Mar 2012 Issue 46

desthe magazine for defenceider equipment and support

Government White Paper details

National security begins at the front

Industry focus supplement See inside

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des Steve Moore [email protected] [email protected] Ralph Dunn [email protected] Dick Naughton © Crown Copyright desider [email protected] 7155 7379 (0)207 +44 Fax: 1819. 7657 (0)20 Tel: +44 1NU WC1A London Holborn, High Street, Anthon Linton Advertising Distribution Manager: Editor: Deputy Relations: Public Head, Assistant expressed in in expressed Views omissions. or errors for accepted be can liability no accurate, is produced material all ensure to care inthose the While editor the takes defence industries. including MOD, the outside readers to available made be sponsor. and the can also equipment Copies capability relevant MOD project team before publication. before team project MOD relevant the by cleared be must advertorials for content All MOD. the or DE&S by endorsed necessarily not are advertised, Printing: Printing: from well-managed forests. Stewardship Councilcertified material post consumer waste andForest cent recycled andde-inked pulpfrom Silk 90gsmwhichcontains 50per This magazineisproduced onCocoon FEATURES 24 20 18 22 is distributed free of charge to DE&S employees employees DE&S to charge of free distributed is

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Portsmouth continues development Innovative plansfor test sites Flares lightthewayforward C-17 shows ‘off-the-shelf’inaction 500 upfor The future inblackandwhite time aswork beginsonthesecond ship the 'snew aircraft carriers, at thesame A large drillingrigishelpingprepare Portsmouth for innovative commercial ideas facilities intheUKhascome upwitharange of A programme to look atthefuture ofmilitary test from theiraircraft, are to betrialled thisyear aircrews for seducingheat-seekingmissiles away Newly-modified flares, more-user friendly to Trojan and other in vehicles Afghanistan Warrior, using troops by welcomed been have vehicles tracked toRecent armoured upgrades A thumbs-upfrom the front the UKandFrance from closer-co-operation ondefence announced by Wide-ranging implications for DE&Shave emerged RAF the for aircraft C-17 eighth an transport with 'off-the-shelf' buy to Paper White the in pledge Government's the action into putting is DE&S been delivered to DE&S star performer onOperation EllamyinLibya, has The 500thDualModeSeeker Brimstone , a month last published Paper White Defence the of decisions major the of one in protected be will budget technology and science defence The UK andFrance move closer

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Picture: Sgt Steve Blake, RLC Insider march 2012 Bernard Gray The defence science and technology budget will be protected to ensure the UK continues to develop cutting-edge Chief of Defence Materiel new techniques and equipment to give our troops the edge in battle. Science and technology spending ‘While I can’t promise an immediate is planned to stay at 1.2 per cent of the annual budget in a Government White end to the uncertainty, you can be Paper, National Security Through assured work is advancing apace to Technology, unveiled on 1 February. develop the DE&S Interim Structure, The Government has set out how it will provide the best equipment for UK which will be required to keep the Armed Forces and security services organisation running effectively’ and achieve best value for money for taxpayers. It provides clear principles that will underpin the relationship with industry as the MOD invests more than £150 billion in military equipment over the next decade. As we await a decision from million contract with MBDA UK. The White Paper follows a Ministers on the Materiel This missile system must be commitment in the Strategic Defence Strategy and PR12, establish capable of reaching speeds of and Security Review to outline the how VERS 2 will affect DE&S and up to Mach 3 and dealing with Government’s future approach to start work on the organisation’s multiple targets simultaneously working with the defence and security Interim Structure, it seems an across an area of around 500 industries. It has been developed jointly appropriate moment to reflect square miles over land or sea. by the MOD and Home Office, following on the good work carried out by You may also have seen extensive consultation. DE&S personnel in support of the Prime Minister’s recent Minister for Defence Equipment operations, current and future. announcement that the MOD is Support and Technology, Peter Luff, The scale of our achievement to buy an eighth C-17 aircraft, said: “Our Armed Forces must continue to have innovative, high-technology was brought home to me on which will provide the Armed my recent visit to Afghanistan, equipment to give them a battle-winning Forces with extra capability edge, so we will support the development where I was able to see first for transporting troops and of defence technology directly and hand the work undertaken in equipment. The C-17 project protect the amount we spend. the Equipment Sustainability team is now busy negotiating this "We had to take tough decisions System Regeneration Facility. purchase with the US. but we are now close to achieving a One of the largest facilities built An extra 100 Foxhound Light sustainable and balanced budget for the in support of military operations Protected Patrol Vehicles are first time in decades. This will mean we since World War II, this truly also to be acquired, adding to the can start ordering new equipment for the impressive capability supports 200 ordered in 2010. Managed by Armed Forces with confidence and will up to 26 armoured vehicles on DE&S’ Protected Mobility team, help provide the clarity industry needs to which both military personnel Foxhound will allow troops to invest in the right areas. and carry out a wide range of tasks in “We plan to spend over £150 billion civilians conduct deep repair environments that may restrict on defence equipment over the next ten years. We will strongly support and maintenance. This means larger, heavier vehicles. that the vehicles and equipment responsible exports, increasing the Projects such as these market opportunities for all defence and required in theatre do not need to demonstrate that DE&S is be returned to the UK for repair, security companies and encouraging continuing to deliver the them to invest in the UK. If we can save which avoids considerable cost capability required by the Armed money and get the capability now rather and increases the availability Forces despite the fact that than later, our budgets will go further of crucial vehicles – Mastiff and we are also facing a period of and the country will be better defended. availability is now as high considerable change. While I “Britain’s smaller businesses are the as 93 per cent. Put simply, it can’t promise an immediate breeding ground of genuine innovation, saves lives. end to the uncertainty, you can developing new technologies that provide In Afghanistan, one of the be assured work is advancing our front line forces with battle-winning major issues facing us is the apace to develop the DE&S advantage. Last year the MOD spent future redeployment of materiel, Interim Structure, which will be almost £1 billion directly with smaller which will be a far more complex required to keep the organisation businesses and we want to see that figure task than the drawdown from running effectively in the run up grow. We will strengthen the ability of smaller firms to compete for defence and . The scale of the to the wider reforms proposed task will be immense. security contracts, making sure their under The Materiel Strategy. innovation is fully tapped.” Back in the UK, DE&S teams This project, led by Chief of Staff continue to deliver high-profile Crime and Security Minister James Simon Cholerton, will seek to Brokenshire said: “The recommendations equipment to improve our make the best use of all staff fighting capability. in the White Paper will help us assist before the broader changes UK-based suppliers in obtaining export In a project being taken associated with The Materiel orders and increasing opportunities for forward by Team Complex Strategy take effect. Your team small and medium-sized enterprises. Weapons, the new Sea Ceptor leaders are already involved in “A healthy and competitive UK missile system, which will equip this work with the aim that the security industry – building on our Type 23 and the future Interim Structure will begin to experience hosting the Olympic Games Type 26 Global Combat Ship, is take shape from this summer. – will help contribute to growth and being developed under a £480 news 5

The front line, where national security often begins: UK troops on patrol in Afghanistan

UK national security is spelled out in black and white

Government Paper pledges to keep science at heart of military equipment

Help for SMEs

o To enable firms to meet potential bidders, the Next Generation Estate Contracts (NGEC) team is running special networking sessions and has created an online ‘Potential Bidders support our national security objectives.” emphasising the Government’s preference Directory’ which provides contact The White Paper, along with the MOD’s for bilateral programming where possible. details for organisations with a ten-year equipment plan – to be published It also examines the future of registered interest in each contract, so that SMEs may approach them; later this year – will set out the military Government in-house and science equipment programme the Government capabilities, international collaboration o MOD now advertises lower will undertake and how the MOD will work on science and technology and wider value contracts, which may be more with industry. Government action to address the skills attractive to SMEs, on the Contracts The White Paper discusses the agenda. Finder website; underlying concepts of sovereignty Recognising the wider impact that o and explains how future international Government spending choices on defence MOD has revised internal guidance to ensure that SMEs are not acquisition programmes will be set up, and security can have, it announces the rejected on the basis of rigid turnover- establishment of to-contract value ratios without proper The White Paper includes plans to: a new ministerial assessment of their actual capacity and working group to potential; o Protect the essential science and technology (S&T) budget – co-ordinate the To ensure UK Armed Forces continue to have state-of-the-art cross-Government o A dedicated SME group in the new Defence Suppliers Forum has techniques and equipment, the MOD is prioritising investment in aspects of the new been created, chaired by an MOD S&T. The White Paper states the Government’s intention to halt years approach. of decline in spending on defence S&T by maintaining spend at least Minister, to provide a better ‘voice’ for at the current 1.2 per cent of MOD’s budget, spending more than This White small suppliers. £400 million each year. Paper is part of a broader approach o The Centre for Defence o Support exports – The defence sector is vital to the success of to defence Enterprise (CDE) has successfully the UK economy. The MOD will help all UK-based suppliers obtain transformation provided access to the defence for innovation SMEs, and the White Paper export orders and promote products abroad while protecting UK which encompasses security and core values of human rights and democracy. Ministers builds on this to broaden its remit Lord Currie’s review will be closely involved in supporting defence and security exports; to cover security and seek ways to exportability will be built into new acquisition requirements; of Government provide even more support to SMEs, co-ordination across Government will be improved, and new Single Source particularly on bringing potential arrangements developed to provide the training that overseas Pricing Regulations products to market. customers often seek. and The Materiel Strategy, which The White Paper is available at http:// o Encourage Small and Medium Enterprises – SMEs are currently will transform the awarded 42 per cent of MOD equipment contracts worth almost £1 www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/ MOD’s equipment billion per year and many more contribute to defence and security AboutDefence/ programmes as subcontractors. New measures in the White buying procedures CorporatePublications/ Paper will make it easier for smaller contractors to compete for making them more PolicyStrategyandPlanning/ Government tenders, help them to develop new products and provide cost effective and NationalSecurityThrough expert advice to help them export. efficient. TechnologyCm8278.htm 6 news NEWSREEL ‘Thank God for decent kit’ Port still under review Equipment saves Assessment on the Lance Corporal future of Marchwood soldier in Denis Larubi Sea Mounting Centre, the military double bullet port close to Southampton, is strike still being carried out. Peter Luff, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, A British soldier has twice has repeated the narrowly avoided injury thanks MOD no longer to his world-class equipment. needs to retain Lance Corporal Denis Larubi, ownership of the from 2nd Battalion, the Mercian port. Sale options Regiment was twice shot at by and alternative insurgents while on sentry duty UK locations to ensure value for the in Nahr-e Saraj, Afghanistan. taxpayer are still The first shot struck ballistic being looked at, he glass in the guard tower right in has told Parliament. front of his face, but could not penetrate the toughened window. The next day he was shot Strategic at again, but this time the shot alliance ricocheted off his weapon and hit the shoulder of his body armour. TORCHLIGHT The 30-year-old said the round Solutions and had thrown him to the floor after Optima Defence it ricocheted off his weapon and and Security have hit the armour. formed a strategic “The bullet had hit the handle alliance, providing a combination of my sights that I had been of Counter-IED looking through at the time and experts to meet the splintered off a shard of plastic, ever-increasing which pierced my drink container. range of complex The bullet then ricocheted and hit global threats. Their me on the left shoulder. combined client “Thank God for decent base includes key organisations within equipment.” defence, security, The news was greeted with wider Government delight by Colonel Peter Rafferty agencies and leader of DE&S’ Personel Combat high-end defence Equipment team. manufacturers. “Once again the UK’s investment in the best possible personal protective equipment work and motivate my largely and has served with 2nd Battalion Mortar deal has stood the test of combat,” he civil service staff to continue to do the Mercian Regiment (Worcester said. the best they can on behalf of our & Sherwood Foresters) since BAE Systems and General Dynamics “Incidents such as these brave servicemen and women.” March 2006 as part of the Ordnance and reinforce the importance of our Denis was born in Uganda Reconnaissance Platoon. Tactical Systems have teamed up to develop, demonstrate, and produce the 81mm Roll New Controlled Guided Mortar (RCGM), an affordable precision tankers mortar round. The companies have been maturing will back the guided mortar technology over the last 12 months up Navy’s and will be conducting tactical demonstrations this global year. reach news 7

o Hundreds of MBDA (UK) workers at Lostock in have been thanked for their efforts in supporting . The factory produces complex weapons including the Dual Mode Seeker Brimstone missile. “Brimstone has a reputation for its accuracy and reliability, and the use of this missile alongside the RAF’s other air-to-surface weapons was of key importance to the success of the operation to liberate the country,” said Peter Luff, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, pictured left. “Throughout this time staff at MBDA provided exemplary support in ensuring that this capability was available for use at all times.” MBDA UK managing director Steve Wadey said: “Dual Mode Brimstone has been a real Picture: MBDA success story in showcasing the innovative capabilities that MBDA delivers to the front line and we are delighted to mark the 500th delivery. “We believe this milestone highlights the continued success of Brimstone and the Minister’s visit is a welcome recognition of the contribution MBDA and its employees make to 500 up for Brimstone the Armed Forces and their operations.”

