Atos's mission includes supporting knowledge, education, and research development while promoting scientific and technological excellence in a multicultural context [6]

Core Viewpoint - Viasat is set to lead the lunar orbiting satellite communications segment of the European Space Agency's Moonlight Program, collaborating with Telespazio and various European and UK companies to establish Europe's first lunar orbiting satellite network [1][2][3] Group 1: Project Overview - The Moonlight program aims to develop a lunar orbiting Navigation and Communication system to enhance navigation and communication services for both European and international missions on the Moon's surface and in lunar orbit [3] - The communications system will function as a data highway for communication between Earth and the Moon, facilitating interactions among people, spacecraft, and lunar vehicles to support scientific and exploration projects [4] Group 2: Viasat's Role - Viasat is responsible for designing and developing the communication network, defining end-to-end communication services for lunar landers, rovers, orbiters, and other technologies [5] - The initial design phase of the communication system is fully funded by the European Space Agency, with Viasat's engineering and technology operations based in London [11] Group 3: Timeline and Phases - The Moonlight services will be deployed in phases, with initial capabilities expected by the end of 2028 and full operations targeted for 2030 [6] Group 4: Industry Impact - The Moonlight initiative is expected to showcase Viasat's and the UK's leadership in emerging commercial markets, particularly the lunar economy, by providing reliable navigation and communication services for future lunar missions [7][8] - The program is anticipated to support additional commercial activities on the Moon, including space tourism and manufacturing programs utilizing rare lunar materials [4]

Market Overview - The Smart Ticketing Market was valued at USD 13.26 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 31.65 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.70% [2][9] - The market growth is driven by the widespread adoption of smartphones and mobile ticketing channels, allowing users to purchase, store, and validate tickets on mobile devices [2][4] Key Trends - Smart ticketing systems generate extensive data on passenger journeys and travel patterns, which operators leverage for insights to optimize operations and enhance passenger experience [4] - The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the demand for contactless ticketing solutions, leading to increased popularity of mobile ticketing applications and QR code-based systems [5] Segment Analysis - The hardware segment accounted for the largest share of 51.4% in 2024, enabling transport operators to issue and read tickets via a single interface [8] - The e-ticket segment held the largest market share in 2024, driven by a surge in contactless payments due to the pandemic [8] - The smart card segment dominated the market in 2024, with benefits such as durability and efficiency driving its adoption [8] Regional Insights - Europe dominated the smart ticketing market in 2024, accounting for a revenue share of 34.48%, identified as a lucrative region [8] - The smart ticketing market in the Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 16.9% during the forecast period [8] Competitive Landscape - Key companies profiled in the report include Confidex, CPI Card Group, Cubic, Thales, Giesecke & Devrient, HID Global Corporation, Infineon Technologies, NXP Semiconductors, IDEMIA, and Xerox [8][9]