Desider Magazine August 2014 Issue 75
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Aug 2014 Issue 75 desthe magazine for defenceider equipment and support Voyager hits the mark – on time and on budget Aircraft leads parade of major project successes Latest DE&S organisation wallchart See inside Preserving Hitting Pride of the Merlin early No standing history the water Reserves on parade on ceremony FEATURES 21 21 Voyager seals the deal The RAF's newest transport aircraft cut an imposing sight as it made its way to the Farnborough Air Show on the back of news that the fleet - the ninth aircraft of 14 has been delivered - has achieved its in-service date Picture: Andrew Linnett Andrew Picture: 24 Latest Merlin heralds happy hunting One of the world's most technologically advanced helicopters has successfully been put through its paces over the Atlantic Ocean after entering service four months early and on budget 26 Long live the new Queen! The UK's biggest warship, the first Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier, has taken to the water for the first time at Rosyth, where the ship has been assembled. It took place only days after her official naming by The Queen 28 Scout is unveiled cover image Scout and Warrior, major foundations of plans for Army 2020, 2014 were both on show as DE&S joined representatives of the Voyager, the air transport and refuelling aircraft military and industry to showcase the latest land capabilities procured for the RAF, has reached its in-service date on time and on budget. Bernard Gray, Chief of Defence Materiel, takes a look at one of the modified A330 aircraft during a visit to RAF Brize Norton AUGUST desider NEWS www.gov.uk/government/publications/desider 4 New DG in pledge for better skills Assistant Head, Corporate Comms: The new Director General (Commercial) has Ralph Dunn - 9352 30257 or 0117 9130257 promised to strengthen commercial capabilities [email protected] across the MOD Editor: 7 A cutting edge in South Korea Steve Moore - 9352 30537 or 0117 9130537 The build phase of the first of four 38,000-tonne [email protected] tankers to support the Royal Navy worldwide has begun with steel cutting in South Korea Distribution Manager: Dick Naughton - 9352 34342 or 0117 9134342 8 PM sets out long-term plans [email protected] David Cameron has unveiled a long-term plan between government and industry to secure the Advertising: defence sector, along with more investment Richard Stillman – Ten Alps Media, 1 New Oxford Street, High Holborn, London SC1A 1NU 11 Storm Shadow to join Typhoon Tel: +44 (0)20 7657 1837 RAF Typhoons will be fitted with the Storm Shadow Fax: +44 (0)20 7379 7155 long-range precision attack missile under a new [email protected] £120 million contract Printing: 16 DE&S preserves Naval history DE&S has gifted a piece of Royal Navy history – an early version of the 4.5in gun – to a museum to make sure it is kept in the public eye desider is distributed free to DE&S employees and the equipment capability organisations. Copies may be 18 Ceremonies set to go with a bang sent to readers outside MOD, including in the defence Cartridges fired on ceremonial occasions will be industries. While the editor takes care to ensure all supplied to the MOD in a new contract material produced is accurate, no liability can be accepted for errors or omissions. Views expressed in desider, and products and services advertised, are not necessarily endorsed by DE&S or the MOD. All editorial submissions must be cleared by the relevant MOD authorities with content for advertorials to be cleared by CDM Commendation winner 2014 the relevant MOD project team before publication. desider magazine’s performance in the commercial © Crown Copyright market earned it an award from Bernard Gray, Chief of Defence Materiel, in his recognition of top- This magazine is produced on Cocoon Silk performing staff at DE&S over the previous 12 months. 90gsm which contains 50 per cent recycled Advertising revenue from the magazine and its family and de-inked pulp from post consumer of supplements and wallcharts reached more than waste and Forest Stewardship Council certified material from well-managed £500,000 in 2013-14. forests. Insider Bernard Gray Chief of Defence Materiel ‘I felt enormous pride for DE&S and a job well done’ Last month I touched on how event, we have again invited family some of our major projects were members to Abbey Wood to see hitting their milestone targets samples of the work that DE&S and how well this reflected on does, and to find out more about DE&S. This month it gives me the reasons why we do it. My wife great pleasure to see that more and daughter thoroughly enjoyed projects are being delivered on their day out at the first of this time and to budget. year’s events in May. Hundreds Our ‘big ticket’ programmes of youngsters came along to see have historically been the ones what mum and dad do. Teams most susceptible to delays and from across our operating centres cost overruns and have earned did their bit to make the day a us heavy criticism. Over the last massive success, putting on six weeks we have seen three displays of the equipment they Category A projects come in on provide to our Forces with plenty time, in two cases early. These of interactive fun for all. It is a are good examples of how DE&S vital connection between what we is doing its job well. do, and development of the next It was excellent to see Voyager, generation of engineers, project the RAF’s new air transport and and programme managers, air-to-air refuelling aircraft, technicians, and well-rounded reach its in-service date on citizens. schedule. As the largest aircraft Families Days at Abbey procured for the RAF the project Wood are important. Many of THE NEW Director General (Commercial) has had its challenges but, thanks our military personnel in DE&S for DE&S has promised to strengthen to hard work and dedication, have spent lengthy periods on commercial capabilities across the MOD not least from the DE&S team, the front line. They rightly value and enhance skills and strategies for it is delivering a significant the support they receive from major acquisitions. uplift in capability for the RAF. their partners and families. For Susanna Mason, formerly MOD I visited RAF Brize Norton to the civil servant, things are a Director General (Exports and see Voyager at first hand. It is a little different. For many, a long Commercial Strategy), has extensive truly impressive aircraft and I deployment away from home isn’t experience at senior level in industry and business and is a qualified accountant, commend team members, our part of the job – although I salute a member of the Institute of Chartered partners in industry, and the those who have done so in various Management Accountants and the RAF for their work. I also visited roles supporting equipment on Chartered Institute of Purchasing and the Farnborough International the front line. However, we at Supply. She recently piloted new MOD Air Show where the Secretary DE&S perform a unique role. single source pricing measures into law. of State made the Voyager Nowhere in the UK do people get Bernard Gray, Chief of Defence announcement. I felt enormous involved in the kind of project Materiel, said: “The appointment of pride for DE&S and a job well management we do; nowhere in Susanna to the newly-created post of done. the UK do people face the kind of Director General (Commercial) is central At the same time the new challenges we do. Which brings to the transformation of DE&S as it heads Merlin Mk2 helicopter has come into focus the support our staff towards ‘match-fit’ status in 2017. This into service four months early. get at home. post was created to lead profound change This is another major project By the time you read this a in the capability of DE&S to manage the delivering cutting edge equipment second Families Day will have most effective commercial relations with for the front line. Both successes taken place at Abbey Wood, and our industry partners. show we are well on the way to a third is planned for 8th August. “She will join the DE&S Executive fulfilling our aim to make DE&S a If you haven’t yet managed to Team and will lead on all commercial world class delivery organisation. bring your partner, your sons activities in DE&S. Her hugely impressive August is when many people at or daughters or close relatives and comprehensive set of commercial DE&S spend leave time with their to Abbey Wood, please consider skills and experience will have a major impact on DE&S and I look forward to families, putting aside for a few doing so. The support we all get working with her in the months and years days, their place of work and the from those close to us is vital and to come.” pressures of their jobs. Building it is our chance to recognise and Ms Mason said: “This is a very exciting on the success of last year’s reward that. NEWS 5 Long live the new Queen! QUEEN ELIZABETH, left, moves slowly out of the dock – with just a metre or two to spare – in Rosyth which has been her home since her constituent parts began arriving from yards around the country. The 65,000-tonne carrier, the first of two for the Royal Navy, was officially named by the Queen on 4th July in front of a huge crowd.