August 2012 Issue 51

desthe magazine for defenceider equipment and support

Lightning II – an agile future

Latest DE&S organisation chart See inside

Wild about Order of Atlas is Training to Unsung heroes Wildcat the boot the word beat threats of Helmand 2 frontispiece

A moment of reflection A Royal Marine takes a moment before cleaning his General Purpose Machine Gun in his sleeping area of a small checkpoint compound in Nahre-e Saraj South, Afghanistan. The picture, by LA(Phot) Dave Hillhouse, was a winner in the Royal Navy's annual photographic competition known as the Peregrine Trophy. des Steve Moore [email protected] [email protected] Ralph Dunn [email protected] Dick Naughton © Crown Copyright desider [email protected] 7155 7379 (0)207 +44 Fax: 1819. 7657 (0)20 Tel: +44 1NU WC1A London Holborn, High Street, Anthon Linton Advertising Distribution Manager: Editor: Deputy Relations: Public Head, Assistant expressed in in expressed Views omissions. or errors for accepted be can liability no accurate, is produced material all ensure to care inthose the While editor the takes defence industries. including MOD, the outside readers to available made be sponsor. and the can also equipment Copies capability relevant MOD project team before publication. before team project MOD relevant the by cleared be must advertorials for content All MOD. the or DE&S by endorsed necessarily not are advertised, Printing: Printing: from well-managed forests. Stewardship Councilcertified material post consumer waste andForest cent recycled andde-inked pulpfrom Silk 90gsmwhichcontains 50per This magazineisproduced onCocoon FEATURES 28 26 24 22 20 is distributed free of charge to DE&S employees employees DE&S to charge of free distributed is

Satisfying defence demand Herrick heroes Atlas mapsoutairtransport future Hull andhighwater! New 21st century agility aircraft carriers by theDefence Secretary inFort Worth, Texas Fighters, to beknown asLightningII,ataceremony attended The UKhasformally accepted thefirst oftheJointStrike his portfolio Defence Minister Peter Luffoutlinesprogress, two years into many miles from Afghanistan patrols onthefront line.Butprocurement byDE&Sbegins Military Working Dogsprovide valuable capability to British military's future airtransport force will jointheRAFintwo years' timeto helpbolster theUK Atlas, officially namedattheRoyal International Air Tattoo, underwater hulldesignofthenew DE&S andindustry have appliedspecialist knowledge to the - 9352 30257 or 0117 9130257 0117 or 9130257 30257 -9352 - 9352 30537 or 0117 9130537 0117 or 9130537 30537 -9352 desider, – Ten Alps Publishing, 1 New Oxford Oxford 1New Publishing, –Ten Alps ider - 9352 34342 or 0117 9134342 0117 or 9134342 34342 -9352 :

and the products and services and services and the products

Queen Elizabeth Queen class 30 18 17 13 9 8 7 5 NEWS

Brown isthenew black! Reinforcing thesafety message DE&S staff markbaseclosure Comms inagreat leap forward Foxhound makes immediate impression First Wildcats are handedover New delivery oflogistics getsgreen light A new DE&S–thecountdown continues to the Head of Logistic Services at DE&S at Services Logistic of Head the to according care, you people showing and messages simple reinforcing about is leadership safety Good Supply Central Control System for manyyears formal closure ofRAFStanbridge, hometo theRAF RAF personnel andDE&Sstaff have marked the Elizabeth Queen has beenopenedbyThales UK,amilestone for the A new Communications System Integration Facility are training onitinCampBastion vehicle, hasreceived thethumbs-upfrom thosewho Foxhound, theUK'slatest light protected patrol MOD the to over handed helicopters Wildcat 62 of fleet of a two first the saw Show Air International Farnborough The colour ofUK Forces' footwear onthefront line. personnel are setto replace blackasthebasic Five different typesofbrown bootsfor ArmedForces begun have DE&S in control stock and management inventory improve to programme in a moves major first The body Contractor-Operated aGovernment-Owned, into DE&S turning of option the testing and developing on focus to is MOD The

next year. Hammond hasrevealed thatafourth willbeordered are already oncontract andDefence Secretary Philip in aceremony intheUnited States. Three aircraft The UKhasaccepted thefirst ofitsJointStrike Fighters cover image carrier programme

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Picture: Lockheed Martin Insider august 2012 Bernard Gray The MOD is to focus its efforts on developing and testing the option of turning DE&S into a Government Owned, Chief of Defence Materiel Contractor Operated (GOCO) body, after extensive studies showed this model had the best potential for the future ‘Much of what is being studied management of the organisation, Chief of Defence Materiel Bernard Gray told is focused on ways of increasing hundreds of staff in a town hall session. skills at DE&S and on giving The work is a core part of the you increased freedoms to do Transformation process under way in the MOD to reform acquisition to get better your jobs to the best of your value from the defence budget. capabilities’ Due to constraints on MOD’s ability to pursue two options simultaneously, no further work is planned on a second I was very pleased to be able make a decision in 2014. option – an Executive Non-Departmental to brief several hundred DE&S The Secretary of State’s Public Body (ENDBP) along the lines of staff at Abbey Wood on some announcement on the next steps the organisation which built the venues significant developments in The on the road for DE&S is very for the London Olympics. Materiel Strategy just before the important for all of us, and comes Mr Gray explained to staff at the House of Commons broke up for after a year of in-depth analysis event, held at DE&S’ Abbey Wood headquarters, that there would be its summer recess in mid-July. of the issues. The work to assess value for money work to validate the I also wrote to all DE&S and develop the options for assessment that had been made. staff on 17th July to explain DE&S was and is, inevitably, very Work would also be done to develop that Secretary of State Philip complex and demanding and must an alternative ‘DE&S-Plus’ option Hammond announced in a be allowed to take its course. You which would investigate increasing the statement to Parliament that all know the scale of DE&S, its effectiveness of the existing organisation the strategic case for DE&S to very large annual budget and the within the MOD. become a Government Owned fact that it is responsible for a “We have not decided to pursue a Contractor Operated (GOCO) body huge part of the MOD’s activities, was the stronger of two options both in equipping and supporting under consideration. our forces and working with Further value for money defence industries worldwide to ‘This is good for us. analysis is needed to confirm this do so. assessment and make a formal We have devoted the time that We will be allowed decision between GOCO and the is necessary to ensuring that to get on with doing other option of an Executive Non- The Materiel Strategy delivers Departmental Public Body with the best possible analysis to our jobs’ a Strategic Partner (ENDPB/SP) support Ministers and get the best from the private sector. Once that possible outcome for defence. decision is made, we will be in a Ultimately, as I have said GOCO option because it has not yet position to consult formally with before, much of what is being passed the value for money test – let’s be Trades Unions and others. studied is focused on ways of absolutely clear about that,” he told staff. But the work so far on the increasing skills at DE&S and on “What we are doing is parking one option strategic case means that giving you increased freedoms to and working up the other two.” Ministers have agreed we should do your jobs to the best of your Proposals for a GOCO organisation not spend further resources on capabilities. would be explored along with DE&S- developing the ENDPB/SP option, Your views continue to be Plus over the next few months to support and instead focus on the GOCO important to the process of a decision later in the year on whether over the summer. change. The Materiel Strategy to proceed with the GOCO option and Work is also under way on team has put, and will continue whether to launch a competition for a private sector management company to a Value for Money Benchmark to put, a lot of effort into run the organisation. (previously known as a public- engagement with everybody who An investment appraisal would in due sector comparator) which we works in DE&S during the coming course test the GOCO option against a term ‘DE&S-Plus’. This option months as we take forward public sector comparator – DE&S-Plus – will look at further increasing the work announced by the following which a final decision would be the effectiveness of the existing Secretary of State. There will be taken, he said. operating model and improving an expansion of workforce focus He repeated his frustrations with the ability of the organisation to groups and other working groups current arrangements, pointing to one of do its job more effectively. and a programme of engagement a number of inflexibilities under which Although GOCO is the option with the Trades Unions is under DE&S works. A military engineer, for example, he said, might retire on the currently under study I want to development. Friday, but could not be hired on the emphasise that no final decision The objective we are working Monday as a civilian. has been made on changing the towards is that DE&S will be a “We have to run a competition, which status of DE&S and there are more capable and more self- would take six or nine months to do,” several steps along the road and confident organisation that will he said. “In DE&S-Plus we would need much work to be done before be better able to meet the future to see what freedom from the rules of Ministers will be in a position to needs of the Armed Forces. the Civil Service we might be allowed news 5

Freedom of Countdown continues operation is future key towards the – Minister Armed Forces Minister Nick Harvey has explained that transformation of DE&S into an Executive new DE&S Non-Departmental Public Body would not give it what it needs to succeed. “The GOCO option has looked better in the early explorations because, if we stuck with an ENDPB, the workforce and the management would remain in the public sector, and the greatest possible private sector involvement would be the use of a consultant,” he told Parliament on 17th July. “If we go for the GOCO option, the entity will have all the freedoms of a private sector operator: it will recruit people on private sector terms and conditions, and will have to have to get on with our jobs while still We have not decided to pursue GOCO yet as we an incentive to make the being part of the MOD.” He added that he had have not yet passed the value for money test.” thing work in a way that an talked to Trades Unions, who had been very He said if the proposals passed that test ENDPB would not. constructive in their approach to dealing with there would be consultation with the workforce “Despite the good work such inflexibilities. and Trades Unions. of good people at DE&S, “But the overall goal here is, they do not have available how does DE&S get the freedom, to them the full range of skill sets that they need to the management, the skills it needs negotiate on equal terms to do the job asked of it? Can we do with some of the more that with the DE&S-Plus model, or complex providers. do we use an outside model. That is “Granting DE&S private the test we are trying to pass. sector freedoms will “We need to be equal partners enable it to take on board with industry. This way we get the necessary skill sets to ensure that in future more freedom to do our jobs, negotiations and project promote our people, increase our management there is a skills inside the organisation and better match between make more people more capable those securing value for the with better job satisfaction. taxpayer and good products “This is good for us. We will for the Armed Forces and have a situation where, whatever the private sector providers of complex programmes. happens, we will have more That will be a marked flexibility to do our jobs. People will improvement on how things be more empowered and will enjoy have been in the past.” what they do. We will be allowed Mr Harvey added Mr Gray said he hoped the value for money to get on with doing our jobs. That’s got to be that smaller companies exercise would be finished by September good.” should benefit. “Since or October which would the move to the MOD contracting directly with be followed by further prime contractors, which consultation with Trades Lieutenant General then handle subsidiary Unions. Industry would be David Capewell (on contracting, it would be involved before the end of the the left), Chief of true to say the MOD has year with ideas on what they Joint Operations, is rather lost the skill set of could offer DE&S. welcomed to Abbey managing SMEs,” he said. In concluding his Wood by Major General “It is a common complaint of SMEs that comments, after taking Ian Copeland, Director Joint Support Chain. they do badly out of prime questions from staff, During his 17th July contractors. If we rebuild Mr Gray played down visit Lt Gen Capewell the skills inside DE&S so people’s fears of continuing met Chief of Materiel it can manage the supply uncertainty. “In a sense (Land) Lt Gen Chris contracts from SMEs this is a non-announcement Deverell and visited directly – in some instances announcement. We are the Defence Support – they will benefit. That is certainly what SMEs are parking one option and Chain Operations and Movements facilities. telling us.” working up the other two. Desider Industry Focus 2013 We are delighted to offer you the opportunity to profile your business in the Defence Equipment and Support’s reference guide to who’s who in the UK Defence market.

