OctoberJune 20152015 IssueIssue 8880

desthe magazine for defence equipment and support

New £300m ASRAAM contract awarded B:216 mm T:210 mm S:186 mm

THE VALUE OF WORKING TOGETHER TO B:303 mm S:266 mm DELIVER LEADING T:297 mm EDGE CAPABILITY. In a world where our threats need coalitions to defeat them, so too do we need partnerships between nations and companies to develop battle ­ winning capability. Northrop Grumman has over 2,200 staff across eleven European nations and key roles in delivering critical capabilities such as NATO AGS, F ­ 35, Sentry AWACS, land ­ based and airborne radars, laser­ based aircraft infrared countermeasures, QE Class aircraft carriers, and full ­ spectrum cyber, as well as developing new technologies to thwart emerging threats. We may not always be visible, but our technology is all pervasive, as is our commitment to build strong European businesses to serve our customers for the long term.

©2015 Northrop Grumman Corporation www.northropgrumman.com/europe

601 West 26th St. Suite 1120 NY, NY 10001 t:646.230.2020 Project Manager: Vanessa Pineda Document Name: NG­INH­Z30663­A_PD1.indd Element: P4CB ­ standard Current Date: 9­8­2015 12:46 PM Studio Client: Northrop Grumman Bleed: 216 mm w x 303 mm h Prepress: BP Product: INH Trim: 210 mm w x 297 mm h Proof #: 3­RELEASE Proofreader Creative Tracking: NG­INH­Z30663 Safety: 186 mm w x 266 mm h Print Scale: None Page 1 of 1 Print Producer Billing Job: NG­INH­Z29873 Gutter: None InDesign Version: CC

Title: UK Brand Ad ­ Desider Color List: None Art Director

Inks: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black Creative Director

Document Path: purpledoor:NG:INH:Z30663:LAYOUT:NG­INH­Z30663­A_PD1.indd Copywriter Font Family: Forza (Black Italic, Medium Italic, Book, Medium, Bold; OpenType) Links: NGINH­29873­004M­v3.tif (Library:Northrop_Grumman:Artwork:NG­INH:NGINH­29873­004M­v3.tif; 109.16%; 274 ppi; Up to Date), NGAER­CORP­2W.ai (Li­ Account 1 brary:Northrop_Grumman:Logos:NG­AER:NGAER­CORP­2W.ai; 38.5%; Up to Date) Account 2 B:216 mm T:210 mm S:186 mm

cover image

FOREWORD by Sir Bernard Gray, Chief of Defence Materiel

Typhoon firing an Advanced Short Range Air to Air Missile (ASRAAM) he biennial Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition which took place on T15-18th September, in London’s Excel, really put the world’s focus on the equipment and support DE&S provides to the UK Armed Forces. The exhibition provides a chance for UK industry THE VALUE OF to demonstrate that it is at the cutting edge of military WORKING technology, and many of the projects and programmes desider DE&S successfully delivers in partnership with our TOGETHER TO industry partners were on show throughout the w w w.gov.uk/government/publications/desider exhibition. B:303 mm S:266 mm DELIVER LEADING T:297 mm MOD used this year’s DSEI as an opportunity to announce a number of key developments on DE&S EDGE CAPABILITY. Editor: programmes. These included key milestones being hit on Tim Foreman - 9352 30637 or 0117 9130637 the A400M Atlas, which achieved its In Service Date, and [email protected] Merlin Mk2, which reached Full Operating Capability, a In a world where our threats need clear demonstration that we are continuing to deliver for coalitions to defeat them, so too do Distribution Manager: our armed forces customers. Dick Naughton - 9352 34 342 or 0117 9134 342 We also announced the good news that DE&S has we need partnerships between nations DES [email protected] signed a £300M contract for a new variant of the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) and companies to develop battle­winning Advertising: missile, which will give the RAF a vital capability capability. Northrop Grumman has over Richard Stillman – Ten Alps Media, 1 New Oxford upgrade. Street, High Holborn, London SC1A 1NU It was rewarding to see the turreted AJAX prototype 2,200 staff across eleven European nations Tel: +4 4 (0)20 7657 1837 vehicle unveiled and renamed by the Army at DSEI. As Fax: +4 4 (0)20 7379 7155 some of you will know the AJAX programme, formally and key roles in delivering critical capabilities [email protected] known as Scout SV, is one that I am particularly proud of. I was understandably pleased to see for myself the such as NATO AGS, F­35, Sentry AWACS, culmination of a great deal of hard work from teams in land­based and airborne radars, laser­based DE&S which has resulted in this achievement, and the intense interest AJAX received from the defence media aircraft infrared countermeasures, QE Class Printing: and visitors to the show. Away from DSEI, this month’s edition of Desider aircraft carriers, and full­spectrum cyber, as showcases more of the great work that DE&S teams are well as developing new technologies to thwart doing across the country. Last month we featured the desider is distributed free to DE&S employees and the Voyager and Airborne Equipment Branch teams from emerging threats. We may not always be visible, equipment capabilit y organisations. Copies may be RAF Brize Norton who shared with us an update on sent to readers outside MOD, including in the defence the work they are doing. In this edition the helicopter but our technology is all pervasive, as is our industries. While the editor takes care to ensure all support teams, based at Yeovil, tell us about the work commitment to build strong European businesses material produced is accurate, no liabilit y can be they are doing on Wildcat and Merlin. These are both accepted for errors or omissions. Views expressed in examples which remind us of the scale and breadth of to serve our customers for the long term. desider, and products and ser vices adver tised, are not the work DE&S teams across the UK are doing to equip necessarily endorsed by DE&S or the MOD. All editorial and support our Armed Forces customers. submissions must be cleared by the relevant MOD As we continue on our transformation journey, we will authorities with content for advertorials to be cleared by be even better equipped to deliver our promise to our the relevant MOD project team before publication. customers and increasing value for the taxpayer. © Crown Copyright

This magazine is produced on Cocoon Silk 90gsm which contains 50 per cent recycled and de-inked pulp from post consumer waste and Forest Stewardship Council certified material from well-managed ©2015 Northrop Grumman Corporation www.northropgrumman.com/europe forests.

desider October 2015 3

601 West 26th St. Suite 1120 NY, NY 10001 t:646.230.2020 Project Manager: Vanessa Pineda Document Name: NG­INH­Z30663­A_PD1.indd Element: P4CB ­ standard Current Date: 9­8­2015 12:46 PM Studio Client: Northrop Grumman Bleed: 216 mm w x 303 mm h Prepress: BP Product: INH Trim: 210 mm w x 297 mm h Proof #: 3­RELEASE Proofreader Creative Tracking: NG­INH­Z30663 Safety: 186 mm w x 266 mm h Print Scale: None Page 1 of 1 Print Producer Billing Job: NG­INH­Z29873 Gutter: None InDesign Version: CC

Title: UK Brand Ad ­ Desider Color List: None Art Director

Inks: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black Creative Director

Document Path: purpledoor:NG:INH:Z30663:LAYOUT:NG­INH­Z30663­A_PD1.indd Copywriter Font Family: Forza (Black Italic, Medium Italic, Book, Medium, Bold; OpenType) Links: NGINH­29873­004M­v3.tif (Library:Northrop_Grumman:Artwork:NG­INH:NGINH­29873­004M­v3.tif; 109.16%; 274 ppi; Up to Date), NGAER­CORP­2W.ai (Li­ Account 1 brary:Northrop_Grumman:Logos:NG­AER:NGAER­CORP­2W.ai; 38.5%; Up to Date) Account 2 SENIOR LEADERS COMMENT

06 Director Transformation talks about DE&S Transformation and his career

NEWS

08 New RAF intelligence aircraft arrives in UK seven months early The second of three specialist surveillance aircraft incorporates over 60 improvements and will soon be deployable on operations.

12 A look back at DSEI 24 Michael Fallon, Philip Dunne and Sir Bernard Gray, as well as other DE&S representatives, attend the four day event at the ExCel centre in London.

14 Atlas ready for worldwide operations £2.75 billion A400M programme has achieved its In-Service Date.

15 £300m ASRAAM contract award Boost for RAF as MOD reveals that MBDA(UK) will sustain the key air-to-air missile for the next eight years.

16 Merlin Mk2, has achieved Full Operating Capability (FOC), on time and under budget Key milestone is achieved with the delivery of 24 helicopters to the Royal Navy.

18 Scout SV renamed AJAX The 38 tonne platform will be the ‘eyes and ears’ of the on the battlefields of the future.

18 Surveillance and intelligence systems contracts announced The Black Hornet and the Desert Hawk 3, used during operations in to protect the troops on the 20 ground become core programmes.