MBDA UK praised as high precision ‘weapon of choice’ shows its reliability

The 500th Dual Mode Seeker the manufacture of (DMS) Brimstone missile has DMS Brimstones been delivered to the MOD. in 2011 to support The missile, introduced into Operation Ellamy, service in December 2008, has which also ensured become the weapon of choice on that a robust stockpile operations for Tornado GR4 crews is now available for engaging fast, manoeuvring . targets and those close to civilian “DMS has become or friendly areas. a success story for the It came of age on Operation RAF and DE&S, thanks Ellamy last year, proving itself in to the full support it has built-up areas against armoured been given from factory and other targets which could to front line. This not be engaged with any other support includes the More than 200 missiles have Above: DMS weapon available to Nato forces. wider RAF community, DE&S and been fired operationally, with an Brimstone, Squadron Leader Chris the MOD capability sponsors.” accuracy and reliability rate both which performed Higgins of the Surface Attack Brimstone’s high precision well above 90 per cent, which impressively in (Medium) team at Abbey Wood is made possible by the laser/ makes it the most reliable weapon operations over said: “This is a significant millimetric wave Dual Mode available to the RAF. last year milestone for DMS Brimstone. Seeker, developed under an DMS Brimstone is deployed Reaching this total so quickly Urgent , on Operation Herrick with has been made possible by the while the warhead minimises Tornado GR4 and is scheduled to excellent effort made by MBDA risk of collateral damage yet is be replaced by Brimstone 2 next (UK), who drastically accelerated effective against heavy armour. year.

A new fleet of 37,000-tonne tankers are to be (DSME) is the Government’s preferred bidder Mr Luff said: “Over the next decade, ordered to sustain Royal Navy ships around at £452 million. the Government will be investing billions of the globe. British companies took part in the pounds in our maritime capabilities to ensure The new Military Afloat Reach and competition, but none submitted a final bid that our Royal Navy remains a formidable Sustainability (MARS) tankers, pictured left, for the build contract. In light of this, the best fighting force. This project will inject up to will maintain the Navy’s ability to refuel at sea option for defence and value for money for £150 million into UK industry and support and and provide fuel to warships and task groups. taxpayers is for the tankers to be constructed maintenance will also be carried out in the They will support deployed amphibious, in by DSME. UK. The Government remains committed to land and air forces close to the shore and UK companies will however benefit building complex warships in UK shipyards.” operate helicopters. They are planned to enter from £150 million of associated contracts Chief of Defence Materiel, Bernard Gray, service from 2016, replacing existing Royal comprising: added: “The competition for the contract Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) single hulled tankers. • £90 million on UK contracts for the key sought to engage shipbuilders from across the At more than 200 metres long, the four equipment, systems, design and support globe. I believe the winning bidder’s solution tankers will pump enough fuel to fill two services. The winning design is being provided will offer the UK the best value for money. Olympic-sized swimming pools in an hour. by UK company BMT Defence Services; “The MARS tanker is an exceptionally Minister for Defence Equipment Support • £60 million investment in the UK versatile platform. I look forward to the award and Technology, Peter Luff, announced that from customisation, trials and specialist of the contract and work that will follow in the Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering engineering support. lead up to the delivery of the ships.” 8 news

NEWSREEL ‘Rising costs trend has been halted’ Firms tie up The trend of vast cost increases in defence The committee’s Margaret Hodge, who welcomed Systematic and programmes has been halted, thanks to the current signs of improvement in the MOD’s management of AgustaWestland radical reform programme. the projects, said cancellation of the Nimrod aircraft have signed Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said that had wasted £3.4 billion while delays to the Astute a Heads of the MOD was close to eliminating the black hole in had increased costs by almost £2 billion . Agreement to jointly its finances and there would soon be an affordable, “Scrapping the ill-fated Nimrod MRA4 was one of explore business deliverable programme for the future announced. many tough but necessary decisions we had to take," opportunities “This will see us invest more than £150 billion said Mr Hammond. “The aircraft were more than eight worldwide. The in the right equipment for our Armed Forces while years late, almost £800 million over budget, and the two companies will achieving value for money for UK taxpayers,” he said. unit cost of each aircraft had soared by 200 per cent, also work towards Mr Hammond was answering criticism from the with no guarantee they would ever be fit to fly. integration of the House of Commons watchdog the Public Accounts “The Astute programme is now on a much firmer SitaWare range Committee who said the total cost of the 15 largest footing with the first boat in service and the second of systems with defence projects had continued to rise in 2010-11 by due to leave Barrow soon.” AgustaWestland’s almost £500 million. helicopters and help Systematic with development and marketing of its products and services. Vital airbridge: troops embark on C-17 no 7 which was delivered to the RAF last year Dog Olympics

The MOD has been asked to provide search dogs to help with security at the Olympic Games. These are being trained by the Defence Animal Centre, and no military working dogs will be withdrawn from Afghanistan, Armed Forces Minister Nick Harvey has said.

Tom moves up

Tom Enders takes over as chief executive of EADS when Louis Gallois ‘Off-the-shelf’ in action steps down on 31 May. Arnaud Lagardere will become chairman DE&S has wasted no time “This latest addition to the on the same day in putting into action the New C-17 puts RAF fleet will further strengthen while Fabrice Government's pledge to buy off- the vital airbridge between Bregier will succeed the-shelf equipment by ordering Government Britain and Afghanistan, Mr Enders as Chief an eighth C-17 transport aircraft. ensuring critical deliveries are Executive of . The newest C-17 is due off pledge into made to the front line. Boeing's production line this “Buying equipment off-the- month and should be in service early motion shelf allows us to quickly deliver Lessons with the RAF in July. equipment that our troops need learned The extra C-17 will help to on operations at best value prices support the airbridge which the fleet which are operated by for the taxpayer and is a great ‘A short take transports Armed Forces 99 Squadron. The multi-million example of the White Paper, off and vertical personnel and equipment pound C-17 aircraft can fly announced last week, in action.” landing approach to Capability Disposal’ between the UK and front line more than 4,500 nautical miles, As well as transporting – lessons learned operations. meaning it can fly directly from troops and equipment, C-17s from Harrier – is Prime Minister David to the UK. can also be converted rapidly a Learning from Cameron announced the Defence Secretary Philip to offer intensive care provision Experience seminar purchase on 8 February, a week Hammond said: “The C-17 has in support of the aeromedical on 12 March from after the publication of the shown its worth in Afghanistan airbridge. One aircraft is on noon to 1.30pm Government’s White Paper on ensuring that our troops are standby 24-hours a day to fly in the Central Facilities Building defence, pledging to buy more given the fastest, most efficient seriously injured personnel back lecture theatre equipment ‘off-the-shelf’. passage home. to the UK at short notice. at Abbey Wood. The aircraft, which will cost “It is a vastly impressive The aircraft can also Bookings through £200 million, will be based at aircraft that can carry three be deployed to help with e-solutions’ events RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire Apache helicopters, or take a humanitarian and disaster relief booking system. along with the other aircraft in whole Chinook helicopter. efforts around the world. Our UK employees are proud to provide kit for Britain’s armed forces. We design, manufacture and maintain ghter jets, armoured vehicles and naval vessels including the Typhoon aircraft, Scimitar light tanks and the Astute Class of . But we’re prouder still of the contribution and sacri ces made by our armed forces every day. Thank you.

REAL PRIDE. REAL ADVANTAGE. 10 news

NEWSREEL Company UK and closer on activity Serco has won a defence co-operation number of multi- activity contracts potentially worth around £130 The UK and France have moved making the most of our existing long-term strategic partnership million to provide towards closer co-operation capacity, as we will be combining aimed at building a shared operational support, on defence in an agreement and using it together. It is also sovereign capability. engineering and which will have wide-ranging about operational capacity, the A jointly funded contract training services to implications for DE&S. ability to take action together, is expected to be placed with the RAF and Naval Projects including the and it also covers the most BAE Systems and Dassault to Air Command. Watchkeeper unmanned air sensitive defence areas of all, Included is a study the technical risks of contract to continue system, the A400M future including, of course, the nuclear the Medium Altitude Long support at RAF transport aircraft and sharing issue. Endurance (MALE) drone. Northolt for up to of submarine technologies are “It is, I think, a real And France has confirmed seven years and among those which will see breakthrough that we have made its interest in the Watchkeeper one of up to five the two nations moving closer over the last two years and we system, recognising the years for support together. are determined to keep pushing opportunities this would create at Royal Naval stations Yeovilton The moves were announced this forward.” for co-operation on technical and Culdrose. Serco by Prime Minister David The two countries agreed and operational support, and already supports the Cameron during a UK-France to take forward planned co- development of concepts and Merlin helicopter summit in Paris on 17 February operation on unmanned air doctrine. The French will fleet at Culdrose. where he was joined by Defence systems following success in begin evaluation of the system Serco also has a Secretary Philip Hammond Libya and Afghanistan within a this year. five-year contract to and Chief of Defence support activities at RAF Valley. Materiel Bernard Gray. French interest: Watchkeeper, pictured on its first UK flight “The defence co- Sonar supply operation we have Thales UK will discussed today is supply Sonar 2076 real, it is substantial, search and attack it is going to make a sonar – ‘eyes big difference to the and ears’ – for military capabilities HMS Anson, the of both Britain and fifth Astute class France,” said Mr submarine, in a £30 million Cameron. contract with BAE “We are similar- Systems Submarine sized powers, with Solutions. Thales similar-sized Armed will supply a Forces, with similar complete sonar ambitions. It is about system, comprising inboard and outboard of the bow, fin, intercept and flank arrays, and And what it will mean for DE&S associated inboard processing. Thales has now been contracted to supply o A bilateral Joint User Group has o Plans are aligned for future 40 mm CTA cannon that will equip Sonar 2076 for the been established for co-operation to Maritime Mine Countermeasures armoured vehicles. Effort will be first five boats – inform A400M operating techniques capabilities. the first step of an made to assure qualification by Astute, Ambush, and procedures for synthetic and incremental approach will begin 2013, jointly promote the export of Artful, Audacious live training. A common support next year with a demonstrator/ this system and the elaboration of a and Anson. plan will continue to be developed prototype of off board systems Nato standard. for the two countries' future A400M based on unmanned technologies. Lunch lecture transport fleets. The Joint Project Office already o Bilateral co-operation on Industry will be expected to offer established within OCCAR will begin Counter-IED will be strengthened. A Steve McCarthy, an affordable in-service support a European competitive process high degree of interoperability will formerly Chief of solution. in 2012 for a common assessment be demanded and a joint action plan Staff at DE&S, will A contract will be negotiated with phase. will be elaborated this year to cover be the speaker at a Airbus Military so integrated co-operative opportunities in the lunchtime seminar support is in place for the arrival of o UK and France intend to adopt operations/capability/R&T domains. at Abbey Wood on 26 the first French aircraft in 2013. a co-operative approach to meet March. Mr McCarthy the need for future satellite o The two countries plan a joint is now Director o A bilateral Memorandum of communications services, assessment phase this year on International Understanding was signed in considering they will form a core /Scalp enhancement Security Policy. June 2011 to support submarine asset in any future beyond line of and initial studies on future Bookings to technology exchanges. sight capabilities. A comparative anti-surface tactical missiles. A admin.hq@ Collaborative work will identify study will be made this year to contract and an MoU is planned defenceacademy. areas of technological co-operation analyse different architectural for development and manufacture mod.uk or 96161 and savings along with feasibility of options. of the Future Anti-ship Guided 4828 a co-development of specific sonar Weapon. Efficiency savings of up to equipment. o Joint interest is confirmed in the 30 per cent are reaffirmed. news 11