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Readership profile of the MOD, both civilian and military. The magazine’s readers desider is the Ministry of Defence’s have responsibility for an annual Defence Equipment and Support procurement budget of over £13 magazine covering all aspects of billion, making them as an organisation defence equipment acquisition and the largest single purchaser of support. Published by the Defence manufactured goods in the UK today. Equipment and Support organisation (DE&S), with a circulation of up to Key facts 20,000, desider reaches all defence Format: American A4 acquisition and logistics support staff Pagination: 56-pages at DE&S, which has its headquarters Circulation: 20,000 in Bristol and operates at sites around Key dates the UK and overseas, including UK Booking deadline: Monday Naval Bases. It is also seen by the 3rd December 2012 armed forces, at the front line and in Copy deadline: Monday the UK and Germany, together with 10th December 2012 senior civil servants in Whitehall and a March 2013 broad sector of industry in the UK and Publication date: overseas. desider offers a high level, high quality and powerful readership Advertising Options across the DE&S. • Double page spread profile (single page editorial alongside single page • Defence Equipment and Support 50% advertisement) • Defence Industry 29% • Inside front cover DPS • MOD Whitehall 21% (only one available)* • Outside back cover Readers span all levels and functions (only one available)*

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NEWSREEL Starting gun fired on new SDSR will be Tornado D-day delivery of logistics UK policy to have a fast jet fleet based on two types of modern multi-role The first major moves in aircraft means a programme to improve the Tornado force inventory management and stock will be run down control in DE&S have begun. broadly in line with Announcement of the the build-up of Assessment Phase for the the Typhoon force and introduction Logistic Commodities and of the Joint Strike Services Transformation Fighter. Defence (LCS(T)) project is the first Equipment, Support stage in positioning the logistic and Technology and commodities functions of Minister Peter DE&S into the wider Defence Luff said that, for Transformation Programme. planning purposes, the out of service Assessment will look at date for Tornado is options for future provision of 2019, but no firm logistic services and commodity decisions need to products to defence, ensuring be taken before the that the support provided to UK next SDSR in 2015. Forces is properly structured, Typhoon Squadrons currently at RAF more streamlined, joined up, Leuchars will move flexible and able to deliver a Defence Minister Peter Luff, right, on a visit to Donnington, with to RAF Lossiemouth modern service. with Typhoons Commodore Paul Cunningham, Head of Logistic Services, and Andrea Peter Luff, Minister for maintained at RAF Dodwell, Warehouse Support Manager Defence Equipment, Support Coningsby. Decisions and Technology, made the on JSF basing will announcement on 16th July. numerous dispersed locations.” a backdrop of changing be made in due course. He said: “Transformation LCS undertakes procurement requirements, the need to review aims to consider how we can and inventory management of all our infrastructure and to drive improve inventory management non-explosive commodity items, further efficiencies has become a Lunch talks and stock control, rationalise including food, clothing, fuel, major issue. Simon Jewell of current stock holdings, improve and medical supplies. “The LCS(T) project will Niteworks will speak a n d rationalise storage Mr Luff added: “Work enable us to identify and on Government- infrastructure will explore two options for implement a new operating defence industry ( r e l e a s i n g delivering support; industry solution that ensures we relations in the next surplus for integration (where industry continue to meet the operational Defence Academy disposal), would manage and deliver imperative in the long term and lunchtime seminar i m p r o v e the services required) and an does so in a way that delivers at Abbey Wood on 14th September commodity in-house developed Value for much improved value for money from 1-2pm. Steve procurement Money Benchmark (where MOD to the MOD. McCarthy, the and logistic would manage a solution that “No decisions on the final MOD's Director processes, is delivered by a mixture of in- operating model or locations will International and optimise house and industry providers).” be made until the Assessment Security Policy, will the size of Neil Firth, pictured left, Phase is complete. This phase is speak on defence the LCS Director LCS, said: “LCS staff expected to take at least twelve as an international business on 22nd organisation. have done an excellent job over months. October from 12.30- “Under the current model, the last few years continuing to “Decisions will not be easy 1.30pm. Register on each commodity area operates deliver high levels of service to or straightforward. This is both 96161 4828. in isolation. The storage the military across procurement, a political and an organisational infrastructure itself requires storage and distribution. challenge, and one that needs Atlas loading investment to improve its “However, maintaining to realise something different, condition and to rationalise the that military supply against better and lasting.” Airbus Military has successfully demonstrated Peter Luff has pointed to investment we buy, store and dispose of equipment loading of NH90 and in new IT systems to help record stocks and investing in IT systems Eurocopter EC725 And we ARE defence inventory as evidence that the to help us record the hundreds of helicopters onto MOD is changing the way it manages its thousands of items in our inventory.” Atlas, formerly the improving stock. Mr Luff said he was pleased the A400M transport “Appropriate reserves of equipment National Audit Office had recognised aircraft. The tests inventory are essential to be able to deploy our that changes were already making a were the first Forces at short notice and sustain difference, in its report released at the demonstrations them on operations across the world,” end of June. of Atlas’ cargo- management, said the Minister. “The challenge of The report said the MOD was buying carrying capability managing and maintaining vast amounts more than it uses and not consistently using real aircraft. says of equipment, including explosive disposing of stock it no longer needs. materials, around the world should not Money spent on unnecessary levels of o Atlas unveiled: Minister be underestimated.” stock could be made available to be pages 24 and 25 He added: “We are changing the way spent elsewhere, it added. 8 news

NEWSREEL Small is Brown is the new black! beautiful

During financial year 2011-12, New boots set to change the approximately 41 per cent of new colour of UK operations contracts were awarded to small and medium- sized enterprises. DE&S has signed a multi-million pound This represented contract for new boots for the Army, Royal around 13 per cent Navy and RAF. of the value of Personnel will receive a new range all new contracts placed in the year, of brown combat boots to replace the according to the black and desert combat footwear they latest Parliamentary currently wear. figures. As part of a contract worth £80 million, troops will have a choice of five Pilots set different boots depending on where they for sea trials are based and what job they are doing. Each of the five boot types comes in Three or four UK two different styles, so personnel can test pilots will be wear whichever one is more comfortable initially involved for them. in the first sea The improved brown boots, developed trials of the F-35B to match the Multi-Terrain Pattern aircraft, Defence uniform worn by all personnel, will be Minister Peter Luff has said. Additional made in two different width fittings, operational pilots taking into account for the first time will become involved the different shapes of men’s and as the programme women’s feet. progresses. The new boots have been chosen after months of trials involving 2,000 troops serving across the world in Pageant costs Kenya, Cyprus, Canada and the UK. The brown boots will be rolled out Costs associated Best foot to personnel in all three services with the Armed forward: WO later this year. Forces Parade and Julie Lodge of Warrant Officer Class 1 Julie Muster at Windsor, DE&S' Defence the Thames River Clothing team Lodge from DE&S’ Defence Pageant and Clothing team said: “The boots the Service of we have now do the job well, Thanksgiving are • Desert Combat – for dismounted but having footwear that is in the region of troops conducting high levels of specially designed for female £880,000. This figure activity in desert environments troops means we get an even represents marginal exceeding 40 degrees Celsius costs incurred as better result and marks a real the participation of development in the kit available • Desert Patrol – for drivers/ the Armed Forces to us. armoured troops conducting was deemed core lower levels of activity in desert “The new boots are very business. It includes environments exceeding 40 degrees comfortable and fit so well I the costs of the Celsius feel like I could run a marathon in them. flypasts. “We have had excellent feedback on • Temperate Combat – for dismounted troops for high levels of the new boots from male and female activity in temperate climates soldiers, and we are buying a variety of Ark bids styles to cover the full range of conditions • Patrol – for drivers/armoured troops conducting lower levels Seventeen of activity in temperate climates we might encounter on operations, which proposals have means all our troops will have new boots been received to buy • Cold Wet Weather – for dismounted troops for high levels of for all seasons.” the former aircraft activity in temperatures down to minus 20 degrees Celsius Regimental Sergeant Major Ian Wright carrier HMS Ark of the Parachute Regiment took part in the Royal, Parliament trials, and said: “It is important that we has been told Research probes anti-air threats continue to feel comfortable in the boots although no details have been released DE&S and Thales UK have signed a research contract for a that we wear and reassured that they are about the bidders. technology demonstrator to improve resilience of future UK going to provide the right protection and No decisions have aircraft to anti-air threats. these new brown boots offer that.” yet been made about The contract, worth £24.5 million, builds on research by Black boots will continue to be worn the future of the Thales and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory with most non-camouflage uniforms such ship, said Defence to develop an infra-red warning system to detect missiles, as RAF and Royal Navy blues, and by units Under-Secretary gunfire and other threats so countermeasures can be on parade in full dress uniform, such as Andrew Robathan. deployed. The programme is being managed and delivered by Guards regiments on ceremonial duties in DE&S’ Air Weapons technology delivery team. central London. Our UK employees are proud to provide kit for Britain’s armed forces. We design, manufacture and maintain ghter jets, armoured vehicles and naval vessels including the Typhoon aircraft, Scimitar light tanks and the Astute Class of submarine. But we’re prouder still of the contribution and sacri ces made by our armed forces every day. Thank you.

REAL PRIDE. REAL ADVANTAGE. 10 news

Farnborough round-up . . . Farnborough round-up . . . Farnborough round-up . . . Farnborough round-up . . . Farnborough round-up . . . Farnborough round-up . . . Farnborough round-up . . . Farnborough round-up . . . Farnborough round-up . . . Farnborough round-up . . .

Falcon system is flying high Typhoon set to face its next capability upgrade

Falcon, the tactical The RAF Typhoon Tranche 1 fleet is to be upgraded coming months ahead of its roll out to the Tranche communications following the recent delivery of the Drop 2 upgrade 1 fleet. Robert Forshaw, Drops Desk Officer with system, has completed package. DE&S’ Fast Air Support Team, said: “The success systems field trials. Tranche 1 Drop 1 saw active service as part of of this upgrade programme has demonstrated the During the trial, the Typhoon fleet deployed in support of Operation ability of BAE Systems to deliver weapon system data was successfully Ellamy in Libya. The second upgrade package, improvements, integrated with a tailored support exchanged and known as Drop 2, is now entering service with solution, to the RAF in collaboration with their networks linked across the RAF. Drop 2 will provide capability updates to industrial partners. six places in the UK. a range of Typhoon avionic systems covering the “The team has overcome some significant Deliveries of Falcon displays and controls, attack and identification, challenges to get to this stage and that’s testament installations have defensive aids and communication sub systems to the working relationships between BAE Systems, begun in preparation while also delivering availability and sustainability the German SUZ and QinetiQ teams involved in the for handover to the improvements to the Tranche 1 fleet. project. RAF and Royal Corps of The first flight of a Tranche 1 Typhoon with the “I would thank everyone involved in the project Signals. new product embodied took place at RAF Coningsby and I look forward to working with them again on the This delivery plan in May and will continue to be assessed in the Drop 3 and 4 programmes.” will continue to run to the middle of next year. A Contractor Logistics Support element of the programme has also First Wildcats handed over begun. Land Forces Brigadier Andy Bristow said: “Falcon offers the potential to be the ready to face the future deployed terrestrial architecture of the future, delivering an information space that The first two Wildcat the Armed Forces can helicopters have been handed be proud of for the 21st over to the MOD. century.” DE&S is buying 34 Wildcats for the Army Air Corps and Taranis on way another 28 of the Maritime to flight trials Attack variant which will be operated by the Fleet Air Arm. Taranis, the UK’s The first two of the fleet of unmanned combat air 62 were accepted by Defence system technology Secretary Philip Hammond at demonstrator, has completed key tests on the Farnborough Air Show from the way to beginning manufacturer AgustaWestland. flight trials next year. A support and training The low observable contract which comes with it air vehicle completed is worth £350 million and will radar cross-section sustain 500 jobs at the Somerset tests at BAE Systems’ company. Warton site and analysis indicated The first helicopters to come the programme met into service in 2014 will be Army challenging targets variants with the first Royal Unveiled: the first of the new Wildcat helicopters has been handed over from the MOD and Navy Wildcats delivered for industry. training later this year before Testing of the coming into service in 2015. propulsion system The Army Wildcat Sting Ray Torpedoes. Army and provide training and support has been completed at Rolls-Royce including will primarily be used in a Navy pilots will use high-tech will keep them flying wherever measurement of reconnaissance role, providing interactive displays thanks to they are needed.” Taranis’ infra-red protection to soldiers on the modern glass cockpits. Chief of the General Staff, signature. ground. The Maritime Attack The in-service support and General Sir Peter Wall said: version will protect the Navy’s training contract will provide “This is an excellent helicopter Mantis to the UK fleet around the world. a specialist training centre at which is very important to the Both variants have more Yeovilton, where the Wildcats Army Air Corps. We will be BAE Systems intends powerful engines than the Lynx, will be based. It will include seeking to get it fully operational to re-fly the Mantis enabling Wildcat to be used flight simulators and a wide as soon as possible.” unmanned air on operations all year round in range of other equipment to Chief of the Naval Staff, systems (UAS) concept demonstrator – this extreme conditions. train pilots, ground crew and First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir time in UK airspace. Wildcat also has a more engineers. Mark Stanhope added: “With It will enable the robust fuselage to give better Mr Hammond said: “Wildcat modern sensors, equipment company to continue protection to the crews. Both represents a considerable and weapons, it will be an to mature a number of variants are armed with a advance over the current Lynx outstanding asset that will UAS capabilities and General Purpose and Heavy helicopters, bringing greatly maintain Royal Naval units at technologies. Machine Gun and the Navy’s improved performance and the cutting edge of worldwide helicopters will also carry capability. The contract to maritime operations.” news 11

Farnborough round-up . . . Farnborough round-up . . . Farnborough round-up . . . Farnborough round-up . . . Farnborough round-up . . . Farnborough round-up . . . Farnborough round-up . . . Farnborough round-up . . . Farnborough round-up . . . Farnborough round-up . . .

Missile MBDA has unveiled SPEAR, a carriage bay of the F-35 Joint A compact missile measuring new, high-precision surface attack Strike Fighter aircraft. about two metres in length, the unveiled weapon for fast combat aircraft, With a range beyond 100km weapon features a multi-mode as new at the show. and high sub-sonic flight, it is seeker for operations during day The weapon is proposed capable of dealing with fast- or night operations regardless of surface by the company to meet DE&S’ moving manoeuvring vehicles weather. requirement for a network centric, including main battle tanks, SPEAR draws its name from attack low collateral damage, multi- hardened structures, air defence the MOD’s Selected Precision target stand off strike weapon for units and missile launchers to Effects At Range capability weapon multiple loadout in the internal naval vessels. requirements.