19 Updated Type 26 Global Combat Ship designs revealed FEATURES The replacement of the Type 23 will have a strong Anti- Submarine Warfare pedigree and weapons systems with a range of capabilities. 24 DE&S team removes oil from WWII sunk tanker The Salvage and Marine Operations (SALMO) team has just 20 The smart future of Army equipment returned from the island of St Helena after successfully A glance into the futuristic kit for the 2020 British completing a major marine and environmental operation soldier: sensor-laden body armour, a smart watch and smart glasses. 26 10 years getting more for less The DE&S C-Vehicle Private Finance Initiative has reached 22 Royal Navy frigates demonstrate powerful its 10th anniversary proving value for money and being array of firepower considered a success. All five weapons in HMS Iron Duke were tested in just one day- a spectacular sight. 28 DE&S @ Yeovil Desider visited AgustaWestland in Yeovil where DE&S helicopter support teams are based to learn about how our organisation works across the UK and not just in .

4 desider October 2015 REGULARS

30 David Ball on his new role as Director Learning & Talent David Ball took on the role of Director Learning & Talent in May this year, stepping aside from his previous role as Director HR and outlines his new job.

33 DE&S People A round-up of news about people in DE&S, including a 60-second snapshot of a chosen member of staff.

38 Learning and development 2015 Cyber Thinkers and DE&S Safety Day 2015 lead the way in this month’s round up of learning and 18 development in DE&S. OCTOBER

14 Insider

desider October 2015 5 SENIOR LEADER COMMENT

GEOFF ROBINS is Director Transformation with responsibility for managing the Managed Service Provider contracts, including the programme’s relationship with other MoD wide change initiatives. He talks to Desider about his role in DE&S Transformation and his career to date.

Picture: David Tucker started my career working for the Ministry of Defence procurement executive back in Ithe 80s, where I originally worked in the Harm vs. Alarm anti-radar homing missile procurement. When I lef t the procurement executive, I initially went to work for an engineering consultancy and I have now spent over 35 years delivering solutions and ser vices into a broad range of regulated industries including defence, aerospace, rail and nuclear. Along the way I have been involved in two management buy-outs. The most recent being in 2001 that saw the creation of the Advantage Business Group (ABG), which consisted of three companies providing technical and management consulting and software solutions across a broad range of sectors and clients. ABG was eventually sold to Atkins in 2007, at which time I became group managing director for the defence, aerospace and communications por tfolio –a 1,200 person business unit with operations across the UK, Nor thern Europe, USA and . I’d been following defence acquisition reform agenda throughout the last five to six years and I’ve always been passionate about it. The oppor tunit y to come and play a par t in this journey was simply too good to miss. I think my role is possibly the most challenging and fascinating transformation job in government. There are several strands to my role: I work with the tr ansformation par tners to ensure their plan is going in the right direction and being managed appropriately. To make sure we’re not out of step with other defence activit y, I will be managing our transformation dependencies with ser vice providers, such as Defence Business Ser vices, Information Systems & Ser vices and Defence Infrastructure Organisation. There’s also an element of my role that focuses on internal and external stakeholders. It’s essential that staff, our customers and our suppliers understand what’s happening. Finally, I also look at the future do what’s best for DE&S. is suppor ting ever yone else. The most requirements that will emerge from our Fundamentally, my vision is delivering on successful teams win consistently because transformation implementation plan and all of those benefits but, equally, it’s also for of this mindset. In rugby, for example, there make sure we’re positioned to meet them. us to have a reputation for excellence with may be occasions when you’re playing The transformation programme will bring all of the people we interact with; for us to hooker but you end up scoring a tr y on the a range of benefits; we wouldn’t be doing it be recognised internationally as the best wing. if it didn’t. Some of these are obvious, such defence procurement organisation. For me that’s what success would as allowing us to save money, but there When asked what a successful DE&S look like. We’ll be delivering outstanding are other advantages too. We’ll be able to transformation would look like to me equipment and suppor t to our customers, improve the organisational culture, be more I use a spor ts analogy: I know when a and working together flexibly and business minded and have the flexibilit y to team’s playing well because ever y player harmoniously in suppor t of their needs.

6 desider October 2015

NEWS

New RAF intelligence aircraft arrives in UK seven months early

he significant achievement of DE&S, was handed over to the providing increased fuel efficiency DE&S has been recognised RAF at Mildenhall airbase in and durability. Tfollowing news that the Suffolk last month and will soon be The Airseeker not only gathers second Rivet Joint signals deployable on operations. data and vital intelligence using intelligence aircraft, part of the Since delivery of the first aircraft advanced sensor technology, Airseeker Programme, has been last year, over 60 improvements but it is also able to carry out delivered to the RAF, seven have been incorporated into onboard analysis and distribute months ahead of schedule. the second plane, ranging from the information to be exploited by The second of three specialist upgrades to the aircraft’s mission assets on the ground via its high- surveillance aircraft, ordered by systems to engine improvements, tech communications suite.

“This milestone for the Airseeker programme,“ coming ahead of schedule, gives the UK another world-class real-time signals intelligence and surveillance capability supporting forces in the air and on the ground. “It also marks the significant achievement of the Defence Equipment and Support team in delivering this outstanding aircraft to the RAF.” Air Marshal Simon Bollom RAF RECEIVES SECOND NEW AIRSEEKER”

3 Over 60 improvements to the second Key Facts plane, ranging from communications Dimensions & Specifications and sensor accuracy, to engine upgrades Length 41.1m Wingspan 39.9m 1 Airborne electronic surveillance 4 Collects, analyses and disseminates capability that is rapidly deployable electronic surveillance data in support Height 12.8m in support of operations of national/joint/coalition operations Speed 478 knots Max Altitude 50,000ft 2 Delivered seven months early and 5 First of three aircraft deployed in July Aircrew 2 pilots, 1 navigator, available for operations within a 2014 is supporting operations in the up to 25 mission crew matter of weeks Middle East

8 desider October 2015 Powering our nation’s defences today. Creating a force for tomorrow. Mobile working designed for the MOD

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Find out what we can do for you: 0800 389 2272 option 8 [email protected] www.dfts.r.mil.uk bt.com/defence NEWS

Rosyth NEWS IN BRIEF Faslane Beith

Litening III Targeting Pods reach 100,000 flying hours Litening III Targeting Pods have achieved the 100,000 hour mark in terms of flying hours since they were introduced in ser vice in 2008, proving their reliabilit y and their cost effectiveness. The DE&S Targeting and Mission Systems (TMS) NH4 NH1 section, part of the Airborne Platform Systems Project NH2 MacIntosh Team (APS PT) is responsible for the deliver y and Rowan suppor t of these pods, which provide laser targeting and guidance for missile systems, as well as a CFB sur veillance capability. Donnington The pods also have a data-link which allows the NH3 images seen by the aircrew to be transmitted to personnel on the ground to assist with operations. The Litening III pods are fitted onto the Tornado and Kineton Typhoon aircraft, and have been on operations over , Bicester , and Afghanistan. London Bristol

Yeovil Portsmouth

Devonport

They are able to laser-designate ground targets even MOD extends reach of its when flying high speed, low altitudes and when engaging Enduring Families’ Free Mail in combat manoeuvres. Another improvement from its predecessors is that its sensors enable it to be operated Service for Defence Personnel at height over 15,000 feet. The Ministr y of Defence has announced the extension DE&S Target and Missions Systems Lead Rob Woods of its Enduring Families’ Free Mail Ser vice (EFFMS), was a Warrant Of ficer in the R AF when the pods where which allows families and friends to send letters and introduced into ser vice. He helped with the setting up parcels weighing up to 2kg to ser vicemen and women of the suppor t structure and training as the In Ser vice deployed on operations around the world for free. Suppor t Manager. He said: In response to feedback received from current and ser ving personnel, the MOD has taken the step to extend this ser vice from 1st September 2015. It allows a fur ther “We are delighted by the success 1,200 personnel ser ving on operations or ships in the of this Litening third generation. It Joint Operational Area (JOA) to benefit from the ser vice. The Enduring Families’ Free Mail Ser vice is delivered has flown a lot of hours in a ver y by the British Forces Post Of fice in conjunction with short time, proving to be a ver y Royal Mail, and allows families and friends to send letters and items roughly the size of a shoe box from one reliable piece of equipment and of the 11,500 post of fices throughout the UK to Defence achieving above 90% availability.” personnel around the world.