Front line feedback keeps vehicles well on track ‘Key memory was meeting those who put their lives on the line relying on our kit’

Above: DE&S' Recent upgrades for the logistic chain and getting of challenges that the JFSP are Platform team armoured tracked vehicles have spares to Afghanistan, the facing. leader Tim received a resounding thumbs communications chain back to “Our own focus was therefore Barnard, pictured up from troops on the front line. the UK can be very frustrating,” welcomed and we came away right, joins Warrior, CVR(T), Trojan said Mr Barnard. with two pages of minor snags troops along with requirements and CRARRV are among those “In my case it affects our to resolve with the stakeholder manager Lt Col vehicles performing well on duty ability to support armoured community in the UK. Howard Pritchard in Afghanistan. tracked vehicles. “My other key memories with the green That was the positive message “What we learned was that will be the flying time to get hackle on his beret to Tim Barnard, leader of DE&S’ our vehicles were performing out to theatre, constant noise Platforms team at Combat extremely well after their in the transit accommodation, Tracks Group, who joined his Urgent Operation Requirement visiting the forward operating requirements manager Lt Col upgrades. base at Lash Durai by Chinook, Howard Pritchard on a tour of “Users were pleased with experiencing the roll-over users in theatre, at the invitation the vehicles and, due to their trainer in Bastion and last and of Col Al Thompson of Joint outstanding performance, the foremost meeting those who put Force Support (JFSP). minor issues which they had their lives on the line relying on “While much is said about were far down the pecking order the kit we provide.”

MASS investment cuts munitions risk

British troops will benefit from completion in under the MASS (munitions acquisition, of a new £1.3m office building at BAE Systems the supply solution) programme and the new Bishopton in Renfrewshire. facilities that have been developed as a result The new single storey office, constructed of the security that a longer term partnering on time and to budget, will be part of the arrangement gives. Environmental Test Facility (ETF) and was “As leader for the Group which provides opened by local MP Jim Sheridan on 3 advice and assurance that all our munitions February. are safe and suitable for service use, it’s The ETF helps de-risk military equipment particularly good to see the facilities here. before it is used on operations, by subjecting “The tests in these facilities allow us to it to vibration, heat, cold, damp and other provide the assurance that our servicemen extremes, to ensure the equipment works and women – when they are using weapons on reliably and safely under all conditions. training or operations – can have confidence Testing is designed to mimic the harsh that they will work properly and they will conditions equipment can be subjected to in work safely. These tests could ultimately save Munitions guardians, from left: battle. lives.” Simon Cocker (general manager, At the opening of the new facility, Col The site’s new gate guardian, called Bishopton), Ron Barlow (gate Mark Vincent, leader of DE&S’ Defence Airburst, is based on a shell’s trajectory and guardian designer), Jim Sheridan MP Ordnance Safety Group, said: “It’s pleasing subsequent detonation and was the winning and Col Mark Vincent of DE&S to see the investment that’s now being put design in a BAE Systems competition. 12 news

NEWSREEL A Chinook fires defensive Telecoms flares as it comes in to land in diploma Helmand Province, Afghanistan Safer

Babcock, which operates the MOD’s High Frequency flares operations as part of the Defence HF Communications Service contract, has launched light a new National BTEC-approved Advanced Diploma in Telecommuni- the way cations. Under the contract Babcock staff transmit and receive messages for UK and Nato forward forces around the world. Staff, who come from a variety of backgrounds with few formal qualifications, have completed the first newly modified, safer flares hydrogen during their service Dstl, said: “We did a lot of modules. are to be trialled by the RAF later life,” said the team’s project work to understand ageing of this year. manger for air countermeasures pyrotechnics in the late 1990s so The infra-red MTV Gerry Lidyard. the specific work on MTV flares Engine (magnesium, teflon and “Other Nato nations have was a natural extension. milestone viton) flares, which produce similar issues and have had bad “Working with universities a spectacular combination of experiences of this.” helped us to understand The CTS800 light, heat, smoke and gas, help Flares can also degrade the problem of magnesium helicopter engine, to seduce heat-seeking missiles quicker – particularly in humidity corrosion, looking at the causes produced by the away from aircraft. or on the front line – if there is no and investigating possible Light Helicopter But they degrade over air-conditioned storage. solutions.” Turbine Engine Company, a 50/50 time due to corrosion of the “QinetiQ took forward the Changing the manufacturing venture between magnesium powder fuel which task of providing immediate risk process and introducing a new Rolls-Royce and reduces their performance. mitigation by the introduction of corrosion-resistant magnesium Honeywell, has And a build-up of hydrogen gas a hydrogen getter sheet within alloy has resulted in the passed 100,000 inside can make them a risk to the ammunition container while modified MTV flare, identical in in-service flight personnel. Dstl tackled the longer and more performance, safer and with a hours. The CTS DE&S’ Defence General complex issue of reducing the longer service life. family of engines powers a number Munitions team has been problem at manufacture of actual Ground trials conducted on of aircraft including leading the way along with the MTV pellet,” Mr Lidyard added. Dstl’s track facility at COTEC the AgustaWestland Defence Science and Technology The hydrogen getter sheet Lavington have successfully Super Lynx 300, Lynx Laboratory (Dstl), QinetiQ and is able to absorb 12 litres of demonstrated the flares meet all Mk9a and the AW159 others to come up with a safer hydrogen, more than enough to performance requirements. Wildcat. flare. The modified flare has ensure hydrogen levels remain The next stage is a series of a longer storage and service safe throughout the manufacture air warfare trials on helicopters, Shelter deal life while still meeting high to disposal life of the flares. transport and fast jets to confirm standards of performance. Jim Calloway, of Applied the flares’ performance in the Marshall SV “MTV flares produceEnergetic Technologies at dynamic environment. has delivered four shelters as part of a new air traffic control infrastructure DE&S Redundancy programme ‘working well’ is establishing in Afghanistan. The MOD has welcomed comments in a report which “MOD civilians contribute to every aspect of The units will says its redundancy programme is working well and defence in the UK, internationally and in theatre, and help sustain that reductions in civilian staff are good value for these necessary changes will be achieved mostly the Instrument money for the taxpayer. through reductions in recruiting and by not replacing Landing System and The National Audit Office (NAO) has praised the those who leave. As with the military, compulsory Distance Measuring MOD for acting decisively in its redundancy and early redundancy programmes will only be used as a last Equipment, release programme to reduce civilians by 29,000 and resort.” primarily for the the Armed Forces by 25,000. It estimates the process NAO head Amyas Morse said in his report: RAF’s fixed wing will cost £0.9 billion and produce £4.1 billion in cost “The MOD is in the difficult position of needing to operations. The reductions. maximise financial savings by cutting headcount contract was placed But it has warned the urgent need to cut costs before it has detailed plans for how it will operate in by Thales UK to means the MOD is having to cut headcount in advance the future. support an order of planning in detail how it will operate in the future, “The department has acted decisively, but runs from DE&S’ Air thereby risking making current skills shortages the risk that it will lose skills that it needs, worsening Defence and Air worse. the current skills shortage.” Traffic Systems Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said: “We He added: “A more targeted approach is needed team. recognise the risks the NAO identifies and are to restructure the workforce and retain the skills that actively managing them. will be required in future.” news 13

DE&S unveils theme of 2012 industry event

DVD2012 – DE&S’ principal industry each platform the MOD has produced infrastructure, power and data and, event of the year – will have Land Open or is producing a generic architecture additionally, in the case of headquarters/ System Architecture as its major theme. (Generic Vehicle Architecture - Defence bases, water, waste and fuel. Through LOSA MOD intends Standard (Def-Stan) 23-09 exists, They will be available to anyone to develop and encourage systems and MOD are currently developing wishing to build a sub-system that integration and interoperability so that the Generic Base Architecture - Def- will connect to the infrastructure. This it can have coherent military units for Stan 23-13 and the Generic Soldier means sub-systems can be quickly and peacetime training and operations Architecture - Def-Stan 23-12). easily added to the platform or changed Military units consist of soldiers, These are open standards which or upgraded as needed. vehicles and headquarters/bases – for define interfaces to the essential Standards are developed by MOD and industry and are mandated by the MOD for relevant projects. For DVD2012, MOD is encouraging Land conference is set to be DVD prelude all participants to take account of the standards, allowing demonstrations DE&S is holding a one day pre-exhibition Architecture) be effectively implemented to show how systems from different conference on 19 June to discuss open and managed internationally? architectures and systems in the Land companies can be joined together domain. o What are the benefits and risks to through standard interfaces. The MOD will make an opening industry of the MOD’s adoption of open, There will be a mock Forward presentation on Land Open Systems modular and scalable architectures Operating Base which will offer a Architecture with national and international including viewpoints of Design Authority good example of where systems such industry and academia invited to present. and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)? as toilets, kitchens, accommodation etc The conference will bring together provided by different manufacturers military staff, government procurement o How can open systems be safely agencies, research and development staff implemented and comply with security can link to the power, data, water, waste and industry from around the world. requirements? How can each system be and fuel infrastructure through the use Potential presenters should submit verified and validated in initial build and of these standards. an abstract of no more than 220 words. after subsequent upgrades? Visitors to DVD2012 – to be held at Presentations are to be 20 minutes allowing Millbrook on 20-21 June – will see what 10 minutes for questions. Contributions are Abstracts must reach DESCSTLand- the various participant systems are invited on three themes: [email protected] by midday 30 March. Successful applicants will be notified by doing and how they are performing. It o How can common open standards 23 April when the final programme will be is hoped this will include imagery and (such as the MOD’s Generic Vehicle published. streaming video.

