Feb 2014 Issue 69

desthe magazine for defenceider equipment and support Lasers light the way forward

Latest DE&S organisation chart See inside

Anson goes Scanning for Testing is put Systems Sensors earn on the road the future to the test flying high their award 2 frontispiece

Marines to the rescue

Royal Marines vessels are pictured on the River Tamar last month, ferrying cars which were stranded at Christmas after a road collapsed, cutting off part of the village of Calstock.

Full story page 36 des [email protected] Dick N [email protected] Steve Moore © Crown Copyright desider, desider [email protected] 7155 7379 (0)20 +44 Fax: 1837 7657 (0)20 Tel: +44 1NU SC1A London Holborn, High Street, Richard Stillman Advertising Distribution Manager: E Comms: Corporate Head, Assistant D Ralph Dunn the relevant MOD project team before publication. before team project MOD relevant the to by be cleared content with forauthorities advertorials MOD relevant the by cleared be must submissions editorial All MOD. the or DE&S by endorsed necessarily accepted for errors or omissions. Views expressed in in expressed Views omissions. or errors for accepted be can liability no accurate, is produced material all ensure to care takes editor the While industries. defence the in including MOD, outside readers to sent may be Copies organisations. equipment capability Printing: Printing: www.gov.uk/government/publications/desider E forests. certified material from well-managed waste andForest Stewardship Council and de-inked pulpfrom post consumer 90gsm whichcontains 50per cent recycled This magazineisproduced onCocoon Silk ditor: [email protected] FEATURES 28 26 24 22 19 aughton is distributed free to DE&S employees and the the and employees DE&S to free distributed is

and products and services advertised, are not advertised, and services and products

UK eyes intheskies Keeping thefleetshipshape Merlin’s coat ofmanyyears See further–andinmore detail ‘Long term’ isputto thetest equipment for UKForces. evaluating andguaranteeing the next generation ofmilitary Thousands ofsquare kilometres oftheUKare inusetesting, work ofaDE&Steam have goneonshow to thepublic The mysteries oftheUK'sUnmannedAerialSystems andthe and industry staff picked up aspecialministerial award outstanding contribution to defence capability, after DE&S The Sensors SupportOptimisationProgramme ismakingan programmes very little degradation, withimplications for future repainting Tests onthegrey paintof theearliest Merlinshave revealed vision inpoorlightwent onshow DE&S work asthelatest equipmentto improve soldiers' Defence Minister PhilipDunnehaspraised thequalityof - 9352 30257 or 0117 9130257 0117 or 9130257 30257 -9352 - 9352 30537 or 0117 9130537 0117 or 9130537 30537 -9352 ider - 9352 34342 or 0117 9134342 0117 or 9134342 34342 -9352 : – Ten Alps Media, 1 New Oxford Oxford 1New Media, –Ten Alps

33 32 18 16 15 12 8 4 NEWS

equipment Future Scanning for thefuture A pattern emerges Falcon –jobdone! take onnew power source Radio upgrade boosts front line Voyager ‘streets ahead’ Strategy to make DE&S‘match fit’ to thefront line train military medical staff before theirdeployment A £1milliondeployable CT scanner isbeingusedto cameras BBC of interest the attracted has ages the down from uniforms military containing Room Pattern new Wood's Abbey by more thanhalf system hasendedwiththeoriginalfieldingtimecut Delivery andfieldingofthe Falcon communications system hasbeenachieved duringoverhaul of First installation ofanew onboard power conversion more than1,000radios satellite voice communications withtheupgrade of Front linesoldiers willhave greater access to Minister DavidCameron hastold MPs now afford itsfuture equipmentprogramme, Prime A balanced defence budgetmeanstheMODcan Afghanistan the first flights transporting personnel toand from Voyager hasnotched upanothermilestone with trading entity stages oftheprocess to turnDE&Sinto abespoke The Materiel Strategy team hasbegunthefirst Vengeance

inDevonport accuracy inlow light. just 244grammes itfitsonto theSA80rifle toincrease illuminate targets upto 800metres away. Weighing Major NickFrench demonstrates alaserlightthatcan cover image

‘affordable’

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22

Picture: Andrew Linnett Insider february 2014 Bernard Gray On 10th December the Defence Secretary announced that it was not in the public interest to continue the Materiel Strategy Chief of Defence Materiel GoCo competition with only one commercial bidder. Instead, Philip Hammond announced that DE&S would be established as a ‘The freedoms that we Bespoke Central Government Trading Entity. Barry Burton, Director Materiel are seeking for the new Strategy, responsible for delivering this new organisation by April 2014, has organisation have not outlined his plans to deliver the changes announced by the Defence Secretary to changed’ fundamentally change and improve the way that DE&S operates over the next three years and make it ‘match-fit’ for Following the Secretary of These are exciting times future challenges. State’s announcement of At a recent meeting, he told the entire for everyone working in Materiel Strategy team that, as a result of the fresh direction for the this organisation – and the Secretary of State’s announcement, Materiel Strategy before achievement of success changes to DE&S had already begun. The Christmas a great deal will involve each one need for reform remained and there was now the opportunity to get it done more of hard work has been of us playing a part in quickly, he said. done to start to develop a the changes that will be “The new entity will be launched in roadmap to establish an required. There is still April 2014. It will begin to trade during 2014 and 2015 when we will transition to innovative bespoke trading much work to be done to a different organisational form. We will organisation structure ensure we are fully ready then be able to transform the operation from April. for vesting day. to make DE&S match fit to face whatever future challenges arise and to test the A part of the work that The freedoms that market for a future GoCo, if we need to we are engaged on is we are seeking for the do so, or to continue to deliver with our talking to industry about new organisation have transformed organisation. “This also provides an excellent the best way of acquiring not changed. They are opportunity to change the way we engage some of the specialist still focused on making with the business. Without the firewalls support that DE&S needs. sure that people working necessary for the Assessment Phase, I was pleased to brief we will more openly engage with our in DE&S are properly stakeholders, seeking their views on how industry representatives equipped with the right we should change DE&S, telling staff what recently at a first soft skills and support to do is happening and how the organisation market testing event at will change.” their jobs well and that Mr Burton added: “We should be clear which we explored the DE&S has the power to that we have only managed to get to this scope and role of the reward and retain high- point because of the work we have done planned Managed Service performing staff. Providers (MSPs). As always I will seek MSPs will help us to ensure that you are transform DE&S to become kept informed as the a ‘match fit’ organisation, programme develops specifically in the areas of and the detailed plans Programme and Project are worked through. Management, Management Communication with all of Information and Finance of you about the progress and Human Resources. we are making with the We will continue to Materiel Strategy is very shape this requirement important to me. over the next few weeks, and intend to launch the From the start I have commercial competitions always said that I view this shortly. programme as a ‘team The launch of the new sport’ and that remains my organisation is less than position. two months ahead of us – Your views have always April is not that far away been and will continue – and we are all very much to be important for the focused on that date. development of our plans. materiel strategy 5

Mat Strat Strategy team turns to team: page 6 making DE&S ‘match fit’ A bespoke entity: page 6

Defence Secretary’s view: page 7

Pictures: Andrew Linnett

Strategic planning: members of the Materiel Strategy team debate the future direction of DE&S with, below left, Programme Director Barry Burton, on the left, and Director Future DE&S Model Paul Blakiston leading the way to develop the two options – which show beyond to deliver radical change and by grant the freedoms we need through MOD that we need to change. Without this we transitioning to become a bespoke central and it is our job to help DE&S implement wouldn’t have the momentum to make this Government trading entity.” the changes we need as a result. happen. “We now need to focus on establishing “As an Arms Length Body, DE&S “We have a significant amount of work the new trading entity, and running the would be managed by MOD through a to do between now and vesting day and commercial competition to identify three Framework Document and Corporate Managed Service Providers to help us Plan, which would outline the services transform the business, in particular DE&S was required to deliver and the in the areas of programme and project resources and freedoms it has to deliver management, management information/ them.” finance and HR. Soft market testing has Mr Burton was supported at the team already started and we expect to launch meeting on 17th January at Corsham by the formal commercial competition his own senior team, all of whom have soon.” fresh responsibilities. He told his team members: “What Paul Blakiston is now Director Future you are doing will genuinely make a DE&S Model and Dr Liesl Neale is Head major difference to DE&S. Your work is Organisational Design. Richard Smart is hugely important and I’m confident that now Head Implementation and Support I have got the right mixture of talent and Partners with Dawn Cunningham-Martin resource in the team to carry through Head Governance and Engagement. this high profile and intensely demanding piece of work. It So what will change? will not be easy; but it is necessary and you will make By March 2017 the way DE&S operates and its philosophy and culture will be fundamentally changed and improved. Key changes a difference” mean DE&S will: He explained: “We now expect • be more business-like that the Cabinet • understand customers better Office and HM • be more personally accountable for what it delivers Treasury will • reward its own staff better for what they do through an incentivisation mechanism. 6 materiel strategy

The new Bespoke Central Government significant freedoms and flexibilities, DE&S – a Trading Entity will be established in agreed with the Treasury and Cabinet Office, accordance with Chapter 7 of the HM around how it recruits, rewards, retains and Treasury document ‘Managing Public manages staff along more commercial lines, Bespoke Money.’ to reflect its role of running some of the It will have a hard boundary between most complex procurement activity in the it and the rest of the MOD, a clear and world. Central separate governance and oversight structure This April , the Arms Length Body will with a strong Board under an independent be created and for that financial year it will Chairman, and a Chief Executive Officer ‘shadow trade’ in preparation for starting full Government (CEO) who will be an Additional Accounting trading from April 2015. Shadow trading will Officer, accountable to Parliament for its enable the development of charging rates performance. and mechanisms to recover operating costs. Trading Entity The new organisation will have While DE&S will remain a Crown Body

Who’s who at Materiel Strategy ‘I am confident Barry Burton we can deliver a reformed o As Programme Director, Barry Burton, pictured right, has overall responsibility for delivery of the Materiel Strategy DE&S which programme and will focus on managing the stakeholders across the entire MOD. will look and He said: “It will certainly be a challenge to get everything done by March 2017 but I am confident that we can deliver by then a reformed feel radically DE&S which will look and feel radically different” different’

Richard Smart

n Head of Implementation and Support Partners Richard Smart, right, is responsible for the rollout of business change to deliver the future design in a well-structured, properly resourced, coherent fashion and in a way that fully engages and involves the DE&S workforce and external stakeholders. He is also responsible for bringing in the Managed Service Providers and is currently looking at three areas – project delivery, management information/finance and Human Resources. He said: “I'm keen to help ensure that implementation builds on what exists in DE&S today while also fully exploiting the hard-won opportunities that the Materiel Strategy now offers to the MOD and us as Paul Blakiston a business.”