Meteor proves Atlas, formerly a direct hit A400M, pictured at RAF Fairford, and, MBDA’s Meteor below, Prime Minister Beyond Visual Range David Cameron on Air-to-Air Missile the flight deck at has ended its guided Farnborough firing programme with three direct hits from three firings during Electronic Protection Measure (EPM) trials against targets deploying countermeasures. MBDA is on track to complete qualification and make the first production deliveries by the end of the year. Integration of Meteor with Typhoon is progressing as the cockpit design is Atlas training underlines trialled by pilots from the partner nations at BAE Systems’ site at Warton. the vital role of industry Steve Long, BAE Systems test pilot, said: “Having Meteor A £50 million contract for no complacency. International Technology, Peter Luff, added: sat under your wings a new simulator for Atlas, competition gets more fierce by “I welcome the new A400M means you’re stepping the RAF's next air transport the year. The UK has got to fight simulator which will provide our into an aircraft aircraft, has been hailed by the for every contract and every RAF crews with a challenging that instantly gives Prime Minister as an example of opportunity. training environment that you the confidence and reassurance the success of the UK aerospace “We’re pulling every lever will support the live flight to conduct your industry and its critical preparation for Atlas, a mission.” importance to growth. uniquely capable transport A first firing from The contract with Airbus aircraft.” Typhoon is planned for Military will see Thales Airbus Military supplies later this year. Training and Simulation the aircraft parts and in Sussex design and build equipment plus a data and Brimstone the simulator for RAF Brize software package to enable success Norton, the future home of the simulator to replicate Atlas. The first of 22 aircraft Atlas’ flight and mission The first firing of is expected in 2014 to characteristics. an operational Dual replace the C-130 Hercules. This will be the fourth Mode Brimstone Prime Minister David simulator of its type – with missile against a fast Cameron said: “In a hugely the first ordered for Airbus in-shore attack craft has proved a success. difficult time in the global Military’s training centre The missile was fired economy UK aerospace in Seville, Spain, and the from an RAF Tornado is, quite simply, flying – second and third ordered by GR4 at the QinetiQ employing more than 100,000 France and Germany. Further Aberporth range in people, turning over more than we’ve got to make sure those simulators are expected to be Wales. £20 billion a year, holding a good, high-skilled jobs come to ordered by the Atlas partnering In-shore attack 17 per cent share of the global Britain and stay in Britain." nations, representing a craft are small, fast and agile and a market. Minister for Defence significant investment in UK jobs growing maritime "But there can be absolutely Equipment, Support and and technology. threat. 12 news

NEWSREEL BT helps fight against the cyber threats Managing A seven-year cyber secrity agreement with BT will security through cyberspace, so it is crucial that we human science see the comany expand its cyber defence service. look to constantly improve our defence mechanisms Work has already begun on the agreement which to meet those threats,” he said. BAE Systems will builds on an existing service and gives the MOD a He added that it made sense to develop the lead management of wider and deeper defence capability across its global relationship with BT further. the Defence Human IT network. Neil Rogers, president of global government at Capability Science BT will now deliver and integrate a range of new BT Global Services, said the extended agreement & Technology capabilities for the cutting-edge service, which is testifies to the success and strength of BT's Centre advancing designed to deter attacks, as well as respond to and collaboration with the MOD. application of human recover from them. “The service has already delivered a range sciences across Air Commodore Tim Bishop, head of service of benefits in terms of security and operational defence. The MOD’s operations at DE&S, said UK Forces depend on efficiencies,” he said. “This deal will boost those Defence Science computer networks at home and in operations gains further.” and Technology around the world. BT added that it is building on its long and close Laboratory has “Over the past five years we’ve seen a significant working relationship with the Government by helping awarded the contract rise in the number of threats to the UK’s national to deliver the UK National Cyber Security Strategy. and BAES will manage a four- year, multi-million pound programme of research supporting priority human capability Simulators to help guard requirements from across the MOD. The Centre will deliver research against biggest threats in areas such as enhancing physical and cognitive performance, reducing soldier burden while Left: training maximising safety and exploiting to deal with the human behaviours in CBRN threat, conflict resolution. personnel at work on Salisbury Plain. Cost control Below: the BMT Hi-Q Sigma Defence CBRN will implement a Centre at risk management Winterbourne change programme Gunner for DE&S’ Joint and Battlefield Trainers, Simulations and Synthetics Environments team to help deliver projects to stringent performance, cost and time targets.

Cadet boost The latest simulators to train allow us to simulate a wide New cadet units service personnel to deal with range of threat scenarios.” across England chemical, biological, radiological The CBRN team worked will be given a and nuclear threats have been closely with Argon to £10.85 million delivered on time and within ensure that the contract boost from the MOD and Department budget. was fulfilled on time and for Education so UK manufacturer Argon within budget. remote simulator instruments more young people Electronics has supplied “The equipment was under a fully configurable virtual can join up and the new systems including specified, ordered and delivered plume, in real time, over user take pride in their instrumentation and within 16 weeks. This shows selected mapping. community. Over simulation software to the what can be achieved with a Mr Strudley added: “Tools the next three years Defence Chemical, Biological, good working relationship such as PlumeSIM will allow new units will be created through Radiological and Nuclear Centre between our DE&S team and a us to train personnel faster and partnerships with (DCBRNC) at Winterbourne specialised UK manufacturer,” more efficiently, giving them the existing units Gunner on Salisbury Plain. said Mr Strudley. knowledge and experience that in schools or by DE&S’ CBRN protection The Argon equipment will help them perform an even creating completely leader Phil Strudley said: includes the company’s latest better job once they return to new units. The “Acquisition of this latest instruments, simulators and operational duties. money will go equipment is an important step the advanced PlumeSIM wide “These advanced simulators towards essential equipment and for the CBRN training centre, area field exercise and desktop will also help reduce the training of staff. providing our trainers with a training system. This enables integrated logistic support costs range of sophisticated tools that instructors to manage multiple associated with our detectors.” news 13

HP continues its MOD What do backing Hewlett Packard (HP) Enterprise Services will support and maintain IT you think efficiency across the MOD in a three-year contract worth around £15 million. “HP will help the of it so MOD meet commitments to government efficiency while minimising complexity,” said Paul Beavin of DE&S’ Networks far? team. “The Royal Navy, British Army and the RAF Foxhound training starts in can rely on a consistent and transparent level of Camp Bastion – with a vote support for IT assets in the UK and at overseas bases. of confidence from the troops “This contract has been adopted as a model by the Government Procurement Service, part of the Cabinet Foxhound, the UK’s newest environment and has a four- been extremely high and we are Office’s Efficiency and light protected patrol vehicle, wheel steer. It is proving to be very confident it will perform Reform Group, so could be has received the thumbs-up very reliable. well outside the wire.” used for other government from those training on it at “We have done trials in hot Foxhound is equipped departments.” Camp Bastion. weather and extreme conditions with infrared technology and HP’s new contract The vehicle arrived in and it has excelled. thermal-imaging and has three builds on more than ten years of support and Helmand Province last month, “From what I have seen so far screens inside the cab that includes core services, with offering better blast protection it is superb, and the technology offer a 360-degree view around the facility to incorporate and counter-IED equipment for it has is sensational. It is nice the vehicle for high levels of additional bespoke and ad- troops on the ground. to drive and there is a lot more situational awareness. hoc services. Core service Former serviceman Ricky space in the back.” The vehicle also boasts an areas cover: Haynes is the Defence School of Signaller Mark Lawrence of extremely effective night-time Transport’s Foxhound training the Royal Corps of Signals was capability, while its engine can • Hardware break-fix, rapid repair or replacement team line manager. one of the first to get behind the be removed in the space of just 20 of equipment, with He said the patrol vehicle has wheel of Foxhound during early minutes should any mechanical higher levels of support performed superbly so far, and driver-training. problems arise. for business-critical that British Army personnel will “The V-shaped hull is similar The rear compartment can requirements. receive a huge capability boost to that of the Mastiff, and it offers comfortably seat up to four • Bespoke software from its introduction to theatre: increased protection as it throws soldiers and offers storage space support to ensure complete “This platform will have a the force of any blast wide of the for daysacks and other kit. operational continuity. • 24/7 UK call centre. multitude of roles but initially it vehicle,” he said. DE&S ordered 200 • Hardware will be used for force protection “Its performance cross- Foxhounds in November 2010, refurbishment, out on the ground,” he told country is amazing and I cannot and 100 more were requested redeployment, disposal and Soldier magazine. see it struggling. last year as part of a £400 million recycling. “It is designed for an urban “The in-theatre standard has package. • Asset maintenance. • Computer room environment management.

The contract has Marchwood – private sell-off is an option an option for a further two years. Currently Marchwood military port may be sold an alternative port for the UK’s military HP supports more than off to the private sector. activities. 200,000 of the MOD’s But it will continue to be used as the port Marchwood remained the preferred choice. personal computers, office equipment and where military equipment is embarked on “This will ensure that the military outputs telecommunications ships for transport abroad and also its return can still be met while allowing greater assets. to the UK. economic and commercial benefit to be “This new pan- The port, known as the Sea Mounting realised from the site,” he said. government enabling Centre in Hampshire, is home to personnel of “In doing so we envisage a much closer contract is set to be 17 Port and Maritime Regiment who provide a relationship between the MOD and industry in a model for future key capability to the Armed Forces. delivering these capabilities from a privately engagement with the public sector,” said The centre also provides a valuable owned sea mounting centre.” Melanie McGrory, Account training facility. Mr Luff added that the MOD will develop a Executive, HP Enterprise Announcing the decision in Parliament on commercial proposal by the end of the year. Services. 12th July, Minister for Defence Equipment, Any sale will be dependent on market “It reflects HP’s Support and Technology, Peter Luff, said conditions at the time and will need to show experience in managing options for the sale of Marchwood had been that defence capability can be delivered in a some of the world’s most assessed along with consideration of finding way which represents value for money. complex, multi-sourced environments.” 14 news

NEWSREEL Land vehicle Ammunition contract exports

there have, as yet, been no firm export hits another target opportunities for the new Foxhound light protected Supplies of ammunition to patrol vehicle, UK Armed Forces continue International Security Minister to be guaranteed after the Gerald Howarth has latest upgrade in the country's told Parliament. He production facilities. added: “However, A new £75 million plant in the UK Trade and Washington, Tyne and Wear Investment Defence houses a modern forge run and Security remotely from a control room. It Organisation, as the Government lead will carry out machining of large for defence and calibre tank (120mm), 81mm security exports, is mortar and 105mm/155mm already exploring artillery ammunition using and supporting robotic machining cells and new, the aspirations environmentally-friendly, paint of General and treatment capabilities. Dynamics Land Systems-Force The plant is part of DE&S’ Protection Europe £2 billion long-term MASS in any export (Munitions Acquisition, the opportunities which Supply Solution) partnering arise in relation agreement with BAE Systems to Foxhound. Its signed in 2008. Princess Anne, who has links with more than 20 military units who use recent deployment It covers 80 per cent by products from the Washington factory, is pictured with managing director of on operations will volume of the general munitions BAE's Global Combat Systems Muntions business Charlie Blakemore (left) enable us to assess and site boss Simon Miller its full capability.” – including small arms, mortar bombs, tank, artillery and naval Marshall gun shells – used by UK Forces in operations and training. site – opened on 2nd July by the Green near Crewe and Glascoed partners DE&S Head of Munitions Princess Royal – at the beginning in south Wales. The programme Nick Hunt said: “This official of 2010 and production has is on track to complete by the Marshall Aerospace has opening, on time and within now been almost completely middle of next year. agreed with budget is a major milestone transferred there from nearby UK operations have Lockheed Martin in the modernisation of the Birtley. The move underpins demanded a consistently high to become the UK’s munitions manufacturing around 230 jobs at the site. delivery performance from the first commercial facilities. The company’s Global company. On time deliveries company to install “BAE Systems deserves great Combat Systems Munitions under MASS have been as high Hercules C-130 credit for this achievement, business is carrying out a five- as 99.95 per cent in 2009, 98 per Centre Wing Boxes, the main which will help drive down year £206 million transformation cent in 2010 and 99 per cent in load-bearing munitions prices and maximise (more than half of which is 2011 compared to an average component of the future efficiencies.” funded under MASS) which will 70 per cent under previous airframe which Work started on the new also modernise sites at Radway arrangements. can determine overall operational life of the aircraft. Marshall is the HMS Turbulent on Turbulent prime contractor exercise in the Gulf of for DE&S’ 24-year Oman contract worth heads for £1.52 billion for engineering a more support to the Hercules C-130J tranquil and K type aircraft. future Ship support

DE&S’ Maritime Equipment Systems team has awarded a four- year contract to Plymouth-based submarine HMS Admiral Andrew Mathews, pictured Babcock to support Turbulent has left operational service right. compressors after nearly 30 years. Since being commissioned in and associated A decommissioning ceremony 1984 Turbulent has been deployed equipment on the was held on 14th July for the second on patrols as far apart as the North Royal Navy’s ships oldest of the Royal Navy’s Trafalgar Atlantic and Far East, and saw and submarines. class submarines. It was attended by service in the Adriatic during the DE&S’ Chief of Materiel (Fleet) Vice Balkans conflict. news 15 LTPA T&E begins here Are we on Lynx 500: Captain David Elford, left, joins Commodore Graeme MacKay, Geoff Hewson of Vector Aerospace, Col Neil Dalton and Lt Col Neal Hutchinson beside Royal Navy Lynx XZ255 your radar Lynx overhauls top the 500 mark for T&E? Lynx team leader Captain David Elford joined other The Long Term Partnering Agreement (LTPA) members of the helicopter community at the handover of Royal Navy Lynx XZ255. is an innovative collaborative approach to The occasion on 6th July marked the 500th overhaul of an MOD Lynx at Vector Aerospace UK’s Fleetlands site provide Test and Evaluation, Training and since the start of the Defence Logistic Transformation support services to the MOD. Programme for rotary aircraft in April 2005. The handover had a special meaning for a number of Vector employees, who remember working on Lynx XZ255 the first time it came in for overhaul in 1997. The LTPA is a framework agreement under The aircraft was originally a Mark 2 built in Yeovil in which the majority of your fixed costs 1979. In 1997 it returned to Fleetlands for conversion to Mark 8 Saturn standard. It has been a display aircraft, has associated with Test and Evaluation are embarked on a number of Royal Navy ships and is part of the London Olympic detachment on HMS Ocean. centrally funded.

