Nov 11 Issue 42 desthe magazine for defenceider equipment and support Frigates fit for the fight Materiel Strategy maps out a future for DE&S See inside 40 years Down, deeper A sideways Terrier The knives of service and down view of kit agility are out lockheedmartin.com/f35 NOT JUSTAN AIRCRAFT, THE UK’SAIRCRAFT The F-35 Lightning II isn’t just a cutting-edge aircraft. It also demonstrates the power of collaboration. Today, a host of UK companies are playing their part in developing and building this next-generation F-35 fi ghter. The F-35 programme is creating thousands of jobs throughout the country, as well as contributing LIGHTNINGLIGHTNING IIII to UK industrial and economic development. It’s enhancing the UK’s ability to compete in the global technology marketplace. F-35 Lightning II. Delivering prosperity and security. UNITED KINGDOM THE F-35 LIGHTNING II TEAM NORTHROP GRUMMAN BAE SYSTEMS PRATT & WHITNEY LOCKHEED MARTIN 301-61505_NotJust_Desider.indd 1 7/14/11 2:12 PM FEATURES 22 DE&S looks to the future Chief of Defence Materiel Bernard Gray has told staff during town hall sessions at Abbey Wood that he and the Board have narrowed analysis of the future options for the organisation to three possibilities Picture: Babcock 26 Puma reaches 40 not out The Puma helicopter has celebrated 40 years of front line work as the backbone of the RAF's medium lift capability on operations, exercises and humanitarian relief efforts since its first operational flight in September 1971 28 Engineering vehicles just get better Newly upgraded Titan and Trojan vehicles have been handed over to the Army after a DE&S team has overseen a programme of improvements for the two vehicles, hugely 14 popular with front line users 2011 30 Temperatures simmer in battle of the dishes BBC chef Simon Rimmer puts his cooking skills to the test cover image as he took on teams of Army chefs to create a number of HMS Richmond heads for the sheds at Devonport, dishes suitable for a meeting of Afghan community leaders joining a growing number of Type 23 frigates to be during the annual DE&S-hosted culinary challenge fitted with the Seawolf mid-life upgrade and the new DNA(2) command system, making them among the most capable warships in the world NOVEMBER desider NEWS Assistant Head, Public Relations: Ralph Dunn - 9352 30257 or 0117 9130257 5 Mapping the future of nuclear subs [email protected] Views are to be sought on DE&S proposals for disposing of defuelled nuclear submarines that Deputy Editor: have left Royal Navy service Steve Moore - 9352 30537 or 0117 9130537 [email protected] 6 Yellow Book rules set for reform Money can be saved following an independent review Distribution Manager: of single-source contracts where only one defence Dick Naughton - 9352 34342 or 0117 9134342 suppliers has been invited to bid [email protected] 8 Carrier on track at Rosyth Advertising: The assembly schedule for the first Queen Shun Tamura – Ten Alps Publishing, 1 New Oxford Elizabeth aircraft carrier will see the vessel's hull Street, High Holborn, London WC1A 1NU put together in three cycles through to 2014 Tel: +44 (0)20 7657 1810. Fax: +44 (0)207 7379 7155 10 Ambush takes a dive [email protected] Ambush, the second Astute submarine, has made a successful first dive during the latter stages of being fitted out in Barrow Printing: 12 Carrying Cole to Afghanistan Equipment came under the spotlight as singer Cheryl Cole visited troops in Afghanistan for a lesson in the realities of front line operations desider is distributed free of charge to DE&S employees and the equipment capability sponsor. Copies can also Ammunition factory opened be made available to readers outside the MOD, including 15 those in the defence industries. While the editor takes DE&S' ammunition deal with industry has seen care to ensure all material produced is accurate, no another factory, this time in Cheshire, opened for liability can be accepted for errors or omissions. Views business expressed in desider, and the products and services advertised, are not necessarily endorsed by DE&S or the 18 Terrier develops a bark MOD. All content for advertorials must be cleared by the Terrier, the Armoured Engineer Tractor, has relevant MOD project team before publication. continued its progress towards service in two years' time with successful user evaluation trials © Crown Copyright 20 A400M is hot stuff This magazine is produced on Cocoon The RAF's next generation transport aircraft Silk 90gsm which contains 50 per has passed a crucial aborted take-off test so cent recycled and de-inked pulp from successfully that a number of tyres burst! post consumer waste and Forest Stewardship Council certified material from well-managed forests. Insider Bernard Gray Chief of Defence Materiel Have your