Dragon fire! desiderNov 2013 Issue 66
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desider
Nov 2013 Issue 66
t he ma gazine for de fe nce eq u i p me n t an d s u p p o r t
Dragon fire!
Type 45 gets down to business
Latest updates on GOCO and DE&S+ See inside
Safety is key Latest Bowman Comms at Voyager hits Clothes maketh
in submarines is in the field Camp Bastion the mark the soldier
This Remembrance Day we honour the dedication of UK servicemen and women and their families. Together we remember all they have achieved and sacrificed.
FEATURES
7
Picture: L(Phot) Dave Jenkins
20 Complex, challenging, critical
The move of Task Force Helmand from its HQ to Camp
Bastion was a complex one, with key roles for teams at
Information Systems and Services. Leading Army figures and
officials in ISS were impressed
22 Valiant opens at Clyde
The new Valiant Jetty, up and running last month with the
first visits of Astute and Trafalgar class submarines, is
a major step in turning the Scottish base into the main
submarine operating centre in the UK
24 Clothes that maketh the soldier
Procurement of Forces' clothing begins in the Pattern Room,
which keeps quality control of all new clothing for UK Armed
Forces. And there's a new base for it at Abbey Wood following
its move from Bath
2013
26 Recipe for more success
The Forces' annual culinary showdown at its new venue at cover image
november
Shrivenham was a great success. DE&S now looks to build
HMS Dragon’s Lynx makes a spectacular pass over the
on the past by making sure the contest evolves to keep pace
Type 45 destroyer during air defence exercises in the
with military and civilian expectations Mediterranean Sea, a new environment for the ship and
her crew having been in the Gulf for four months
desider NEWS
Assistant Head, Corporate Comms:
Ralph Dunn - 9352 30257 or 0117 9130257 4 Changes to the set up looking at DE&S+
DESSec-CorpComms-AsstHd@mod.uk A Board-level champion and a new Director has
given added impetus to the team looking at the
Editor: public sector alternative for DE&S' future
Steve Moore - 9352 30537 or 0117 9130537
stephen.moore544@mod.uk 8 Wanted! A new home for Illustrious
The MOD is looking at ideas for how best to preserve
Distribution Manager: the legacy of the Royal Navy's Invincible class
Dick Naughton - 9352 34342 or 0117 9134342 aircraft carriers
dessec-corp-busmgr1a@mod.uk
10 Inventory management progresses
Advertising: The first major project to improve supply of essential
Richard Stillman – Ten Alps Media, 1 New Oxford information to support vital defence logistics has
Street, High Holborn, London SC1A 1NU now been delivered
Tel: +44 (0)20 7657 1837
Fax: +44 (0)20 7379 7155 14 Probing the X-factor
richard.stillman@tenalps.com Advice has been re-issued about industry holding
protectively marked assets on their own premises –
the List X companies
Insider
Printing:
16 Bowman update is delivered
The latest update to the Bowman communications
system has now been fielded to the first two
brigades
desider is distributed free of charge to DE&S employees
and the equipment capability sponsor. Copies can also
be made available to readers outside the MOD, including
18 Safety underpins Submarine Enterprise
those in the defence industries. While the editor takes
The new Director Submarines has reinforced
care to ensure all material produced is accurate, no the need for vigilance over safety throughout the
liability can be accepted for errors or omissions. Views Submarine Enterprise
expressed in desider, and the products and services
advertised, are not necessarily endorsed by DE&S or the 30 Defence handling gets a lift
MOD. All content for advertorials must be cleared by the A new contract guaranteeing safe handling of
relevant MOD project team before publication. defence goods such as food, fuel and ammunition
has now begun
© Crown Copyright
31 Team steams in with back-up
This magazine is produced on Cocoon UK Forces' new Field Water Heater has gone on
Silk 90gsm which contains 50 per show at Abbey Wood, providing back up at a charity
cent recycled and de-inked pulp from event which had tea and coffee top of its agenda
post consumer waste and Forest
Stewardship Council certified material
from well-managed forests.
Bernard Gray
Board post to
Chief of Defence Materiel champion
‘MOD would be looking for savings
the DE&S+
from greater efficiencies in the
procurement process rather than
option
large savings from the operating Chief of Defence Materiel Bernard
costs of DE&S’ Gray has appointed Chief of Materiel
(Joint Enablers) Pete Worrall as the
Board-level champion for DE&S+ to
provide independent governance and
I hope that most of you are is the Report stage, prior to challenge to the programme as it
already aware of recent its Third Reading in the House develops over the coming months.
significant changes in the of Commons, followed by its Mr Worrall has established a 3*/2*
Materiel Strategy team that have progression to the House of Steering Group which includes DE&S
added fresh senior-level scrutiny Lords and eventual Royal Assent, Board members not directly involved
and support to the continuing which we expect to take place in in the GOCO Option, senior personnel
development of the potential April 2014. from the DE&S+ team and a senior
independent member from a major
DE&S+ option. During the Committee
consultancy company.