If your project has a T&E requirement call now, or visit the website to find out if the T45 kit set to hit costs of your trial are covered under the LTPA. a wider market

The MOD and Thales UK are working to commercialise the UK’s fully digital radar electronic support measures system, which has had its first use in the Royal Navy’s Type Air 45 destroyer fleet. A licence agreement has been signed between Thales Land and Ploughshare Innovations, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’s (Dstl) technology transfer Sea company. It gives Thales the opportunity to further develop and supply the technology to other naval forces beyond the MOD. The direct radio frequency sampling and wideband digital receiver technology was developed as part of Dstl’s research programme, resulting in a complete digital solution from antenna to console. The system provides increased quality in the information it contributes to overall situational awareness. Thales, working with Dstl, has matured this technology to provide the Royal Navy with a new generation of electronic warfare support and threat-identification capabilities. Phil Naybour, head of Thales UK’s naval business, added: “Thales is excited to be working with Ploughshare to develop a world-class technology. This is now in service with the Royal Navy and is providing it with an unrivalled 0800 015 0594 capability, even in the most demanding of theatres. “With this exclusive licence, Thales is looking forward to www.LTPA.co.uk the launch of a new export product later this year.” www.LTPA.co.uk is a QinetiQ registered domain name. 16 news

Dragon meets Dwarfed! the P&O fleet in Portsmouth

HMS Dragon is dwarfed on a grey day by Azura as the P&O Officer, said:“The engineering behind the scenes to ensure cruiseliner makes her way out of Portsmouth. the missile accurately reaches the target and destroys it is The Type 45 destroyer’s crew stood in ceremonial immense. uniform as Azura (115,000 tonnes to Dragon’s 7,500) and “But the missile is just one small component of the the company’s cruise fleet of seven ships passed the Royal Principal Anti-Air Missile System with its advanced radars Navy vessel marking P&O’s 175th anniversary. and powerful computers.” Dragon is in training around UK waters, including the First-of-class HMS Daring is working east of the Suez Outer Hebrides, where she successfully tested her Sea Canal, HMS Dauntless is patrolling the South Atlantic and Viper missile defence system for the first time, left. HMS Diamond will be joining in operations in the Middle Lt Cdr Kevin Miller, Dragon’s Weapons Engineering East. MSV Desider advert march 2012_Layout 1 17/07/2012 15:07 Page 1

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Richmond the latest frigate to return to work NEWSREEL

Type 23 frigate HMS high level of work, together Anglo-French Richmond, pictured left, has with numerous upgrades force on way been on sea trials around the and enhancements within UK following an on-schedule the programme has been a Good progress has been made towards in-budget ten-month upgrade remarkable achievement. establishing the and maintenance by Babcock Richmond is in good shape to Combined Joint at Devonport. achieve Fleet Date.” Expeditionary Force Capt Chris Saxby, Around 500 items have (CJEF) between Superintendent Fleet been overhauled, 20km of the UK and France Maintenance (Devonport), cable installed and 13,000 which, along with a deployable said: “Richmond has been litres of paint applied during Joint Force a demanding engineering the £20 million docking. Headquarters, project with an extensive Mike Weeks of Babcock’s should be available structural engineering said: “We have delivered for military repair programme involving Richmond safely, to quality operations by the over 250 structural inserts. and schedule, and at optimum planned date of “The incorporation of this value for money.” 2016. Armed Forces Minister Nick Harvey reported to Parliament that agreement has been reached with the French on Carrier comms takes logistics, command and control, and how the single service components a great leap forward will operate together.

A new Communications System Integration Facility UK in front has opened at Thales UK’s site An £11.7 million at Crawley, a major milestone contract has been for the Queen Elizabeth class awarded to QinetiQ carrier programme. to fund research to The facility will serve help maintain UK to progressively integrate expertise in defence a number of major Thales advanced materials. communications systems QinetiQ and partners – Malvern destined for the two new Optical, BAE carriers, with the work being Systems, MBDA, carried out on behalf of the NPL, Q-Par Angus Aircraft Carrier Alliance. and several UK Rear Admiral Steve universities – will Brunton, Deputy Director Ships Above: Rear Admiral Brunton, third from left, joins guests on the tour establish facilities and Director Ship Acquisition around Thales UK's carrier communications integration facility in Crawley in Farnborough and Pershore to enable at DE&S, opened the new UK companies to facility in front of guests from conduct research across the Alliance, the Royal milestone in the programme. industrial sector, best for and test new Navy and the MOD. It is a reminder that we are defence and best for the UK.” materials. Funding Ian Booth, recently bringing essential mission Each communications has been granted by appointed Programme Director, systems to life and not just system is being constructed the Defence Science and Phil Naybour, head of welding large blocks of steel stand alone to present for and Technology Laboratory. Thales UK’s naval business, together, impressive as that is. factory acceptance in the were among the attendees. “It is a great example of how facility at full scale, before Rear Admiral Brunton alliancing and early integration being integrated with the other Vehicle move said: “The opening of the activity can come together to sub systems. General Communications Integration deliver results that are best for Once integration is Dynamics UK has Facility marks a significant project, best for the maritime complete, systems will be sent been awarded a £4 for installation into the ships, million contract o The Tactical and Command and Control Voice System for Queen where Thales staff will assist to integrate the Elizabeth has been commissioned in Crawley. with the commissioning, on British Army’s It is the core voice system for the two ships with nearly 300 tactical voice board integration and final first Systems terminals which ship’s staff will use for plain and secure communications Information acceptance of the equipment. with aircraft and other platforms externally, and for internal command and Exploitation/ control. Guests were shown around Health and Usage Its entire network will be fully tested at Crawley including its interfaces the new facility by the resident Monitoring System to the other internal and external communication systems, many of which Thales radio communications into 578 Mastiff, are being procured from Thales but some also provided as Government products team. Approximately Ridgback, Husky, Furnished systems like Milsatcom. 40 people are employed on the Jackal, Coyote and This will ensure systems are capable of operating in highly demanding carrier comms programme at Wolfound vehicles scenarios long before it is installed on the carriers, configured ready for to help improve Crawley. harbour and sea trials, and de-risking the commissioning programme and their availability. in-service dates. n Carrier news: page 19 18 news

RAF personnel and DE&S NEWSREEL staff braved bad weather as the RAF Ensign was lowered for the Firm wins last time at RAF Stanbridge. Hunt work The formal closure ceremony Curtain in June signalled the end of a BAE Systems long and illustrious history for Maritime Services the RAF station in Bedfordshire, has awarded TUV which will close fully in March comes SUD Product Service a contract next year. to develop an Head of Establishment, Flt electromagnetic Lt Steve Hawkins, who moved compatibility test to Stanbridge in March 2011 down on programme for the to manage the closure, said Machinery Control something special was needed to and Surveillance system being mark the end of the site. installed on the “I have been in the RAF for DE&S Royal Navy’s eight 33 years and this base is totally Hunt class Mine different from any I have served Counter Measures at. Because it’s so small it has a Vessels. TUV unique atmosphere,” he said. work at SUD will develop Stanbridge has been home to a test plan for the new system, the RAF Supply Central Control which is based on System computer, controlling commercial off-the- military logistics worldwide. Stanbridge shelf equipment, The service has been taken at its Hampshire on by Boeing Defence UK and laboratories. The staff will transfer to a purpose- work is part of a built logistics centre in Milton six-year contract worth £15 million, Keynes by the end of the year. awarded to BAE The Stanbridge gates will Systems to replace shut for the final time next propulsion systems March with the computer on the Royal Navy’s system moving to a data centre MCMV fleet. elsewhere in the UK. Fourteen military personnel Safety first from DE&S organised and took part in the parade while Air Any safety lessons Commodore Barrie Thomson, from a recent fire Head of Logistic Network aboard submarine USS Miami will Enabled Capability, was the be applied in the event’s reviewing officer. He was Royal Navy, Defence joined by other members of Log Minister Peter Luff NEC. has promised in The rest of RAF Stanbridge Flag day: the RAF Ensign comes down at Stanbridge, watched by RAF reply to an MP’s is made up of Boeing Defence UK personnel and local members of the Air Training Corps. A Spitfire makes a question. “The fly-past over the ceremony MOD has a strict and Steria contractors. regime to manage fire safety on submarines. This includes routine assessment of all Boeing is first to answer ministerial call fire incidents on Royal Navy ships and submarines, as Boeing has become the first to sign up to a new suppliers will follow Boeing’s lead and sign up to well as those fire policy encouraging overseas-based companies our new policy in due course.” incidents reported to make a firm commitment to continue business Boeing’s UK Managing Director Mike Kurth by foreign navies,” activities in the UK for the long term. said: “Boeing is honoured to support the UK with he said. Following publication of the MOD's White Paper great platforms like Chinook, C-17 and Apache. ‘National Security Through Technology’ this year, The previous industrial participation opportunity overseas-based suppliers have been encouraged associated with the supply of these platforms was UOR staff to invest in the UK’s defence and security sector a significant factor in our commitment to increase through the launch of a new Defence and Security our UK defence footprint that now employs more There are Industrial Engagement Policy (DSIEP). than 800 people.” 455 full-time DSIEP was launched by Peter Luff, Minister for “This brings significant defence capability equivalent DE&S Defence Equipment, Support and Technology. It is onshore for helicopter maintenance and staff delivering hoped other companies will follow Boeing’s lead. modification, logistics transformation, training and urgent operational Mr Luff said: “The MOD is delighted that advanced modelling and simulation to mention just requirements, Boeing will continue to invest in the UK’s defence four. according to the and security sectors and provide supply chain “This is only part of the story; our focus on the latest figures. opportunities for UK companies, particularly small UK supply chain means Boeing also spends around There are also extra and medium-sized enterprises. $1 billion each year with 250 suppliers that have personnel across “Boeing’s commitment demonstrates the become an invaluable part of the Boeing supply the MOD supporting competitiveness of UK industry and we look forward chain. equipment to continuing and extending our relationship with “The new policy provides the stimulus for delivered through this world class company. longer term engagement and we are delighted to be the UOR process. “I also hope that other overseas-based the first company to sign up.” news 19 o ‘Breathtaking’ is how the Director of DE&S Ship Acquisition has described the scene during the latest assembly milestones of Queen Elizabeth at Rosyth. o A major hydraulic skidding operation saw the massive Super Block 03 – mid hull and centre block sections – moved 90 metres north to meet Lower Block 02 – accommodation and auxiliary machine spaces – as the second of three assembly cycles began in June. o “I am incredibly impressed with the detail and engineering precision that is undertaken during the assembly cycles with the end produced being a breathtaking aerial view of the first ship in the dock, which is history in the making,” said Rear Admiral Steve Brunton. o The hull is on track to be fully assembled by 2014.