10 desider October 2015 NEWS

£4.8 million Contract Extension for F-35 Integration Support Team Rosyth extension contract A £4.8 million contract extension has been awarded Faslane to BAE Systems’ Defence Information F-35 UK Lightning Integration (UKLI) team to continue suppor ting the UK integration of a ground-based air suppor t system for the Beith combat jet. The UKLI team provides engineering suppor t to the Ministr y of Defence around the integration of ground- based logistics systems and processes used to suppor t F-35 Lightning II operations and maintenance. The primar y par t of this work is around integration of the JSF-developed Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS), a web-enabled IT system which integrates capabilities including operations, maintenance, prognostics, supply chain, customer suppor t ser vices, training and technical data on a single, secure network. NH4 NH1 The extension of the contract covers a fur ther t wo

NH2 MacIntosh years, until April 2017. Rowan CFB Warrior upgrade on track after NH3 Donnington completing Critical Design Review The final stage of the system design and development phase for the Warrior upgrade programme was Kineton successfully achieved with the recent completion of its Critical Design Review (CDR), a key anchor milestone. Bicester After several weeks of thorough scrutiny and analysis, London the CDR was accomplished following successful live Bristol firing trials that took place in Scotland in April with the CTAi 40mm Cased Telescope cannon. This upgrade will enhance the British Army’s combat capabilit y, providing 245 improved Warrior vehicles that Yeovil Portsmouth include a new turret with an ultra-modern CT40 weapon system and a modular protection fitting system to Devonport increase lethalit y and adaptabilit y. Other features, such as an updated environmental control system, better all-round cameras and night vision capabilities, have been designed to improve the crew’s comfor t and awareness. Defence Minister Philip Dunne said: “This critical step in locking down the final system design is an 1,600 tonne sections exciting milestone, ahead of the first deliveries of the vehicle in 2018.” travelled 680 miles over five days. The project will now move on to the next phase of producing the Demonstration Vehicles to support the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier trials which star t in 2016. The final sections of the second Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier produced by Cammell Laird have arrived at Babcock Rosyth Facilities in Fife, following their voyage from Birkenhead. Centre Block 4 is the longest of the upper sections of hull of HMS Prince of Wales, the second of two new aircraft carriers being constructed by the Aircraft Carrier Alliance. Comprised in two par ts, it contains a mixture of aviation workshops, mission system compar tments and training rooms. The top deck of the block will make up the single biggest par t of the flight deck, situated behind the aft island. The block will be fitted onto the top of Lower Block 4 in four sections by Goliath, the largest lift capacit y crane in the UK. The 1,600 tonne sections of the carrier was transpor ted by a sea-going barge and travelled around the nor th coast to reach the assembly site, a journey of 680 miles over fi ve days.

desider October 2015 11 NEWS REPORT Abbott Risk Consulting Ltd

Picture: A ndrew Linnet t

Above: Michael Fallon’s Keynote Address Established in 2002, Abbott Risk Consulting (ARC) Ltd has grown announcing a £300M contract A look back at DSEI consistently to become the UK’s largest independent safety awarded by DE&S for new missiles for the R AF. host of DE&S programmes is the cutting edge planes, tanks Sir Chris Deverell, Chief of Materiel consultancy servicing the Defence and Nuclear industries took centre stage at this year’s and ships on display all rely on (Land), addressed in his keynote ADefence and Security Equipment people for their manufacture and address the role and function of the International (DSEI). maintenance. So let me say thank you Land Domain within DE&S and how The ExCel Centre in London hosted to the 160,000 people in our defence it ser ves its customers. He also ARC are a FATS/STS approved supplier for all Safety an estimated 33,000 visitors from all industr y who power our economy and reflected on how it can be improved, over the world during the four day keep Britain safe.” as well as on the impact of the DE&S and System Safety Technical Services in the event. Philip Dunne, Minister of State transformation. Major General Paul Over 1500 stands, 42 international for Defence Procurement (MinDP), Jaques, Director of Land Equipment, pavilions and over 50 countries were described DSEI as an oppor tunit y, delivered a conference on innovation Land, Sea and Air environments, including: present at the event, which took place and invited all attendees to make to suppor t and acquisition, where he bet ween 15th and 18th September. the most of it. He depicted the commented on the need to invest in • System Safety Risk Assessment Over 300 new companies par ticipated relationship with industr y as a relationships with industr y and the this year. par tnership with room to grow, impor tance of time in concept phase Focused on innovation, the also on an international scale, and and deliver y. • showcase displayed the latest encouraged innovation as a means Logistics had a high profile at this System Safety Management equipment and technology, besides towards increasing prosperity. The year’s event, with two DE&S seniors of fering net working oppor tunities. Minister also announced key DE&S par ticipating in a conference entitled • Among the attendees was the milestones on A 400M and Merlin ‘Transforming the UK Defence Independent Safety Audit Secretar y of State (SofS) Michael Mk2 during his speech. Suppor t Chain’. Fallon, who delivered a Ministerial He said: “DSEI puts the best of Director Inventor y Management Keynote Address in which he British capability on a pedestal. Andrew Cannon-Brookes explained • Safety Hazard Analysis announced a £300M contract awarded And yet it’s only a fraction of the that the primar y aim was to reduce by DE&S for new missiles for the capability we’ve got at our disposal. the logistics footprint, thereby driving R AF. He addressed the impor tance of That we are able to field such the asset and cost effectiveness. • Safety Cases innovation, expor tabilit y and ef ficiency achievements is down to the success He also talked about the need to get as a means to overcome the threats of our Defence Reform programme. industr y involved, a task achieved and challenges ahead. A tectonic transformation of how we through the Council He said: “Expor ts are good for the do business.” for e-Business (UKCeB). For further information about our services or to join our expanding team, economy. And what’s good for the DE&S was well represented Roger West, Director Logistics economy is good for our national at the event. Chief Of Defence Deliver y Operating Centre, made please visit www.consultarc.com security. That’s why the government Materiel, Sir Bernard Gray, visited reference to the LCS-T programme ARC is committed to equal opportunities to all will continue to work tirelessly to various industr y stands including and emphasised that the changes champion the UK defence and security General Dynamics UK where he being delivered represented a sector to highlight our world class saw the newly unveiled turreted generational improvement in the capabilities.” A JA X protot ype, the British Army’s MOD’s capabilit y, providing the SofS expressed his gratitude for future Armoured Fighting Vehicle, foundation for fur ther logistics Defence staff. He said: “The reality formally known as Scout SV. Lt Gen improvement oppor tunities in the years to come.

12 desider October 2015

ARC full page portrait Desdier 2015.indd 1 14/04/2015 17:20:28 Abbott Risk Consulting Ltd

Established in 2002, Abbott Risk Consulting (ARC) Ltd has grown consistently to become the UK’s largest independent safety consultancy servicing the Defence and Nuclear industries

ARC are a FATS/STS approved supplier for all Safety and System Safety Technical Services in the Land, Sea and Air environments, including: • System Safety Risk Assessment • System Safety Management • Independent Safety Audit • Safety Hazard Analysis • Safety Cases

For further information about our services or to join our expanding team, please visit www.consultarc.com ARC is committed to equal opportunities to all

ARC full page portrait Desdier 2015.indd 1 14/04/2015 17:20:28 NEWS REPORT Atlas ready for worldwide operations

key capability milestone for The handover of the seventh and within theatres of oper ation, the DE&S A400M Project Team aircraft from Defence and either by parachute or by landing on Awas marked at DSEi with the Space means the fleet is now able shor t, unprepared or semi-prepared announcement that the Royal Air to under take tasks wherever it is strips. Force’s next generation transport needed in the world. Head of the A 400M Programme Air aircraft is now ready for worldwide DE&S Chief of Materiel (Air), Air Cdre Stephen Wilcock added: “Since operations. Marshal Simon Bollom said: “The taking deliver y of our first aircraft, Minister of State for Defence achievement of the A 400M In Ser vice intensive ef for ts have been made Procurement Philip Dunne revealed Date is a key milestone for the to prove the initial capability of the the landmark in his keynote speech, and is testament to aircraft and to build up the first cadre noting he was “delighted” that the outstanding work of the DE&S of R AF A 400M aircrew. Achievement the £2.75 billion programme had Project Team working closely with of ISD is the culmination of this work, achieved its In-Ser vice Date (ISD), the R AF and industr y.” and means that the R AF A 400M Atlas which was a “great achievement for Since taking deliver y of its first fleet is now capable of under taking all those who have been involved in A 400M Atlas in November, the extended dur ation tasks worldwide.” the programme”. aircraft has under taken a range As the A 400M Atlas fleet continues The latest aircraft was delivered of training and operational sor ties to build, more advanced militar y to R AF Brize Nor ton just days around the world to test its capabilit y capabilities will be introduced as before the exhibition, with four of and to build up the first crews. planned over the coming months the aircraft now operating from the The aircraft, which will gradually including aerial deliver y of stores, base. Three other UK A 400M Atlas replace the C130 Hercules, is parachuting and advanced self- are currently in Spain being fitted capable of operating either at low protection capabilities. with UK-specific systems required to or high-level altitudes and to deploy operate in hostile environments. troops and/or equipment between