o Director Future DE&S Model, Paul Blakiston, above, will focus on the business, getting the senior Dr Liesl Neale management ready for change. His o wide experience in DE&S is invaluable Head of Organisational Design Dr Liesl Neale, left, is to lead on for this work. developing a future blueprint for a transformed DE&S. He said: “There is much good She is working closely with the Customer Design team led by work going; we need to capitalise Major General Peter Fox to ensure alignment with the Acquisition on this and take a view on whether System Operating Model. it should be rolled out across the She said: “The organisational design will be shaped by a number business. of driving principles, which we are developing through discussions “We need to ensure that the with the DE&S senior leadership team. We will be looking at the business understands the key organisation from a number of different perspectives in order to principles of design and the role develop a coherent design.” of the Managed Service Providers, that the future operating model is coherent and that DE&S is match fit to run things like hard-charging for services. “Ideally in three years’ time I Dawn Cunningham-Martin want DE&S to be in a position where we are as competitive as any external n Head of Engagement and Governance Dawn Cunningham- provider in delivering our services to Martin, right, is responsible for stakeholder engagement, freedoms and the Armed Forces.” controls, the Corporate Plan and external governance, legislation and He said he wanted an open debate Bill management. about whether it was best to have She said: “It is a unique role in the sense that I have both an one DE&S way of doing business enabling stakeholder management role and delivery functions covering and meeting the needs of the Armed freedoms and controls and the Corporate Plan. Forces or whether Operating Centre “MOD will continue with the current Defence Reform Bill legislation, Directors could be empowered to run to have it in place should a decision be taken in the future to test the their work as they decide. market for a GoCo when DE&S is match fit.” materiel strategy 7

and part of the MOD, its staff will continue Estimates and in due course through Service staff. to be civil servants but there will be a charging MOD customers for work; These changes will reinforce the number of significant changes including: customer-supplier relationship between • DE&S will publish its own plans the military command customers and DE&S and will produce annual reports and and allow DE&S to move earlier to a hard- • Governance will be through a accounts which will be consolidated within charging regime. Non-Executive Chairman and a CEO (the those of the MOD; DE&S will procure crucial private Chief of Defence Materiel), supported by a sector skills through a series of support Board with other non-executive directors; • DE&S will be accountable contracts to deliver key changes to to Parliament through the CEO as an systems and processes, and to strengthen • DE&S will be accountable to Additional Accounting Officer; programme management. Ministers through an Owner’s Council; DE&S will be able to recruit the key • DE&S will have the freedom technical skills it needs at market rates • Funding will be via MOD to pay, grade, promote and manage Civil and with minimum bureaucracy. Defence Secretary: Bigger tests to come on value for money

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has told MPs that DE&S would become a Bespoke Central Government Trading Entity, reinforcing its position as a public sector organisation, while retaining the possibility of running a fresh GoCo competition in the future. He told members of the House of Commons Defence Committee at a hearing on 12th December, during which he was supported by Chief of Defence Materiel Bernard Gray: “Under current legislative provisions and arrangements between the Treasury and the House of Commons a new trading fund cannot be set up as a central Government body. “There is, however, provision for bespoke arrangements to deal with situations like this one, in which an entity has a trading relationship but will be in the public sector and will be a central Government body. Looking to the future: Philip Hammond, pictured with Sgt Alexander “That is why I have defined it as a Buchanan during a visit to RAF Waddington Bespoke Central Government Trading Entity. It is not technically a trading fund, because trading funds can only be outside central Government as newly created the sense that I am also confident that the worth banking and will deliver real value bodies.” cost budgets for projects are currently too to DE&S. Will they deliver the culture The Secretary of State said the annual high. change that a GoCo would have delivered? Major Projects Report should show very “Over time, with better commercial I do not believe so. strong DE&S performance on managing business skills in the organisation, we “However, it is clear to me that once projects within budgets. will be able to drive down the costs of we have got DE&S through the public He said: “I would describe, and have projects going forward and deliver better sector construct into a proper form, as described, the organisation currently as value for money for the taxpayer. That is fit as it possibly can be, it would then be stable but underperforming. It is stable the purpose of exploring these alternative appropriate and in the interests of the in the sense that we have budgets set options.” taxpayer to test again the question of which we are highly confident we can MOD could make significant progress whether a private sector GoCo partner, deliver within. It is underperforming in through injecting private sector skills by changing culture and behaviour in the and support organisation, could add yet further value.” into DE&S The key issues were the freedom to ‘With better commercial business skills in allied with move outside the senior civil service pay additional structure, the ability to recruit without the organisation, we will be able to drive freedoms and going through civil service processes and flexibilities. the flexibility, agreed with the Treasury, down the costs of projects and deliver He said: to veer and haul between what was spent “Those are on staff pay and what was spent on private better value for money’ definitely sector consultancy support. 8 news

NEWSREEL Voyager starts airbridge role – and the verdict . . . ?

New Director Combat Air

Sue Gray is the new Director Combat Air at DE&S and has been promoted to Air Vice-Marshal. Air Vice-Marshal Gray, above, who was due to take up her new post at the end of Streets ahead! last month, joined the RAF in 1985 and was commissioned into the Engineer Home safe and sound: the first UK personnel on their journey from Camp Bastion Branch. During her career she has Voyager has notched up different RAF aircraft, they do very satisfying to see a further deployed to Iraq another milestone with the first not compare to Voyager – it’s leap forward on this important on the first Gulf flights transporting personnel to streets ahead!” project to update the RAF War in 1991 and on and from Afghanistan. Minister for Defence air tanking and transport in Two Voyagers – the RAF’s Equipment, Support and capabilities.” 2003 when she was Chief Engineer for transport and air-to-air Technology Philip Dunne Six aircraft are already in the Joint Helicopter refuelling aircraft which will agreed: “Voyager’s greatest service and the core fleet of Force. She is the replace the VC10 and TriStar strength is its versatility. Troops nine aircraft is on track to be in second woman fleets – have begun flying now have a more comfortable service by this May. in the RAF to be between Brize Norton and and reliable journey to and from Fourteen Voyagers – nine promoted to Air Helmand Province to support operations, while the aircraft will be constantly available to the Vice-Marshal after was the operational airbridge used can also refuel our fighter jets Armed Forces – will be delivered appointed Director by personnel heading to and and in future will support by September 2016 as part of the of Projects and from theatre. humanitarian aid efforts.” Private Finance Initiative service Programme Delivery First flights have taken place Voyager team leader Chris contract with AirTanker. at the Defence ahead of schedule. Dell said: “The first flight into Shareholders of service Infrastructure A converted Airbus A330 theatre marks an important provider AirTanker are Cobham, Organisation last aircraft adapted for a military milestone in the deployment EADS, Rolls-Royce, Thales and August. role, Voyager gives passengers of the Voyager fleet and it is Babcock. heading home for R&R or at the end of their tour more space and o Multi role Voyager is more efficient and more capable than the TriStar comfort for the journey between Rosyth plans fleet it will eventually replace. Afghanistan and the UK. Voyager is capable of carrying: Rosyth Royal Major Peter Jennings, one • 300 passengers over a 6,000-mile range; Dockyards has of those on the first Voyager • 111 tonnes of fuel, some of which is used for the air-to-air refuelling of applied to the RAF Tornados and Typhoons; Office for Nuclear flight out of Camp Bastion, said: • Up to 40 stretchers and critical care facilities for medical evacuations; Regulation for “Having previously flown on • 43 tonnes of cargo. consent to begin initial dismantling of seven laid-up defuelled nuclear- Bidders line up to be future military suppliers powered submarines at the Scottish dockyard. The The Logistic Commodities and Services MOD option, the LCS Value for Money Solution. ONR has launched (Transformation) Project has released Invitation To The project covers all areas of activity that a three-month Negotiate (ITN) documents to external bidders and LCS is responsible for, except BFPO, DSA and consultation ending the internal LCS Value for Money Solution team. Bulk Fuels, which are subject to separate change on 21st April. The The project aims to deliver a modern logistics and projects. Broadly these are: inventory management; wider commodities operating model to ensure military procurement and supply of commodities; storage of Dismantling Project supply at best value for money. all non-explosive materiel; and freight distribution. aims to deliver a Response from industry has been extremely Director LCS Neil Firth said: “This is a significant safe, responsible positive with a strong combination of organisations. step forward representing a real commitment from and cost effective Consortia selected to go through to negotiation all sides to drive the change that is required. solution for are: Defence Integrated Supply Chain Solutions “Getting the ITN detail right was critical because dismantling 27 comprising Babcock and DHL; Leidos as the prime, it provides bidders and the Value for Money Solution former subcontracting to Kuehne & Nagel and TVS Supply team with essential information on which to base nuclear-powered Chain Solutions. their detailed responses. It also sets the criteria by submarines. Bidding consortia will be compared against an which we will be assessing the responses.” AN INSPIRED GENERATION. As an engineering and manufacturing company we’re reliant on recruiting and retaining the most committed employees to maintain our talent pipeline. That’s why we invest over £80M a year in skills and education programmes – from training 900 apprentices to working with more than 250 schools across the UK on engineering projects.

www.baesystems.com 10 news NEWSREEL Unmanned systems show Solvings joins Niteworks Solvings is the value of DE&S work latest company to become an associate member of Niteworks. Solvings supplies IT infrastructure services, support and project consultancy. Its teams are providing change network engineering services Left: Armed to British military Forces Minister bases in the UK Mark Francois and Germany as watches as part of the Atlas personnel at Consortium. Waddington take Samantha Page part in an exercise of Niteworks said: involving Reaper “Since January 2013 we have worked on 94 projects for the MOD with over 500 people from across the partnership.” Niteworks is a partnership between the MOD (including the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory) and industry analysing problems to help the The full scope of the work of some of the myths around the with and listen to the talented MOD make better, DE&S’ Unmanned Air Systems use of unmanned aerial systems, personnel who operate this faster and more informed decisions. team has gone on show twice demonstrate the vital role they capability. They deserve great in the last few weeks at RAF play in supporting personnel credit for the work they do Waddington. in saving the lives of Airbus rename Armed Forces our ground troops, EADS has been Minister Mark Francois our Afghan and o rebranded as Airbus toured the Lincolnshire Air Commodore Peter Grinsted is the new international colleagues, Group. The company base on 15th January to head of the UAS team at Abbey Wood. and Afghan civilians.” “I am delighted and privileged to be joining has been divided see the UK's unmanned Ground troops into three divisions at such a pivotal and exciting time,” he said. aerial systems “Clearly, there are challenges ahead as who have served in – Airbus, focussing capability. Afghanistan were also on commercial we continue to support operations and look to aircraft activities; His visit came just a deliver Watchkeeper into service later this year. at RAF Waddington to Airbus Defence and month after all current “However, looking forward, the transition of describe how UAS assets Space, integrating UK systems had been UORs to more robust certification and support had provided them with the Group’s defence put on show to the arrangements, the assessment of future life-saving support at options, and the Future Combat Air System and space activities media, along with a vital times. from Cassidian, programme all combine into a broad portfolio visit to Waddington which confirms UAS as an increasing and Air Vice-Marshal Astrium and Airbus by Defence Secretary Philip Osborn, Joint Military; and Airbus enduring part of UK defence over the coming Helicopters. Philip Hammond. years.” Forces Command Mr Francois Capability Director, said: spoke to operators of “The UK’s unmanned Combat fits Navy, Army and RAF aerial systems provide first fit of the unmanned systems, including on operations in Afghanistan, UK and allied forces with Surface Common Scan Eagle, Desert Hawk and and confirm the utility of such persistent surveillance of enemy Combat System Reaper. systems for the future. positions without putting Version 1 to a He also saw the inside of a Mr Francois said: “Our their lives at unnecessary Type 23 is Reaper control cabin and was remotely-piloted systems risk. In today’s operational planned for spring shown how a highly-trained provide life-saving intelligence, environment they are still used 2015 during routine and highly-qualified teamreconnaissance and surveillance predominantly in surveillance docking, Defence Minister Dr Andrew controls the aircraft, with pilots, on operations as well as giving and reconnaissance roles. Murrison has sensor operators and analysts us the ability to strike precisely “When precision strike said. Fits to the all working together to make at those who pose a risk to our capability is required by ground remainder of the decisions in real time. personnel and the people they commanders, this is always in Type 23s are to be Mr Francois’ visit was part of are trying to protect. accordance with international completed in the a wider drive by MOD to dispel “I was delighted to meet humanitarian law and governed order the remaining by the same strict rules of ships undertake similar maintenance engagement as those governing manned aircraft.” periods. n The UK’s UAS capability in depth: pages 28-30 Secure communications you can depend on