Progress: Queen Elizabeth takes shape at Babcock's yard in Rosyth as the second assembly cycle gets underway

o The first steel cut for Lower Block 04 of Prince of Wales took Propulsion gets personal place at BAE Systems’ Govan yard last month

Bernard Gray and his wife Katie will o Housing the two help ‘power’ the second of the two Queen main engine rooms, Elizabeth aircraft carriers throughout its a medical area and operational life. accommodation, the Rolls-Royce hosted a ceremony in block will weigh more Bristol to mark the naming of the two than 11,000 tonnes on completion. MT30 gas turbines for Prince of Wales

‘Bernard’ and ‘Katie’ after the Chief of o The huge section Defence Materiel and his wife. of hull is now under At 36 megawatts each, ‘Bernard’ construction for both and ‘Katie’ are two of the world’s most ships at Govan, along powerful model of marine gas turbine, with Lower Block 03 for which alongside diesel engines will the second ship. The aft island, responsible produce 109 megawatts of power. for flying control on the A delighted Mr Gray said: “The MT30 ships, is progressing at will provide the naval operator with levels BAES’ Scotstoun facility of efficiency, flexibility and reliability not hitherto experienced. The advantage this o Lower Block 04 of Mr Gray and his wife Katie join DE&S Head of Ships Tony will bring to the Royal Navy in terms Queen Elizabeth is Graham at the Bristol naming ceremony while, below, it's of cost-of-ownership and operational due to leave Govan for steel cut time at Govan for Lower Block 04 of Prince of Wales Rosyth in November. performance is clear.” It will be the last hull The gas turbines are named after those section of Queen who have made a significant contribution Elizabeth to arrive. to the carrier programme, and follow ‘Bob’ and ‘Jean’, the names adorned to the two o Rear Admiral Steve MT30s for Queen Elizabeth, named after Brunton said: “This Rear Admiral Bob Love and his wife Jean. latest milestone shows how well the Prince of Rolls-Royce is part of the Power Wales build programme and Propulsion Sub Alliance, alongside is progressing with Thales, L-3 and Converteam, responsible the Lower Block 04 for the power and propulsion systems for being one of the larger electrically driven carriers. hull blocks being constructed.” 20 joint strike fighter Lightning II – new agility for the 21st century

he UK has formally accepted the UK companies involved in 15 per cent of Wing Commander Willy Hackett said first of the Joint Strike Fighters, the production. at the event: “This aircraft has stealth Tto be known as Lightning II, at “Having taken decisions on the final characteristics built in so we can take it a ceremony in Fort Worth, Texas. The designs of our new aircraft carriers and into harm’s way. It has a wonderful range, aircraft is the Short Take Off and Vertical balanced the MOD’s budget we can now large internal fuel load and a powerful Landing (STOVL) version of the F-35, proceed confidently to regenerating array of sensors to give the pilot complete manufactured by Lockheed Martin, and our carrier strike capability with these situational awareness.” the UK is the first country outside the US cutting edge stealth combat aircraft.” He said alongside stealth, the to receive these aircraft. DE&S’ new Director Combat Air and Lightning II would have the world’s most Defence Secretary Philip Hammond former Head of the Lightning project advanced radar, an advanced targeting has announced the MOD intends to order team Air Commodore Graham Farnell system, 360 degree camera surveillance a fourth Lightning II aircraft next year to said: “It was hugely exciting to take part outside the aircraft to allow the pilot the add to the three already on contract. in the handover of the first aircraft to the ability to see all around, and full network The RAF and Royal Navy will conduct MOD and a great day for the DE&S team, enabled surveillance and intelligence flight trials of the jets which will operate all of whom have been involved in a lot of gathering capabilities. from land bases and from sea. hard work alongside our US and industry Wg Cdr Hackett added the The aircraft is planned to be colleagues to achieve this important operational from land based airfields milestone. This event really does mark from 2018, when it will also begin flight the dawn of a new capability for the UK’s trials off carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth. Armed Forces. Mr Hammond, pictured below, said: “We are now looking forward to “This hugely capable combat aircraft is the award of the contract for the fourth now officially British and in the hands of aircraft and long lead items for the first our expert pilots. Highly skilled British batch of production aircraft as this aerospace workers are also playing a programme gathers pace.” vital role in delivery of Lightning II with Team Requirements Manager joint strike fighter 21

Lightning II would also introduce voice using a UK-developed ski-jump and Systems. BAES brings a heritage of activation of sensors and weapons by land either vertically or using the novel capabilities including short takeoff and the pilot and a ‘look and shoot’ helmet UK-developed Short Rolling Vertical vertical landing experience, advanced alongside surveillance, intelligence and Landing (SRVL) technique. This would lean manufacturing, flight testing communications facilities so powerful enable the jet to land at a much higher and air systems sustainment, and is that the aircraft would be able to fulfil weight than is possible in a purely responsible for the F-35’s aft fuselage, wholly new mission types. vertical landing. fuel system, crew escape and life It will introduce new capabilities Wg Cdr Hackett said: “SRVL is support systems. to the UK’s Armed Forces, including under development for the carriers but it The UK will play a vital role suppression of enemy air defences, means the aircraft would fly in at around in global production, follow-on close air support to troops in the worst 60 to 70 mph and then brake to a stop on development and sustainment over weather at night, offensive counter air the deck, without the need for any costly the next 40 years, bringing strong (where stealth would enable the aircraft arrester gear. It will be able to land up economic benefits. to penetrate hostile airspace unescorted) to 1.8 tonnes heavier than otherwise be The aircraft will become a mainstay and defensive counter air – a capability possible, meaning unexpended weapons of future air combat forces while the for the RAF and Royal Navy that is many can be brought back to the ship.” three distinct variants of the F-35 will times more effective than that provided The UK was the first of eight replace the A-10 and F-16 for the US Air in the past. international partners to join the F-35 Force, the F/A-18 for the US Navy, the Onboard the Queen Elizabeth aircraft programme which Lockheed Martin F/A-18 and AV8-B Harrier for the US carriers, the jet would take off at its is developing with principal industrial Marine Corps. It is also likely to replace maximum weight of nearly 27 tonnes partners Northrop Grumman and BAE fighters for at least 10 other countries. 22 technology Hull and high water! DE&S has a huge role as an intelligent customer for industry, with the specialist knowledge to ensure MOD’s needs are met. In the first of a series of articles expanding on this role desider looks at the development of the underwater hull design for the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers

raditional designs for underwater hull shapes of the Royal Navy Twarships of the past have tended to focus on high length-to-beam ratios and complex and costly curvature and double curvature in order to get best possible top speed through the water. The underwater hulls of the Queen Elizabeth carriers are different from this in almost every important respect. Their hulls are far wider than any other Royal Navy warship, complex curvature has been replaced on large sections of the hull by flat plates to cut costs, a bulbous bow the size of a small submarine is another first for a Royal Navy carrier and at the stern a transom flap which doubles as a landing platform for boat passengers is a further innovation. Finally. the propellers have the highest power loading of any RN Neil Mounty, Platform Client Assurance Manager, left, with Rob Weedon of Thales, the ship. Alliance's Chief Naval Architecht The pressures on modern hull designers have become more, rather than We looked at a range of other existing is not designed for speed. It’s cheaper less complex, according to MOD civil ships of the same sort of size as the and easier to build than complex more servant Neil Mounty, who is Platform carriers were expected to be and looked traditional curved shapes needed for high Client Assurance Manager for the at whether we could modify their designs speed – but we did not need high speed project. He is a naval architect and his to suit our needs. for these ships. role in the earlier stages of the project “For example, early in the design “The stern transom platform, or as an intelligent customer was to make process we studied cruise liners, because stern flap is an extension to the hull sure the ship was capable of fulfilling its they used the podded propulsors that that increases its waterline length and design requirements, including speed were originally proposed for the carriers modifies the flow of water leaving the and sea-keeping. As construction of which necessitated a flat aft section from hull to provide a cleaner exit. We chose to first of class Queen Elizabeth pushes which the pods would have hung.” increase its depth so that it could also be ahead, his role has changed to include Thales Chief Naval Architect Rob used as a boat embarkation point. the progressive acceptance of completed Weedon added: “We used a wind tunnel “The main point of this areas of the ship from contractors to test the final underwater hull design approximately ten-metre long bulbous He works as part of the four-cornered for the after end of the ship, the same bow is that it cancels out the huge bow Aircraft Carrier Alliance (ACA), which one used to test many F1 cars. We built a wave a traditional design will develop. is overseeing construction and delivery model and ran smoke at speed over it to The bow wave is a colossal waste of of the vessels. MOD is one partner, test for problems in the flow over the back energy and a major drag on the ship. This alongside contractors BAE Systems, of the hull and the ‘A’ frames on which the bulbous bow projects well forward of the Babcock and Thales. propeller shafts are fixed. Results proved main hull and alters the pressure field in The traditional focus on achieving we were on the right track.” the water at a range of speeds. design speed for the ships is still Mr Weedon, a BMT employee on “All this hugely complex design there, but the team faces the additional secondment to platform design authority work is greatly helped by the advanced complexity of achieving the requirement Thales, is the lead on overall ship design, computer design facilities that we can at the end of the ship’s life, after up to including hydrodynamics, hull design draw on in the ACA, but we still work 50 years of service, at a deep load which and general arrangement for the ACA. with more traditional methods,” he said. on current estimates is expected to rise He said: “We needed plenty of beam Now that construction is well- above 65,000 tonnes. in order to fit in large diesel engines low advanced on Queen Elizabeth the two Stability when operating aircraft is in the hull, have efficient stores spaces men and their teams are looking ahead another constraint, as is stability when and in order to meet the need for ship to the start of contractors’ sea trials in damaged, and fuel economy at cruising stability for operating aircraft in rougher the second half of this decade, during and top speeds. sea states. The ships have a large flat- which years of painstaking development Mr Mounty said: “We didn’t start sided parallel mid-body section which and design work on the underwater hull entirely from scratch with hull design. gives very good internal volume but design will finally be put to the test. technology 23 24 tactical airlift Atlas maps out an air transport future A400M’s new name is unveiled at the Royal International Air Tattoo

tlas will join the Royal Air Force in two years’ time to help provide Athe UK military’s future air transport force. The next generation military transport aircraft, previously known as A400M, was officially named at a

ceremony at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford last month. to land on semi-permanent runways together to deliver world-class military Air Marshal Sir Kevin Leeson, DE&S’ and rough ground means Atlas can fly capability.” Chief of Materiel (Air), said: “Atlas will its cargo into the centre of operations, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief take over from the C-130 Hercules, which supplying tactical forward bases or Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton said: “Atlas is has been a huge success and valuable evacuating casualties or refugees. going to be a major capability for defence asset for our Armed Forces for decades, Minister for Defence Equipment, and the Royal Air Force is looking as the workhorse of the RAF. Support and Technology, Peter Luff forward to Atlas joining our world-class “Atlas will be a superbly versatile said: “Atlas will be a uniquely capable fleet of air mobility aircraft. Atlas will performer with strategic reach and speed offer a step change in the Royal Air and impressive tactical qualities. It will Force’s capability and with its significant be a valuable addition to the RAF’s future payload it will be able to transport every stable of aircraft.” ‘A good example of how type of UK Protected Mobility Vehicle The aircraft will, along with the directly to where they are needed as Voyager and C-17, provide the UK European partners can well as supporting forces on the ground military’s future air transport force. through significant tactical air drop. The UK is buying 22 of the aircraft work together’ “Atlas together with the C-17 from Airbus Military and the first Atlas Globemaster, C-130 J Hercules and the is expected to be delivered to the RAF in new Voyager aircraft, now entering 2014. service with the RAF, will give us the Able to carry twice as much as the aircraft and will provide both tactical ability to rapidly move people and Hercules, Atlas can transport 32 tonnes and strategic airlift capabilities for use equipment around the globe for military of cargo over a range of 4,500 km, in peace, crisis and war. The name Atlas and humanitarian operations for decades providing unprecedented capability to reflects the potential of this mighty ahead.” support the UK Armed Forces. aircraft to provide help and support to The UK is one of seven nations who It can move up to 116 paratroopers, our Armed Forces and others in need will be purchasing Atlas from Airbus large armoured vehicles such as Mastiffs across the globe. Military. The development and build of as well as vast amounts of humanitarian “The programme is a good example the aircraft has created or secured work and disaster relief. The aircraft’s ability of how European partners can work for 8,000 people in the UK. tactical airlift 25 Atlas maps out an air transport future A400M’s new name is unveiled at the Royal International Air Tattoo

