www.des.mod.uk Issue 135 October 2019 the magazine for defence equipment des and support Thousands of boats to be supported under new multi-million agreement Over 100 years invested in leading UK technology FUTURE RUAS CONCEPT UNMANNED ELECTRONIC WARFARE ‘HERO’ RUAS PROVISION STATE-OF-THE-ART SITUATIONAL AWARENESS AESA MULTI-MODE RADAR FULLY-INTEGRATED MISSION SYSTEMS Leonardo has over 100 years of history at the leading edge of advanced design and manufacturing in the UK. 7,100 highly-skilled employees and a vast network of suppliers and partners design and develop industry-leading aircraft, electronics, space, defence and security systems for UK and export customers, worldwide. Inspired by the vision, curiosity and creativity of the great master inventor - Leonardo is designing the technology of tomorrow. leonardocompany.com Helicopters | Aeronautics | Electronics, Defence & Security Systems | Space eptember was an incredibly that the £177 million Boats busy month for DE&S In-Service Support deal had ForewordSas we continue to focus been signed with a number of our efforts on meeting the industry partners to support requirements of the armed forces. thousands of boats used by the UK’s armed forces. A £31 million contract has "DSEI provided a great platform for some important been awarded to Ferranti Technologies Ltd to provide announcements, all of which showcased some of the a Joint Fires Synthetic Trainer excellent work that our DE&S teams are delivering" for the Army, Air Force and Navy allowing them to For me, it was a productive experience realistic and complex month. DSEI in London provided environment training at multiple an invaluable opportunity to UK sites. engage with strategic partners And Qinetiq have been and a wide range of defence awarded a £67 million contract companies from across to provide the Robust Global the globe as we seek more Navigational System, an innovative and intelligent ways innovative, small and light of delivering equipment and system that is resilient to false support. signal and jamming threats. I know that many of our Finally, two further contracts people will also have met with were announced at DSEI, their counterparts in industry as a multi-million research and well as their customers across development programme with the armed forces and taken the Leonardo to work alongside opportunity for valuable face-to- the RAF to better understand face discussions. counter-drone technology and The show also provided a deal with MBDA to develop a a great platform for some new electronic warfare version important announcements, all of of the SPEAR weapon system. which showcased some of the I very much enjoyed our excellent work that our DE&S Exec Connect events which teams are delivering. I launched at Abbey Wood Alongside the Italian Secretary with four briefings in each General of Defence, I signed a of our neighbourhoods. Statement of Intent to partner Myself and the Exec team on Tempest in our roles as also took to the road, visiting National Armament Directors. Devonport, Bicester, Yeovil, By Sir Simon Bollom, CEO This crucially commits both RAF Coningsby, RAF Marham, governments to further develop RAF Waddington, Glasgow and their Combat Air capability our Defence Munitions sites at relationship and covers existing Beith, Kineton, Longtown and platforms such as Typhoon Gosport. and F-35, as well as Tempest. These briefings enabled A great demonstration of us to thank all staff for their international collaboration with excellent efforts over the year one of our NATO allies. and to set out our plans for I was also delighted to pledge delivering DE&S@21 through my commitment to the Women Great People, Great Delivery in Defence Charter which I hope and a Great Place to Work. I will encourage more women to sincerely hope that all of you reach the very top of every part who attended these events of Defence. found them informative and During DSEI the Minister for that they provided a greater Defence Procurement Anne- understanding of how DE&S is Marie Trevelyan announced striving to be world-class. The that DE&S has awarded a new engagement was excellent and contract worth around £100 it was good to hear your views million to General Atomics to via the intelligent comments and test the performance of the questions that were raised. This UK’s ground-breaking Protector feedback is vital and will help us aircraft. to refine our Change Plan. There was also the news 3 Editor: Tom Morris - 9352 37888 or 0117 9137888 [email protected] Contributors: Louisa Keefe, Laura Martin Plaza, Louise Allford, Lowri Jones, Paul McLennan, Katherine Hollingworth, Laura Guppy and Leah Ginnelly Photography and Design: Katherine Williams, Charlie Perham, Jack Eckersley, Beth Squire, Andrew Linnett 07 and Mark Hawke Distribution Manager: Dick Naughton - 9352 34342 or 0117 9134342 [email protected] Advertising Manager: Edwin Rodrigues edwin.rodrigues@ noahsarkmedia.com +44 (0) 748 257 1535 Printing desider is distributed free to DE&S employees 22 and the equipment capability organisations. Copies may be sent to readers outside MOD, including in the defence industries and is published on the world wide web via GOV. UK. While the editor takes care to ensure all material produced is accurate, no liability can be accepted for errors or omissions. 