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NEWSREEL Typhoon still good value

Typhoon remains the best value-for- money advanced multi-role combat aircraft available on the export market, said Defence Equipment, Support and Technology Minister Philip Dunne in a Parliamentary answer following the breakdown in talks between BAE Systems and the United Arab Emirates on purchase of Typhoon. “BAE Systems, with Government support, has worked The forward end section of Anson, the very hard over the fifth of the seven-strong Astute class of past 14 months to Anson submarines, has been taken by road to secure a deal that the Devonshire Dock construction hall in would have seen centre Barrow-in Furness for the next stage of her the UAE become build. She joins sister submarines Artful the eighth nation stage (boat three, above left) and Audacious (boat to select Typhoon four, above right). Pictures: BAE Systems for their air force,” he said. “The Government shares the company’s disappointment that, for commercial Future equipment ‘is now reasons, the Emirates have decided not to pursue this option any further at this affordable,’ says PM time.” Prime Minister David or as cost effective, as a Trident- mean we have now put in Cameron told MPs in a statement based deterrent. Government place the main organisational DSG sale on the annual report on the policy remains to maintain a building blocks envisaged in the update National Security Strategy and continuous at sea deterrent and Strategic Defence and Security Strategic Defence and Security proceed with the programme Review and the Defence Reform The sale of the Review that a balanced defence to build a new fleet of ballistic Review; and these have enabled Defence Support budget meant MOD could now missile submarines.” us to reduce the defence civilian Group land business afford its future equipment The report itself stated workforce by over 20,000 so far.” is still on for the financial year programme. that MOD had continued Good progress continued to 2014-15. “I see a He said tough negotiations to make good progress, be made in the procurement of sale as the best with industry led to a including implementation of high-quality new equipment for opportunity for the renegotiation of the aircraft the recommendations made the Armed Forces and the MOD front line to retain carrier contract, agreeing a by Lord Levene in his 2011 remained on track to achieve the access to a DSG cost of £6.2 billion and moving Defence Reform review of the structure by 2016 necessary to with the capacity, to a model which properly department. deliver Future Force 2020. capability and access to investment incentivises industry efficiency. “The changes needed to The report said that in needed to support He said: “We expect to delegate capability planning addition, following the 2013 Armed Forces of launch HMS Queen Elizabeth in and financial responsibility to Spending Review, the MOD the future,” said 2014, with flying trials from the the Commands are in place, would make approximately £875 Philip Dunne, carrier beginning in 2018. We with further reforms scheduled million of efficiency savings in Minister for Defence will also be ordering three new by April 2014. The new Joint 2015/16. This included around Equipment, Support Offshore Patrol Vessels for the Force Command achieved Full £300 million through a ground- and Technology in a Parliamentary Royal Navy. Operating Capability in April breaking deal with the Cabinet answer. “It will “In July, the Government 2013. The £38 billion budget Office to hand responsibility for enable DSG to published an unclassified version excess has been eliminated and procurement of a range of non- diversify and grow of the Trident Alternatives new mechanisms are in place to military goods and services to and reduce its Review, a Cabinet Office-led hold Top Level Budget holders the Government Procurement dependence on the study into alternative deterrent and other senior responsibility Service, and £350 million from MOD as its sole systems and postures. The holders formally to account efficiencies in the equipment major customer.” Review demonstrated that no against their plans,” it said. support budget, including the alternative system is as capable, “Overall these changes renegotiation of contracts. Image © Crown copyright

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NEWSREEL Type 23s to take on enhanced surveillance Patrol ship work begins

Work has begun as part of a £22 million BAE Systems contract to support and maintain the three Royal Navy River class offshore patrol vessels. Type 23s will be fitted The company was with enhanced electronic awarded the contract surveillance in a new seven- last September for year contract. Pictured: Type the next five years. 23 frigate HMS Portland It will provide the leaves Devonport on 13th Royal Navy with January for a seven-month 320 ‘operationally Atlantic patrol available days’ per ship per year to carry out their primary roles of The Royal Navy’s Type 23 will be able to spares, training and operator flexibility. fishery protection, carry out enhanced electronic surveillance following Babcock also leads the Type 23 Class Output environmental, a new contract with Babcock. Management team in maintenance of the vessels, so search and rescue The company, teamed with principal sub- has plenty of experience of working on the 13-strong and maritime contractor Argon ST, will provide an off-the-shelf fleet. security. Similar communications electronic support measures DE&S’ Joint Electronic Surveillance team placed support is provided (CESM) system. the seven-year contract as part of a cost-capped to two Royal Navy Known as Hammerhead, it will require no procurement aimed at maximising the system’s hydrographic development work so will enable rapid replacement performance against a constrained budget. vessels, HMS Echo of obsolete equipment on the Type 23s with low risk The team will work with Babcock to bring CESM and HMS Enterprise, delivery offering excellent value for money. into service next year. as well as HMS The system will support tactical indicators and The contract includes through-life support and Clyde which is based warnings and its commonality with other CESM the ability to upgrade through the project life to in the Falkland systems in use provides the opportunity for common 2021. Islands.

Centre funding

Plextek Consulting Radio upgrade boosts has announced its latest defence project to create a revolutionary Herrick troops’ comms battery-powered video-based tracking solution, Upgraded that enables Front line soldiers will comms: for soldiers to track have greater access to satellite handheld their movements within a GPS-denied voice communications with the radios, environment. The right, and upgrade of more than 1,000 system is being radios. manpacks, funded by the MOD’s Integrated waveform (IW) below, Centre for Defence software for UHF channels, Enterprise. an Urgent Operational Requirement, has been uploaded Feeding time to more than 800 Harris 117F manpack radios and around The daily budget 200 Harris 152 handheld allowance for radios. feeding personnel on operations, known The UOR, due to be as the Operational completed at the end of last Daily Messing Rate, month, was managed by Raz is £3.36 per person, Elahi in DE&S’ Battlefield according to the and Tactical Communications in UK satellite ground stations. latest figures. This and Information Systems team IW has a master communications does not include and has already achieved Full channel which allocates other cost of transporting, preparing, Operating Capability. channels at either 5 or 25khz. cooking or serving The UK has continued to channels available As well as the use of voice, meals. This is increase the number of radios to support voice capability the team is managing delivery an approximate available on Operation Herrick for all operational needs. of a data capability that can be figure based on 90 with tactical satellite terminal The new software upgrades used over the IW satellite links. raw ingredients voice capability. But with satellite the UHF tactical satellite-capable Known as PDA-184 it will be used necessary to provide capacity remaining constant radios while control equipment on the IW channel, making IW the daily calories and nutrition. there has been pressure on to enable IW has been installed voice and data compatible. 16 news NEWSREEL Vanguards start Bloodhound’s extra thrust The Bloodhound to take on new Project has announced a new partnership with Nammo, the Norwegian rocket power source propulsion company. Nammo will supply its hybrid rocket technology for the First installation of a 1,000mph land speed new onboard power conversion record-bidding racing car being built system has been achieved during in Bristol. Rocket overhaul of HMS Vengeance, motors will provide pictured right, in Devonport. around 27,500 lbs New main static converters of thrust which, replace traditional 650kw combined with motor generators, providing 20,200 lbs thrust an electronic power alternative from the car’s EJ200 jet, will generate avoiding the need for rotating the equivalent of machinery. 135,000 ‘thrust' They will be more reliable horse power – eight with considerably reduced times more power maintenance. than all the cars on Installaton and initial a Formula 1 starting power-up by Babcock marks grid combined. Bloodhound, a a milestone in the overhaul – showcase for science known as the Long Overhaul and engineering Period and Refuel – and a with help from the first-of-class implementaton MOD, aims to reach of life extension measures for 1,000mph in South Vanguard submarines. Africa in 2016. Cdr Ian Bartlett of DE&S In-Service Submarines said: “Introduction of MSCs to the Vanguard class through this involving the MOD, Babcock Army takes to successful project underlines and Ultra PMES, the original the screen the benefits of delivery through manufacturer and design a partnering approach between authority. A new Army MOD and our industrial The installation phase has recruitment campaign has begun partners. taken around 18,000 staff hours, with TV advertising “The 650kw motor generator while commissioning will have showing the range of sets have a high maintenance involved around 10,000 hours by roles available in the requirement and have the end of the overhaul period. Army, proving it is historically injected significant Babcock Project Manager more than just front tension during submarine Jon Benzie said: “Babcock’s line combat. The maintenance periods. Their followed by testing during steam ability to work with the customer campaign launches as new research removal improves the delivery of machinery trials when they will from the concept phase to final reveals one in four continuous-at-sea deterrence.” work alongside turbo generators. detailed designs and installation Britons are not MSCs will eventually replace Final commissioning will be in onboard has ensured that, from satisfied with their motor generators on all four around 18 months, during final the outset, the people doing the current career. Chief Vanguard class submarines. preparation for sea trials. job have been involved in the of the General Staff, Installation began last Babcock and In-Service whole design cycle. General Sir Peter January with power-up before Submarines have been working “This engendered an Wall, said: “The Army offers people Christmas. Commissioning on this since January 2009, and excellent team spirit with unique opportunities continues while the boat’s the development programme has everyone fully committed to for challenge and diesel generators are operating, been taken forward by a team making this an absolute success.” adventure at home and overseas, during peacetime Restructuring of the Armed to be made to balance the defence and on operations. Forces has moved a step nearer budget and this included restructuring It develops personal Forces completion with details of the final the Armed Forces to create a more qualities that are set of redundancies, previously sustainable military. key to success restructure announced in the 2010 Strategic “This fourth and final tranche will in any walk of Defence Security Review. draw a line under the uncertainty of life: leadership, is a step This tranche will consist of up to the last four years, bringing a renewed judgement, 1,505 personnel, a maximum of 1,425 sense of security about the future to determination, and further soldiers, ten medical officers from the our servicemen and women. physical stamina.” Royal Navy and 70 medical personnel “Our Armed Forces in the future forward from the RAF. will be properly equipped, sustainable Defence Secretary Philip and better placed to meet the Hammond said: “Tough decisions had challenges of the future.” news 17 Bangor gets ready to operate in hot climates Have you met some HMS Bangor is expected to diesel generators with leave Rosyth in the summer modern, economical, at the end of her six-month environmentally friendlier of your Test and support docking period. and supportable machines. Work on the Sandown Babcock Warships class is being Managing Director Mike Evaluation team? carried out under Surface Ship Whalley said: “The work Support Alliance Class Output package for HMS Bangor’s Management arrangements support period has been To get the best out of Test, Evaluation by a Babcock-led team. defined to reflect the ship‘s Several upgrades will needs and minimise the and Training, you need suitably qualified increase the ship’s ability to level of emergent work, and experienced people, combined with operate in hot climates along based on knowledge of the with major galley and laundry ship’s material state and access to the right facilities. updates, installation of our experience of previous modernised communication Sandown class refits, to Since 2003, cost effective Test, Evaluation and systems, and an updated fire optimise efficiency and value Training Support Services have been delivered detection system. for money. We look forward to There are also plans to delivering Bangor on time and to the MOD through the Long Term Partnering replace the ship’s existing in budget.” Agreement (LTPA). This brings together experts in the test and evaluation of systems, weapons and components to meet your requirements, from concept to disposal. Tailored live and simulated training is also available.