Nuclear submarine HMS Vigilant, and Royal Marine Commandos who PM’s Devonport visit have recently returned from spearheading Operation Herrick 14 in Afghanistan, were on the agenda for the boosts base future Prime Minister during a visit to Devonport last month. spoke Mr Cameron was joined on Commander Mark Lister and and was shown some of the to personnel and viewed his tour of the subjmarine by DE&S Director Submarines 16 missile tubes, machinery specialist equipment used Vigilant’s commanding officer Rear Admiral Simon Lister, spaces, radio room and control by in room. Afghanistan at Stonehouse The submarine, which Barracks, Plymouth. is usually based at Faslane On display was the Viking in Scotland, is undergoing a amphibious vehicle and also three-year overhaul period the Offshore Raiding Craft – which includes a refuel of the an eight-seater gun-mounted nuclear reactor power plant. boat used by Marines to The Prime Minister quickly transfer personnel praised the Armed Forces for from a warship to the shore or their conflict role in a ‘difficult another vessel. and dangerous world’. Mr Cameron also spoke “I don’t think you always to 30 Commando Information know how proud the country Exploitation Group – around is of you,” he told members of 450 specialists whose 30 Commando. intelligence gathering in “At the end of the Defence Afghanistan led to the Review we are going to have a discovery and destruction of very capable Royal Navy with 5,725kg of explosives, enough at the heart of to make 800 Improvised it. The Government is fully Explosive Devices. David Cameron chats to Royal Marines on his visit to Plymouth committed to Plymouth.” 14 news

HMS Protector, the Royal Navy’s new Ice Since their arrival the crew have visited Patrol Ship, has arrived in Antarctica for the Uruguayan base, Artigas, and the Protector the first time after her long sail south from Argentine base, Jubany. Portsmouth. HMS Protector, formerly the ice-breaker Her first task within the frozen wilderness MV Polarbjorn, has been leased on a three- gets was to disembark stores and personnel for year contract from Norwegian company GC the British Antarctic Survey teams stationed Roeber Shipping. on the Antarctic peninsula. She will continue taskings over the down to While in the British Antarctic Territory, a next few months, visiting bases, supporting key part of HMS Protector’s duties is to make scientific work and undertaking hydrographic Antarctic contact with Antarctic base stations. survey work. work HMS Protector and her sea boats in Port Lockroy, Antarctica

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Unit 1, 20:20 Vision Park, Bedford Road, Petersfield, Hampshire GU32 3FG Tel: +44 (0) 1730 266669 Fax: +44 (0) 1730 265124 C A PA B I L I T Y D E V E L O P M E N T [email protected] A Marshall Land Systems Company news 15 Novel ideas save cash and preserve capability

A programme to look at the future of military test facilities in the UK has come up with a range of innovative Rosyth South Arm, above – the tall building contains the Large Fatigue Chamber. The buildings will be commercial ideas. demolished The facilities, including a Hypobaric chamber, a vehicle test track and a Sites looking forward to a new future include . . . bridge test site, are run by QinetiQ on behalf of the MOD. o Bridge Test Facility at They have been used Christchurch (pictured right for research and supported during last year's demolition) – a by the MOD but demand deal has gone through with the for some of them has been Quantum Group whose plans declining. to develop the site include Value-for-money a large food store, public riverside walk and piazza/open solutions offered by the joint space, community park, gym, DE&S and QinetiQ team cycle routes and footpaths, should cut spending to zero riverside coffee shop and 30 in the next couple of years. units of affordable housing. Joint project leader Paul Jenkins, Commercial Deputy o Vehicle Test Track at Hurn Head at DE&S Weapons, in Dorset incorporates a 2.5 mile vehicle test and said: “There remains trial track, a large tilt table much still to do but the and other facilities for testing wheeled effectiveness and flexibility and tracked vehicles and earth moving equipment. of the joint team has enabled Discussions are taking place for its sale while preserving its current the level of support being capability. provided by MOD to reduce

from about £9 million per annum to less than £1 o Hypobaric Facility at Farnborough simulates the low million in 2012/13; the team pressure environments found at high altitude. Plans is confident of reducing it to are to move it to Boscombe Down, where the MOD zero in 2013/14. already picks up running costs, saving around 50 “In addition, QinetiQ per cent. QinetiQ plans to let out the vacated space, has delivered each of the leading to a general reduction in the company's contracted programmes overheads of work to time and within budget. o The South Arm at Rosyth, pictured at top of “The joint team, led by page, is also expected to be sold. The Large myself and Rick Hughes for Fatigue Chamber (steel pressure vessel encased QinetiQ, pays tribute to Tim in 4,000 tons of stressed concrete standing 100 Pinchen, who retires from feet high) will be demolished. Smaller facilities the Defence Infrastructure including a noise and vibration trials lab and QinetiQ offices have already moved nearby. Organisation this month, for his outstanding contribution to the success of this o Removal of a heavy girder bridge across the River Stour at Christchurch, pictured programme.” left. A developer wants to build a new, modern pedestrian crossing. 16 news

Advertisement Training estate bidders are unveiled Four bidders have been shortlisted for a new Defence Training Estate, said: “Military training contract to manage the Defence Infrastructure is vital to the success of operations, which is why Organisation's (DIO) UK training estate. we need to provide excellent training facilities that The National Training Estate prime contract enable our troops to learn and develop the skills that is worth up to £950 million, covers approximately are essential if they are to meet their operational 200,000 hectares, and will provide services ranging commitments at the highest professional standard. from managing air weapons ranges to providing “A sound partnership with industry will be the Flex and Adapt laundry services or clearing snow and ice. key to supporting the training requirements of Key sites will include Salisbury Plain defence. Training Area, Catterick Training Area, Dartmoor, “Industry will play a major role in running and Sennybridge, and Otterburn. The MOD has also maintaining the training estate, so it is vital that we How do you manage created an option for elements of the Reserve identify the best possible private sector partner for Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (RFCA) estate to be this significant commercial arrangement.” support services included in the contract scope. Steve Rice, Head of the DIO’s Next Generation The shortlisted companies are: Estate Contracts programme, added: “This contract across multiple o Babcock Support Services Ltd covers a significant expanse of the defence estate locations with o Kellogg Brown & Root Ltd and Balfour Beatty requiring a first-rate prime contractor that is ready Workplace Ltd to deliver innovation and value for money. similar operational o Landmarc Support Services Ltd “I am pleased that we have achieved a strong o Serco Ltd, BAE Systems Surface Ships Ltd and shortlist of contenders; I would now urge smaller priorities and still Kier Regional Ltd businesses to consider where and how they might achieve best value? contribute within supply chains, and to start liaising Colonel Christopher Sloane, Commander directly with the bidders.” After all, services need to be able to develop and evolve rather than be stagnant and unresponsive to change. Viking back to the front Yet the pace of and the need for such change may differ from one location to the next. The answer lies quite simply in a flexible, partnership approach, Amphibious where both sides recognise that change vehicle is necessary and work heads together to improve service delivery as, when back – and where it is required. At Interserve, we this time respond to this challenge by constantly refining to help our offer; working out the with the MoD to create intelligent, tailored Swedes solutions that deliver the right service, wherever the location. Partnership and adaptability underpins Rear cars of 12 Viking following negotiation between to build international co- all our work with all-terrain vehicles will be DE&S and the Swede’s version of operation with other potential the MoD. It gives returning to Afghanistan – a DE&S- Försvarets Materielverk. users of the Viking,” said David opportunities year after they came back to the The initial request was Stevenson, Littoral Platform for continuous UK from the front line. submitted to the Platforms team Manager with Combat Tracks improvement, provides The cars will be joined in DE&S’ Combat Tracks Group. Group. the means to address to 12 front cars supplied The loan under the UK- “As part of their force change and prevents by the Dutch to support a Memorandum of package Sweden decided to issues from developing Swedish deployment as part Understanding has involved take Viking as a light protected of the International Security DE&S’ International Relations mobility platform that meets the into problems. Assistance Force. Group and the Foreign and Swedish requirements.” The UK’s rear cars will be Commonwealth Office’s UK Preparation of the vehicles provided with their full set of Defence Attache to Sweden. was done in Sweden by BAE applique armour. Agreement was also reached Systems Hägglunds AB. To meet the requirement, with the Royal Marines, who On completion of operational a Government-to-Government operate the Viking, and the use the UK vehicles will be www.interserve.com loan of the 12 troop-carrying MOD’s Capability Sponsor. uplifted to Mk2 standard at nil rear cars has been put in place “This loan is an opportunity cost as part of the loan. news 17

Now Dauntless heads south on maiden deployment

DE&S’ Head of has praised “I would like to thank all those in the the Type 45 community as the second- Type 45 build and support communities of-class vessel gets ready for her first who have made this possible,” said deployment. Commodore Stephen Braham. HMS Dauntless, pictured left, is set for “It has taken a significant effort to the South Atlantic this month, following get HMS Dauntless to the start line of on from HMS Daring which is providing her deployment. I wish her commanding security in the Arabian Gulf and Indian officer and her crew all the best, now and Ocean. in the future.”

. . . and here’s the scenery she might find Type 23 HMS Montrose, to be replaced by HMS Dauntless, is pictured on her South Atlantic patrol Picture: LA (Phot) Jon Hamlet Minister: why defence needs SMEs

Peter Luff has formally aspects of Warrior, A400M and the opened a new environmental Queen Elizabeth class carriers. testing facility at Wimborne Perhaps the most significant in Dorset. capability TRaC can bring to DE&S The Testing Regulatory is a new reverberation chamber to and Compliance (TRaC) carry out high intensity radiated laboratory represents field testing of aerospace systems, a £2 million investment the majority of which has often been and greatly expands the conducted outside the UK. company’s existing test Mr Luff, Minister for Defence facilities to include chambers Equipment, Support and Technology, capable of testing equipment said: “TRaC Global is an exemplar of to a wide range of military what we are talking about in the White standards by replicating Paper on Science and Technology. challenging conditions. Peter Luff, left, with TRaC chief executive Mark Heaven Defence needs SMEs more than any Electromagnetic, climatic other area and continuing development and mechanical conditions that Warthog and environmental and thermal is essential. might be encountered can be reproduced testing of military radios and ECM “The biggest growth area will be in under exacting laboratory conditions to equipment. modifying off-the-shelf kit, so the sort ensure survivability and reliability of Test capabilities on site include shock of work carried out at TRaC is really equipment for military and civilian uses. and vibration, temperature, humidity important. Recent MOD contracts have included and salt spray as well as load and fatigue “It’s a real pleasure to be here and ticks testing on vehicles such as Husky and testing. Sub-contract work includes all the boxes for me.” 18 medical

Ever wondered how effective the medical equipment provided by DE&S is on the Afghanistan front line? Or how good the staff who use it are? David Willetts, defence correspondent of The Sun, joined the world’s best trauma hospital for the daily battle to save lives during . . .

very squaddie seriously injured battlefield tourniquet and field-dressing theatre and the wound is cleaned, set and in Afghanistan has the staff and have stopped the bleeding. Millions of bandaged. By the end of the afternoon he Eequipment at the incredible Role 3 pounds worth of equipment and skills is on an intensive care ward. hospital’s A and E ward in Camp Bastion honed over many years now surround Once a steel rod has been inserted to to thank for keeping them alive. him. support his bone, he should be walking The British-led team of 254 includes 85 Major Richard Yardley, of 1 Medical on a ward in Birmingham in less than a Americans and 15 Danish staff. Regiment, is an A&E shift leader. The week. The world-class medics treat around 40-year-old says: “This is like the medical Each individual at Role 3 — which sits 30 patients each week. And it is thanks equivalent of a Formula One pit stop. The in the middle of Camp Bastion, now the to them that 98 per cent of those who guy changing the tyres is not thinking same size as Reading — receives more make it through the door still breathing about the guy filling up the tank and vice than 18 months of training to prepare for manage to survive their injuries. versa. But they get on with their own job this six-month tour. First in is a young British soldier with so, in minutes, everything is done.” The result is the most slick and a bullet wound in his leg. The team was Drugs and fluids are pumped into comprehensive war zone medical team able to monitor the firefight where he was the soldier’s system and a £100,000 ever assembled — and possibly the best injured and as soon as he was hit a report Dart X-ray machine — which takes an trauma team on the planet. was sent to the Emergency Department. instantaneous internal image of the The centre is packed with the best kit As a rescue helicopter was scrambled, the soldier’s chest — is swung into place. money can buy, making it as good, if not medical team assembled. During this controlled flurry of action a better, than any NHS hospital in Britain. Doctors, nurses, radiologists, reassuring nurse is quietly explaining Emergency department nurse specialist anaesthetists and other experts gather in what is happening to the soldier. Corporal Rob Dews is on his sixth tour Resus Bay 3 while, in the room next door, Within 20 minutes he is whisked of duty. He says: “Most of the guys can’t surgeons prepare to operate in their to one of two CT scanners — the best even remember being here because they state-of-the-art theatre. money can buy at £500,000 each — which are in and out so quickly. But what we Everyone dons heavy, lead-lined takes a 3D internal image. The hospital do here is a massive part of saving their overalls as protection from the radiation can even do a live link-up with Queen lives. emitted by the crucial X-rays about to be Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham where “We are an elite team and all know our done. another consultant, who will take over roles. If they get through the doors alive, Next the US paramedic who treated the the patient’s care in the UK, can view the they stay alive.” soldier in the back of a rescue helicopter images. Five more patients come in that day strides in and delivers a report on the Just 45 minutes have passed since this — wounded Americans and suspected medical status of the patient. soldier was shot on the Helmand front detainees — who, under The medical team gets to work. A line. Within another ten minutes he is in international law, receive the same level