Below: Atlas is unveiled by Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, and his Spanish counterpart in a ceremony at RAF Fairford 26 working dogs Herrick’s unsung heroes Military Working Dogs provide valuable capability to British patrols on the front line. But procurement by DE&S begins many miles from Afghanistan

hey may be man’s best friend, but Operational Requirements, used to locate than playing all the instruments; the nowhere is that more true than on Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in sheet music though, the requirements, Tthe front line of Afghanistan, where support of specialist search teams and are all ours. We have been responsible for they are proving their worth saving a dismounted patrols. Future inclusion in the project management.” host of lives. the core equipment programme is the The team’s buyers look for dogs Military Working Dogs have seen aim. between 18 months and three years old their profile rise as they become more “Because things used to be done so who will already have had some training. successful in sniffing out threats to quickly we probably paid more than “We don’t specify a breed but the British servicemen on patrol in Helmand defence traditionally would pay for dogs. majority are typically Belgian Malinois or Province. So we have taken a whole capability Labrador Retrievers,” said Lt Col Purnell. Dog handlers are specialists; so are approach,” said Lt Col Purnell. “With these dogs we also bought handler the members of the team charged with “We have not just bought the dog; we training where the handler will be locally procuring them. It’s not just a case of have bought the whole support package trained with the dog. Then we’ll ship popping down the local dogs’ home from leashes, to a first aid kit for the them back to the UK and eventually on for an animal which will eventually handler, to all the kennelling for the dogs to Afghanistan. We are in the process have to work in the sand and dust of to live in. We have worked with other of establishing that type of capability Afghanistan. delivery teams across DE&S (kennelling in the UK which will reduce any outside The five-strong team – “We all worry through Expeditionary Campaign reliance. That will set ourselves up for every day about all things ‘dog!’,” said Infrastructure, first aid kits with Medical moving into the core programme.” programme manager Lieutenant Colonel and General Supplies, food through As Operation Herrick has progressed Mike Purnell of Force Protection Delivery Defence Food Services), effectively the dog has become as important as any Team – took on the task of bringing conducting the orchestra of teams rather of the other more high-tech means of greater coherence to procurement and detecting threats. Lt Col Purnell said: support of dogs across DE&S a couple of “It is a key-lifesaving capability and a years ago. Members now scour the globe, key part of force protection for a patrol. talking to specialist companies, choosing Troop numbers will be withdrawn suitable dogs, concluding contracts and from Afghanistan in the next two years putting support networks into place. quicker than dog numbers. The dog will They have recently delivered a have a role in Afghanistan right to the number of additional search dog end.” capabilities to theatre as Urgent The team has developed new skills while carrying out its role. “I am an engineer. I don’t have a dog background so I have had to learn,” said the Lieutenant Colonel. “As a team we have come from a variety of backgrounds and we have all learned quickly. It’s an emotive subject too. You would not normally describe the dog as equipment and people get very upset when you describe it as such. The dog is an animal, and it has equipment around it to support it.” Welfare of the dog is key. “There is a range of kennelling available and we put the dog in the best kennelling the particular location can accommodate,” said Lt Col Purnell. “They don’t live with their handlers; they are not pets, they are working dogs. We have invested in the best first aid which is available at forward locations. Full vet support is available at Camp Bastion and the dogs go through the same evacuation chain as the soldiers. They will be evacuated to the Defence Animal Centre, if necessary, which is the final link in the chain. “We don’t take short cuts on animal welfare. “We think they are great dogs and it is marvellous to watch them doing their work.” working dogs 27

“You cannot just pop down to the local dogs home or contact a recognised breeder. These dogs are highly trained animals capable of detecting IEDs and performing the task in extremely hostile environments that includes dust, sand and helicopters. There are limited people who have the skills to supply and train such a specialist dog” – Helen Harper, DE&S Military Working Dogs project officer

“It is thanks to the Military Working Dogs team that we have been able to deploy a significant ‘detect’ capability that has saved multiple lives in theatre” – David Penlington, DE&S Force Protection leader 28 industry Creating incentives to satisfy defence demand

ndustry is a critical component of military capability. Its people, Two years into his portfolio Minister for Defence ‘Iits products, its services equip, Equipment, Support and Technology Peter Luff transport, protect, clothe, feed, support our Forces. outlines the progress DE&S and industry have made Some companies have a global presence – others are smaller firms based and what lies in store just here in the UK. Thanks to industry innovation – and strong partnerships – our Forces have superb kit. It is the best Strategy of 2005 listed the capabilities But the only reasons for the MOD to they have ever had. And as good as can industry had and what Government go out of its way to protect technologies be found anywhere in the world. would do to protect them. This allowed are operational advantage and freedom We value industry highly, but it is everybody to claim that their capability of action. not a united industrial base as such. Its was essential and that, implicitly, the One of our challenges in implementing diversity is its strength. MOD would have to fund it. the White Paper is driving exportability Technology is driving fundamental In contrast, our White Paper into our requirement setting process from change in our supply chain. And smaller “National Security Through Technology” the beginning. companies are often the ones proving sets out an approach that starts with what It means making defence equipment to be innovative and agile. That’s why the State needs for its security and then that the UK requires attractive to we are looking for greater Small and it looks at the different ways of achieving potential overseas customers. That brings Medium Sized Enterprise involvement in it, establishing affordability, what it will benefits to the MOD and to industry. our procurement strategies. So we will acquire, and how it will acquire it. Ensuring this issue is fully addressed also hard-wire this approach into the We will buy equipment in a way as we devolve responsibility to the front reformed DE&S and its harder-edged most suited to its type and our need for line commands is a major White Paper relationship with the MOD customer. operational advantage and freedom of implementation task. The old phrase ‘sovereign capability’ action. Commitments to science, to exports, can lead to some pretty woolly But the skills and resources to deliver and to SMEs are new. Sometimes they thinking. The Defence Industrial operational advantage and freedom of mean working more closely with our action will be safeguarded when we must allies on acquisition – on very large do so to protect the nation. programmes like Joint Strike Fighter Having operational advantage and with the US and international partners; freedom of action in the future depends on smaller-scale programmes such as on investment in the right technologies aspects of counter-IED technology with now. the Germans – as I saw at DVD when That is why we are constantly I met MineWolf Abacot; or across a Sea assessing what we believe are critical wide portfolio of programmes in the Viper technologies – and why our decision framework of the wide-ranging Franco- to protect the Science and Technology British agreement. Here we are working budget from further cuts is so important. on complex weapons, unmanned combat It will be for the Government to systems, support for A400M, and much determine how best to sustain the more. technology – perhaps, for example, Our policy will, more often than in by collaboration with one of our most the past, lead the Government to open trusted allies rather than by maintaining up our defence contracts to international a single UK source. competition – as the last Government Of course it’s good when British- judged it right to do. based companies win UK defence Recent history shows there is no contracts. Often our needs will mean reason why UK companies should not win buying British from single sources; 40 MOD business. Look at Foxhound – an per cent of our defence equipment and excellent example of an agile and versatile support budget is spent that way. And vehicle, a contract competed for and won much of the remaining 60 per cent is also by British companies, Force Protection won by British companies too. Europe and Ricardo, sustaining around Look at announcements we have made 750 highly-skilled jobs across the UK. recently – on Sea Ceptor, Sea Viper, the And with huge export potential too. Core Production Capability, the refit of Similarly, the Warrior Capability and HMS Vengeance, maintaining Hercules, Sustainment Programme – which will the Warrior Capability Sustainment create and sustain around 600 British Programme, Foxhound, Scout. Hundreds jobs – was won by Lockheed Martin UK of highly skilled jobs secured by our in a competitive process. acquisition and support decisions. And it’s also the case that big industry 29

Peter Luff, centre, on a Sentinel aircraft at RAF Waddington last month, hears about the latest technology used on operations from Master Aircrew Darren Isaac of the RAF's 5 Squadron

contracts awarded overseas will also help the State. And we must nurture the to create the right incentives to grow to open up those international markets to growing diversity of what once saw itself thriving, vibrant companies that can British companies. as a defence industrial base but is now a compete globally and supply defence The MARS tankers are a case in point. complex supply chain. in the UK with what we need, when I would have preferred it if there had Our objective should not be to protect we need it, at a price the taxpayer can been a competitive British bid. But in the a defence industrial base. It should be afford.” end there wasn’t. The build contract has been awarded to Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering of South Korea, but the ships are designed by a British n Mr Luff, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology , was speaking at the Royal company, BMT. United Services Institute, London MARS means UK companies have the chance to show their potential to one of the world’s largest shipyards and for Daewoo to get first hand experience Mr Luff: 'Companies have to be l We allow SMEs the space of the services and products that can be provided cost-effectively by UK competitive. Growth will be hard to flourish; won. We will only be able to export companies. l We protect our operational something if it is competitive. That means additional opportunities advantage and freedom of action; for the British marine engineering 'So how do we get there? industry. Of equal significance is the l We focus on building and potential of opening up the Korean l We build in exportability; retaining competitive advantage; defence market for other UK companies as the strategic relationships created l We support UK companies in l We collaborate more with our through MARS develop. export campaigns; closest partners; We have recognised we’ve got to l l change and drive forward a new culture We invest in the right And crucially, we always across the MOD. That means changes technologies; remember affordability.' ahead at DE&S and in the way we do business. Work is still underway as decisions are being made. However, we Foxhound: are determined that the MOD will be a agile and better informed and more demanding versatile customer. We must think more about defence and security as a continuum. We must think more about technology, the way it is changing and what we need to protect 30 news

have had an accident there’ but then failed to take any steps to reduce the risk of it happening again. My message to staff is: don’t walk away from a near miss; recognise it as such and do something about it. It’s important we Follow the don’t get bogged down by the reporting process and this is one of the areas that I and my site managers are trying to make easier for our staff. Naval bases, particularly nuclear leader bases, rightly have a good safety culture. They have the same number of accidents as my organisation but a lot more near misses reported. If our near misses are not reported, an accident could happen to someone else. I am keen to keep my visits going. Showing my staff I care about their safety, expecting my managers to care about safety and delivering simple safety messages is crucial in trying to improve the safety culture within Logistic Services. It’s something we haven’t been very good at in the past. We have a lot of truck and mechanical handling equipment drivers within Logistic Services where most of our accidents occur. Those of us who drive cars, particularly those who passed their driving test a long time ago, will acknowledge that bad habits may have developed. I hope to employ a driver Safety is always assessor who will monitor truck driving to make sure they the No1 priority are undertaken in a safe manner and that drivers are thinking about everything they have been taught. People are talking about safety and Safety first: Portsmouth, above, and the other naval bases have a good safey record, says near miss reporting at all levels now Commodore Paul Cunningham, pictured right which they weren’t doing a few months ago. We have also seen improvements in Commodore Paul our accident statistics and our near miss ood Safety Leadership reporting so I would like to think that my Cunningham is head of is about reinforcing simple talking to staff has made an impact. ‘Gmessages and showing people Safety Leadership is about reinforcing Logistic Services, with you care. simple messages, being passionate about A key aspect of Safety Leadership is safety and being seen to demonstrate that responsibility for 2,000 about getting out and talking to people I care. I urge everybody to be a bit more where they work. I’ve spent the last safety conscious.” DE&S people across year trying to do just that. It has been more than 20 sites rewarding. Ultimately, safety is about stopping accidents; nearly all accidents are ‘Showing my staff I including Germany. preventable and occur due to human error. My big campaign is to increase the care about their safety, Proper leadership is number of ‘near miss’ reports we submit. In a safety conscious organisation you expecting my managers key in bringing about shouldn’t have many accidents, and you to care about safety and improvements in should have more near miss reports. Most people can probably think of a delivering simple safety safety, he says time where either at home or work they will have said: ‘Oh that was lucky, I could messages is crucial’ news 31

Herc passes Royal Navy personnel ‘Splice the Mainbrace’ at Abbey Wood on 19th July to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The command came from the Queen through First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Mark another Stanhope and was read out at Abbey Wood by Rear Admiral Simon Lister. Those present included Rear Admiral Ian Jess and Royal Marines Brigadier Paul Stearns. The daily ‘tot’ of rum was a cherished milestone ritual in the Royal Navy and one of the longest unbroken traditions in seafaring until the demise of the DE&S’ Hercules issue on 31st July 1970. TriStar team has achieved another milestone in the transition of tactical air transport capability from the Hercules C-130K aircraft to the more modern C-130J. Release to Service for operational low flying means training can begin for this important contributor to the UK’s standing overseas commitments. This is the culmination of ten months’ hard work by the team and the RAF’s 206 Squadron. The project has included planning, Team aims to set standard clearance to conduct trials, conduct of the trials in the UK and overseas, for working partnerships post-trials analysis and reporting, safety analysis and A joint team from Architecture Microsoft products used by the ago when the MOD Defence compilation of the Design Authority inside the MOD. Information Infrastructure Release to Service Defence Information Services Microsoft assures and de- formed. submission. Hercules TriStar team has begun work with risks information infrastructure DIST – based at Corsham and the Air Warfare Microsoft to achieve BS11000 in the MOD through a strong – formed on 2nd April 2012 Centre have worked certification by next March. relationship between both and brought together services to minimise the For Microsoft this will be orgnisations. formerly delivered by DII Group, amount of contractor the first time the company has The joint team is being Application Services Team and support needed for undertaken BS11000 work. assisted through this process elements of Integrated Service this capability. As well as improving by Mike Rogers from the MOD Provider. Impact on operations has engagement, BS11000 will Private Finance Unit/Partnering Mr Dubrie said: “This process been minimised by demonstrate commitment of both Support Group, while Brian will take around 12 months flying many of the parties to the relationship. Dubrie (DIST leader) and Nick to complete, but it builds on a trial sorties on an Microsoft provides software Corrigan (Microsoft Director fruitful relationship already opportunity basis, support for 180,000 workstations Premier Support) are sponsoring developed between MOD and such as when a across the MOD worldwide and the programme. Accreditation Microsoft and I look forward to C-130J was transiting also supplies support engineers will endorse collaborative work taking this forward for mutual from the UK to the USA for another trial. and specialists covering the main started more than seven years benefit.” 185x65LoricaAdSandcat_Layout 1 09/07/2012 17:38 Page 1