I have appointed Pete Worrall, stages the Minister made the
In addition to his monthly strategic
Chief of Materiel (Joint Enablers), observation that, should a Steering Groups, Mr Worrall will meet
as the Board-level champion decision be taken in favour of at least weekly with the DE&S+ team to
for DE&S+. Pete will provide the potential GOCO option, the review progress on the development of
independent governance and transfer of DE&S to private the DE&S+ option at the more tactical
challenge to the DE&S+ option sector operation would be level.
within the Materiel Strategy of comparable scale to the Mr Worrall, pictured, said: “I am
programme as it develops its transfer of the Atomic Weapons delighted to have been asked by CDM to
proposals over the coming Establishment to a private take on this exciting
months to find the best way the industry consortium under a transformational
organisation could deliver for GOCO model in 2000. role. My mission
defence, while remaining in the The Minister also explained is to maximise the
public sector. to MPs that the MOD would be opportunity for the
In addition Paul Blakiston has looking for savings from greater DE&S+ option to be
moved on promotion to become efficiencies in the procurement a credible contender
Director DE&S+. Paul will report process rather than looking to for consideration
at Main Gate, to be
to Director Materiel Strategy. He extract large savings from the
compared against
is charged with overseeing the operating costs of DE&S. This
the preferred
development of a robust public is a message that I have also GOCO bid, and I am
sector alternative solution to the sought to put across to MPs when determined to play my part in achieving
Government Owned Contractor I have given evidence before that outcome.
Operated (GOCO) option. Parliamentary committees and “I will be responsible for providing
These changes have been explained to those of you that independent 3* governance and challenge
made so that we can augment were able to attend my town hall and I have already had a series of
the impressive progress that briefings. meetings with Director Materiel Strategy
has already been achieved Staff costs in DE&S are Barry Burton and Director DE&S+ Paul
on the DE&S+ option as we about eight per cent of the Blakiston and very much look forward to
head towards the next set of organisation’s total expenditure continuing these up to Main Gate.
challenging milestones on – my case is that the real value of “I will be looking closely at all
the Materiel Strategy and the the changes we need to see will elements of the programme as the DE&S+
finalisation of the Main Gate be in obtaining value for money option moves towards Main Gate next
Business Case next year. in the 92 per cent of our budget year. It will be my job to ask the difficult
I want to ensure that the that goes on the equipment and questions, proactively, to ensure that we
have the strongest possible case.”
DE&S+ proposal is as strong as support programme.
Mr Gray said: “I chose Pete for this
possible, so that it provides a real Finally, I have continued my demanding role, in addition to his day
challenge to a potential GOCO visits to other sites and recently job of leading the Joint Enablers domain,
solution and that Ministers are went to Corsham and HM Naval based on his long experience at all levels
presented with a genuine choice. Base Clyde. At both locations I in DE&S, the DPA and the PE.
Last month Minister for continued to be impressed by the “In the 1990s he was also a member
Defence Equipment, Support workforce and their dedication to of the MOD team that established the
and Technology Philip Dunne the job at hand. I am encouraged Defence Research Agency.
was present throughout the about the changes introduced “Pete therefore has first hand
committee stages of the Defence under the Materiel Strategy relevant acquisition and transformation
Reform Bill, during which the that will give them and all of knowledge with a deep insight into
provisions of the Bill underwent us in DE&S the freedoms and the way our work is done. That insight
detailed scrutiny by MPs. flexibilities to make the most of will be of huge benefit to the DE&S+
The next step for the Bill our jobs. programme.”
materiel strategy 5
Team
continues
the dialogue
The DE&S+ team
held a successful
engagement event at
Winterbourne Gunner
to discuss elements of
the emerging design
that cover the interface
between DE&S and its
customers.
The team has
been engaging with
representatives
from the Front Line
Commands, Head
Office, Strategic
Programmes and
DE&S.
The full day
workshop started
with a briefing on the
Liesl Neale, Richard Smart and Steve
background to DE&S+,
Goodbourn answer staff questions at the and how the team is
latest open forum at Abbey Wood. The aiming to provide a
forum was chaired by Materiel Strategy's compelling option
Andy Weston, far left for the future of the
organisation.