. . . 48 hours Article and pictures in Bastion courtesy of The Sun medical 19

of care as coalition soldiers, along with a it comes in to land with the soldier on into Britain’s National Arboretum War contract worker. board. Memorial in Alrewas, Staffordshire. Day Two is full of more action. A British Seconds later he is wheeled in and it is He says: “The last time I was in patrol has been hit by a deadly Taliban immediately clear how desperately ill he Afghanistan was in 2007. Before this booby-trap bomb. is. He has no pulse and no heartbeat. mission I travelled to the National This time multiple casualties are The look in the medics’ eyes is enough Memorial, where all the names of the being raced to the hospital on a Chinook to instantly reveal he is slipping away. fallen since the Second World War are helicopter. Concentration is etched on the As the soldier is pushed in one medic written. faces of the team as they prepare to go cranes over and performs CPR, hands “We found our space for 2007 and my into action. clasped on the patient’s sternum. He wife and I read out the names. Within six minutes of the blast the heaves down, forcing the heart to “I wanted to pass to the unit a simple helicopter is airborne, and within 15 a mechanically pump then pushing air into objective — and that was to keep names casualty is back, preceded by a British lifeless lungs. off the wall. It’s our single purpose. paramedic who strides in to deliver his Suddenly there is a flicker of hope. Ripping names off the wall is what we’re update. The vast amount of adrenaline put into all about.” A few short words of medical jargon his body causes the heart to convulse in And during our 48 hours with this and the Resus teams are fully briefed on erratic spasms. One of the lines on the incredible, hard-working team that is their patient. medical screens starts to tremor. exactly what they did, relentlessly, despite The soldier has tourniquets on both But as quickly as the hope is ignited, it the overwhelming odds. legs. A rapid infuser is on hand, capable is snuffed out. The muscle is only reacting of delivering two to three litres of blood to the drugs. o 45 minutes – time from battlefield to a patient per minute. This hospital has Despite their heroic efforts, this soldier to operating table ten of these crucial, life-saving bits of kit. arrived dead. No piece of equipment and In fewer than 45 minutes from the first no doctor could have done anything to o 98 per cent – survival rate being raised, the patient is being save him. operated on. It is another success for the The room is returned to its original o £100,000 – cost of Dart X-ray team. order, ready for the next inevitable machine But later that day tragedy strikes. patient. A patient has suffered catastrophic Hospital Commander Colonel Peter o £500,000 – cost of CT scanner battlefield wounds. Jackson leads the current unit, 208 Field Fewer than 20 minutes after the first Hospital. He has united his team under o 30 – war patients treated a week call the heavy thumping of a Chinook’s one goal — to prevent names being twin propellers thunders overhead as added to the list of war dead carved 20 missiles Intercept and destroy – Sea Ceptor puts ‘rapid’ into Navy air defence

new Royal Navy missile defence System, known as FLAADS. no room for complacency when it came to system will be able to intercept Peter Luff. Minister for Defence providing the Armed Forces with the kit Aand destroy enemy missiles Equipment, Support and Technology, they require. travelling at supersonic speeds. visited MBDA staff at Filton on 30 “Development of Sea Ceptor is A £483 million contract to develop January to discuss the contract. testament to the forward thinking this cutting edge air-defence system – He said: “The development of this attitude of the MOD,” he said. “While we known as Sea Ceptor – is being awarded missile system is a huge boost to the are committed to providing our Armed to UK industry. UK’s world-leading missile industry and Forces with the kit they need now, it is The Sea Ceptor concept will use a once again proves our commitment to also vital that we have one eye on the new UK-developed missile capable of providing battle-winning technology future and the threats that may face us.” reaching speeds of up to Mach 3. It will to our Armed Forces. The introduction Award of the contract was described deal with multiple targets simultaneously, of this missile system will ensure that as a ‘major achievement’ for DE&S’ Short protecting an area of around 500 square the Royal Navy will be able to continue Range Air Defence team, by team leader miles over land or sea. protecting our interests wherever they Group Captain Mike Quigley. The system will eventually replace the may be. It is also highly significant in “FLAADS, and the Common Anti-air vertical launch Seawolf which is currently sustaining and developing the UK’s skill Modular Missile now known as Ceptor, in service with the Royal Navy's Type 23 in building complex weapons.” frigates and set to go out of service in He was joined in welcoming the around 2016. It is also planned to be the contract by Chief of Defence Materiel principal air defence system on the Type Bernard Gray, who warned that there was 26 Global Combat Ship in the decade after 2020. Sea Ceptor will be developed under a demonstration contract with MBDA (UK) that is expected to last for five years. It will sustain around 500 jobs in MBDA and its supply chain in places including , Filton and Lostock. The missile is at the heart of the maritime Future Local Area Air Defence

‘This will equip our frigates to deal with the type of sophisticated missile threat expected in the coming decades. Investment in advanced defence technology, such as Sea Ceptor, is vital to ensure the Royal Navy’s continued ability to defend the UK’s interests wherever necessary’ – First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope missiles 21

o Sea Ceptor is at the heart of the maritime Future Local o The maritime FLAADS is the second major work package Area Air Defence System (FLAADS) to equip the Type 23 launched under the Portfolio Management Agreement frigate fleet from 2016 and for the to replace signed between MBDA and the MOD in 2010. The agreement its deployable air defence system. At the centre of provides the ability for the MOD and MBDA UK to manage both systems is MBDA’s Common Anti-air Modular Missile a range of weapons projects as a wider portfolio, thereby (CAMM). gaining significant efficiencies and flexibility.

o By partnering with industry through Team Complex o Ceptor is derived from interceptor, the role of the system to Weapons, DE&S is ensuring that the UK maintains skills provide defence by intercepting incoming threats. The use of and technologies to provide the Armed Forces with the next the Sea prefix is in line with the Royal Navy’s convention for generation of complex weapons. Team CW is made up of maritime guided weapon systems. DE&S, MBDA (UK), Thales UK, QinetiQ and Roxel. It was created in 2006.

are at the heart of the Complex Weapons “The FLAADS contract is the result Global Combat Ship as well as a wide forward programme. of more than two years hard work and, range of other vessels, is highly relevant “Delivering the Team Complex in the current climate of defence cuts, the to other navies around the world who are Weapons strategy of ‘commonality, MOD’s commitment to FLAADS and the looking for a next generation naval air modularity and re-use’ of technology Ceptor missile is welcome news for all defence system capable of countering the and equipment wherever practicable, three services.” growing future anti-ship threat.” Ceptor will also replace the Army’s MBDA’s UK managing director Steve The company added that integration Rapier Ground-based Air Defence Wadey added: “The contract is a powerful of Sea Ceptor is planned to reduce in- system towards the end of the decade example of how industry and the MOD service costs of the missile system for the and provide elements of ASRAAM’s can deliver together an advanced remaining life of the Type 23 frigates. (advanced short range air-to-air missile) capability that meets military needs in MBDA has already awarded Thales mid-life update. the most cost-effective manner. It is also UK an £11 million contract to provide the “It’s worth noting that this approach a highly significant step in advancing and laser proximity fuse for the missile. will avoid the prohibitive cost of running sustaining the UK’s mastery of complex Thales has traditionally supplied the three entirely separate projects, as would weapons technology. Importantly, Sea majority of the proximity fuses for MBDA have happened in the past. Ceptor, ideally suited to the Type 26 missiles, including Seawolf and Rapier.

Report: Hannah Swingler 22 town hall Keeping Forces on the go Chief of Defence Materiel Bernard Gray salutes staff for their role in keeping fleets of patrol and support vehicles on duty in Afghanistan

E&S staff have been praised for complex than Operation Brockdale, which reduction in staff numbers expected as a their part in keeping the fleets of repatriated a large amount of materiel result of voluntary early release (VERS) Dpatrol and support vehicles used from . and any resulting staff imbalances across by UK Forces on Operation Herrick on “As we approach 2014 it will become the organisation. It will be implemented the road. an increasing priority for us,” Mr Gray in three phases; the first phase, completed Chief of Defence Materiel Bernard said. “We will have to focus people on in February, is an analysis to understand Gray told staff at a series of town hall that at the same time as the combat the impact of any potential cancellations sessions at DE&S headquarters at mission. or pauses in projects and to identify low- Abbey Wood on 13 February that he had “This will be much more complex than value tasks and processes. Mr Cholerton only recently returned from a visit to the drawdown from Iraq where we used is currently gathering the data from Afghanistan. Kuwait. around 200 questionnaires which have “It was a fascinating trip in many “The withdrawal from Afghanistan gone out to project team leaders. ways,” he said. He was taken round will be a huge logistical challenge, The second phase in April will see the Equipment Sustainability and particularly for Logistic Commodities DE&S’ Board considering the results Regeneration Facility, a huge workshop and Services and Defence Support Chain and looking at what corporate level at Camp Bastion which maintains and Operations and Movements. We have a efficiencies can be implemented. repairs vehicles on Operation Herrick. very significant amount of materiel out The third phase in May and June “It’s a bit like the Grand Canyon; there.” will be working up the interim structure you don’t get a feel for it until you are in On the future structure of DE&S, by planning with Operating Centre it,” he said. “We are keeping the Armed Mr Gray told staff that the Secretary Directors. This will include plans to Services on the road with availability of State’s views on the pre-Christmas reduce posts to match tasks over the next rates as good as UK trucking companies, Materiel Strategy submission were three years so DE&S will be capable of over 90 per cent availability in many awaited. In the meantime Mr Gray delivering to its agreed outputs. This will cases. And it means we are making a real confirmed that work was underway on also ensure the organisation remains safe difference to saving peoples’ lives. It is a the Interim Structure and that the aim and professional in the run up to reforms tremendous success story and DE&S staff was that this would lead to introduction under The Materiel Strategy. involved should be proud of what they of changes by the end of the summer. On VERS, Mr Gray is hoping that all have achieved.” Led by Chief of Staff Simon Cholerton, staff leaving under the two schemes will Mr Gray said that, while support to the Interim Structure project is seeking have left DE&S by the end of the year. The operations is continuing, how we will to make the best use of people before the last leavers from VERS 1 will depart by bring back military equipment once wider reforms of The Materiel Strategy the end of March, followed by the first operations end is also being considered. are introduced. VERS 2 leavers by the end of June. And the task is likely to be more It will take into account the large “The aim is to complete VERS in town hall 23 Keeping Forces on the go

DE&S this year,” said Mr Gray. “I don’t as “a shift in emphasis rather than think it is in anybody’s interests to revolution. There’s a commitment to stretch it out longer than that. We have a open competition in the domestic and large amount of people who want to go in international market place; a drive to Above: more than 3,500 vehicles have 2014. If you want to stay you are welcome, minimise the specialist development been serving in Afghanistan. Keeping if you want to leave, then I think it is in required. If there are solutions out there them available for operations has been a 'tremendous success story," according to everybody’s interests to depart by the end available to us then we can use any Chief of Defence Materiel Bernard Gray, below of 2012.” money saved to invest in more front line So far an analysis of operating centres capability,” he said. has put the potential staff reductions He added there was also a desire at about 20 per cent. Decisions on how to encourage small and medium-sized DE&S makes up a shortfall by 2015 will be enterprises (SMEs) and he pointed to determined by the outcome of Planning a company he had met who had made Round (PR) 12, which is due to be its business with the MOD – supplying announced in the near future. PR12 might the suspensions for the new Terrier lead to some adjustments, which could engineers’ vehicle – the basis for success free people for other tasks, or DE&S in the export market. “We need to try could consider stopping lower-priority to make it less onerous for SMEs to do tasks or looking at working in different business with us,” he said. “They do have ways. a lot to offer and they can offer us some Finally, Mr Gray described the agility if we can work with them.” Government’s February White Paper 24 ships All change at Ships