Your Survivability Partner to FlexFence Advanced RPG Protection Lorica Systems UK Ltd, The Airport, Newmarket Road, Cambridge CB5 8RX Tel: +44 (0) 1223 373737 Email: [email protected] www.loricasystemsuk.com 32 news Forward with Gary Corsham sends its first civilian to co-ordinate Operation Herrick communications systems

Corsham-based Gary Cotter is back in the UK after being the first civilian posted to Camp Bastion to fulfil the critical role of ‘ISS Forward’ on Operation Herrick. He deployed earlier this year for a three- and-a-half-month tour, joining the Joint Force Communication Information Systems (Afghanistan) team which manages the various comms systems for coalition forces. DE&S’ Information Systems amd Services at Corsham has historically provided three military posts to deploy and represent the organisation by influencing key operational decisions. While deploying civil servants is not new with a large number going as part of surge teams to deliver communcations systems such as the recent Kestrel installation, ISS Forward is a high-profile, key role that leads the many surge teams and contractors in theatre as well as championing DE&S and influencing theatre planning. “Using the ‘Support-2-Operations’ banner, I was able to join our structured joint military/ civilian augmentation plan covering these ISS posts,” said Gary. “Having the right skill-set at the right time I was programmed to deploy on Herrick 15. As I was already a member of the ISS Operational Plans Team, which acts as the focus for operational matters Above: a 50-metre mast in ISS, I jumped at the chance!” provides a number Gary was the only civilian in the of communications team. “I was very well looked after by the services to Camp JFCIS(A) team, including members of Bastion and beyond. 1 Armoured Division Signal Regiment, A well-known local the Campaign Signal Regiment, who landmark considered me part of their wider, fully integrated team,” he said. Left: Gary Cotter at Camp Bastion “It was a winter tour, so it was mainly cold, with some snow, lots of rain and sand storms. However, the most daunting element for me was realising I was responsible for in excess of 70 members The RAF’s Battle of of ISS staff, including military, civil servants and Loco honours historic aircraft Britain Memorial Flight delivery partners, while they are in theatre. has been honoured “That said no two days were the same. I by having a railway recall having a major service outage going on, a locomotive named after it. compassionate case with a delivery partner, the The electric engine, hospitalisation of a member of a surge team – nothing no 91110, operates on serious, thankfully – followed by a strategic planning the East Coast Main meeting with the JFCIS commander, all happening Line. within a day! Equipment support “The benefit of being able to complete a for the flight, which deployment and then bring back all the experience includes a Lancaster bomber, Spitfires, gained into the ISS Ops Plans team, which is Hurricane and Dakota, focused on operations, is huge. I am grateful for the is carried out by DE&S’ opportunity and the support I received from within Fast Air Support Team. the team as well as all the members of JFCIS(A).” The locomotive Group Captain Tom Devlin, Commander JFCIS(A), Name dropper: the achieved a UK speed added: “ISS is one of our prime agencies supporting Battle of Britain record for electric operations and Gary’s sterling efforts ensured that Memorial Flight trains of 162 miles an makes a pass over hour in 1989 – a record this essential relationship has been further improved the locomotive which still stands. during his tenure in theatre.” news 33

mice have taken over Abbey Wood all the time. A new experience or – to help show DE&S staff the value building on what is already known of learning and sharing experiences adds to existing knowledge about and knowledge. effective and efficient procurement They portray what the DE&S of capability. Champion for Learning from Sharing this knowledge with Experience (LFE) has called a vital others ensures that good practice – message for DE&S staff: That it is things that have been found to work OK to ask and it’s OK to share. well – is exploited across DE&S. To promote this the LFE It also helps project teams avoid Implementation Team has arranged potentially repeating things that events to raise awareness and have been found to work less well. demonstrate the work being done Sharing and exploiting information to improve the way lessons are and knowledge is essential to DE&S. captured and shared across DE&S DE&S leaders – Chief of to enhance delivery of capabilities to Materiel (Land) Lt Gen Chris the Armed Forces. Deverell is the new LFE Champion The team has held a live for DE&S – are urging staff to take demonstration of the LFE Portal – on board these vital messages. guidance, tools and help available Each operating centre and to staff – accessed via the DE&S functional area has an LFE homepage. Champion to encourage good The DE&S LFE Strategy was behaviours and practice. launched at the start of the year and The LFE team will take highlights the value of learning from awareness events to each each other. neighbourhood at Abbey Wood LFE is North and South along with Learn from experience – take important Corsham and other DE&S sites. because Find out who LFE Champions learning is are by visiting the LFE Portal on your lessons from the mice! something DII: DE&S Homepage - Tools and staff do Applications - LFE Portal. Clyde firearms training is right on target

MILITARY personnel and MOD Police have a top-of-the-range facility at their disposal with a new firearms training centre at Clyde naval base. The £3.8 million facility will give Royal Navy, Royal Marines, MOD Police and Chief Petty Officer Stephen Reservists the best possible instruction. Maclennan gives Commodore Equipped with a giant firearms simulator Mike Mansergh and guests a the centre can replicate a variety of scenarios, run-down on firearms training. allowing trainees to practise responses in a Right: members of the project safe environment. team and guests attend the Projectors beam simulation onto one wall opening ceremony of the giant room, with the trainees taking up positions at the opposite end with their The Puma 2 Gazelle specially adapted firearms. (P2G) team, left, has The centre, which took 16 months to build, seen what its efforts deliver to the Puma is fitted with cinema-style seating so students fleet at RAF Benson. can watch and learn from their mistakes. Gp Capt Malcolm Chief Petty Officer Stephen Maclennan, French, P2G the officer-in-charge of the centre, said: leader, said: “This “In my 24 years as a Gunner this is the best experience has had firearms training facility I have come across.” a hugely positive Elaine Hamilton of the Defence impact on my team, being able to see Infrastructure Organisation, said: “A lot how their individual of hard work and careful management has day-to-day efforts gone into the creation of this facility. To contribute to the see it through from start to finish offers us wider platform an enormous sense of satisfaction and to capability and witness the simulator in use at the opening operation.” was fantastic.” 34 people news

Clyde choir hits all the right notes Forces wow Plymouth crowds

Around 30,000 people showed their support for service personnel at the Armed Forces Day 2012 national event in Plymouth. The Earl of Wessex, representing the Queen and the Royal Family, took the salute as a parade of more then 1,200 service personnel, veterans and cadets marched through the city streets and onto Plymouth Hoe on 30th June. A drumhead service paid tribute to Armed Forces past and present which was ended by a flypast of World War Two Hawker Sea Fury aircraft from the Royal Naval Historic Flight. Type 23 frigate HMS Argyll performed a steampast through Plymouth Sound and fired a 21-gun salute. Following HMS Argyll was the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Mounts Bay, filled with children from local schools and their families, as members of 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery fired a salute on behalf of Plymouth from the battlements of the Royal Citadel. RAF Typhoon aircraft and the Red Arrows concluded the day. The West of Practice makes perfect: for the West of Alongside the celebrations in Plymouth, more than 200 Scotland Military Scotland military wives events were held as part of Armed Forces Day across the UK. Wives Choir could soon be topping the charts after Decca Records recorded their performance for an upcoming album. MOD graduates get young Thirty-two members of the choir – all wives and partners of serving military personnel engineers up to speed – gathered at Clyde last month to record Children from eleven 14 tracks for the major record label. primary schools across Bristol All but four of the have taken part in a project run by wives have husbands graduate trainee engineers from based at Clyde or the MOD’s Defence Engineering attached to one of the and Science Group (DESG). submarines based Each year, a graduate there. Profits from their work will go to development project is organised the Military Wives for new graduates to engage in. Foundation. This year more than 70 trainees Choir founder have worked with local schools Joanne McMurdo to encourage interest in science, said: “We work technology, engineering and closely with the maths. foundation and they asked a while ago The schoolchildrens’ task if we would like to was related to the ‘Bloodhound’ record a second project which plans to set a military wives new world land speed record Above: Rod Drake (head of album.” next year. Children had to build DESG) and Simon Pearson The album their own fast cars facing tough (mentor) question Ashton should be released engineering challenges but on a Gate pupils about the on 14th November. scale suitable for their age group. challenges of building their Joanne added: car “I watched the BBC The graduates’ role saw really proud of the way the DESG show them go into the schools to be graduate engineers have worked The Choir and Right: graduate Amy Austin was inspired to form interviewed by Year 6 children with the schools.” advises on building a a West of Scotland about what life as an engineer is spaghetti tower The DESG Graduate Scheme branch,” said Joanne. like. Graduates helped children supplies the MOD with sufficient “My husband, design, build and test their cars. number and quality of graduate James, is a Royal Marine and at the The teams with the fastest heartening to see schoolchildren engineers and scientists and time he was deployed cars attended a prizegiving at really engaged and excited about trains them for their career. to Afghanistan. I the University of Bristol where engineering. The scheme enables each felt that, as well as they raced their cars against the “It is always a challenge for our graduate to get the most from being good fun, the other schools, were interviewed graduates to fit this sort of project training courses and work choir would be a way by MOD engineers and also took around their busy DESG training placements within the MOD and of meeting other part in an engineering challenge schedule and placements. But I’m industry. Each graduate gains military wives and forming a support to build the tallest tower. pleased to say they all rose to this a breadth of MOD engineering network. Rod Drake, who leads the challenge.” experience in readiness for “It’s really grown training scheme, said: “This was Susan Scurlock from the their first professional posting from there, mostly a hugely rewarding and enjoyable charity Primary Engineer added: and furthers professional by word of mouth, event for all who took part. With “The children were enthused not development making it possible and we have 48 the aim of inspiring our next just by the project, but by the to achieve chartered status in just members of the choir generation of engineers, it was engineers taking part. We are four years. at present.” people news 35

A warehouse assistant at Coulport and a civilian worker at Clyde naval base are among four Reservists earn rewards Royal Naval Reservists honoured for outstanding service. at Coulport, has served for eleven years in the Lieutenant Commander Lesley Stephen is Reserves where he is a logistics specialist. head of logistics at HMS Dalriada in Greenock and PO Somerville is also HMS Dalriada’s sport served as the unit’s Executive Officer from 2007 and fitness instructor in Greenock, keeping men to 2011. and women of the unit in top physical condition. She has served in Oman, Estonia, Italy and Both received certificates of meritorious on many large scale Nato exercises. She has service in a ceremony at Paisley Town Hall managed to fit this around her job as a civilian at Lesley and Billy are pictured in alongside two other reservists from HMS Dalriada Clyde and as mum to a young family. the centre with fellow recipients which is home to more than 70 Reservists from Petty Officer Billy Somerville, who works Kenny Woods and Paul Ellis. the west coast of Scotland.

The Chief of Defence Materiel’s Private Secretary led the way in Abbey Wood as the Proud to be a Reservist: Dr Ben Williams, Service UK’s Reservists joined full-time colleagues Private Secretary to Bernard Gray proudly wearing their uniform to work. lands Dr Ben Williams joined thousands of Reservists across the country – from gardeners US honour to accountants – by swapping his usual suit for camouflage clothing at work on 27th June. He An RAF air is a Medical Support Officer with 243 (Wessex) commodore has been awarded a Field Hospital in Keynsham. prestigious military “I was commissioned in 2004 and was decoration for his motivated to become a Reservist as I was Afghanistan service. working for the MOD as a civilian and wanted Air Commodore to do my bit,” he said. Colin Basnett, head “I am a pharmacist by trade and this was of the Capability very sought after within the military so I joined Equipment Plan, was presented with up on that basis. the United States’ “During my time as a Reservist I have done Legion of Merit by a tremendous amount of training and learned General Norton A a great deal about how to save lives. And there Schwartz, Chief of has also been the opportunity to develop my Staff of the US Air general military skills.” Force. Dr Williams spoke of his pride at being The Legion of Merit is awarded involved in the Territorial Army. for ‘exceptionally “Years ago some people looked down a bit meritorious on the TA but the military are very supportive conduct’ and is of the endorsed by the Reservists President of the and see United States. us as an Air Commodore Basnett won the i n t e g r a l Uniform at work day award for his part of the work as Director A r m e d of the Combined Forces. My Air and Space Ops colleagues starts at the top Centre from May to in the September 2010. military a r o u n d Abbey Wood are pleased to see me in a uniform today rather than a suit. Devonport tribute “The TA has been very flexible and understands the pressures of working to submariners somewhere like the MOD and knows when I am The success of a former available to train. They are very tolerant and a nuclear-powered submarine fantastic institution.” as a visitor attraction has been Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said marked with the unveiling Reservists are vital part of the Forces. “As we in Devonport of a tribute to reshape our land forces to face future threats, submariners who died serving the Reserves will be playing a much larger their country. The former HMS role with increased training, equipment and Courageous opened as a deployability,” he said. museum ten years ago. Major General, the Duke of Westminster A ceremony was staged is Deputy Commander Land Forces and on 12th July in the submarine at the Devonport base to the most senior Army Reservist. He added: Above: Commodore Jake Moores unveils unveil a memorial board on “Reservists come from every walk of life, from Devonport's tribute communities up and down the country, and the jetty listing all Royal Navy submarines lost in war and in people should feel proud to show their support peace. commands the flotilla of Devonport- for them. Employers of Reservists should also Launch of the board was conducted based operational ships. Cdre Moores, be proud to show their support.” by Commodore Jake Moores, who served in Courageous in 1986-87. 36 people news

Picture: Kevin Slade Hail the MOD’s sporting heroes . . . and the helpers too!