“The achievement of the A400M In Service Date is a key milestone for the Royal Air Force and is testament to the outstanding“ work of the DE&S Project Team” Air Marshal Simon Bollom ”

14 desider October 2015 NEWS REPORT

Launch Instantaneous target acquisition from radar or helmet sight

Rocket Motor Large 6.5” (166 mm) diameter Missile Characteristics rocket motor for increased Weight: 88 kg thrust and longer range

Length: 2.9 m Fully integrated with proven Diameter: 166 mm reliability on Typhoon and Tornado and being integrated Range: In excess of 25 km onto the F-35 Lightning II 166mm

Warhead Impact and laser proximity fuses maximise effectiveness against both large and small targets

2.9m A SR A A M Advanced Short Range Air to Air Missile 25km + £300m ASRAAM contract to support 400 UK jobs

efence Secretary, Michael Fallon Michael Fallon, said: “ASR A AM made the announcement at missiles provide our Typhoon jets “The contract provides DDSEI that the MOD has awarded with battle-winning technology “ MBDA(UK) a £300m contract to on combat missions, and these the most cost-effective sustain a key air-to-air missile used upgrades will help to make it a by RAF Typhoon jets, supporting over missile for the future, ready for use way of maintaining 400 jobs across the UK. on our new Lightning II aircraft.” this capability and Whilst making a keynote speech Chief of Materiel (Air), Air Marshal at the event he revealed that the Simon Bollom, said: “The contract allows what is a very company, which has sites in Bristol, provides the most cost-effective way , Her tfordshire and of maintaining this capability and effective missile to be Lostock, Lancashire will design and allows what is a ver y effective missile retained whilst ensuring build the new variant of the Advanced to be retained whilst ensuring Shor t Range Air-to-Air Missile continued compatibilit y with the continued compatibility (A SR A AM) missile. aircraft we launch it from.” The eight-year contract will see A SR A AM is currently in-ser vice on with the aircraft we the incorporation of updated sub­ Typhoon and Tornado GR4 aircraf t, launch it from.” systems into the current A SR A AM and will be integrated onto the design that, in the future, will make Lightning II platform in time for first Air Marshal Simon Bollom it possible to upgrade the weapon aircraf t deliver y. ” system as necessar y. desider October 2015 15 NEWS REPORT

Merlin Mk2 achieves Full Operating Capability on time and under budget

uring his keynote address at DSEI, capabilities, including radar upgrade, as well Defence Minister Philip Dunne as being fitted with advanced glass cockpits. Dannounced that the Royal Navy’s anti­ Each aircraft has improved aircrew “The considerable submarine warfare helicopter, the Merlin consoles, touch-screen displays and are investment“ the Mk2, has achieved Full Operating Capability fitted with over 40km of new wiring. The new (FOC), on time and under budget. technology gives them the enhanced ability to UK Government The news on the £807 million upgrade detect and track targets, and to share data with has made in these programme was revealed at the exhibition after other aircraf t and ships while airborne. the deliver y of 24 out of a total of 30 Merlin The helicopters roles include carr ying out next-generation helicopters to the Royal Nav y. counter-pir acy and casualt y evacuation duties. Merlin helicopters The Merlin Mk2s are the world’s most They have delivered vital suppor t to the UK advanced maritime helicopter and have effor t in Sierra Leone to tackle the spread of will ensure that we undergone improvements to their anti­ Ebola and suppor ted the rescuing of migrants continue to deliver submarine/sur face war fare combat in the Mediterranean. a flexible capability that meets the needs of our “The Merlin Mk2 is an exceptional aircraft providing Armed Forces.” a variety of specialist warfare“ and general roles, and Philip Dunne this programme has been delivered on time and under budget making it a great procurement success.” ” Air Vice-Marshal Julian Young, Director Helicopters at DE&S ” Capability Demonstrated

刀 ROTARY WING UNMANNED AIR SYSTEM (RWUAS) CAPABILITY CONCEPT DEMONSTRATOR (CCD) Demonstration flight trials successfully delivered using the AgustaWestland SW-4 Solo, optionally piloted helicopter at Llanbedr Airfield to inform future Tactical Maritime UAS decision making. LEADING THE FUTURE 䰀 .com

16 desider October 2015

Solo RUAS AD.indd 1 11/06/2015 10:00:52 Capability Demonstrated

ROTARY WING UNMANNED AIR SYSTEM (RWUAS) CAPABILITY CONCEPT DEMONSTRATOR (CCD) Demonstration flight trials successfully delivered using the AgustaWestland SW-4 Solo, optionally piloted helicopter at Llanbedr Airfield to inform future Tactical Maritime UAS decision making. LEADING THE FUTURE

agustawestland.com

Solo RUAS AD.indd 1 11/06/2015 10:00:52 NEWS REPORT Scout SV renamed AJAX Picture: Andrew Linnett he Defence & Security Event International (DSEI) at ExCel in TLondon Docklands was chosen by General Dynamics UK to launch AJAX, previously named Scout. The platform and the flagship variant of the A JA X programme, is the second prototype to be unveiled by General Dynamics UK , and the first to feature the Lockheed Mar tin UK-developed turret, which is designed to meet the needs of the modern British soldier. The 38 tonne A JA X platform seen here displayed will be the ‘eyes and ears’ of the British Army on the battlefields of the future. It will be effective in the most dif ficult terrains around the world, providing all-weather intelligence, sur veillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities. Commenting on the unveiling of the A JA X platform, MOD Armoured “We are committed to supplying the Armed Forces with the Vehicles Head of Programmes, Major very best equipment possible“ and are delivering on this by Gener al Talbot-Rice, said: “We are committed to supplying the Armed supplying the AJAX platform which will become their first Forces with the ver y best equipment possible and are delivering on this by fully digitised armoured fighting vehicle.” supplying the A JA X platform which Major General Talbot-Rice will become their first fully digitised armoured fighting vehicle.” ” Surveillance and intelligence systems contracts announced wo Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) used to protect troops in Chief of Materiel (Air) at Defence Equipment and Suppor t, Afghanistan have been brought into the Armed Forces’ core Air Marshal Simon Bollom, added: “This is a world-class Tequipment programme. capabilit y and tremendous asset providing local situational Announced during DSEi, contracts wor th approximately £23M awareness to troops on the ground. Therefore, bringing these combined have been placed for the Black Hornet and Deser t Hawk proven systems into core will provide our Armed Forces with an 3 systems, which were used on operations to provide sur veillance invaluable addition to their sur veillance and intelligence gathering and intelligence for troops on the ground. operations.” The palm-sized Black Hornet provides real-time video and DE&S recently awarded a contract extension to Marlborough snapshot images while Deser t Hawk 3, which is batter y-powered Communications Limited to suppor t Black Hornet through to and weighs only 8lbs (3.6kg), gathers intelligence and provides its Out of Ser vice Date in 2017, while Lockheed Mar tin Mission reconnaissance and sur veillance. Systems and Training has also been awarded a contract to The introduction of Black Hornet was a significant milestone suppor t the Deser t Hawk 3 programme. in the development of the UK Armed Forces unmanned aerial systems, with the UK the first nation to use a rapidly deployable “nano” UAS solution. Defence Minister Philip Dunne said: “Unmanned and remotely- piloted air systems are increasingly impor tant in today’s operational environment and our protected Defence budget and £160 billion equipment plan has allowed us to bring both Black Hornet and Deser t Hawk into our core programme.” Picture: Ed Low The Black Hornet and Deser t Hawk 3 systems both achieved Full Operating Capability (FOC) in August this year.