‘An attractive and strong
This was followed
by an explanation of
some of the details
of the customer
alternative to GOCO’
interface elements of
the design, including
how the organisation
will work with
customers to manage
new business and
The new Director of the team Blakiston. “We already know more content working in DE&S+ changes to the existing
putting together the public what some of those unique with the freedoms we shall programme.
In the afternoon
sector proposal for the future of selling points are and we want acquire than they would be in
session, attendees
DE&S – the DE&S+ option – has to make sure we can articulate an operating company,” said Mr explored elements of
pledged to produce a very robust them clearly and convincingly. Blakiston. the customer interface
alternative to the Government In parallel, we are providing the “If DE&S+ can give our design through
Owned Contractor Operated people the tools, techniques and selected scenarios.
organisation favoured by freedoms that they need to move Conversations
Government. from good to great – one where we in all the groups
were honest and
Paul Blakiston, pictured, provide people with the freedoms constructive. It helped
has moved from Head of the they need to execute their clarify how to develop
Maritime Change Programme business – then I think that could the DE&S+ proposition
on promotion into a new two- be a very attractive alternative to further, helped answer
star role in which he has six a GOCO proposition. some questions and
months to lead the design of an “The DE&S organisation has pointed to where and
organisation which will still be been doing a very effective job for how any outstanding
issues need to be
part of the public sector but will what seems like a very long time, resolved.
give staff the freedoms to equip and I think when we look at the It was the first
and support UK Armed Forces core reasons for cost overruns time that some in the
more efficiently and effectively. and delays to schedules many Front Line Commands
“I am leading the DE&S+ of them come from externally had been exposed to
team with Liesl Neale, who’s been driven interference, lack of the latest thinking on
doing a sterling job so far,” he change controls, or political DE&S+, and there was
significant interest
said. “And I will be there to help considerations. from attendees in
Liesl make a compelling bid, one “Putting a degree of participating in future
that forces industry to recognise independence in the DE&S+ engagements.
that we are a serious contender.” proposition, justifying the need The DE&S+
The DE&S+ team is developing body of evidence to back up those for freedoms to operate more team is now looking
an innovative operating model to unique selling points.” efficiently and effectively and at how to continue
the engagement
support the DE&S+ proposition. The DE&S+ proposition will investing in our people and
with the customer
“We intend to have fleshed out our be looking to gather as much processes is what the DE&S+ community, within
next iteration of the proposition freedom as it can for staff to do proposition is all about. It’s also the confidentiality
by the end of November to give their jobs, while keeping the about making efficiencies. We constraints in which
us time to make sure the key organisation in the public sector. should not shy away from that the team is working,
messages and selling points “I think there are a lot of challenge.” as it turns design
are well rehearsed,” said Mr people out there who would be o continued on page 6 into practical delivery
plans.
6 materiel strategy
More freedom
from central Scale of GOCO transfer
‘is not unprecedented’
control
n continued from page 5
The freedoms from
central control – including
investments in people – that
Mr Blakiston seeks are Defence Minister Philip phases of transfer of the GOCO, capital spend of £850 million a
similar to, if not as wide- Dunne told MPs during the we are talking in the first phase year. It is also smaller than, for
ranging as those a potential Committee stage of the Defence about transferring some 3,800 example, Sellafield, which has
private sector consortium
would expect. There is Reform Bill that the potential people with an operating cost about 10,000 employees and £1.6
nothing, he says, for staff to transfer of DE&S to a GOCO, and capital spend of less than billion of operating costs. The
fear in the proposition. should Ministers decide that £400 million. idea that the scale of transfer
“Our job is to convince was the best way forward, “In the second phase, is unprecedented is, I think, a
senior stakeholders would be of a similar scale to the once all the domains have misapprehension.”
in Whitehall that our transfer of the Atomic Weapons transferred, we will be The Minister explained the
proposition provides them Establishment to contractor transferring some 9,000 people DE&S maritime domain had
better value for money
than not giving us those management. with a cost of under £1 billion. been chosen to move into a
freedoms.” Mr Dunne, Minister for That is directly comparable to GOCO in phase one because it
DE&S+ is already Defence Equipment, Support the scale of the AWE, which has would test challenging areas.
working with key people and Technology, said: “If we some 6,500 staff and contractors He said: “Maritime accounts
in the Cabinet Office and compare the proposed two and an operating cost and for 45 per cent of the planned
Treasury to test potential DE&S expenditure over the
freedoms and make
next decade. That is contained
people aware of how
fundamental they would be within a relatively small number
GOCO advice of large projects, compared
to the success of a DE&S+ for MPs from
operating model, he said. with the other domains. The
Philip Dunne,
Similar freedoms are sooner that such projects can
far right, who
anticipated to be needed get the benefits associated
took time out
by the GOCO proposition with an improved procurement
so why should DE&S+ be to visit Abbey
Wood on system, the faster the impact of
denied them, he said.
