By Calvin Biesecker

Boeing [BA] on Friday announced a slew of new leadership assignments within its Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) division, including the creation of a chief operating officer (COO) position to help oversee the day-to-day management of the business and develop a business strategy moving forward.

John Lockard, 63, will become COO of IDS, reporting directly to IDS President and CEO Jim Albaugh. Lockard, who will also be Albaugh’s deputy, previously led the IDS Precision Engagement and Mobility Systems segment.

“These moves take advantage of the strengths we have, continue the development of key leaders, and drive further integration and innovation within and across our businesses to achieve both near and long-term performance goals,” Albaugh said in a statement. “As with our military customers, we believe that rotations strengthen the individual leader and the organization.”

Joining Lockard in the IDS executive suite will be Pat Finneran, 62, who will report to Albaugh as vice president, operations and supplier management. Finneran previously led the IDS Support Services segment. He replaces John Van Gels, who moved over to Boeing Commercial Airplanes last month to help with Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner passenger plane program. Bill Schnettgoecke, 47, will report to Finneran as vice president and deputy, operations and supplier management. Schnettgoecke previously led the company-wide lean productivity initiatives, a responsibility he’ll retain.

Charles Toups, 49, will become vide president for IDS Engineering, reporting to Albaugh. Toups had served worked in the space and intelligence systems area previously.

Boeing also announced 10 other leadership changes, including naming Dennis Muilenburg, 44, to be president of Support Systems. Muilenburg previously led the Combat Systems business area and the Future Combat System program. Chris Chadwick, 47, was named president of Precision Engagement and Mobility Systems. Gregg Martin, 46, is the new FCS program manager.

The changes are effective today.