18 desider October 2015 NEWS REPORT

The Type 26 Global Combat Ship designed to be amongst most advanced vessels in fleet

ew computer generated images for future technology upgrades. showing the latest design of the The design of the ship was shown Nnext generation of Royal Navy in a three and a half minute CGI video warships were unveiled at DSEi by which was accompanied by a 3D “fly BAE Systems Maritime Naval Ships. through” which took the viewer on a The Type 26 Global Combat Ship, tour of the ship. which is planned to replace the Royal Commodore Paul Methven, head Nav y’s current Type 23 Frigates, of the Type 26 programme, said: will have a strong Anti-Submarine “A s these new images show, we are War fare pedigree and weapons pressing ahead successfully with systems including ver tical launch the specifics of the ship’s design and missile silos capable of deploying a equipment choices in conjunction range of different capabilities from with our main supplier BAE Systems. Anti-Submarine, Sur face and Land “The Type 26 Global Combat The mission bay Attack weapons. Ship is designed to be one of the The ship will also have the most advanced vessels in the capacit y to suppor t either the Wildcat Royal Nav y’s fleet - it will have the Integrated Gunner y System (IGS) or Merlin helicopters in a purpose- flexibilit y and adaptabilit y to meet which includes a 5 inch, 62 Calibre built hanger, as well as a flight the future demands of the maritime Mk 45 Mod 4 Naval Gun System, deck capable of landing a Chinook environment.” along with a Gun Fire Control System helicopter with ramp down for the During the exhibition, BAE which will provide the Royal Nav y embarkation of troops. Systems Platforms and Ser vices with proven capabilit y to deliver Displayed on BAE Systems’ stand (USA) also announced it has been effects and suppor t land forces at the exhibition, the Type 26 images selected as the preferred bidder ashore. included a look at the mission bay, to supply the 5 inch gun for the Earlier this year, an £859 million which is key to giving the ship its Maritime Indirect Fires System Demonstration Phase contr act operational flexibility, and the ship’s (MIFS) requirement on the Type 26 was awarded to BAE Systems, with oper ating centre. Global Combat Ship. manufacture expected to star t next The operating room includes a Subject to contract award, BAE year; the first vessel is due to enter shared infrastructure and will allow Systems will provide the MIFS ser vice in the early 2020s.

desider October 2015 19 NEWS REPORT The smart future of Army equipment

t seems like a product of science- The result of current militar y fiction, but the Future Soldier Vision research and emerging commercial I(FSV), is what British soldiers could technology was unveiled at DSEI and be wearing on the battlefield in the displayed in the Land Zone at the 2020s. Future Soldier Showcase. The kit includes sensor-laden Defence Secretar y Michael Fallon body armour, a smar t watch that said: “In an uncer tain world, it is monitors life signs and smar t vital that we continually look at the glasses with integrated cameras. future threats our Armed Forces might face. “The Future Soldier Vision, which is suppor ted by the protected Defence budget, our £160 billion equipment plan and the ver y best of the UK’s science and technology exper tise, demonstrates our commitment to ensuring our soldiers have the kit need to keep our countr y safe.” The FSV is designed to aid information gathering and sharing in hostile environments. It also features a head sub-system concept incorpor ating hearing protection, a robust personal role computer concept enabling better communications bet ween personnel and an ergonomically designed and customisable weapon concept. The first phase of the concept has been developed by the Defence Science and Technology Laborator y (DSTL) with industr y par tners Kinneir Dufor t and SE A Ltd with the British Army. Ross Jones, Programme Manager for Close Combat Systems in DSTL, said: “The Future Soldier Vision concept provides the MOD and industr y with an aim point for what the soldier could look like a decade from now. It provides a platform to challenge what this future could be and how industr y and academia could help the MOD to make it a realit y.” Later this year British Army units will be receiving the new VIRTUS personal protection and load carriage system procured by the DE&S Sur vivabilit y team in Soldier Training and Special Programmes The complete system is comprised of a scalable body armour vest and chassis system, helmet and face protection, including ballistic glasses, ballistic goggles and a visor, as well as load carriage which includes a 90L Bergan, 40L daysack and Commanders 40L daysack.

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ROYAL NAV Y FRIGATES DEMONSTRATE POWERFUL ARRAY OF FIREPOWER

MS Iron Duke demonstrated her awesome spectrum of Hfirepower capability, with all five weapons tested in just one day. Starting in the morning with target tracking runs on the Seawolf missile system, the ship then moved into a gunnery shoot against an inflatable target, finishing with firing a Seawolf missile. A spectacular sight – if you could catch a glimpse - Seawolf can strike a target at two-and-a­ half times the speed of sound at a distance of up to six kilometres.

22 desider October 2015 T&E begins here

All images©MOD Crown Copyright

QinetiQ and the MOD working together to provide Test, Evaluation and Training Support Services www.LTPA.co.uk

LTPA advert 15062015.indd 1 15/06/2015 16:43 FEATURE DE&S team removes oil from WWII sunk tanker The bottom of the South Atlantic Ocean is not a place you would expect to find a DE&S project team hard at work, but the Salvage and Marine Operations (SALMO) team has just returned from the island of St Helena after successfully completing a major marine and environmental operation by removing the oil from a World War II shipwreck.

he RFA Darkdale wreck, sunk in between 32 and 45 metres deep. By the 1941, lay undisturbed until 2010, end of the operation, almost 2,000m³ of Twhen a storm caused a leak of oil oil had been removed. in the ship that sits at the bottom of the Staff Officer Wreck Manager Andy South Atlantic Ocean. The quantities Liddell, who is usually based in Abbey were fortunately small, since then the Wood, said: “The aim of the project SALMO team have been at the forefront was to ensure that St. Helena would not of the operation to ensure a potential suffer a major oil spill from the Darkdale, environmental disaster is avoided. which could have caused serious long The team’s latest visit to the island saw term damage to the environment. them arrive in St. Helena in June 2015 “The internal complexities of wrecks for the mobilisation phase of the project, mean it is impossible to remove every part of the Legacy Wrecks Remediation last drop of oil, but we have succeeded in Programme (LWRP). our goal and the wreck, which is home to The Royal Navy Fleet Diving Squadron an abundance of marine life, is no longer (FDS) assisted the operation for six days at any risk from oil spill.” from the M/V Pacific Dolphin, removing The presence of the team on the 38 shells from the shipwreck. small island of St. Helena, which has a Once this was completed, the SALMO population of over 4,000, caused quite a team with the help of industrial partner stir around the local community. SWIRE Pacific Offshore began the Andy added: “During our time complex procedure to remove the oil working on Darkdale we had a lot of using two extra vessels. interest from the local residents. We had The M/V Pacific Supporter laid a the local film, radio and newspaper team mooring pattern to hold the Pacific on board the vessel for a visit and the Dolphin in place over the shipwreck, and interviews were broadcast on the local the tanker MT Golden Oak received the radio. Everyone on the island was very recovered oil. friendly and interested in the work we With great care, the team installed were doing.” valves onto the hull, in a process called The Governor of St. Helena, Mark hot tapping. Each of the 23 tanks Capes, praised the team’s performance. potentially containing oil had to be He said: “I would like to acknowledge accurately measured, and corrosion the extraordinary work that the team removed, before divers attached the have done. I’m sure it was a dangerous valves with the help of remotely operated and difficult job. The amount of oil held vehicles. within the Darkdale wreck could have Once the valves were in place, they resulted in a nightmare scenario. They installed hoses to pump the oil into the have done fantastic work for St. Helena waiting tanker. The team carried out and the island owes them a debt of over 12,500 minutes of diving, working gratitude.”

24 desider October 2015 FEATURE

The RFA Darkdale was stationed in St. Helena to refuel passing war ships when she was sunk by a German U - boat in October 1941. She took the lives of 41 crew members to the seabed with her. One of the final dives was to raise the Royal Fleet Auxiliar y fl ag on the wreck as an act of remembrance to those who died on board. The flag was raised by SALMO diver Gordon Vickers on the stern section of the wreck, close to the crew accommodation where the majority of the sailors would have been at the time of the attack. It was poignant moment for the SALMO team having sent so many divers to work on the wreck.

desider October 2015 25 FEATURE

10 years getting more for less After a challenging start, the DE&S C-Vehicle Private Finance Initiative has proven value for money and is now considered a success. It has also been quoted by the National Audit Office as an example of good practice. As the contract has reached its 10th anniversary, Desider talks to the team behind it, who have plenty to celebrate.