say on nuclear subs ‘We must address the interface between DE&S and the MOD to get the right incentives and accountabilities and transform Awaiting the way DE&S operates’ disposal: former Royal Navy nuclear submarines I hope those of you who were effective way. Both these things moored up not able to come to my town are fundamental to improving at Rosyth, hall sessions at Abbey Wood in the current situation where, on October have had the opportunity average, projects take 80 per to read my letter, setting out the cent longer to be delivered and latest position and developments cost 40 per cent more than MOD on the Materiel Strategy. There is estimates at Initial Gate. also more supporting information, To achieve this, the Materiel available to you on the Defence Strategy is working on three Intranet and in this issue of fronts. The first is around the desider. DE&S purpose, role and boundary. Public invited to contribute to important disposal debate Much has changed since the Your inputs helped develop the briefings I gave earlier this year. view that while DE&S executes We are now nearing the point several roles its core purpose is at which we will give formal the delivery of equipment and its THE PUBLIC are being asked for their advice to Ministers on a range of support. The Board then found views on proposals for disposing of potential options for the future of there was no compelling case to defuelled nuclear submarines that have DE&S. This is a very exciting time, change DE&S’ boundaries. left Royal Navy service. as we have a real opportunity to We then turned to the question The consultation is being held address many of the constraints of DE&S’ business capabilities. by DE&S’ Submarine Dismantling and frustrations that we currently We have taken a range of views Project to deliver a safe, secure and face in delivering equipment and on DE&S’ capability. Independent environmentally responsible disposal support to the Armed Forces. analysis shows a clear gap of 27 submarines from the former HMS Your continued engagement between where we are now and Dreadnought (Britain’s first nuclear and support as we work through best in class. A key issue for the powered submarine) through to the this process is hugely important Materiel Strategy is therefore how Vanguard class when they leave service. and I have planned significant to create an environment where Around 90 per cent of each engagement with you and our we can make the investment we submarine will be recycled. Before other key stakeholders, the Front need in our capabilities to be able the submarine can be broken up by an Line Commands, Main Building, to operate effectively. environmentally licensed ship recycling industry and the trades unions to Our conclusion is that we must facility though, radioactive materials from the nuclear reactor must be ensure we put advice to Ministers address the interface between removed in a nuclear-licensed dockyard. at the end of the year that allows DE&S and MOD to get the right Consultation seeks the public’s views them to make a decision in incentives and accountabilities on three key decisions – how radioactive principle on the way forward. and transform the way DE&S material is removed, where this is done The three desired outcomes operates, to improve its and which type of site is used to store of the Materiel Strategy are fundamental capabilities. the radioactive waste. that MOD gets best value To do this, we are now focusing in defence materiel, has a our efforts on understanding balanced equipment and support different potential operating programme and that DE&S has an models for DE&S and on three engaged and motivated staff and options, to identify the key issues the behaviours, accountabilities, and differences between them. skills, and processes required to These options are a Trading Fund, do the job. an Executive Non-Departmental These outcomes are linked, Public Body and a Government because to be able to achieve best Owned Contractor Operated value the MOD needs to ensure (GOCO) organisation. Each of its aspirations are affordable, these options will have significant and the outputs DE&S is asked pluses and minuses attached, to deliver are balanced with the and it is important we understand right level of resource to do so. these thoroughly. That is our We then need to ensure that objective and I will write about DE&S has the capability to deliver further developments in future Philip Hammond, right, joins the Prime Minister at those aspirations in the most issues of desider. Royal Wootton Bassett on 16 October NEWS 5 Good practice is key to Have your say on nuclear subs disposal plans PUBLIC CONSULTATION is not a frequent activity for MOD equipment projects, disposal project manager Mike Cushen has admitted.