Winners of the netball and soccer tournaments along with the people who made it possible, far right

Abbey Wood staff showed their usual prowess with a host of titles in the Defence Sports and Recreational Association’s annual sports day at Bath. Netball, archery, volleyball and tug of war were among the competitions won by staff from DE&S headquarters as hundreds enjoyed Above and beyond the call another excellent sporting event. The women Flashback: cyclists arrive at Abbey Wood after their ride of Abbey Wood’s from Plymouth Laurels sports club A team took the netball title with Above & Beyond raises funds for Bristols nine central hospitals victory over a team from QinetiQ while a Bath team triumphed

over Vector Chinook of We are the charity that cares for the people you care for. With the help of our corporate supporters we are able to make a real difference to patients in our hospitals. Gosport in the men's If your company would like to make a difference to our soccer with Abbey hospitals we would love to hear from you. Wood's A team taking the women's event. H Think Cake H Carry the Torch The Bristol Bake Off is

Go for gold in 2012… ton And there was a for Bristol coming soon. Contact us to H Run the Bristol find out more title for Abbey Wood’s Half Marathon… and organise your own fundraising Olympics A volleyball team with and support your local charity Above & Beyond Sara Lovell l Heart in which the Defence Geographic Music for the heart…v Arthur and internationally renowned cellist Bre Chas and Post The of courtesy Photos Beyond and Matron Graham Brant at the Bristo Centre of Feltham Specialist nurse and event organiser, Vi llo and piano recital held at St Georges Bristol recently presented £1,920 to Above & er. Institute. The funds were raised by a ce Registered Charity No. 229945 finishing second. Sara was joined by pianist Nicholas Oliv…That’s Above & Beyond In the tug of war Cyclists become charity’s poster boys and girls Abbey Wood swept Help us go Above & Beyond visit www.aboveandbeyond.org.uk or call 0117 927 7120 the board with the Cyclists from DE&S Now pictures of the cyclists fantastic and we are delighted Bashers edging out Ships have found themselves have been reproduced on a to be able to include their photo the Desperados into second place. pictured across the hospitals poster, which can be seen in in our new posters that will be Among individual of Bristol, thanks to a charity all nine of the city’s hospitals displayed across Bristol’s city winners were clean fundraising bike ride last year. supported by the charity. centre hospitals. sweeps in the Civilian and Royal Navy “It was a very successful “Every year we need to Compound Champion staff from Abbey Wood and event,” said Kevin Barry of DE&S raise more than £3 millon to archery event – Robin Devonport cycled from Plymouth Ships. “Hopefully we will do buy cutting edge equipment, Jarvis and Kay Smith to Bristol for the charity Above something similar again for the fund research, support staff earning the top places – with Caroline Brunt & Beyond, raising cash for charity in the future.” training and improve hospital of Corsham and Mike the Bristol Haematology and Lorna Clarke of Above & environments. I am sure this Hudd of Abbey Wood Oncology Centre. The ride raised Beyond said: “The support of poster will inspire more people winning the mixed £6,306 for the centre. Kevin and the team has just been to fundraise for our hospitals.” doubles tennis. Director - Commercial Operations Defence Equipment and Support

Ministry of Defence – Director DE&S Commercial Reporting to the MOD Director Commercial, this is the pivotal Operations circa £130,000 plus performance related role in leading the commercial activities of DE&S. You will apply payment - Bristol best practice mentoring to all the commercial activity in the The Ministry of Defence is the government department DE&S, review performance and suggest areas for improvement. responsible for implementing defence policy and running the You will also engage with a wide range of external stakeholders armed forces. The Commercial roles in the organisation lead to promote and enhance the reputation of the organisation. the purchasing, procurement and contracting activity for MOD’s We are looking at individuals with substantial leadership external spend of £22bn, by far the largest in UK Government, experience, managing teams of several hundred people, with rivalling the largest private sector companies and covering a huge heavyweight procurement experience and a proven track record range of complex acquisition. of managing multi-billion complex spend and major suppliers. Defence Equipment & Support is the division of the MoD that For more information please visit our dedicated microsite equips and supports the UK’s armed forces for current and at www.hays.co.uk/jobs/commercialdirectordefence future operations. It operates on a vast scale - employing around 17,000 people, with a spend of some £20 billion and placing Or contact either David Hazeldine or Andrew c 6,000 contracts a year. Timlin from Hays Executive on 020 72598743 or We are currently looking to appoint to an extremely high profile email [email protected] and important commercial post. This represents one of the most Closing Date 13th August 2012 exciting and professionally stimulating procurement challenges in the UK. A career-enhancing and career-defining role which would The Ministry of Defence is an equal opportunities employer. suit the most ambitious and capable procurement professional from either the Private or Public sector.

EX-5772_MoD_Sunday_Times_130x170.indd 1 12/07/2012 10:32 DINs - released this month Defence Instructions and Notices (DINs) are defence-wide instructions, guidance and notices for military and civilian staff, containing up-to-the-minute information to help people carry out their duties. Some of the latest issued on Defence Equipment and Support are:

2012DIN04-102: This draws attention to all service and civilian personnel who dispose of surplus scrap metal and lead acid batteries, to the DSA's renewed contract for the complete recovery and recycling service for scrap metal and lead acid batteries which includes provision for secure (demilitarisation) disposal.

2012DIN04-096: This publicises the 2012 Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology's Acquisition Awards and informs those involved in acquisition across the MOD on the procedure for nominations.

2012DIN04-098: In 1990 a number of Wolf Land Rovers were modified so they could be converted if required to weapons platforms by fitting Weapons Mounted Installation Kit (WMIK). Over a number of UOR projects the design of WMIK platforms has changed considerably with the weapons mount becoming permanent fits. Phase One modification is no longer relevant and asset codes are now declared obsolete.

Further information and more details on the latest DINs see: http://defenceintranet.diiweb.r.mil.uk/DefenceIntranet/Library/CivilianAndJointService/AtoZ/DinsIndex2012.htm Ministry of Defence Senior Commercial Roles

The Ministry of Defence is the government department responsible for implementing defence policy and running the armed forces. The Commercial roles lead the purchasing, procurement and contracting activity for MOD’s external spend of £22bn, by far the largest in UK Government, rivalling the largest private sector companies and covering a huge range of complex acquisition. We are currently looking to appoint a number of extremely high profile and important commercial posts. These are some of the most exciting and professionally stimulating procurement challenges in the UK. They are career-enhancing and career-defining roles which would suit the most ambitious and capable procurement professionals from either the Private or Public sector. Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), Bristol DE&S equips and supports the UK’s armed forces for current and future operations. It operates on a vast scale - employing around 17,000 people, with a spend of some £20 billion and placing c 6,000 contracts a year. Operating Centre Heads of Commercial (SCS 1) (up to 8 Posts) Circa £100,000 + performance related payment These roles take responsibility for leading the Commercial delivery of major projects within the different Operating Centres, each covering areas such as ships, aircraft, armoured vehicles, missile systems, information systems, telecoms and high volume military commodities. You will develop best practice and provide professional leadership to c100 commercial staff, raising standards and capability. You will lead on complex negotiations and embed relationships with key suppliers. We are looking for individuals with leadership experience and exposure to substantial procurement projects, who can demonstrate ability to purchasing highly complex goods & services and sourcing within niche markets. Heads of Commercial without portfolio (SCS 1) (up to 3 Posts) Circa £100,000 + performance related payment These posts are responsible for providing flexible resource, leading the commercial delivery of major projects by providing expert commercial skills to supplement existing personnel. This may involve post holders being dedicated 100% to a single specific major initiative or providing input to a number of parallel projects. Defence Infrastructure Organisation (SCS 1) (Sutton Coldfield, Huntingdon or Andover) (2 Posts) Circa £100,000 + performance related payment The Defence Infrastructure Organisation manages the military estate and property function, the 2nd largest estate in the UK with c £30bn of assets and c £3bn annual expenditure. The Head of Commercial Operations manages the 150 commercial staff throughout DIO and leads engagement with DIO key suppliers and where necessary directly involved in complex negotiations or disputes. The Head of Commercial Business Partnerships plays a key part in the negotiation of the proposed transfer of DIO operations to an external partner. For both posts we are looking for individuals with significant leadership experience, and strong procurement experience at a senior level in a substantial estates or property function. For more information please visit our dedicated microsite at www.hays.co.uk/jobs/defence Or contact either David Hazeldine or Andrew Timlin from Hays Executive on 020 72598743 or email [email protected]. Closing Date 13th August 2012 The Ministry of Defence is an equal opportunities employer.

EX-5772_MoD_Sunday_Times_270HX170W.indd 1 12/07/2012 11:05 people news 39

Soccer’s Premier League Trophy “I was shocked when I got the call. has paid a visit to Clyde naval base. They said we should meet up and I Mike Summerbee and Paul Lake, thought they were going to present me former players and now ambassadors with a signed football top or something. of champions Manchester City, brought I never imagined they would be coming the trophy to the base after hearing that to Faslane with the Premier League nuclear submarine HMS Victorious’ trophy.” commanding officer Commander John Mike Summerbee added: “It was Livesey was a lifelong fan. amazing to get on board and see some John and his crew were on patrol as of the work that the crew does. It is a the nail-biting finale of the league was difficult job that the lads perform, going played out on 13th May. to sea for months at a time, but it is good Clyde joins the “It is an important morale booster to know that they have the morale boost when we are on patrol,” explained of following the Premier League.” Premier League! Commander Livesey, originally from Dozens of service and civilian Cheadle in Greater Manchester. “There personnel joined Navy physical training Premier service: on the conning tower are even lads on the submarine who instructors at Clyde’s Sportsdrome of HMS Victorious – Cdr John Livesey, keep league tables as a way of occupying fitness facility late in the afternoon to Engineering Technician Paul Millea and their free time at sea. see the cup close-up. Engineering Technician Craig Breeze Mike proves fuel safety is better by design

Design work on motorcycle fuel tanks by a DE&S technician has kept British interest in the World Endurance Championship on track. Abbey Wood’s Mike Wain supports Geoff caps the Honda TT Legends team in the championship. England And he had his work cut out after serious triumph crashes in an event in April revealed safety issues with the CBR 1000 Fireblade’s fuel DE&S’ top orienteer tanks. Geoff Ellis has earned Mike, who works for the AS90 and himself his first national Terrier joint project team, designed and cap in helping England to victory in a veterans’ implemented modifications to improve home international structural integrity of the tanks during competition. crashes. The RAF flight “The challenge was to prevent the quick lieutenant, above, who filler valves from puncturing the underside is based at Corsham, of the tank in the event of the bike landing took the RAF Inter- upside down,” he said. Services and Combined Services titles last year One tank was too badly damaged to be and won the British repaired in time but Mike was able to set off sprint championship for Round 2 of the championship in Qatar earlier this year. in June with three modified and repainted And he continued tanks, just sufficient to run the race and his form in the M35 spare motorcycles. class for men aged 35 During qualification rider Michael to 40 in the Mourne Mountains of Northern Laverty crashed and the tank survived Ireland in June. with just a small dent to show for it. Then Geoff finished Michael, Riyuchi Keonari and Jason second in the individual O’Halloran rode the CBR1000 Fireblade to event behind Northern third place, the British team's first podium Ireland’s Marcus Pinker, in World Endurance. The result lifted them while being pipped for Just champion: to second place in the World Championship. victory on his leg of Mike, above, the relay at the hands Mike added: “The pace of change in on the starting of Scotland's Roger top level motor sport is incredibly fast in grid with the Goddard by only two comparison to the defence industry so Fireblade seconds. there is plenty to learn on how to implement Further successes design change quickly. Left: Mike gives by his teammates “It was great to see the reinforced tank the Fireblade however saw England survive a crash still fit for use, but even its final shot of crowned champions with victory in both the better to see the British flag back above the fuel during the eighth hour of a individual and relay podium again!” race events.