26 desider October 2015 FEATURE

decade has passed since the ALC provides a fully outsourced, Hamish Knox, ALC Managing DE&S C Vehicle Capability whole fleet management service and is Director, said: “We are very proud of APrivate Finance Initiative (PFI) responsible for the administration of the the outcomes so far. Our equipment is was launched to provide the Royal entire fleet and timely allocation of assets designed for operation and adapted for 10 years getting Engineers and the Royal Logistics Corps across the UK and around the world peace, delivering high standards and with construction vehicles and field to meet demands from all three front­ getting over initial concerns. We have mechanical handling equipment. line commands. They are responsible achieved over 99% availability since day The 15 year contract was awarded in for availability of the vehicles, fleet one, and we have managed to get the 2005 for a value of £660m to ALC, a joint maintenance, integrated logistic support, 4,000 pieces of kit we inherited down to venture between Babcock and Amey fully manned helpdesk and demand desk. less than 2,000.” more for less plc, and it has since overcome all initial This last aspect is key, and it represents The remaining five years will be apprehensions thanks to hard work and one of the biggest successes of this PFI dedicated to further streamlining close collaboration between DE&S and according to the team, as the fleet has the fleet, ensuring requirements are industry. to be constantly ready to be deployed met achieving further good value for Kat Morgan, Head of the PFI in operations. In addition, the kit needs money and maintaining the relevance Capability Cell in OSVP, said: “ALC to be available during peace time for of the contract to the changing needs have provided a consistently successful training purposes. of the customer. DE&S will jointly work service, and the contract remains value The beginning of the project, however, with the service provider to identify for money, because we receive more, proved to be challenging: setting up the actions required and programme at no extra cost. The National Audit the processes and recruiting staff in manage the activity that needs to be Office found that the savings identified a very short period of time, as well as undertaken before contract end to through the HM Treasury led Efficiency dealing with obsolete kit. ALC put in provide a smooth transition to the next Review were genuine savings and that place an Equipment Refurbishment and service provider, in order to avoid a the project had been delivered through a Replacement Programme - described capability gap or service disruption. robust change control process.” by Army colleagues at the time as The equipment was deployed in “sporty”, which saw the fleet gradually Operations Telic and Herrick, and reduced and rationalised so as to avoid it played a key role in the building having “fleets” within the fleet. This and setting up of infrastructure. streamlined the training, maintenance Around 140 vehicles were sent and servicing requirements, making the to Iraq, while 200 were used fleet consistent, flexible and fully fit for in Afghanistan. They included purpose. excavators, dozers and concrete mixers, but also crane trucks, rough terrain fork lifts and well drills. Their tasks involved moving materiel and changing the landscape to secure safe passage for other Army vehicles, as well as performing a range of civil engineering tasks.

desider October 2015 27 FEATURE

Pictures: Andrew Linnett DE&S @

Major Jonathan Leng Yeov il Desider visited AgustaWestland in Yeovil to learn about the work DE&S teams are doing to develop and support the Armed Forces helicopter fleet.

Sarah Bulmer

Sarah Roberts

Lt Tom Calder

Lt Mark Davis

28 desider October 2015 FEATURE

he Merlin, Lynx-Wildcat, Sea King where the aircraft are manufactured, and Airframe Systems, said: “Having DE&S and Apache project teams were this is where people operate them, so it staff embedded within AgustaWestland Tall brought together in July 2014 makes sense to put us here. It’s the only in Yeovil is important from an integration when the Lynx team moved from RNAS logical place for this team.” point of view. The EH101 helicopter Yeovilton to Centenary House in Yeovil. The transition between locations operates with other armed forces from Centenary House’s layout and working was smooth and the relocation has all around the world as well, so if issues environment has further strengthened had a positive impact in staff morale. from those customers come in, we’re on DE&S @ the relationship with the contractor and Sarah Bulmer, Lynx-Wildcat Business the ground ready to respond if there’s an enabled a motivational boost as a result Performance Manager, said: “From my issue relevant for the UK Merlin variant.” of being so close to the product. desk I can see the helicopters flying Part of the DE&S team includes It was named so to commemorate the around and it makes the context of what military posts, which provide a different anniversaries both of World War I and we do and the nature of our support to approach to civilian involvement. The of AgustaWestland’s 100 years building operations really clear, so it’s visually knowledge acquired in the project helicopters, reflecting the heritage of this very motivating to be able to see the then works both ways. Lt Mark Davis, Yeovil industry in the region. aircraft outside.” Merlin-Project Manager, said: “The main The facility lies right next to the Sarah Roberts, Lynx-Wildcat thing I’m going to take away is how airfield, which sends a powerful message Logistics Repair and Overhaul Senior much I’ve learnt. Coming here helps us as teams can see project results from Inventory Manager, added: “Being in understand how the aircraft is supported their working environments. This is also an environment where the helicopters and supplied and it gives us a lot of reinforced by the inside of the building, are so to speak ‘at your doorstep’, is experience that we then take with us where the soft seating areas remind of fantastic. It’s invaluable to be able to go when we are deployed.” helicopter rotors and the meeting rooms and physically see the items that you’re Yeovil’s biggest challenge involves reflect the principles of the rotor in their managing. It also makes you quite proud communications with Abbey Wood, glass walls. of what you do. It gives you a sense of directly related to the distance between They worked closely with belonging and you appreciate why you both sites. Sarah Roberts said: AgustaWestland to deliver a building are here and why you do what you do”. “Communication is the key to ensuring which reflected the needs of their Yeovil hosts helicopter final assembly, coherency as a Business, because in the dynamic and collaborative approach. support and maintenance, as well as Yeovil environment we’ve felt a bit like One principle design aim was that the aircraft upgrades such as the Merlin Mk3 an out station. Anything we can all do to building should have a very clear focus to Mk4 transformation. The integration improve communication is welcome.” on delivery, including large windows and with industry, which has been very Sarah Bulmer agreed: “There is a screens to enable the workforce to be beneficial in other DE&S locations, difference in both locations not only able to see the product they support. has also made a huge difference in the in the level of communication that is The decision to move the teams Yeovil teams. Face to face contact and provided, but the way that staff expects together was made after a positive the ability to develop a close relationship to hear it. For people in a more remote collocation experience with industry. mean better results and quicker location, it’s really important to reinforce Major Jonathan Leng, Lynx-Wildcat solutions. that they are part of an organisation.” Mechanical Systems EA, said: “This is Lt Tom Calder, who works on Merlin-

desider October 2015 29 FIRST PERSON Picture: Andrew Linnett

30 desider October 2015 FIRST PERSON

David Ball on his new role as Director Learning & Talent

David Ball took on the role of Director Learning & Talent in May this year, stepping aside from his previous role as Director HR.

What do the Learning and Talent team do? potential to join our most senior ranks. constituted skills team as part of the new The Learning and Talent team is We have completed the trial stages HR function. a joint DE&S and Pricewaterhouse of a people skills programme, which Coopers team. We are delivering a has had really positive feedback, and which we now want to start rolling out You said you also provided a focus for group of projects in the Transformation diversity and inclusion? programme relating to how DE&S across the whole business. And we manages its learning and talent, as well have designed and implemented a much Our diversity and inclusion project as managing continuing business in better and more systematic induction completes the set. There is much more these areas, including supporting the programme for people joining DE&S. that we need to do to make sure DE&S recruitment of the most senior staff. We are currently supporting the training is a place where people can really be We also provide a focus in DE&S for programme to go with the ‘spirals’ as we themselves; where barriers to talent are promoting diversity and inclusion. take the business progressively through removed; and which attracts a wider a programme to learn new ways of doing range of people to join and stay with us. business: the training that goes with Diversity is one of the highest priorities When did you start your role? that programme must be a professional across the civil service and in Defence, I started in this role in May, after I learning product that sets the tone for all and we are working closely with the stepped aside from the Director HR role our learning activity. And we are looking central Defence Diversity and Inclusion for personal health reasons. I was really at the learning that our senior staff need programme (DDIP to its friends) in MOD pleased that CDM, Sir Bernard Gray, to help them in the transformation, centrally on a programme to help this asked me to take on a part-time role exploring how we might partner with happen. In the competition for talent, focusing on improving the way that we leading business schools to support this. quite simply we will not succeed if we manage learning and bring on talent in are not able to attract the full diversity of professional talent that is there in the DE&S. This is a really important and What are main things you are working on? positive side of the transformation in HR. country as a whole. We are refreshing One of our projects is taking a the network of senior champions and radical look at the whole way learning diversity groups; we have joined the Why is it so important? is managed. Who should have the Employee Network for Equality and DE&S needs to be a place where budgets for and make the decisions on Inclusion, which will help us benchmark people continuously and systematically training in our new balanced matrix ourselves; we are looking hard at how we learn. We need people to have sustained model? How much should they have to recruit and present ourselves externally; careers here. So we must grow and fit our business need, taking into account but most importantly, we need to make refreshing our own talent as well as what other world-class programme inclusive behaviour a central part of buying it in. Offering a career and delivery businesses expect to spend? how we all work and behave in the serious opportunities to learn makes us What relationship with our suppliers transformed DE&S. To me that is a core attractive to recruits. And I think it is including the Defence Academy can part of Transformation. really important that we are able to fill we frame to get the best value? What senior positions with home grown as system should we have for recording well as outside talent, which means we people’s skills and training? And there must do more to identify and develop are some fundamental issues about our our own people to compete effectively competence frameworks: as we see for those positions. That is a part all our staff as professionals in their of our confidence in ourselves as an functions, how can we streamline the independent organisation capable of functional competence frameworks? standing on our own feet. And is the Civil Service competence framework the best way to articulate the cross-cutting skills we all need to have What successes have you had so far? in this business? We intend to have We have done some quite visible much of our work on a new framework things already. We have designed and for governing, managing and paying for rolled out the Catalyst programme for training and talent complete by spring Band B and OF5 staff who show clear 2016. We will also have a properly

desider October 2015 31 We teach,

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A4 Ad 297x210.indd 1 13/08/2015 20:41 DE&S PEOPLE