Visit www.LTPA.co.uk to find out more.

Senior Engineer, ETPS, Capability Manager, MOD Boscombe Down MOD Aberporth

Capability Manager, Telemetry Engineer, MOD MOD Aberporth

0800 015 0594 www.LTPA.co.uk

www.LTPA.co.uk is a QinetiQ registered domain name.

HMS Bangor is all set for her docking period 18 news

Support for in-service performance of T101 and T102 radars is to continue for another three years. Contract extends radar support The contract is between DE&S’ Air Defence and Air Traffic Systems team and BMT Reliability Consultants. From the Falklands to the UK and deployed locations – often remote – throughout the world, the ADATS team is responsible for the through-life management of air defence and air traffic systems. This includes surveillance capability to

DE&S as a support military operations and enabling a safe, cost effective capability for air traffic

trusted partner management. Proud to support Proud Flt Lt Dean Wilson of ADATS said: “ADATS is pleased to renew its association with BMT Reliability Consultants as it Global reach: ADATS manages air defence and air provides essential support towards the traffic systems across the world achievement of our business objectives.” Falcon – job done! Delivery of communications system comes to an end with vast quantity of equipment supplied in rapid time Making the complex simple

A good job well done: the Falcon delivery team, from left, Ed Bunning, Gary Smith, Paul Butcher, Pete Hammonds, Andy Young, Eddie Joel, Rob Tucker, Richard Pryke, Sean Mallon, Tony Clayden, Sam Taylor, Mike Armstrong, Brian Woods, Phil Larkin, Dr Ruth Seabrook, Courtney Wilding, Karen Milsom, Janie Warne

The delivery and equipment now fielded to the and hydraulic generators, fielding phase of the Falcon military users. integrated Bowman radio to all communications system has This included 155 vehicles and made accounting come to an end with the original communication installations, and management database fielding timescale being cut by 9,430 items of assorted entries for the Unicom, Merlin more than half. ancillary equipment ranging and JAMES asset management With work complete the from IP phone packs to fibre systems. Falcon office at the Defence optic cables. Fielding of Falcon from Support Group (DSG) in Delivery and fielding of the Ashchurch began in April 2012 Ashchurch has now closed. equipment was simplified by with the arrival of the first Falcon is providing the using just the one location at vehicle installations. Army and the RAF with a trunk Ashchurch. Activity accelerated to communications system for The Falcon Asset delivery match the contracted schedule contingent operations. team at Ashchurch was made up of deliveries resulting in the The system replaces the of two people from the Falcon original fielding plan of three-

space that scan the scope of obsolete Ptarmigan and project team, six DSG staff, four and-a-half-years being reduced solutions for the MoD business

Delivering critical tools and agile Cormorant systems with a Royal Signals personnel, and a to 18 months representing a

through-life capability management through-life secure system based on Internet BAE Systems project manager. fantastic achievement by the Protocol. The team carried out joint team. Staff were faced with numerous equipment schedule Falcon is now in service | www.tlmnexus.com | fielding a system whichchecks, MOD acceptance tests and in use across a number of | 0845 677 4480 | encompasses a vast quantity of on 107 vehicles and 214 diesel military exercises. partnering 19 ‘Long-term’ is put to the test

How DE&S guarantees the next generation of military equipment in its partnering agreement with QinetiQ Pages 20 and 21 20 partnering Outstanding beauty – outstanding value How DE&S puts future military equipment to the test

hey may be areas of outstanding you have a huge undertaking. QinetiQ Down, where MOD and QinetiQ beauty with some of the most also manages more than 100 square have a joint presence. Across all sites Trugged coastlines and spectacular kilometres of estate which includes 2,000 sophisticated equipment records data rolling countryside. But thousands of buildings. from testing which is then analysed to square kilometres of the UK are in use In the air domain the contract covers present relevant information to project every day to test, evaluate and guarantee missile and weapon tests, deployable air teams for them to assess their ability to the next generation of military trial instrumentation services, aerial and deliver military capabilities. This can be equipment while at the same time surface targetry, parachute and store either directly for the DE&S project teams training the people who will use it. testing drops as well as navigation and or through their UK prime contractors. It’s all part of DE&S’ Long Term GPS testing. And it’s all long term. “A key part Partnering Agreement (LTPA) with For the land domain there is testing of the contract is that it gives everyone QinetiQ which provides the MOD and of munitions and weapon systems, continuity and coherence,” said Cathy a number of prime DE&S contractors warheads, proof of armour, safety testing O’Carroll. “We can look at what we need with the services of 17 ranges and other of hazardous stores, environmental to provide at all our sites in the future, facilities across the country. testing and ordnance disposal. and then we can plan our investment. It’s From Pendine Sands and Aberporth Testing of tracking systems, not all short term any more.” in south west Wales to the sonobuoys, torpedoes and sonar, Spare capacity at LTPA beaches of Shoeburyness and the Kyle of signature measurement and electronic establishments can be made available Lochalsh and the Hebrides in Scotland, warfare calibration are all carried out in to third parties. Recent international QinetiQ manages and conducts testing the maritime domain ranges. customers have included the Danes, of a host of current and new equipment A further range of flight testing in the air, land and maritime domains. and aircraft modification and The £5 billion LTPA was signed in 2003 installation goes on at Boscombe with regular five-yearly reviews which will see the company managing the ranges up to 2028. Under the LTPA, ageing facilities have been replaced and new equipment has been brought on stream while future planning is more certain as a result of the long-term nature of the deal. “It is a partnering agreement and we operate very much on that basis with the MOD,” said QinetiQ’s LTPA programme director Cathy O’Carroll. “It is continual activity which goes on through the duration of the LTPA; 25 years is a long time and requirements will change during that time so we have a contract which is built to embrace change. This is the best way for the MOD to build and manage its strategic test and evaluation capability, to test and evaluate equipment.” The LTPA contract is managed by the Trials, Evaluation Services and Targets (TEST) project team, part of DE&S’ Weapons Operating Centre. Team leader Gp Capt Andrew Tait said: “This arrangement allows us to draw on the LTPA sites specialised test and evaluation skills of QinetiQ through a Aberporth (south west Boscombe Down: BUTEC (British contract that is designed for Wales): tracking radar, unmanned aerial Underwater Test and change and improvement, and surface target and aerial systems testing, Evaluation Centre, allows the MOD and QinetiQ target facilities, optical aerospace technology north west to share benefits to mutual instrumentation, demonstration, design Scotland): acoustic advantage.” munition and weapon and development, signature services and The contract covers well performance, unmanned radio trials, safety target echo strength, over 30,000 square kilometres aerial systems testing consultancy, munitions and weapon of water-space including aircraft maintenance performance ‘Danger Areas’ where testing of weapons and ordnance takes place. Add to that many more thousands of square kilometres of air danger area, much of it to an unlimited height, and partnering 21

Blast off for a Mirach aerial target from ranges on the Hebrides

A shell leaves a 155mm turret during testing at Eskmeals in Cumbria the Swiss and the Turks, along with the US Air Force. It is a small but growing percentage of QinetiQ business. Some of that money will go back to the MOD. their training. We look to move people It brings benefits in terms of to be agile enough to make sure our around to make sure the skills base is services are able to deal with them. employment too. The MOD ranges maintained. People are transferrable; managed by QinetiQ are, to put it mildly, We will always be shaping the LTPA the days are gone when each individual to future MOD requirements. It’s not often in out of the way places. Attracting site retained all its own skills. We need staff can be an issue. There are 2,700 necessarily all going to happen in the people who are flexible.” current five-year agreement but it’s all people employed on work covered by LTPA demands that DE&S and the contract and there is access to wider certainly going to be out there at some QinetiQ are always looking to the future. time.” QinetiQ staff and knowledge when “There are always emerging systems required. Around 200 military staff Gp Capt Tait added: “This is about that the MOD will need to test and train long term thinking as well as today’s also support LTPA work. All need to be on, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, longer kept up to speed on the latest testing test and evaluation activity. I’m proud range missiles for example,” said Cathy to be involved in work that looks at developments. O’Carroll. “We need to develop new “It’s about keeping and developing benefits to UK defence and industry techniques to meet these challenges. over the next 15 years.” people’s skills and getting involved in Threats are always changing so we need

Main picture: a 105mm gun is set up for testing on the sands at Shoeburyness, Essex

Eskmeals (Cumbria): Larkhill (Wiltshire): Pendine (south west Portland Bill: electronic Shoeburyness (Essex): munitions and weapon target services, Wales): munitions warfare calibration, Munitions safety and performance and safety munitions and weapon safety, weapon magnetic assessment performance, performance, performance services demilitarisation Hebrides: air platform radar signature test and evaluation, data services, target services Plymouth, Skipness Rosneath and Barons West Freugh (south analysis, in-service and Portsmouth: Point (Firth of Clyde): west Scotland): air firings, unmanned Loch Goil, Loch Fyne electromagnetic electromagnetic platform test and aerial systems testing, (Firth of Clyde) and services, electronic signature evaluation, munitions and weapon Grove Point (Dorset): warfare calibration services munitions assessment, performance acoustic target services, signature services and unmanned aerial target echo strength systems test and evaluation 22 land equipment See further – and in more detail Media day highlights the latest visual equipment put on show by DE&S