DE&S Ships moves to a new structure on 2 April, continuing the transition to a more functionally-based organisation. Director Ships Tony Graham sets out the context to Steve Moore

E&S’ ships operating centre is “Type 26 is another strategically The third area is Commercial facing big challenges, among them important acquisition programme as Shipping: from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Ddelivering the Queen Elizabeth frigates are the workhorses of the Royal to training ships and small boats, there aircraft carriers to fulfil the requirements Navy,” he said. The team will be looking are many types of ships where support of Future Force 2020 and preparing the for value for money in managing the activities are competed for. “This is ground for the Type 26 Global Combat overall programme. Industry will need where I want to bring in innovation,” Ship early in the next decade. All this to show they can deliver success and he said. “It’s an area where I’m going while still supporting a busy Royal affordability. to experiment, making the most of our Navy schedule and against a backdrop On support, Mr Graham said “We opportunities to exploit competition to of declining staff numbers and budget have been moving towards a strategic maximise efficiencies.” constraints. decider-type function by outsourcing Alongside the three one-star led From next month the organisation activity to industry,” he said. “Reducing output teams Mr Graham is addressing will deliver and support ships through costs in shipping support tends to be challenges of reduced staff numbers and a simplified structure of three one- driven by better planning, which comes loss of skills, particularly in engineering, star led output teams responsible for from better work allocation, and speed by pooling skills in functional teams. delivering platform capability – one each of decision making at the waterfront. “As you transact more work to industry, for acquisition, support and commercial Rather than a ship fitter writing a note clearly we do less of the ‘doing’. We shipping, supported by a number of to HQ and waiting for a decision on used to have close relationships with functional teams. whether something should be repaired, dockyards and research establishments On acquisition, Mr Graham said: they will be empowered to make those which would feed suitably qualified “One of our big challenges has been decisions. By speeding up decisions you and experienced personnel into this building two aircraft carriers alongside stop the waste of unplanned activity. By organisation. As those people retire it is the Type 45 destroyers, which is a very separating out acquisition and support, increasingly important we manage the large spike in terms of activity, followed the future support organisation will have skillsets we do have in a more flexible by a big drop in activity. No-one so far a single one-star post whose job it will be way.” has owned that issue. We need to get a to bring coherence to the waterfront from Two functional teams – Maritime single person focussed on it. a DE&S perspective.” Combat Systems and Maritime Platform ships 25

Activity spike: Type The new structure will consist of three 45 destroyers and the output teams responsible for safe, future aircraft carriers capable and available ships: have kept UK shipyards Ship Acquisition team busy. Pictured: HMS Daring makes her first Ship Support (Alliance) team passage through the Commercially Supported Shipping team Suez Canal last month. These will be supported by five enablers: Far left: DE&S Director Maritime Combat Systems team Ships Tony Graham Maritime Platform Systems team Ships Commercial team Ships Finance team Ships Programme Office

Systems – will have an engineering focus, and will also include equipment project teams. Mr Graham added: “This is where we’ll get some commonality of resource management and it ensures a through-life perspective in the organisation. We want to get back to better career management. Commercial and finance functions have long-established routes for developing their people; engineering has not been as well blessed in terms of managing these important skills. And they are also quite hard to grow with industry doing more of the engineering.” The new structure includes a strengthened programme office, managing the forward programme for the whole Ships Operating Centre and providing a more robust idea of the n continued on page 26 26 ships

n continued from page 25

future workload. “That will allow us to react more quickly when you get the very regular ‘what ifs’ of planning rounds, or when a ship deploys or is unavailable, or we have to get round the loss, as we have recently, of major platforms,” said Mr Graham. “The programme office will allow me to better manage my business. As part of that we are challenging it to develop new tools for planning and financial management that links the plans with our resources and our people.” Industry has reacted positively to the simplification of the structure with BAE Systems putting greater delineation between their build and support operations and Babcock reflecting remains buoyant and it’s important our come into work, the first thing on my similar thinking in realigning their own people identify with the organisation and mind is ‘how do we make it work for management structure. The Royal Navy believe it has a future. This organisation our people?’” is doing likewise with its waterfront has to invest heavily in skills and that’s In 31 years of working in management. “I am a great believer in why I am excited about The Materiel acquisition Mr Graham says he keeping things simple,” said Mr Graham. Strategy, because I believe Bernard Gray has never been in a team that has “And this allows everyone to have clearer has a clear vision about the future, the disappointed him. “I still believe accountability, clearer definition of importance of bringing in a strategic we have high calibre people, highly responsibility and better empowerment. partner and the internal investment motivated to deliver good outputs and It’s a lot easier to make decisions when for future skills development of the I remain completely enthused that I people have the authority and a singular workforce.” Meanwhile, Director Ships have so many dedicated committed focus, and simpler communication allows recognises that the Materiel Strategy people with a huge range of talents for more effective business decisions.” Interim Structure work currently which allow us to continually surprise With high profile operations like the underway across DE&S may lead to our customer with our ability to rise Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London further changes, just as they may in other to particular challenges,” he said. Olympics looming, on top of the round of Operating Centres. “When you look at the culture worldwide ship deployments, the Royal He said: “I believe the Ships team and the innovative nature of the Navy remains active. “The programme understands the genuine commitment organisation we have today compared of senior management. We are trying to 30 years ago people are now far to walk the talk. I know there’s bound more adaptive to change, always to be scepticism too until we deliver on far more willing to innovate. It’s promises. But all I can say is that when I important we exploit that culture and our innate ability to deliver the required professional outputs.”

Pictures: Andrew Linnett news 27

Systems success: a . . . and how it contingent capability will apply to the medical facility deployed on front line exercise in the The SOSA approach has UK been applied to the Future Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear protected role 3 medical treatment facility project with good results. Jon Brittain, Head of Capability, Expeditionary Logistics and Support, said: “Taking a System of Systems Approach for the facility has enabled my team to accurately capture and describe all the medical capabilities and associated operational activities required to deliver this complex yet critical programme. "The improvement in our understanding brought about by such an approach really helps us to better articulate requirements to a diverse group of DE&S delivery teams. DE&S moves forward in “I am confident that this will allow us to make best use of existing capability, will minimise the diversity of solutions and, overall, is quest for smarter work fundamental to the delivery of coherent capability with increasingly constrained resources.”

Managing complex “It means that we will all defence systems through a have to perform our roles in common approach has moved a more collaborative way and a crucial step forward in that decision-makers will need DE&S. to consider the consequences The System of Systems of changes across the entire Approach (SOSA), launched defence enterprise, rather than Home of the in 2010, aims to help manage just the project or programme delivery of complex systems level.” BATTLEFIELD MISSION through consistent systems Implementing these design engineering best practice. principles will help delivery The result is smarter work, teams to improve operational Millbrook is an achieving better value for the effectiveness while reducing independent world-leading defence budget. total cost of ownership. organisation specialising in the DE&S Director Safety Ultimately it will help DE&S and Engineering has now to deliver more adaptable and development, announced new principles agile systems better placed to enhancement and research – contained in JSP 906 – to deal with operational change. of military vehicles, as well as being guarantee new defence SEIG is supporting Carrier home to the MoD equipment and systems are Enabled Power Projection, Battlefield Mission coherently planned, acquired Type 26 Global Combat Ship, and operated. and Future Role 3 Medical Design principles covering Treatment Facility, among reuse, interoperability and others, as well as providing For further information: business drivers aim to build extensive analysis and support contact Bruce Lornie on coherent behaviours across to the Capability Management +44 (0)1525 408476 the organisation. organisation. [email protected] Steve Hyde, Head of For further guidance about www.millbrook.co.uk/military DE&S’ Systems Engineering SOSA go to the SOSA Home and Interoperability Group Page on MOSS http://cui6-uk. (SEIG), said: “I’m pleased with diif.r.mil.uk/r/864/SOSA%20 this JSP as it enables us to Portal/default.aspx or SOSA move towards the full scale Front Door on Civ: 011791 adoption of SOSA across 33813, Mil: 9679 33813, email defence. [email protected] 28 news Drilling deepens Portsmouth’s carrier preparations

A large drilling rig is playing its part in preparing Portsmouth for the Royal Navy’s new aircraft carriers. The rig Deep Diver is sampling the sea bed in the harbour approaches and inside the harbour itself. Twenty-seven bore holes will be sunk to a depth of 32 metres along various parts of the route which will be dredged to make it wider and deeper during 2014-15. The first of the two ‘super carriers’ –H MS Queen Elizabeth – is due to arrive in Portsmouth in 2016. Work has already begun on the second carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, in Portsmouth. Captain Iain Greenlees, who is in charge of the transformation project to prepare for the arrival of the ships, said: “The carriers will use the existing channel to approach the harbour but, because of their size, the channel needs to be deepened and widened by removing the edges of the banks at the eastern end of Spithead anchorage, allowing a more direct approach to the entrance. “We will also be deepening the pockets at the berth and ensuring there is a suitable turning circle at the top end of the harbour.” He added: “Work so far has identified this to be the route which balances best navigational safety, lowest environmental impact and cost. The analysis of these final boreholes will complete our detailed understanding of the work that will be required and allow us to apply for final approvals and run a competition for the work. “We expect to be moving around 3.5 millions tonnes of the seabed in 2014-15. It is important that we understand its structure to ensure any material that can be reused or contains contaminants for separate disposal is localised.” While work begins on Prince of Wales Production on HMS Prince of Wales began on 16 February. Work on the forward section of the hull, known as Lower Block 02, started as Commander-in-Chief Fleet, Admiral George Zambellas, cut the first steel in a ceremony at the company’s production facility. Above: Deep River is helping Mick Ord, Managing Director at BAE Systems’ Naval Portsmouth prepare Ships business, said: “The steel cut for Lower Block 02 demonstrates the steady progress which continues to be Right: Admiral George Zambellas and Aircraft made on the carrier programme. Everyone here is hugely Carrier Alliance project proud to be involved in one of the largest engineering director Geoff Searle start projects in the UK today and excited that the ships will the steel cut on HMS Prince return to Portsmouth, as their home port, once complete.” of Wales 185x65LoricaAdChinook_Layout 1 04/10/2011 15:19 Page 1

Your Survivability Partners Lorica Systems UK Ltd, The Airport, Newmarket Road, Cambridge CB5 8RX Tel: +44 (0) 1223 373737 Email: [email protected]

www.loricasystemsuk.com © Crown Copyright/MOD 2010 news 29

Monitoring the system during the international exercise. The rescue system Below: the Northern Diving Group testing the decompression system you hope will never be needed