200 mile Charity Bike ride

n 14th September a team of money for the Headley Court used to purchase a laptop to help civilian and military staff of Defence Medical Rehabilitation patients with speech and language Omixed cycling abilities, from Centre in Surrey, where one of the therapy, any remaining money will DE&S embarked on a 200 mile bike cyclists Lt Col Matthew Botsford be donated to Help for Heroes. ride from Abbey Wood to DSEI in was treated following a major London. The team will be raising stroke. Money raised will be Picture: David Tucker

QEC Industry and MOD teams receive CIPS Award

he Aircraft Carrier Alliance from a spend of £800m. “The results and targets.” supply chain team, including have surpassed our original targets Up against stiff opposition from TMOD reps has won a CIPS award and expectations but also lef t a organisations including Ef fico, for the cost savings it has made lasting legacy. The project resulted Eunomia Research and Consulting, through a specialist consultancy in contract managers having more IT V and Leaseguard Group, the project. confidence and a change in attitude Judges gave praise for the ACA The Char tered Institute of from our suppliers who now fully team, stating: “This entr y had a Procurement & Supply (CIPS) held its recognise their role in providing ver y clear approach which was well annual CIPS Supply Chain Awards at greater accountability.” Kevin Earle, base-lined. There was real gain for the Grosvenor House Hotel, London Deput y Head Commercial Ship this organisation on a large-scale on 9 September. Acquisition QEC, from the MOD QEC engineering project. The consultancy Shor tlisted for two awards, Commercial Team endorsed this brought structure to the tracking the team, suppor ted by P WC, and fur ther stated. “This is a real and priority of activities, teasing won the Best Procurement example of what can be delivered out best practice already available Consultancy Project of the Year. when MOD and Industr y sit down and from different elements of the The team comprised of supply chain work together with clear objectives organisations.” professionals from across Industr y, including MOD, BAE Systems, Babcock International and Thales. In total, they saved £119m on the construction of the nation’s two new fl agships, savings delivered by March 2015 came from 67 different activities. The largest of those were from the renegotiation of contracts. Ross Hillman, who heads up the Supply Chain function for the ACA , said that with an initial target price Shown receiving the prize include the majority of the consultancy team. Host T V pre-agreed by the MOD and the ACA, presenter and comedian Alexander Armstrong joked, “This is the first time I’ve ever the challenge was on to save £86m witnessed the entire population of a small hamlet come on stage to collect a prize!”

desider October 2015 33 DE&S PEOPLE

MOTTO the MOD Lotter y July winners Picture: David Tucker Tucker David Picture:

£10,000: Nicholas Car ter (Abbey Wood),

£5,000: Helga Kitney (Abbey Wood).

£2,000: Carol Holmes (Chilwell).

£500: Iain Dalr ymple (Kirkcudbright), Sylvia Brunton (Wor thy Down).

£100: Helen Hawor th (Watton) Richard Weekes (Yeovilton) Andrew Coleman (Whitehall) Karen Timms (Feltham) Brian Donovan (Crombie) Larraine Kell (Glasgow) Keith Anderson (Otterburn) Paul Mitcham (Nor thwood) James Gill (Abbey Wood) Michael Kemp (UKHO) Hollie Fuller (Abbey Wood) Keith Dearness (Whitehall) Hazel Newman (UKHO) Celebrating a Lyndsay Hall (Por tsmouth) Deane Thomas (London) Ceris Holder (Abbey Wood) Marion King (Winchester) year career Linda Fox (Cranwell) Diane Wilmont (Liverpool) 47 in the MOD Sandra Jubber (Por tsmouth) E&S employee Brian Hewlett moved to R AF Innswor th, where telephone call to London and I had to has retired after almost 50 years he helped shape the future size of chase the operator. To think that you Dworking in the MOD. He talked the Royal Air Force working in the had to tr y and book a call is amazing. to Desider about his career and about manpower planning section. He also Things have changed so much.” the transformations the organisation spent some time as manager in the “I have enjoyed working as par t has undergone during this time. archives, looking after personnel of the MOD family. On the whole I Brian star ted work on 9th records for R AF retired ser vicemen think they are a ver y good employer. September 1968, at the Aston Down and women. There’s a lot of job securit y, the Ministr y of Technology Stores Depot, Their tasks involved a number of conditions of ser vice are good, and which was subsequently absorbed activities, from assisting with the super visors are ver y suppor tive. We into the Ministr y of Defence. His location of the next of kin of newly are ver y for tunate.” various roles took him through discovered bodies found in World He joined DE&S in 2008, and his supply and transpor t before he War II aircraft, to helping veterans last post, in Operational Suppor t moved to R AF Kemble, a period he who did not remember their ser vice Vehicle Programmes (OSVP) involved remembers fondly. number and needed R AF financial providing administrative suppor t to Brian said: “Our task was to assistance. the Specialist Vehicles team. provide suppor t to the United States This was before the era of Brian bid farewell to his MOD Air Force based at R AF Kemble. computers, so the team had to deal years on 11th September, the day of That was a ver y interesting time in with around 6 miles wor th of records. his 65th bir thday. He plans to enjoy my career, because although I was For Brian, the introduction of the his free time cycling and dedicating working in the UK it cer tainly felt that computer is the biggest change the himself to his voluntar y par t time I was actually in the United States. MOD has undergone in all these jobs: inspecting tickets in the Severn I learnt that although we speak the years, along with the decreasing Valley railway and working as a same language, there are a number reliance on paper work. special constable in the Stroud area, of cultural differences, and that was “When I star ted we didn’t have an activity which earned him the MBE ver y constructive.” a single computer. I’ll always in 2013 for ser vices to policing in After Kemble’s closure, Brian remember when I had to make a Gloucester.

34 desider October 2015 DE&S PEOPLE

60 SE C ON D SP OTLI G HT

Name? Lucy Jefferies

Job? I am currently Assistant Head for the COS Team within D Tech. It’s a busy, central role that supports Director Technical and covers HR, Business Management and Information Management. No two days are ever the same!

Your route in to DE&S? I first joined the MOD aged 21 as a casual E1, and after being made permanent got my first DES role on promotion to Band D, working with the (then named) Medical and General Supplies Team in a HR support role. This gave me my first taste of what HR was like as a career anchor and gave me a passion for working with people. It also showed me what it was like to work in a DES team that provided life saving equipment to the Front Line Commands and were involved in critical, high profile projects – and I was hooked! Now 8 years on, I have recently started my first Band B post, and still feel just as passionately.