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All editorial submissions must be cleared by the relevant MOD authorities. © Crown Copyright This magazine is printed on Novatech Matt FS 100gsm which is Forest Stewardship Council certified material from well-managed forests and elemental chlorine free. 24 4 desider October 2019 Feature Contents 06 Senior Leader On the cover Comment – Feature Pacific 24 Rigid Inflatable Boats from HMS Director Strategy and 21 Introducing the Future Sutherland during a boarding exercise Change Barry Burton Capability Group 23 CEO Commendation – Photo by LPhot Sam Seeley News past winners 07 Protector 08 Team Tempest DE&S People 09 Type 31 – preferred bidder named 16 First Person – Chief of Staff for the Land 12 SPEAR weapon Equipment Operating system Centre Colonel Michael 13 Boats In-Service Taylor Support agreement 30 60 Second Spotlight – 14 Diversity & Inclusion Admin Specialist Bruce Awards Moreton-Cox 18 Joint Fires Synthetic 32 DE&S People – Trainer Liann praises Bristol 20 Women in Defence Children’s Hospital Charter 34 Jobs – Desider’s latest 22 Warrior completes 20 recruitment pages and battlefield missions benefits 24 HMS Prince of Wales leaves Rosyth 26 Challenger 2 camera upgrade 28 Robust Global Navagational System 29 Counter-drone technology 31 Pyramid project www.gov.uk/government/publications/desider-2019 Twitter: @DefenceES Facebook: @DefenceES LinkedIn: Defence Equipment & Support YouTube: DE&S 5 desider October 2019 Senior Leader Comment Barry Burton, Director Strategy and Change, talks to Desider about his pride in DE&S, his recent highlights and the plans to make DE&S ‘Great’ ike many people, when I many DE&S sites across the do that and made real progress. reflect on why I like working country, with our Exec Connect As we edge towards 2020, in DE&S I conclude that programme. As the name The role DE&S my main priority now is to Lit is the balance between our suggests, this was an opportunity plays is a vital consolidate what we’ve done, to focus on getting things done and for us to have open, honest continue our progress towards the consequent clarity of our discussions with staff about component in DE&S@21 and to be really clear achievements. their work, the changes we’ve delivering the about what we are doing and why. I’m passionate about Defence, implemented over the last year, The DE&S@21 vision is about which probably explains why I’m and to listen to their views on capability we achieving Great Delivery, with currently in my 40th year in the how we can continue to make need and it’s Great People in a Great Place to MOD. The role DE&S plays is improvements. Work, with the aim of providing a a vital component in delivering From my point of view, it’s been something I’m better service and experience for the capability we need and it’s reassuring to see that so many very proud to our customers. something I’m very proud to be people are now coming along One change I think would help a part of. Our whole reason for with us on this journey (which be a part of all of us deliver more efficiently DE&S being here – and the most hasn’t always been easy) and to would be to adjust our view of important thing we do – is to hear that we, as a leadership team, the money we spend on behalf of deliver our element of the MOD’s are now starting to hit most of the taxpayer. It’s easy to see our equipment programme, and that the right notes in terms of how budget as the amount we need to always has to be our first priority. we’re managing our performance spend to hit a target. Instead, we But equally, it’s important to do system; integrating new tools should view it as an outer limit things better, to find efficiencies and systems to better manage from which we’re incentivised to and productivity in our work our delivery; and investing in work to spend less but deliver the so that we can reinvest in the developing our staff to become the same output. Our systems make capability of our armed forces. best that they can be. that a challenge, but it would help My biggest highlight of the last To me, it is impressive that us deliver more to the “front line”.