Report: Clare Trenholm Pictures: Andrew Linnett land equipment 23

ournalists at a media day at the thorough at the development stage do we Lance Corporal Herbline Biscette of Infantry Training and Development know that the equipment can stand up 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of JUnit in Warminster were given the to the rigours of combat for the British Scotland tested the equipment before it opportunity last month – courtesy of Armed Forces.” was delivered to forces while working for DE&S – to test out the latest equipment to He explained that the binoculars are ITDU. He said: “This new kit will help us help identify targets more easily. only 600g, which is half the weight of the to stay accurate and heighten awareness The Head-Mounted Night Vision previous standard issue kit. in difficult, low-light conditions. Being System (HMNVS) was put to work in a He added: “Clearly halving the weight able to mark our targets from so far pitch black room, while live firing took is noticeable, but the exciting thing is away means that we can prepare for the place on one of the 25-metre outdoor that if we can add this to other equipment situations ahead and do the job with ranges nearby, using the Laser Light weight savings and future projects to confidence. This kit also gets tested Module (LLM) Mk3. Everyone had the slim down kit that has to be carried, we virtually to destruction – they get opportunity to trial the new Steiner can reduce the burden on the soldier. dropped from height, submerged, blasted binoculars and compare the weight of By reducing fatigue and improving the with sand, left out in minus 20 degrees – them with the current L12A1 binoculars. capability of each item in many cases, we all conditions that we might have to face In all it represented investment in £53 can increase operational efficiency at the when using it, so we know that it won’t let millon of new equipment. same time.” us down.” Defence Equipment, Support and Andrew Davies from DE&S oversaw Technology Minister Philip Dunne also the additional buy of the HMNVS. The tried out some of the equipment. He said: AN/PVS-14 Night Vision Goggles are Below left: Matt West, Dave Clark, Philip “The ability to see further and in more used in conjunction with the LLM Mk3 Dunne, Ceri Adlam and Brig James Daniel detail will allow British troops to stay and are sourced from ITT Exelis, based in one step ahead of danger. This multi- the United States. Below: LSBC binoculars million pound investment makes clear the MOD’s commitment to equipping our Armed Forces, including Reservists, with world-class battle-winning technology. These binoculars, laser aimers and night vision goggles will improve situational awareness and reduce collateral damage across the battlefield.” Matt West is project manager with DE&S’ Soldier System Programme and has overseen the binocular and laser light module Mk3 improvements from start to finish. He said: “Obviously it’s very satisfying to see the first binoculars and LLMs be distributed to the troops, knowing that they will make an appreciable difference from day one. We’ve tested the equipment virtually to destruction in various climates ranging from sub-zero temperatures in Norway to the heat and humidity of Brunei. Only by being so

L/Cpl Herbline Biscette

Kit at a glance • Three pieces of equipment were trialled by media last month: a pair of new binoculars, the upgraded Laser Light Module (LLM) Mk3 and the standard Head-Mounted Night Vision System (HMNVS). • The new ergonomic binoculars are made by Steiner and imported by Hampshire company GMK in a contract worth £5.5 million. The initial 14,500 pairs are being distributed across the Army, with a further smaller number set to go to the Royal Navy and in due course. • Upgraded aimer, LLM Mk3, has been produced by Rheinmetall in a contract worth more than £33 million. The LLM Mk3 is attached to the SA80A2 to mark targets beyond the 600-metre range of the rifle, depending on weather and light conditions. This is a huge improvement on the Mk2, with hundreds of metres of visibility added to the module’s capability in some conditions. • These LLM Mk3 units are to be distributed to every infantry soldier, which includes Reservists who previously did not have a night-fighting capability. The AN/PVS-14 Night Vision Goggles (designated as HMNVS in the ) are used in conjunction with the LLM Mk3 and are sourced from ITT Exelis, based in the United States. 24 merlin

Why paint aircraft?

• To protect them from environmental and accidental damage. • To improve tactical performance and survivability by imparting visual camouflage and other stealth properties. • To prevent chemical and other non-conventional weapons from penetrating through to the structure and enable effective decontamination. • To improve appearance. merlin 25 Merlin’s coat of many years

Tests on the grey paint of the earliest Merlins have revealed a surprising lack of degradation, with implications for future repainting programmes on other aircraft

cientific studies into how the coupons, we determined that the coatings depth servicing times by cutting out operating environment affects paint on every aircraft measured were still unnecessary whole aircraft refinishing," Son Merlin helicopters may delay within the limits for a brand new paint. said Mr Dutch. the need to repaint aircraft, potentially This means that there is no tactical, “Extending this work to fixed wing saving future maintenance costs. engineering or cosmetic requirement to aircraft, which generally operate at The Merlin was probably the first repaint the Merlin Mk1 or 2 aircraft. faster speeds and at higher altitudes, we modern aircraft painted at manufacture “The recommendation is that the can also ask: is there a genuine need to using a polyurethane topcoat instead aircraft do not need to be repainted for strip the whole aircraft at every major of an acrylic one. Others have since at least another five years. Two of the maintenance or should we be switching converted to polyurethane. Though older aircraft in the fleet will be subjected to a more ‘on condition’ approach to the acrylic paint was easy to apply and to the same testing in five years time to aircraft refinishing?” remove and was tolerant to ultraviolet determine if they have deteriorated to a light, it was not resistant to chemical point where refinishing will be necessary. attack, only lasted up to six years, and its At this point some of the Mk2 aircraft aesthetic appearance deteriorated over will have paint that is 20-plus years old.” time. Mr Dutch added: “Given the low levels The first Merlin is now 15 years old and of degradation over the range of ages still looks as good as new, so there is no tested, it may be possible to push the repaint programme in place. But coatings refinishing requirement out for another age in subtle ways through the effects five or ten years beyond the current of ultraviolet light and environmental extension. This could mean that we never contaminants. have to refinish a whole Merlin for the Andy Dutch of 1710 Naval Air entire service life of the aircraft.” Squadron at Yeovilton has been part of Implications are wide. Merlins, along the biggest study into coatings ever done with other helicopter fleets, are scheduled in the UK on a single aircraft fleet. for repainting every eight or nine years, “Paints are polymers, formed from meaning two or three repaints in their chains of molecules that hold together to lifetime. produce a fairly homogeneous film,” he “The Merlin Mk1 is painted in medium explained. sea grey polyurethane paint. Most “Exposure to UV and the elements will other aircraft are painted in similar break down the links in those chains. coatings, so it may be possible to reduce Until paint has seriously degraded, it is not possible to simply look at a coating to see if it has changed to the extent that it no longer meets our requirements.” DE&S’ Merlin team tasked the squadron and QinetiQ to assess the Merlin Mk1 fleet, the oldest in service having been exposed to the most diverse environments. Tests were carried out on six Mk1s being converted to Mk2 at AgustaWestland in Yeovil. Mr Dutch, who works in the squadron’s materials and monitoring area, said: “The only tests we could do were those that the paint had passed to be selected in the first place; if the coatings met those test requirements then they could be considered to be within specification and able to remain in place.” Twelve test areas included gloss measurement, chemical resistance, paint layer thickness, scratch hardness and infra-red reflectance. AgustaWestland also produced test coupon panels, painted at the same time as the aircraft were originally sprayed, and then stored under controlled conditions. This allowed the study team to determine the level and rate of degradation. “The outcome surprised everyone,” said Mr Dutch. “While there had been some minor degradation when we compared the coatings on the aircraft to the test 26 sensors Keeping the fleet ship shape The Sensors Support Optimisation Programme received the Special Prize at the last Minister for Defence, Equipment, Support and Technology Acquisition Awards for its outstanding contribution to delivering defence capability. desider takes a closer look at its successes

n a biting cold winter’s day, a last May between DE&S and Thales – Scott, Atlas Elektronik UK, Parkburn team of highly specialised Thales provides the Royal Navy with a flexible Ltd, AB Precision (Poole) and the Defence Oengineers are working at the stern support service that has transformed the Support Group. of HMS St Albans to carry out essential traditional image of naval services. The programme is managed by the repairs to the 2087 towed array sonar, The £600 million contract is expected Maritime Combat Systems Underwater the sensor that makes the to save around £140 million over its ten- and Electronic Warfare team based at one of the most advanced anti-submarine year life, while ensuring the continued Abbey Wood – a joint team of DE&S warfare platforms in the world. readiness and availability of sonar, and Thales personnel which provides a Elsewhere in Portsmouth’s naval base, periscope, optronic mast and electronic central focus and strategic overview of engineers are on board HMS Cattistock, surveillance capability across the Fleet. activities. carrying out maintenance to the sensor The project has its origins in the The team manages rectification systems and identifying any potential Contractor Logistic Support contract of operational defects, obsolescence operational defects that may have arisen signed between DE&S’ predecessors and resolution and the two-way flow of while out at sea. Thales in 2003 that evolved to provide a repairable stocks. With essential spares and equipment combined sonar and electronic warfare Defects and maintenance are dealt stored in a Thales facility within minutes support service. with at the dockside, saving time and of the ship, the work to keep the Hunt Under the terms of the new project, money. Supported ships at the waterfront class vessel at operational readiness in-service support has now been include Type 23s, Type 45s, mine begins even before the crew has extended to all submarine vision systems, countermeasures vessels and all classes disembarked. including periscopes for the Vanguard of submarines. The scene is common across Faslane, and Trafalgar class submarines and the Portsmouth-based Thales electronic Devonport and Portsmouth dockyards Astute class optronic masts, previously warfare support engineer Wally where DE&S and Thales provide a key supported under separate contract Hammond said: “One of my tasks is to integrated link in keeping the Royal Navy arrangements with Thales. meet the ships when they come in to operational, by bringing engineering The new contract also secures assess if there are any operational defects support and spares to where they are employment for 230 Thales employees that need rectifying. I deal directly with needed most, the waterfront. and a further 300 people within the the maintainers (the naval senior rates The Sensors Support Optimisation extended UK supply chain. Major who maintain the ship’s equipment) and I Programme (formerly Project) – signed suppliers include J+S Ltd, MacTaggart can offer them the continuity of expertise

HMS St Albans sensors 27 Keeping the fleet ship shape of working with a particular system. “Our priority is to understand the crew’s requirements and more crucially, identify potential issues before they turn into major defects or problems.” Phil Jones, Thales UK’s Director of Maritime Customer Services and Support, said: “The original intention of the project was to cut out waste, bureaucracy and unnecessary activity and concentrate the available budget on ensuring the ships are operationally Above: Capt available to meet their specific Ivan Stace, missions. The concept was developed second from in conjunction with the MOD and it right, visits is only by working together that we Thales' – have successfully delivered and even facility at – exceeded what was envisaged at the Templecombe outset.” DE&S Maritime Combat Systems Underwater and Electronic Warfare team leader Captain Ivan Stace added: “‘This is a very significant new breed of support contract that includes a strong incentivisation mechanism and follows the latest government thinking on single source procurement. “I am very proud of the joint team’s efforts in establishing this arrangement and it fully deserves the recognition given by Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology Philip Dunne at the recent Acquisition Awards where it scooped the top spot with the special award for outstanding achievement. “Central to the success of this contract will be in delivering the equipment performance and availability required of the Royal Navy and, to date, I continue to be very pleased to say the least with Thales’ performance and I look forward to us working together to safeguard this for the future.” 28 unmanned air systems UK eyes in the skies The MOD and the RAF have unveiled the mysteries of the UK’s Unmanned Aerial Systems and the work of more than 100 DE&S military and civilian staff involved in helping to protect lives in operational theatres

he hi-tech operations room at RAF “Since being introduced into service of leading the team, and as I take up Waddington in Lincolnshire where from 2007, these systems have flown promotion as Director Combat Air, I Tmembers of 13 Squadron remotely a combined total of 170,000 hours in therefore have a sense of enormous pride operate the RAF’s Reaper aircraft in support of operations in Afghanistan and tinged with regret to be leaving the team Afghanistan has gone on show to the Iraq. The Unmanned Air Systems team given the exciting times ahead.” world. can therefore be rightly proud of the key Reaper remotely piloted aircraft part it has played in project managing Among the UK systems on show at systems (RPAS) is just one of a range the delivery and continued support of RAF Waddington were: of unmanned systems operated by those systems and working so effectively Reaper ground stations (RAF) all three services providing vital life- with the user, industry and key allies in Watchkeeper (Army) saving intelligence, reconnaissance and making such an achievement possible. Hermes 450 (Army) surveillance on operations. “However, as well as the re- Desert Hawk III (Army) And in putting the systems on show, deployment of these systems from Black Hornet Nano (Army) the work of DE&S staff covering project Afghanistan, 2014 promises to be Tarantula Hawk (Army) management, engineering, finance, another year of delivery with both the Scan Eagle (Royal Navy) commercial business management and a Watchkeeper tactical UAS and Scan Eagle host of other functions came in for high maritime UAS expected to enter service Defence Secretary Philip Hammond praise. over the coming months. said showing the capability of the “The performance of the Unmanned “Furthermore, the assessment phase systems to a wider audience would help Air Systems supporting current is now underway to scope the solutions dispel some of the myths surrounding operations has been truly impressive,” available to meet the future UAS them. said Air Vice-Marshal Sue Gray, outgoing requirement and longer term we continue “Vital to our efforts to protect our head of DE&S’ Unmanned Air Systems to support the department’s consideration forces and the people of Afghanistan, this team based at Abbey Wood. of possible options to meet the emerging battle-winning technology allows us to: Future Combat Air System understand the situation on the ground requirement.” more clearly; develop better intelligence; She added: “After two years and precisely strike, within our rules of