It costs £130 million and weighs 360 tonnes. It is one of the most sophisticated pieces of equipment in the world and for four days 70 experts from three countries have been putting it through its paces. Yet they say a silent prayer that they will never have to use it. The Nato Submarine Rescue System is stored and maintained in a giant purpose-built hanger at Clyde naval base. It can dive to 2,000 feet, deep enough to operate anywhere around the world’s continental shelves. Owned by Britain, France and , it is always on stand-by – and so far, it has never been used. Twenty-five volunteers were subjected to the rigours of internment in two giant decompression chambers for 18 hours to see how they would The DE&S- react to the confines, the changed atmospheres and the pressures that would exist if they were procured rescued from a stricken sub. Nato For the volunteers, it was a scary introduction to the next phase of their Royal Submarine Navy careers – their next job is to go on to submarine training – is ready to go, lowered Rescue school. If they are ever in trouble, into the water by the giant cranes this is what will rescue them. that are part of the kit. System has The system – loading platform, What happens next depends decompression chambers and on whether or not the submarine’s been going rescue submarine – can be on hull has been breached. If it has, through its the move within three hours on a the breached compartment is system designed simply to save convoy of lorries. automatically sealed and the rest lives. paces in In an emergency the nearest of the hull becomes pressurised. “Speed is essential in getting suitable ship which could If not, the rescue sub can do the to a stricken submarine and the Scotland. accommodate the system would job on its own, bringing up 15 fact we can be on the move in be alerted. survivors at a time. three hours with 360 tonnes of Clyde’s The whole loading platform If it is breached, the equipment is impressive. is bolted onto the deck and the decompression chambers are set “Although it is essentially a Alan Dignon submarine – straight out of a sci-fi up and the rescue sub transfers Nato asset the brotherhood of the reports movie with its glass-fronted nose survivors straight into port and submariner is such that I am sure starboard chambers on deck we would respond to a request which can take 35 people at a from any government which had a time. submarine in distress. The numbers game is “The brutal reality is that if The system’s submersible important because it can take up a submarine were to go down in to four days to get someone fully really deep water there is nothing decompressed and the rescuers that anyone could do because the would want to get as many people pressures would become too great out of the submarine as quickly for anything to survive.” as possible – if not, the bends can The divers, doctors, nurses kill. and specialist operators from Chambers are staffed by Britain, France and Norway professionally trained divers operated as a seamless team for and nurses who can tend to four days. the injured, clean any who are The exercise, called Massivex, contaminated, and generally run worked around the clock from things until it is safe to open the initial alert response to 18 hours doors to the outside world. of simulated decompression time. Lieutenant Commander It worked – but as the participants Kevin Stockton, who runs Clyde’s returned to their homes in three Northern Diving Group, said: “It different countries, they hoped it is a quite brilliant stand-alone would never have to work for real.

‘A brilliant stand-alone system designed simply to save lives’ 30 news

NEWSREEL Dstl on the road Lancaster back

Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is in the fold hosting an ISTAR and Sensors roadshow in the Atrium of Neighbourhood 2 at Abbey Wood on Wednesday 25 April. The roadshow will showcase work under the Chief Scientific Adviser’s ISTAR and Sensors research programme and provide an opportunity for DE&S employees to discuss capability with colleagues from Dstl. More information from Smart work: HMS Lancaster cuts a dash in Portsmouth David Guy, ISTAR Science Gateway on 9679 34232 or email at: DESISTAR-SCG@ Portsmouth warship HMS addition of a transom flap at the engines and a ship’s company mod.uk Lancaster has returned to sea stern which makes her far more that are well trained and highly for the first time in 16 months fuel-efficient. motivated. Technology at following her major upgrade. Upgrades to weapon systems “I am extremely grateful Abbey Wood The has and sensors have included new to BAE Systems for their hard benefited from a £22 million fully automatic 30mm close work in returning the ship to A selection of refit including superstructure range guns on either side of the me ready for our return to sea industry-developed changes, refurbishment of ship and an updated Seawolf and I look forward to putting products managed through technology her engines and new weapon missile system. Lancaster to the test during our delivery will systems. Lancaster’s Commanding forthcoming sea trials”. be on show at The upgrade was carried Officer, Commander Steve HMS Lancaster also boasted Abbey Wood's out in Portsmouth by BAE Moorhouse, said: “I feel a new flag when she put to Neighbourhood Two Systems. HMS Lancaster has extremely privileged to sea. The flag of the Duchy of Atrium on Thursday, had four new diesel generators command Lancaster as we Lancaster was displayed, 29 March. The fitted, all four turbine engines emerge from an extended refit donated by Paul Clarke, Chief event will increase awareness of new overhauled, anti-fouling paint period with state of the art Executive Officer of the Duchy, and emerging applied to the keel and the weapon technologies, powerful and his wife Vanessa. technologies, how they are being exploited into defence, and the critical impact they are delivering. Don’t miss out on having your say Further information from Sarah Smith desptgtd-buscoord@ Service personnel in DE&S are being urged to mod.uk or 9679 make sure they and their families can take part in 80208. elections on 3 May. Many across the UK and deployed overseas cannot have their say in elections if they have not User training registered to vote by the deadline. Now they are being encouraged to print off A new training a voter registration form at www.aboutmyvote. course for project co.uk/armedforces by 18 April. team users of MJDI Last year 75 per cent of service personnel (Management of who responded to an MOD survey said they were Joint Deployed on the electoral register. Electoral Commission Inventory) MIS is research shows 85 per cent of the general eligible now available via the population are registered to vote. DA-CMT Acquisition Jenny Watson of the Electoral Commission e-Learning website said: “It is important that members of the Forces at: https://online. and their families take a few minutes now to dacmt-acquisition. register to vote, or check that they are on the org.uk/Home/ electoral register. tabid/36/Default. “Registration rates among the Forces are aspx. New users lower than the general population due to moving must complete house, moving base and being deployed overseas training before they so we want to make sure as many as possible are can log on . on the electoral registers ahead of polling day.” news 31 Gunnery fires up Wayne’s world

DE&S marked Apprentice Week in February with events at Abbey Wood. Steve Moore caught up with the MOD's Apprentice of the Year as he enjoyed a fortnight with a DE&S weapons team

TO those interested in an involved working on close range engineering career with DE&S, gunnery systems. He has just look no further than Wayne completed a fortnight at Abbey Bantick for inspiration. Wood. The 21-year-old was the “It’s a great opportunity for deserved winner of the MOD’s someone who has experience of apprentice of the year title which working with weapons in the depot he picked up at Main Building in to come to Abbey Wood and look December. more closely at some of the issues Not bad for someone whose that can arise,” he said. experience of work before he left “Abbey Wood is a different school was in Sainsbury’s. working environment with the “I came out of school without Army, Navy and RAF working in much clue about what I wanted conjunction with civil servants, to do but thinking it had to be something which is new to me.” something in the engineering He has been working with industry,” he said. the Close Range Gunnery “”I saw an advert for MOD Systems team, and hopes it will Above: apprenticeships, sat the tests, be a stepping stone to further apprentice attended an MOD board interview, progress. “I would like my work of the year passed that, got the job and the rest here with gunnery systems to Wayne is history.” be a career move as it is a team Bantick Wayne, who lives in I would be very interested in Southampton, joined the MOD in working in,” he said. 2008. Since then he has completed “I have recently been a year of off-the-job training and to Falmouth and Fareham two years on-the-job training at getting an insight into all the areas DE&S Defence Munitions Gosport while that the team works in. I have Abbey Wood is attending day release at a local always wanted to travel with my beginning to open a lot of engineers college. He finishes an HNC in work, so this means I can get out doors for me, and I am grateful for mechanical engineering in June, and about away from the depot.” the support I have had from people celebrate an extra qualification he hopes will For the MOD’s award winner there. schools help him earn a long career with it’s been a busy time. “If you “It’s been a good and successful the MOD. are interested in engineering year for me. Being number one milestone Much of his apprenticeship, than I can recommend an MOD apprentice in the MOD is great but – page 32 with valuable support from apprenticeship to anyone. I I worked hard to get it and now I training staff at Gosport, has certainly don’t regret it. Coming to need to make it work for me.”

Scheme on the move ‘Shrewd MOD investment’ ‘I want engineers and craftsmen to be the wonder of our age,’ writes MOD apprentice champion and Government Minister Andrew Robathan. DE&S engineers will enjoy a wider range of development ‘The men and women in our Armed Forces – particularly those on opportunities with the move of the Technician Apprentice operations – rely on the quality of the equipment and support we can Scheme to the ownership of Director Safety and Engineering. provide them. The scheme was previously part of Director Human For example, soldiers in Afghanistan rely on their vehicles to Resources. carry out their mission as well as keep them safe. If anything breaks This will be followed on 2 April by the Defence down it can be a life-threatening situation. It makes the job of today’s engineers and craftsmen a vital one, Engineering and Science Group’s Graduate Development though they don’t always get the credit they deserve. Scheme, currently a part of MOD Centre’s Directorate of Apprenticeships play such an important role. That’s why the MOD Civilian Personnel. continues to value and support apprenticeships. Our scheme remains These two teams will form the core of a centralised DE&S an enviable one. Engineering Skills delivery team. It’s a unique opportunity to work on some of the country’s most The moves are part of DE&S’ Engineering Strategy, advanced engineering and equipment projects. which aims to provide a centralised process for recruitment And from our perspective, it’s a shrewd investment in our future workforce. and development of engineers at all grades. Take the work on the new aircraft carriers. Almost 800 Director Safety and Engineering Howard Mathers said: apprentices are currently involved. “Bringing these vital schemes under their new ownership We can’t defer investing in our future. It’s a false economy. is a major step in the right direction for DE&S’ Engineering Investing now in the skills we will need in the future is a key part of Strategy and will ensure that we develop engineers with the our plan for recovery. Apprenticeships are at the heart of this. right skills for the future.” We need more engineers and craftsmen. They are vital to the defence of this country, and central to its future prosperity.’ 32 news

Sailors and Marines at Clyde recorded by the facility’s high-tech naval base have a new facility to ARTS equipment before being Clyde prepares for help them combat the threats of corrected by the examiner. modern conflict. “Phase one of the roll-out is The Advanced Respirator Test currently underway and involves the modern war threats System (ARTS) facility opened its issue of the new GSR to all Royal doors in January and is designed Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary to help personnel prepare for the ships, all submarines, dangers of warfare. Squadrons and Royal Marine units.” The introduction of new The GSR has several equipment like the General Service advantages over the previous Respirator has led to the creation respirator. The single visor design of the facility, where Royal Navy improves the user’s field of view personnel can go to ensure that and there is also an improvement in their GSR is in perfect condition. breathing and communications for Petty Officer John Reid said: the wearers. “The facility comprises several The equipment provides the separate cubicles which can be UK Armed Forces with world class filled with synthetic smoke. protection against a wide range “It allows personnel to of potential threats which can test their equipment in a safe be encountered on the modern environment, carrying out a number battlefield. of exercises that simulate different Pictured, right: Captain Jack movements. Tarr, Captain of HMS Neptune, is “Any leaks or problems with the given a tour of the facility by Petty masks can then be detected and Officer John Reid