Your claim to fame? One time, I saw Michael Jackson outside a London theatre, which was exciting enough in itself. He new ways to make fun memories What irritates you the most? Above: Lucy Jefferies getting was ushered into his vehicle in a and experience different things. Things that irritate me are brown involved and frenzy of paparazzi flashes, which I’m on a fitness kick at the moment bread, because it tries to convince helping young then pulled out in front of us so have been spending a lot of time that it is healthier for me, but it at the gym recently, and have also people through nearly causing an accident, but I tastes horrible; waiting, especially Civil Ser vice Local. was too starstruck to care! developed a new love for Zumba! for public transport; people that are Unfortunately, I also love baking Your advice to anyone? rude; and having uncontrollable, but this has had to go on the back frizzy hair! The best advice I ever received burner for the time being! I also was to take ownership of my own love music, reading and going to Who would you invite to your dinner career, and never stop learning. I the movies and the theatre. party? actively try to learn new things all I think I would have to invite the time, both in terms of skills and What are you most proud of? Daphne Du Maurier, because I’m about myself. There will be people I am proud of being a working a fan of some of her darker novels along the way who will help and parent. I know how hard it can be and would love to find out more support you in your career, and to juggle family life and work, and about her inspiration as well as her offer you opportunities – but only that there are sacrifices that have life as a writer and mother in that you can decide to make the most to be made but it is so rewarding era. I would also invite Jennfier of them, and you need to have in the end. I am proud that I have Lawrence and Emma Watson, who ownership of your career to give been able to have the best of both are both ‘real’ young women that you focus and ambition, and keep worlds – albeit with lots of help are advocates for being yourself, reaching your potential. and support! I am also proud of breaking stereotypes and achieving the outreach work I do with young your potential. And Mary Berry What do you do when you are away people in the area, through Civil would have to come too, ideally with from work? Service Local. I am passionate a cake! I absolutely love spending about inspiring young people and time with my family, and I love encouraging their ambition, and Your secret? nothing more than spontaneity. it means a lot to me to be able to Well, I’m actually afraid of the dark! At weekends I love it when family get involved and hopefully make a I never quite grew out of being or friends come up with ideas for difference. scared of it and don’t like it at all!

desider October 2015 35 DE&S PEOPLE

Strzelecki ready to tackle the Worlds Toughest Mudder

att Strzelecki of the DTech but it’s difficult not to get injured Project Management during the year. I’m really looking MDevelopment Team will forward to the challenge, but I’m fly to Las Vegas in November to under no illusions how difficult it take on one of the most difficult will be. I’m hoping to finish in the obstacle course races on the planet top 100 in the World, but I shall as he competes in the “Worlds have to see how it goes on the Toughest Mudder”. day.” The competition held in the Las Vegas Desert, aims to push competitiors from all over the world to their mental and physical limits. Competitors will be challenged against 25+ obstacles per 5 mile loop, including 35 foot cliff drops, 10 foot walls, open water swimming, electric shocks and freezing temperatures with the aim of completing as many laps as possible in a 24 hour period. “Competing in Worlds Toughest Mudder is a personal challenge for me to see what I am capeable of achieving. I have been preparing myself all year for this event which has included completing a 67 mile Ultra-Marathon, Several Marathons, Half Marathons and 27 laps of standard Tough Mudder Events in the last 12 months.” “Training has been going well,

Vanessa Arruda comes 5th at Regionals

he International Relations Group MOU Desk Officer; Vanessa Arruda and her horse Cienus (aka Lui) Tachieved a well deserved 5th place in the Elementary section, at the British Dressage Summer Regional Championship held at the David Broom Event Centre in only their second year of affiliated competition. Despite the big atmosphere and bad weather, Lui pulled out a good per formance with all the hard work paying of f. Vanessa bought him as a 3 years old project to train from scratch, he was a long-legged play ful horse that would jump at his own shadow but has grown into a talented competition horse, despite still being sharp and spooky. Vanessa says; “We only star ted competing at af filiated dressage last year and since then we achieved more than I thought we would, including competing at several big events such as the Petplan Area Festival and the Winter National Championships.” Vanessa and Lui are currently competing at Medium level and training for Advanced Medium. “I am ver y pleased with our progress and feel extremely lucky to have and amazing suppor t Team (husband Mauro), access to excellent training and competing with some of the best riders in the countr y. It has been challenging training a youngster, competing and balancing a busy day job, which Above: Vanessa and Lui during the prize giving ceremony. includes travel but it has also been ver y rewarding and wouldn’t have it any other way!”

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2015/16 Symposia at Shrivenham

29-30 Sept Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives Symposium 20-21 Oct Defence in Cyber 27 Oct Robotics in Defence 28 Oct Motorsport meets Defence 10-11 Nov XVIIIth International CBRN Symposium 17-18 Nov Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism 25-26 Nov Defence and Security Doctoral Symposium 08-09 Dec Electronic Warfare 02-03 Mar Defence Support and Logistics 20-21 Apr Defence Information 2016 (with UKCeB) To register on a symposium or find out 11-12 May Innovation Symposium (on behalf of DE&S) more about Symposia at Shrivenham: 02-04 June Culture in Conflict Email: [email protected] 20-22 June 14th Electro -Optics and Infrared Conference Tel: +44 (0)1793 785846

12-14 July Close Combat Symposium www.symposiaatshrivenham.com

Follow us on Twitter @SympatShriv © Crown Copyright image from www.defenceimages.co.uk LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT

L e a r n i n g a n d d e v e L o p m e n t CYBER THINKERS!

uring August 2015, the project life-cycle. the possibility of holding future approximately 500 DES The second half built on the sessions at other locations in 2016; DProject, Programme & context of the cyber threat, where numbers permitting. Risk Managers attended Cyber the DCPP representatives from For further information on Awareness sessions with the MOD and BAE introduced the DCPP or Cyber Awareness, please theme of assessing the Cyber risk partnership and its three strands contact: DCPP: ISS Des-DCPP and embedding this activity into of work (information sharing, (MULTIUSER) Contracts. These events were measurements and standards, hosted and facilitated by DES CIO supply chain awareness). They DES Cyber Awareness: DES CIO- Compliance (Cyber) Team at MOD discussed the actions being taken Compl (MULTIUSER) Abbey Wood. to protect the Defence supply Each session was opened with chain through the Cyber Security with a key note speech which Model (CSM). It was explained highlighted the key changes that Project Manager involvement which will affect how Cyber risk will in particular be at the risk is assessed and how DES will assessment stage when projects gain assurance that appropriate are allocated a risk level of Very mitigations are in place. Barry Low, Low, Moderate or High, with Burton (DES CDM-Corp-Affairs- a corresponding cyber risk profile Dir), John Cook (ISS Des- and a set of proportionate controls DAIS-Hd), and Ray Smart (DES will be applied. CIO-Compl-AsstHd) delivered Particularly memorable were the individual speeches which set the thought provoking yet entertaining scene for the following sessions. videos interspersed throughout The first half of the two hour the session, which re-inforced the session set the context for Cyber message. the Defence Cyber Protection The session ended with an Partnership and explored the opportunity for Q&A, with some nature of the Cyber threat. This good questions that suggested the included a briefing from Sharon audience had thoroughly engaged Wiltshire of the Cyber Jt User with the content of the sessions. team. Sharon explained the This was also an excellent example importance of Cyber space to of Defence and Industry Partners defence, and the need for each working collaboratively and individual to act in a secure delivering a consistent message on manner online, relating it to the a key Defence activity providing DES CIO’s “Cyril The Cyberman” Points out the Cyber current ‘Year of Cyber’ theme early engagement for the DES Threats ahead of social engineering. Directly Project Community. addressing project managers, she Following the success of these also considered cyber throughout sessions, DES CIO are looking into Cross-Sector Innovation Event (CSIE) Picture: Andrew Linnett ES TECH Technology office will be hosting a Cross-Sector Innovation Event (CSIE) at Abbey DWood, Bristol on Thursday 12th November 2015 between 0900-1500. The “Market stall” event held in NH2 will showcase the benefits of developing or sourcing technology and innovation from other industry sectors such as healthcare, energy, security & motorsport. DE&S staff will have a unique opportunity to quiz organisations about their insights and experiences of innovations taken from different sectors and how this approach could work within defence, as well as book onto some insightful presentations.

38 desider October 2015 LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT

L e a r n i n g a n d d e v e Lo p m e n t Pictures: David Tucker DE&S Safety Day 2015 he DE&S will hold its inaugural Safety Day, across all its main sites, on 28 October T2015 (the anniversary of the publication of the Haddon-Cave Report). This will be an engagement day dedicated to safety related topics and issues within the DE&S. It will target DE&S staff wherever they work and will address occupational health and employee welfare, as well as equipment and system safety. The theme for the event is: Ever yone’s role in Safet y Your safet y is impor tant to the DE&S Board, to emphasis this they have made it an all staff event with normal business activities suspended for the day. Please take the time to make a note of this date in your diaries and to take an active par t in the day’s proceedings. We will publish more DE&S welcomes new Finance details as they develop. Graduates and Apprentices 2015 to Abbey Wood E&S Finance have just Schemes are to develop new talent welcomed their first intake into financial managers and future Dof Graduates for 5 years leaders over a 2 year intensive and a cohort of Apprentices on a programme , leading to a world wide newly implemented Apprenticeship recognised professional qualification. scheme. Michael Bradley (DE&S They will receive support not only DG Resources) met the cohorts on from the Finance Professionalism their second day welcoming them Enabling Team (FPET) but also from and encouraging them to embrace Placement Line Managers and senior this opportunity. They have just qualified financiers acting as mentors completed a 2 week induction before across the DE&S finance function. We commencing their first placements look forward to welcoming the next around Abbey Wood. intake in 2016. The aim of the these DE&S Finance

ABW-15-167

desider October 2015 39