Watchkeeper Tactical Unmanned Aerial System: Unarmed. Will provide surveillance and intelligence. Will provide enduring tactical UAS capability. Remotely piloted by trained members of the Army (). Features state of the art sensors and laser designators. 54 aircraft have been procured from Thales UK. More than 500 hours flown in UK to trial the system ahead of going into service. Total approved cost of around £1 billion. unmanned air systems 29

engagement, those who threaten or hurt surveillance of enemy positions the people we are protecting,” he said. without putting our servicemen “Much of the criticism of and women at unnecessary risk. Unmanned Aerial Systems is based on “In today's operational UK eyes in the skies misunderstanding. This is an opportunity environment, unmanned and to better inform people about these remotely piloted air systems are life-saving assets and their variety of increasingly vital to keep one step purpose.” ahead of the enemy, and to save Air Vice-Marshal Philip Osborn, Joint military and civilian lives. Highly Force Command Capability Director, trained and experienced personnel said: “The UK’s unmanned aircraft are at the heart of the capability, systems – or as they are increasingly and human oversight and control called ‘remotely piloted air systems’ – is always paramount. This is a provide UK and coalition forces with capability just like every other vital intelligence derived from the across defence – it has skilled and aircraft’s unique ability to loiter over the motivated people at its core, people enemy for hours, and provide persistent who are in charge of technology and use it in strict accordance with Desert Hawk Mini Unmanned Aerial System: the law.” Unarmed. Provides key surveillance and intelligence. Operated by trained members of the Army (Royal Artillery). Carried by Forces on the ground and launched by hand. Can be used day and night on the front line in Afghanistan. MOD has 34 DH3 systems. Each system is made up of 8-10 aircraft Manufactured by Lockheed Martin. 30,000 hours flown in support of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Total approved cost of £70 million. Hermes 450 Tactical Unmanned Aerial System: Unarmed. Provides video surveillance to UK ground forces day and night. Reaper MQ-9 Remotely Piloted Aircraft System: Remotely piloted by trained members of the Army (Royal Artillery). Remotely piloted by Royal Air Force pilots. n Unmanned Up to nine Hermes 450s available for use. Designed for medium altitude and long endurance Air Systems: surveillance operations. separating fact Aircraft and system provided by Thales UK via a from fiction – Carries precision guided air-to-ground missiles and service provision contract. page 30 bombs. 85,000 hours flown in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2007. Weapons can only be fired on the command of RAF pilots. Total approved cost of £215 million. UK Reaper only used within Afghanistan. Five aircraft in-service which will expand to a fleet of ten this year. Procured from USAF and manufactured by General Atomics US. 54,000 hours flown and 459 weapons fired since 2007. Total approved cost of £506 million. 30 unmanned air systems

Fact versus fiction Fact: UK RPAS and UAS are only around 115,000 hours, more than double flown by RAF pilots and trained that of armed missions. Fiction: Unmanned Aerial Systems members of the Armed Forces. UK Fiction: A computer decides what to (UAS) and Remotely Piloted Aircraft RPAS and UAS are always flown and target and fire upon. controlled by trained personnel and Systems (RPAS) are operated by Fact: All UAS are operated by machines, not humans. on Reaper, the only armed UAS, it is a qualified and experienced RAF pilot – professional and trained personnel. For

not a machine – that decides whether Reaper, trained pilots, not a computer, a weapon is fired. decide whether to fire a weapon. Weapons are only released under strict Fiction: All UAS are armed and rules of engagement on legal targets. their sole purpose is to drop missiles. Fiction: The MOD is planning to create Fact: Only Reaper, which makes weapons that have no human control. up a very small proportion of the MOD’s overall UAS capability, Fact: The MOD has no plans to create carries weapons. In fact the main weapons that operate without human purpose of all MOD UAS is to control. Trained members of the Armed provide surveillance, reconnaissance Forces will always be involved in the and intelligence to inform front line command and control of UAS/RPAS. troops and save both military and Fiction: UAS strikes are not very civilian lives in Afghanistan. accurate. Fiction: There are hundreds of Fact: UAS/RPAS offer precision. The armed ‘drones’ flying every day in ability of UAS to monitor a situation Afghanistan. for extended periods of time offers Fact: The current fleet of UAS the ability to ensure that strikes are has flown nearly 170,000 hours completed with the absolute minimum Scan Eagle Maritime Unmanned Aerial System: in support of operations in risk of civilian casualties. The Unarmed. Provides key surveillance and Afghanistan and Iraq. All are professional aircrews flying RPAS are intelligence. operated by trained pilots or often assigned to operations for extended operators. Only 459 weapons have periods and may consequently fly Operated by a specialist contractor team on board missions in Afghanistan for many years Royal Navy vessels. been fired in more than 54,000 hours of Reaper RPAS operations in which gives them an unrivalled depth The first maritime-specific unmanned Afghanistan (as of last November). of knowledge and familiarity with the reconnaissance asset that operates from UK This is less than one weapon in environment in which they are operating. warships and auxiliaries day or night. every 120 hours of Reaper aircraft Fiction: UK UAS are responsible for Manufactured by Insitu, a subsidiary of Boeing. flying. Unarmed UAS have flown the deaths of many civilians. 600 hours flying per month. Fact: In over 50,000 hours of Reaper operations there is only one known Total approved cost of £38 million. operation that has resulted in the deaths of civilians. On 25 March 2011 an attack on two pick-up trucks resulted in the destruction of a significant quantity of insurgent explosives and the death of two insurgents. Sadly four Afghanistan civilians were also killed. An ISAF investigation concluded that the Reaper crew acted in accordance with established procedures and rules of engagement.

T Tarantula-Hawk Unmanned Aerial System: aranis: Unarmed. Examines possible IEDs to allow safe A Technical Demonstrator Programme for stealth, passage and assist in the clearance of these devices. unmanned combat aircraft. Operated by the Royal Engineers Counter Improvised Joint project with BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, QinetiQ Black Hornet Nano-UAS: Explosive Devices task force. & GE Aviation. Unarmed. Provides surveillance and Evidence from the Taranis programme is already Designed for short endurance, lightweight, vertical intelligence. helping to inform future combat air capability take-off and landing. Operated by infantry. planning. Around 550 hours flown. Joint MOD and industry funded with a current Used in Afghanistan since 2012. Total approved cost of £15 million. contract value around £180 million. Manufactured by Prox Dynamics. Total financial approved of £20 million. news 31

‘Vector plays a Information – critical to huge role’ – Minister DE&S’ smooth running Industry staff who keep Chinook, Lynx and Sea King helicopters up Air Vice-Marshal Julian to operational standards Young has become DE&S have been praised in a 23rd Chief Information Officer January ministerial visit. Vector Aerospace UK (CIO) in a re-alignment of welcomed Philip Dunne, responsibilities. Minister for Defence David Ball, Director HR, Equipment, Support and is taking responsibility for Technology to its Fleetlands Infrastructure, Security site in Gosport. and the role of DE&S Senior Mr Dunne was given a Information Risk Owner behind the scenes look at the highly skilled work and (SIRO). toured the aero engines The DE&S CIO team repair shop. has now transferred to the “Helicopters are an Technical Directorate. essential capability for all In a paper to the DE&S three services, and high- Board – Protection and quality maintenance is Management of Information essential to ensure that our fleets are ready to deploy – Air Vice-Marshal Young where they are needed,” outlined the importance of said Mr Dunne. information as a critical asset “Sites like Fleetlands to the smooth running of have a huge role to play in DE&S. defence, and I thank the He stressed the need for workforce here for their it to be valued and protected help in ensuring British troops have the top-class against existing and emerging equipment they need.” threats, such as cyber attack. He also emphasised the importance of improving maturity in the management of information so that activities New information chief: relating to its management Air Vice-Marshal Julian Young, and protection become second above, right nature and DE&S’ focus can move towards its exploitation as a valuable business practicable, this will be resource. performed by staff with Recognising the pivotal specific information 12th International Naval Engineering Conference and Exhibition 2014 role information professionals responsibilities like Senior play in achieving this goal Information Officer or consistently and coherently, Information Asset Owner. Innovative solutions to global trends Air Vice-Marshal Young Following Board sought Board agreement for approval, the DE&S CIO team Tuesday 20 – Thursday 22 May 2014 DE&S CIO staff to undertake is working with the business Marine Establishment Amsterdam, the Netherlands Countersigning Officer duties areas to plan implementation. for some information staff Further detail on the roles Major Sponsor from April. of DES CIO and DES SIRO, First Reporting Officer and other information roles duties will continue to and deliverables contact DES be performed within the CIO-Front Door or the DE&S Associate Sponsors business area, but, wherever information portal.