CIPS conference Simplifying procurement

Commercial staff from DE&S heard high-profile speakers now comes up to speed from procurement last month at the latest MOD A more efficient way of Chartered Institute procuring less-complex goods of Purchasing will be launched by DE&S’ and Supply (CIPS) conference. Director Commercial next The conference month. took place at Abbey This follows trials by teams Wood and Andover on across MOD and discussions consecutive days. with industry. In Andover, DE&S It will make contracting Director Commercial simpler for the MOD and industry, Les Mosco reaffirmed support for CIPS and meet a Government objective training, but said the of simplifying procurement MOD was exploring for small and medium-sized all opportunities, enterprises (SMEs). including the Template 1, the first template International of Standardised Contracting Twelve new 42-inch and 47-inch screens, sponsored by Thales UK and Association for to be launched on 2 April, is backed by military charities, have been installed at RAF Brize Norton Contract and to carry the latest flight news for those departing on operations. Info Commercial mandated for goods below £250,000. A second template, also providers, front row, from left: Group Captain Dom Stamp of RAF Management. Brize Norton, Air Marshal Sir Robert Wright of the RAF Benevolent Delegates at to be mandated, will be launched Fund, John Howe, Major-General Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter of the Army Abbey Wood were in the autumn, increasing the Benevolent Fund and Robert Robson of the Royal Navy and Royal welcomed by Darren threshold to £5 million. Marines charity Bone who, while There will be constraints on heading DE&S' ISTAR the suitability of the templates commercial team, is also chairman of the for all requirements, and an remove complications when builds on terms and conditions MOD’s CIPS Special exemptions process has been put suppliers do not fully understand in the first template. Interest Group. in place to ensure they are being the complexity or the disparate Standardised Contracting Among the used properly and to ensure nature of defence contracts for templates will not completely speakers was compliance. simple requirements. replace established MOD John Collington, Simpler, self-contained It is anticipated templates contractual processes which will the Government's contracts will speed up the will be more inviting to the SME remain in use where appropriate Chief Procurement Officer, who outlined contracting process. Templates community thereby enlarging the and effective. key achievements are based on the Sale of MOD supplier base. Managing Further information is from including the Goods Act, making rights and the process will be easier as the Standardised Contracting Contracts Finder obligations for both parties clear there will be no negotiation on team on 030 679 30280. See database which has in a series of narrative conditions terms and conditions. the launch of standardised seen a dramatic that have been developed to work Template 2, later in the year, contracting on the Commercial increase in contracts together. will widen scope and minimise Toolkit, or attend an advertised to small and medium sized enterprises. Narrative conditions will constraints on Template 1. It presentation (via e-solutions). people news 33

Andy’s handy DE&S helps make ‘the at fundraising impossible possible’ game Andy Smith of the Forward Support DE&S Engineers are Store at Bull Point, celebrating 50 successful is the latest in a long partnerships with schools in line of Devonport the west country. staff supporting local The engineers have helped charities. encourage more than 300 Andy recently young people to follow careers organised a Christmas in science, engineering and raffle in aid of the technology as part of Go4SET, Mustard Tree Cancer a 12-week work-related scheme Support Centre at for 12-14 year olds raising their Derriford Hospital, awareness of future careers. gathering 30 prizes. Each year, teams of six With his colleagues pupils from ten schools Gavin Rudgley, right in the Naval Stores worked with DE&S mentors receives DE&S' award Area, Andy raised £250, on a project designed to raise from Charity Watkins beating his previous awareness of environmental of the Engineering year’s total of £176. issues, as well as to develop Development Trust. Andy said “I am very skills in critical thinking and Above: teams and grateful to everyone project planning. DE&S mentors arrive who supported the Go4SET also helps DE&S at Shrivenham raffle, especially those mentors towards professional who generously donated development. prizes. It is amazing that DE&S mentors joined their with times as they are teams at Fry’s Conference Head of Sea Systems Group, Deputy Head of Engineering we have been able to Centre, Keynsham on 1 accepted an award on behalf of Skills Development, told the raise a lot of money for a February for the annual DE&S for this success. pupils: “If you want to choose a local charity.” Go4SET celebration and This year’s scheme profession that can change the Neil Ashton, from assessment day. gave schools a chance to world for the better, there are the Service Families DE&S mentors have helped visit the Defence Academy not many more exciting careers Accommodation Store, encourage more than 300 at Shrivenham, Wiltshire than engineering. Engineering was the lucky winner of young people to follow science to receive a taste of MOD is all about making the the grand prize. careers. Gavin Rudgley, engineering. David Diamond, impossible possible.”

Quality at the MOD tells in the end

The MOD has held its first Quality Award project office’s quality assurance department. Surface Combatants team; and International presentation recognising the efforts of staff Individual award winners were Mr Wayne Guns, Missiles and Rockets’ Air team. in adopting a quality approach to ensure team Ridewood of the Strategic Weapons team, Twelve high standard nominations were success. Mr Ian Mountjoy of DE&S Ships but now with received for the first awards. Successful nominees for the 2011 award, DE&S' Land Equipment, and Mr Martin Abbott Pictured, above, with the winners are presented with their awards on 17 January, of DES ISTAR. Howard Mathers, Technical Director for the included three individual and five team Team awards went to the MOD’s Saudi MOD, and Simon Feary, Chief Executive of awards. Arabian Project Office – Quality Assurance the Chartered Quality Institute, the award They represented a range of MOD team; DES Ships’ MET Quality Assurance sponsors. The award will be held annually departments, including munitions, surface team; DQA Field Force/Protected Mobility with 2012 award nominations to be submitted ships, military vehicles and an international Team QA Manager/DQA Corporate Support; from this July. 34 people news

Team puts the ‘rapid’ into evaluation Innovation, hard work, and a Chief of Materiel (Fleet), Vice forward-thinking approach have earned Admiral Andrew Mathews, said: “This members of DE&S’ Capital Ships Client is a remarkable achievement. To have Organisation Team a Chief of Materiel over 15 per cent acceptance while still (Fleet) commendation for their efforts only being a quarter of the way through on the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier assembly is a clear reflection of the programme. team’s hard work and forward-thinking The team was recognised for approach. handling of inspection, test, evaluation “Team members have been and acceptance at a rate of progress passionate about getting the job done never seen before on ship programmes. and the results speak for themselves: To date, 261 out of 1,500 events have this is great news in process terms and Vice-Admiral Andrew Mathews already been completed, delivering a real opportunity for the Royal Navy with Capital Ships staff significant risk reduction while setting to have this capability. We now have the ground for construction, integration, vital ground to ensure the project is a commissioning and trials. success.”

DSRA Lottery Norwich City soccer fan Scot Butcher is winners to undergo his ultimate personal challenge December this month – spending a day wearing the shirt of arch rivals Ipswich Town. £10,000: Christine Scot, of Future Submarines at Abbey O'Neill (Camberley). £5,000: Paul Boler Wood, can be seen around the site wearing (Poole). £2,000: the Canary yellow shirt (and often more Andrew Brodie sober away green strip or goalkeeper’s grey) (Carlisle). £1,000: of his beloved team, currently enjoying life in Matthew Wadds the Premier League. (Corsham). £500: But he will be raising money for Sport Sally Johnson (Main Relief 2012 on Friday 23 March by sporting Building). £300: Brian Emmans the blue of East Anglian neighbours Ipswich. (Northallerton), The more money he raises, he says, the lesser Clare Gleeson the ‘pain’. (Abbey Wood), Linda Scot has already had more than £100 Smith (Culdrose), pledged before the day. His colleagues have Rosemarie Russell promised the more they help him raise, the (Corsham). £200: wider they will ensure the circulation of David Courtney (Catterick Garrison), photographic evidence of his ‘ordeal’. They Dennis Clarke have already obtained his Ipswich shirt for (Abbey Wood), Harry him. Knight (Bicester), The event is part of a ‘shirt of hurt’ Lynne Aslett (York), initiative by Radio 5 Live presenter Danny Julia Small (Abbey Baker, which asks football fans to wear the Wood), Barry Norris shirt of their biggest rivals for the day to (Folkestone), Stephen Goodchild raise cash for Sport Relief during Britain’s (Brampton), Katie biggest year of sport. Austin (Foxhill), Scot’s colleagues have set up a donations Jeremy Richards page at www.virginmoneygiving.com/ Scot, pictured in Norwich green with (Abbey Wood), Gary ScotTheTractorBoy the top flight's trophy Booth (Blandford), Kevin Wilson (Staffordshire). £100: Allan Humphrey (Newton How to bring down a Canary Abbot), Terence Daw (Warminster), Graham Ovington (Abbey Wood), – in one easy lesson! James Reynolds (Kent), Thomas Gray (RAF Kinloss), Hazel Donald (Bedfordshire), Kevin A group of armed forces personnel in O'Daly (Northwood), Plymouth with long-term illnesses and Michael Cook injuries has received a cash boost. (Longtown), Mark Hasler Company, inside Devonport, has Group Evans (Plymouth), been presented with £1,800, left, by South James Honey (Abbey West Women In Construction (SWWIC), who heralds Wood), Julie Parkes work in the building industry. (Sutton Coldfield), Commodore Steve Dearden, a fine Fiona Holland commander of Devonport, has agreed to (Helensburgh), SWWIC’s 2012 Ladies With Influence Lunch Hasler Michael Brailey taking place in HMS Drake in September, (Exeter), Sarah when all profits will go to Hasler Company. future Whittington The event will be sponsored by Simon (Oakham), James Cowls, manager of Interserve Defence, a Hughes (Camberley). Devonport contractor. people news 35

Chance to Swimmers create a splash ‘Beat the Block’ Mk2 with the soldiers’ charity A second Beat the Block cycling event is to be held while Staff at Abbey Wood have another major part raised £4,000 for the Bristol of the first aircraft carrier is moved branch of ABF The Soldiers’ around the UK Charity which supports needy coast. soldiers and their families. Lower Block Thirty people who took part 02, a major part in a nine-hour ‘swimathon’ at of HMS Queen the Filton Sports and Leisure Elizabeth, will leave Centre were sponsored by Portsmouth on 25 May on a barge en colleagues and friends. route for Rosyth Organiser Michael Bell, where the ship is project manager in Combat being assembled. Tracks Group’s Systems team Cyclists are praised the achievements of the invited to take pool lifeguard Kirsty Brown part in Beat the who swam 320 lengths (the Block 2, following the success of the equivalent of eight kilometres first event, from or five miles) in about three Glasgow round the hours, Andy Lewis who swam coast of Scotland to 350 lengths (8.75 km) and Rosyth, last year. Scott Robinson who swam 324 The journey to lengths (8.1 km). Michael and Rosyth will involve his colleague Tony Williams 500 miles in five days and minimum both swam 300 lengths (7.5 sponsorship is km). £250 per entry for “Staff at Abbey Wood Above: Colonel Andy Flint (standing, the Royal Navy are among our most valued fifth from left) with staff from Abbey and Royal Marines supporters,” said chairman of Wood whose ‘swimathon’ has raised Charity. £4,000 for the Bristol branch of ABF the charity’s Bristol committee, Places are The Soldiers’ Charity limited, closing Colonel Andy Flint. date for entries is “Their efforts account Left: coming up for air is Land 30 March. More info for around a quarter of the Equipment's Jemma Sanderson from kirsty.noble@ £40,000 we raise annually in baesystems.com Bristol.” Pictures courtesy of Martin Bennett DINs - released this month Defence Instructions and Notices (DINs) are defence-wide instructions, guidance and notices for military and civilian staff, containing up-to-the-minute information to help people carry out their duties. Some of the latest issued on Defence Equipment and Support are:

2012DIN04-020: JSP 886 Vol 4 Part 204 Compilation of Equipment Table and Associated Documents has just undergone a rewrite and can be found on the Defence Intranet. A major change to the format of the Equipment Table has been included in the rewrite. Equipment Tables on initial issue and revision will now be nine sections

2012DIN04-018: DE&S is responsible for all tri-service ocean and coastal towing ('' towing) and heavy lift transport of ships and submarines using semi-submersible vessels or barges. This DIN offers guidance on specialist tonnage, design and approval of towing rigs, survey and approval of vessels for MOD use and project management of such towing and operations.

2012DIN01-038: The Olympic and Paralympic Games will impact on a number of MOD locations and have a significant effect on how people travel to and from work as well as business travel. At the same time the MOD must deliver vital services. This DIN contains guidance on how the MOD is planning ahead to meet business needs during the Games and playing its part to reduce footfall.

Further information and more details on the latest DINs see: http://defenceintranet.diiweb.r.mil.uk/DefenceIntranet/Library/CivilianAndJointService/AtoZ/DinsIndex2012.htm LTPA T&E begins here Are we on your for T&E?

The Long Term Partnering Agreement (LTPA) is an innovative collaborative approach to provide Test and Evaluation, Training and support services to the MOD. Air Land The LTPA is a framework agreement under which the majority of your Sea fixed costs associated with Test and Evaluation are centrally funded.

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

0800 015 0594 www.LTPA.co.uk www.LTPA.co.uk is a QinetiQ registered domain name.