On the CIO agenda for 2014/15

Offi cial IMarEST publications • DE&S information strategy and architecture This conference is eligible for • Management of information risk CPD • Introduction of Government Security Classifications • Delivery of DII Capabilities including records management (Meridio),  +44 (0)7766 462947/+44 (0)20 7382 2702 digital signatures, document encryption @ [email protected] • ‘Refresh’ of DII components  +44 (0)20 7382 2667 • Management information support • Laptop and Blackberry support For further information visit: • Social media pilots (Yammer, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc) www.imarest.org/inec • Information training co-ordination (RFI, Records, MOSS) • Information compliance audit programme 32 news

NEWSREEL Teamwork gets a boost

A £6million contract to extend support to HMS Illustrious, the Hunt class and Type 23 warships has been signed with BAE Systems. This extension to the existing phase two service contract will continue Class Output Management and Design Management Services which offer global support to ships. BAES provides ‘class’ focus by bringing together ship support roles across industry, DE&S and the Royal A pattern emerges Navy to work in a single team at the waterfront. The Alliance Abbey Wood’s new Pattern and Technology Philip Dunne model encourages BBC captures partnering at Room, pictured above – where during a visit to Bristol. Portsmouth and military uniforms from down Abbey Wood’s “While staff of the Pattern Devonport. the ages are stored – has Room regard their place of attracted national interest uniform work as a reference library for MOD success within days of opening. clothing and its specifications, BBC defence correspondent collection for a wider audience it is a The MOD is Jonathan Beale brought a fascinating historical record of among employers camera crew to the Abbey Wood uniforms and clothing down the recognised for North site to film a feature on Defence Clothing team procures ages including kit from current creating inclusive the development of clothing and and supports. operations,” said DE&S press workplaces for personal kit that has been issued Examples of clothing are officer Hannah Swingler. lesbian, gay and bisexual employees, to the Armed Forces since the stored to ensure that the next “We were approached to being the most beginning of the conflict in generation of kit procured for assist the BBC with their story. improved employer Afghanistan. UK Forces meets or exceeds the Jonathan and his team were in the Stonewall While he was there he was exacting standards of the past. fascinated by what they saw. Workplace Equality also briefed on the extensive The Room has moved from its The Room is a unique place and Index 2014, collection of uniforms, former home at Ensleigh – it was we were proud to show it off to earning praise regimental standards, previously at Caversfield and them.” for community engagement ceremonial gear and clothing Colchester – and was formally BBC’s coverage of the which helped the for a range of military and opened last October by Minister Pattern Room appeared on department rise civilian staff which the DE&S for Defence Equipment, Support television last month. from 174th last year to 35th. The Armed Forces are also well represented: the Three production Terriers – the Army’s Army makes it into Battlefield mission tests latest engineering vehicle, left, – have the top 100 for the completed the required number of battlefield first time in 79th, a missions to prove reliability. position it shares prove Terrier reliability The vehicles finished 38 battlefield missions with the Royal Navy, in the Reliability Qualification Trial, which while the RAF is ended in November. 108th. It marks the end point of a reliability growth programme that has seen the vehicle’s reliability ‘grow’ along with successful F-35 purchase implementation of engineering fixes by BAE Systems. We have been The trial began on Salisbury Plain last July asked to clarify using scripted battlefield missions representing that the F-35B typical activities for the vehicle, but more Lightning II aircraft intense due to the short trial time. is an International The trial was witnessed by the Terrier team Co-operative and a QinetiQ observer on hand to understand Programme and not the nature and circumstances of any incidents procured through on the trial. a Foreign Military By the end of the trial incidents were few Sale, as stated in the and far between. Terrier met all the key system January edition. requirements for reliability. news 33 Scanning for the future A deployable CT scanner procured for UK forces by DE&S is proving an important capability with high export potential

Fixed scanners are being used in forces,” said John Abbott, Marshall’s essential diagnostic tool for military the permanent field hospital in Camp Medical Business development manager. trauma that it has driven the need for a Bastion, helping to assess trauma cases “It is a highly sophisticated piece of deployable format,” said Mr Abbott. “It among casualties on Operation Herrick. modern technology.” will be a big part of Force 2020 and a But a £1million deployable version The ruggedized system – scanner and vital capability for UK Forces returning – known as the CCTS or Containerised container can be up and running four to contingent operations.” CT System – has been training military hours after arrival – conforms to modern France has already bought one medical staff before deployment, and will medical standards, with the scanner kept scanner with further orders on the play its part in the medical component of at its operating temperature of between way. Several other Nato nations have Force 2020. 18 and 24 degrees Centigrade, regardless declared an interest, and wider interest The Philips scanner – CT stands of conditions outside. includes a number of nations looking for computerised tomography – is a It also complies with military logistic at the potential to provide mobile CT to technology that uses computer-processed standards and folds neatly into a 20ft ISO dispersed civilian populations living X-rays to produce tomographic images container, which has earned Marshall a in harsh climates and terrains where a (virtual ‘slices’) of specific areas of the Queen’s Award for Innovation. ruggedized mobile system is needed. body, allowing the user to see what Since procurement it has been Brigadier Peter Rafferty, head of is inside it without surgery. Digital used on exercises to train the processing is used to generate a three- radiographers who operate the scanner dimensional image of the inside of and the radiologists who interpret the an object from a large series of two- information to make a diagnosis. dimensional x-ray images. Imagery is “CT has been in use in the Camp in the hands of medical staff just a few Bastion Hospital for some time now and minutes after the scan. has been a major enhancement in the It is built into a container, designed hospital’s ability to deal with trauma by the Marshall Aerospace and Defence cases. In fact, CT has become such an Group, which opens out to replicate a conventional ‘CT room’ in a format Operational Support Programmes that is ideal for a high-readiness at DE&S, described the scanner as a hospital in an austere ‘significant addition’ to deployable environment. infrastructure and medical support “This is a unique equipment. “This dispels the myth product, part of a that expeditionary infrastructure military ‘must is low-tech,” he said. “My have’ for team and Marshalls, allied UK to Philips Healthcare, have delivered a world class capability which underpins our commitment to the well-being and support of deployed personnel. “Its success is further demonstrated by the interest shown by other defence departments and by the prestigious award for innovation granted by Her Majesty.” 34 news

Real-life ‘disaster’ scenario puts Emergency! Corsham staff to the test

Ten months of meticulous planning ‘explosion’ at the front of the building. saw Information Systems and Services Throughout the morning certain high- conduct its first major business profile areas in building 405 remained continuity exercise at its Corsham out of bounds, with teams operating in headquarters – with an extra layer of designated fall-back areas to maintain reality. their business outputs. Exercise Rush In the afternoon, the resulted from co- ISS Business Continuity ordination between Response Group played the ISS Head of out scenarios with Establishment counterparts from the team, the Wiltshire emergency tactical and Swindon Local command group. Resilience Forum, The exercise which offers help and highlighted several advice for families areas where business and businesses on continuity planning, how to prepare for process and procedure emergencies, and key could be improved. local agencies. Similar exercises will be E m e r g e n c y carried out in future. planners, part of the Cdre Jamie Hay, ISS’ LRF, worked with Head of Programmes, ISS to co-ordinate responses from all said: “This was involved, especially Wiltshire Police, extremely useful Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, for all of us – ISS Wiltshire Council, South Western and external Ambulance Service, Public Health agencies alike. Rush England, St John’s Ambulance, the certainly challenged British Red Cross and the Environment what we knew Agency. about our business The charity Amputees in Action continuity plans were also involved to provide extra and procedures and reality to the overall scenario. exposed what we Rush began with a complete didn’t know, which evacuation of Corsham’s main office can only bode well accommodation following a devastating for ISS in the future.”

Centre: a member of Amputees in Action plays a walking wounded member of staff during the morning exercise

Above: The External Agency Tactical Command Group and the ISS Business Continuity Response Group meet during the afternoon desktop exercise

Left: Wiltshire's Hazardous Accident Response team treats a 'casualty' during the morning exercise news 35

DE&S staff are included in a new offer which includes thousands of pounds off new cars across eleven of the biggest names on DE&S included in discount car deal UK roads. The Defence Discount Service Car • Up to £3,500 on a Kia Sportage; Defence Discount Service is a great example Programme could save staff, Armed Forces • Up to £3,200 on a Kia Carens; and of ways to help Armed Forces families by personnel, veterans and their families up to • Up to £2,400 on a Renault Clio. offering money off everyday items or more £7,170, with average savings of £3,250, on significant items like a new family car. I hope each new car purchase. The programme is one part of the to see even more companies around the The deals, not found anywhere on the Defence Discount Service, launched in country signing up to the Defence Discount high street, include some of the biggest October 2012. More than 2,500 companies Service to show their support for our Armed names in the car industry who have got have now joined this and pledged generous Forces community.” behind the programme to show their support discounts to show their support for the The car manufacturers who have signed for all those who serve their country. Armed Forces community. Staff will be able up to the scheme are Citroen, Fiat, Alfa to view the full range of unique bargains Romeo, Chrysler, Jeep, Kia, Mazda, Peugeot, Exclusive discounts include: online via the new Defence Discount Service Renault, Skoda and Seat. • Up to £7,170 on a Seat Alhambra; Cars website or by walking into their To view car discounts visit www.ddscars. • Up to £6,100 on a Peugeot 5008; local dealer and ordering a new car at a co.uk. • Up to £4,300 on a Renault Scenic; significantly reduced price. For more information on how to sign up Defence Minister Anna Soubry said: “The visit www.defencediscountservice.co.uk Graduates get together to celebrate achievement

The MOD’s Permanent Under- to service personnel and their Secretary Jon Thompson will be equipment. present at the award ceremony A senior manager is appointed during the Defence Commercial from the commercial function Graduates Programme annual to act as mentor to help map Alumni Day at Abbey Wood next out development and provide month. professional support and guidance. Mr Thompson will join Chief Members develop personal and of Defence Materiel Bernard Gray professional competences through and Director Commercial Les a bespoke training programme Mosco among others to recognise and an intensive course to the achievements of the graduates achieve professional qualification on the programme and thank those through the Chartered Institute of who have provided support to their Purchasing. development. At the two-year point all The two-year developmental programme members are assessed programme – recruitment is annual against the Civil Service Core – is for graduates with a minimum and Procurement Competence 2:1 degree (or equivalent). Frameworks and will re-grade to During the two years members C2 if they demonstrate suitability work in a wide range of purchasing for a range of C2 commercial posts. and contract management roles The Alumni Day on 31st March through 4-6 month placements features presentations from senior across different areas of the MOD. MOD personnel and ‘market Graduates are exposed stall’ discussions on a selected to business environments theme – this year’s is ‘Celebrating ranging from major equipment Commercial’ and will focus on projects dealing with whole life DE&S successes in meeting management issues, through challenges faced in defence Jon Thompson to projects providing support procurement.

Abbey Wood played host to “I’m trying to keep the focus on of Angela Owen from PA Consulting almost 300 MOD staff from across leadership and our responsibility and Laurence Bryant, Director of the south west last month for the as leaders.” DE&S’ Weapons Operating Centre. DE&S helps latest in a series of engagement The event took the form of David Ball, DE&S HR Director, events for staff at Band B level. two separate panels followed by was on hand to contribute to the develop The event was opened by a discussion and questions and discussions that followed. video message from Permanent answers. The first panel consisted A further Band B leadership tomorrow’s Under Secretary Jon Thompson of Gerry Cantwell, Director event will take place next month focusing on leadership and change. Information Systems and Services, at the Defence Capability Centre, leaders “My ambition is for every Band and Barry Burton, Director Shrivenham. Details on how to B to have attended one of these Materiel Strategy. register will be on the Defence leadership events,” he said. The second panel was made up Intranet. 36 people news Day the marines came racing to the rescue Devonport personnel ferry stranded cars away from flood-hit village

Grateful villagers have councillor with the request to the praised the military for recovering Marines eventually coming through cars stranded in a flood-hit village Cornwall Council. in Cornwall by moving them down 1 Assault Group Royal Marines, river by Royal based in Devonport, took the vehicles M a r i n e s including a tractor and tradesmen’s landing craft. vans one by one with their owners Motorists to be off-loaded in torrential rain at in Calstock the National Trust’s Cothele Quay on the River slipway. Tamar were cut Charlie’s mum Vanessa said: “It’s off from the really great that the Marines have national road given up their time to help us out. network after The whole village is really grateful. a retaining We don’t see the Marines in a quiet wall carrying place like Calstock and it’s been a big the highway event. Loads of people have come out collapsed. to watch.’’ The only Colonel Garth Manger, way to return Commanding Officer of 1 Assault the estimated 50 Group Royal Marines, added: “This cars to the road is not strictly a humanitarian issue, network was by but it is a great opportunity to put ferrying them our skills to good use – helping the down river to community on our doorstep and SPORTS LOTTERY the next nearest also helping refine the results of our December slipway and road connection. training. £10,000: Sharon Power (RAF Northolt). £5,000: The rescue came about “This is only a few miles away and Eileen Elgar (Winchester). £2,000: Yvonne North (Whale after ten-year-old Charlie the Royal Navy is delighted to come Island). £500: David Hughes (Donnington), Denise Southcott met Devonport base to the aid of the civilian authorities Brinkworth (Andover). £100: Tom Jones (Manchester), Stephanie Partridge (Abbey Wood), Peter Sims commander, Cdre Graeme who would normally assist the public. (Cromwell), James Holland (Corsham), Kevin Marshall Little, at the annual Royal “However, we are more used to (Portsmouth), Fung Lau (Andover), Taylor Corrie Navy/Babcock Christmas carol moving military four-wheel drive (Longtown), Rebekah Powell (Bicester), Gillian Williams service. vehicles which are higher riding. This (Donnington), Christopher Cowan (Abbey Wood), Heather The two had a ten- produces extra challenges in making Arnold (Abbey Wood), James Hunter (Clyde), Lawrence minute chat, after which the sure cars can safely get on and off a Large (Andover), Caroline Kilgannon (Stirling), Graham Commodore handed Charlie slipway via landing craft. There’s also Robertson (Chicksands), Mark Spicer (Andover), Gregory Ponting (Blandford), Gary Kennedy (Glasgow), Simon his business card. the fast running river and the tide to Graham (Liverpool), Derrick Healey (Aldermaston). Charlie later handed take into account. But Royal Marines contact details to a local are ideal for this kind of work.’’ people news 37

Neptune marks wartime disaster

Personnel from HMS Neptune at Clyde naval base have remembered one of the worst maritime tragedies of the Second World War. Sailors took a moment to mark the anniversary of the sinking of the wartime HMS Neptune which was lost off Tripoli in 1941. A short service was held at Clyde, led by HMS Neptune Chaplain, Reverend Simon Beveridge. During the solemn ceremony there was also a wreath laying at the base’s memorial to the tragedy, as well as a bugler sounding Last Post. Part of ‘Force K’, a squadron of ships formed to intercept Axis convoys, HMS Neptune struck an Italian mine and capsized. Of the 767 crew on board the light cruiser, only 30 survived the initial sinking. After five days adrift in the Mediterranean without food or fresh water only one survivor remained, 20-year-old Able Seaman Norman Walton. The modern-day HMS Neptune is the shore establishment Able Seaman Jessica Metcalfe from HMS Neptune lays a wreath at the at Clyde, providing accommodation, administration, medical and commemoration service. support services to thousands of people at the site. A helping hand for the homeless

A team from Abbey Wood spent a day in Bristol helping out the homeless. The seven members of the Marshall project team volunteered at Julian House, a charity for the homeless, in a visit arranged by team member Jane Cooke through the Civil Service Local office. Work involved moving and sorting around 100 refuse sacks of clothing, along with a mountain of food donations to the charity’s Christmas appeal. “All of us were overwhelmed with the generosity of the public and local companies with the amount donated, especially tins of baked beans and tea bags,” said Jane. Team members have vowed to get involved again at the end of this year, if not before. One has already been back for a couple of days over Christmas, cooking the meals the charity was providing. Jane Cooke, on the right, is joined by colleagues Gary Stenning , Nick Staff at Abbey Wood are entitled to volunteering days at team Evans, Shona Bates, Sharon Wilkins, Ceris Holder and Cynthia Chia leaders’ discretion. at Julian House

DE&S engineers enjoy a cathedral celebration

A group of DE&S engineering apprentices joined hundreds of celebrating students at the City of Bristol College’s higher education awards at the city’s cathedral. All students who had completed higher education qualifications such as HNC, HND or Foundation Degrees in 2013 through the College were invited to attend the ceremony. The ten from DE&S received their HNCs from governing body Plymouth University. The occasion saw the cathedral packed to the rafters with family, friends and representatives from employers. Students were congratulated on their achievements by Kerry McCarthy, MP for Bristol East. Phil Rotherham of Director Technical accompanied the group – Chris Miles, Jo Whitlock, Chris Griffin, Bill Rowles, Hayley Barnden, Kelsey Hyde, James Harris, Lee Kyte, Nick Schuster and Naomi Slack – to the cathedral. 38 people news

The head of DE&S’ Lightning team and the former Director Land Equipment at DE&S led the way in the New Year’s Honours List which saw a number of DE&S DE&S successes staff rewarded for their work. Major General Carew Wilks, who left his post last year, became a Companion of the Most Honourable , a title and order conferred on British earn New Year and Commonwealth citizens, both civil and military, to recognise conspicuous service to the Crown. Commodore Rick Thompson, leader of the Lightning team, was made a Commander of the Most honours Excellent Order of British Empire (CBE) while there were a number of OBEs (Officer) and MBEs (Member) among DE&S teams and industry partners. Jason Purveur in the Land Equipment Protected Mobility team received an MBE for a career spanning 25 years and for delivering protected mobility vehicles as an urgent operational requirement to support troops in Afghanistan. Jason said: “I am completely overwhelmed and humbled by this honour. I never expected my work would be considered in such high regard as to prompt recognition of this magnitude. “I have been fortunate to work in an extremely motivated team with people who care deeply about delivery of equipment to the front line. Paul McDermott They have all paid a massive part in helping me deliver the outputs that have been considered worthy of this honour. I hope they share some of the pride I have.” Another MBE is Matthew Whittington from the Land Equipment Operational Support Programmes, Programme Management Office. Matthew solved the problem of ‘brown out’ Maj Gen Carew Wilks which has dogged helicopter operations in Iraq and Brown out: for a Chinook, and an Afghanistan for ten years. MBE for Matthew Whittington, right The dust suppression landing Programme which converts system he procured for the Mk1 into the Mk2. Operation Herrick saved lives He also successfully DE&S honours and increased operational delivered a number of CB effectiveness. Mk1 urgent operational Major General C L Wilks (formerly Director Land Equipment)

Matthew said: “I thoroughly requirements in support of CBE enjoyed this project and was counter-piracy as well as Commodore R C Thompson (Lightning) supported by a very good providing security support for group of people, the Olympics in 2012. OBE “Motivation to do a good Paul said: “I am very Mr N Febbrarro (In Service Submarines) job isn’t hard when you know honoured to receive this the outcome can improve life recognition for a job that I MBE Mr P McDermott (Merlin) for our troops at the sharp end have enjoyed immensely for Mr J Purveur (Protected Mobility ) of things. Just the satisfaction more than a decade. It has been Mr M Whittington (Operational Support Programmes) in knowing you have made a both challenging and hugely Mr I Brown (KBR) difference is great but to then rewarding. Mr D Gibbings (AgustaWestland) get this unexpected award is “I have had the privilege to Mr G Redgrave (Marshall Aerospace) fantastic.” work both now and in the past Paul McDermott from with a fantastic team of people MSM Warrant Officer 1 G P Smith (Maritime Platform Systems) the Merlin project team from within DE&S, industry WO 2 D J Holyoake (formerly Puma 2 Gazelle) also received an MBE. Paul and the Royal Navy. The initiated and, during the last recognition I have received Military commendations, for service before joining DE&S seven years, managed the is due in no small part to that WO 1 J L Pope (Maritime Combat Systems) Merlin Capability Sustainment invaluable support.” Sqn Ldr A Wilson (Fast Air Support) Flt Lt H Smith (Networks) people news 39

A Yeovilton- Brian enjoys based Royal Navy Warrant Officer was his special awarded an MBE for his work on the Lynx day out helicopter. Special Constabulary Barry Firth, 42, Area Officer Brian Hewlett, from Yeovil played working in the Phoenix team an important role in within Operational Support the team along with Programmes, has received unstinting support his MBE from the Queen at a of children’s charities ceremony in Windsor Castle. Brian, below, originally including the Sporting joined the MOD at the stores Bears Motoring Club depot at Aston Down in which has raised £1.2 September 1968. Alongside million so far. Jim Morris this he has undertaken 40 “Two things went through my mind when Barry Caitlin, my wife, read it Firth out to me on the phone,” he recalled. “One was an overwhelming sense of how ‘I was relieved it wasn’t Brian surreal it seemed at not feeling Hewlett worthy and the other was relief that it wasn’t a speeding ticket a speeding ticket!’ as I was concerned that it was a cream colour, letter-sized He is joined in being massive surprise being envelope sent from Portsmouth! honoured with an MBE by WO awarded the MBE. But it is It’s slowly sinking in and I feel Jim Morris, a Royal Marine really for the team here. The years of unpaid work as a very honoured.” who helps organise care for staff here put a lot of time and special constable. Barry has been responsible recovering injured troops at effort into making things work Brian still takes an for maritime modifications to Devonport. for the lads.’’ active role in policing his the helicopter including dual Jim said he was proud at His citation said he home town of Stroud and said receiving the award was control configuration, that will being recognised for his work ‘demonstrates drive, tenacity a great surprise and honour. bring immense advantage to with Hasler Company in the and compassion’ and his ‘desire He added: “I would the aircraft. naval base, a tri-service unit co- to improve the well-being of certainly recommend the Barry is Deputy Engineering ordinating the needs of sailors, injured service personnel has Special Constabulary to Training Officer at Yeovilton. Royal Marines, soldiers and combined with exceptional anyone who is thinking of He is responsible for training airmen recovering from combat devotion to deliver first class joining. I can guarantee that air engineering technicians on and non-combat injuries and support to men and women your self confidence will improve and you will meet Lynx, Wildcat and Sea King illnesses. recovering from extremely interesting characters from helicopters. Jim said: “It has been a complex injuries.’ all walks of life.” 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:

2014DIN01-004: Guidance notes have been refreshed offering advice, top tips and practical help for service personnel applying for personal unsecured and secured loans. These continue to be available on the gov.uk website www. gov.uk/government/publications/financial-top-tips-for-service-personnel and the MoneyForce website www. moneyforce.org.uk

2014DIN01-001: This instruction provides an update to the kit and equipment provision to civilian personnel deploying to or visiting an operational theatre and amendments to the policy relating to the Operation Deployment Grant.

2014DIN04-001: This informs the Front Line Commands of the revised out of service date for the 40mm Multi Shot Grenade Launcher L14A1 (MSGL). The confirmed date is now 31st December 2017.

Further information and more details on the latest DINs see: http://defenceintranet.diif.r.mil.uk/Reference/DINsJSPs/Pages/DINsindex2014.aspx Secure communications you can depend on

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