Experience of 21st October undertaking the change.”
the Maritime Change to open the Mr Dunne said Commands
Programme gives Mr new Pattern now took greater responsibility
Blakiston the right Room. He is for setting their own equipment
background. pictured with
requirements. This had led
He said: “I am used to with Col Mike
Ross, head to greater accountability,
operating in that complex
of Defence including finding the money
environment. The DE&S+
teams and MCP teams Clothing to pay for any changes in
are broadly the same specification they wished for.
size. Protecting sensitive Story: pages “Hitherto, equipment
information is something 24 and 25 setting has been undertaken by
MCP has done particularly Commands, with individuals
well, and putting together a in the MOD, but there was no
range of complex business
direct accountability for impact
cases and propositions is Other key points the Minister made included:
something we have been on the budget for the changes
• The MOD is looking for savings from greater efficiencies in the
doing for the last five procurement process rather than looking to extract large savings from the made. That is one of the driving
years. MCP has delivered operating costs of DE&S; theories behind what we are
significant change. I intend • It would be possible, if MOD was content, for an American company to trying to do here: introduce
to continue with that with take over a GOCO, but it would have to employ UK-eyes-only personnel and more rigour to the decision-
the DE&S+ Team.” would have to have either a UK chairman or a UK chief executive; making process.”
Materiel Strategy
director Barry Burton
welcomed Mr Blakiston to
his new post. “As we move
towards the investment
Future DE&S staffing levels unveiled
decision on the future of
DE&S, the DE&S+ team In written evidence to the Bill Committee will be the ‘common resource platform’ (HR,
needs a significant figure Defence Minister Philip Dunne said numbers of Finance, Commercial, and Technical specialists)
to add impetus to the
programme and to augment staff in DE&S had reduced from 21,500 in 2010 to and 350 of the posts involved in Requirements
the good work already done around 16,300 and would reduce further to about Management and the Finance Military Capability
by the DE&S+ team on the 14,500 by 2015. transformation could be retained within the
public sector comparator,” He said: “This figure includes the planned MOD as part of the intelligent customer function.
he said. outsourcing of the Logistics Commodities “Of the remaining 9,300 posts, we would
“Paul has huge and Services activity. Also outside the scope expect that 1,500 would be military personnel.
experience of managing of a potential GOCO are the 1,500 people who These posts are planned to transfer into the
change in DE&S,
particularly in his work manage our naval bases. This activity currently GOCO in two stages, with a first vesting day at
on the Maritime Change sits within DE&S but will be largely transferred the end of FY14/15 followed by a second vesting
Programme, and I believe to the Royal Navy. day at the end of FY 16/17.”
he is exactly the right “A further 2,100 in Information Systems The Minister said figures were based on
person to make sure the and Services will be transferred out of DE&S current assumptions and it was too early to make
DE&S+ case will be as into Joint Forces Command. Finally, we expect definitive statements about the size and shape of
strong as it can be.”
that approximately 1,250 of the posts in what a GOCO.
news 7
7
Dragon fire – at NEWSREEL
sea and in the air
Anna Soubry
joins MOD
Anna Soubry is the
new Parliamentary
Under Secretary for
Defence following
the ministerial
reshuffle last month.
Ms Soubry, above,
Conservative MP for
Broxtowe, studied
As HMS Dragon patrols the eastern David Jenkins, the Royal Navy’s were as a result of some careful law at Birmingham
Mediterranean her Lynx helicopter Photographer of the Year. planning and good fortune. University and
breathes fire into the sunset sky with LPhot Jenkins said: “There “What is rewarding for me is that trained as a
a stunning array of decoy flares. are times when you take plenty of the crew are pleased with the picture barrister. She has
This powerful image of pictures and have very little to show because it represents the capability also worked as a
capability – both sea and air – was for them. that HMS Dragon delivers on a daily TV reporter and
captured by Leading Photographer “The images taken that night basis.” presenter. In her
political career she
was Parliamentary
Job done!
The build programme for the Type 45 Private Secretary
destroyers has effectively come to an end to Health Minister
with the commissioning of HMS Duncan, Simon Burns from
the sixth and final vessel. November 2010 to
September 2012. In
Hundreds of guests including families the reshuffle Mark
of the 190 ship’s company attended a Francois became
colourful ceremony at Portsmouth to Minister of State for
mark the ship’s transition into front-line the Armed Forces,
service. replacing Andrew
First-of-class HMS Daring was Robathan.
commissioned in July 2009 followed by
sister ships Dauntless, Diamond, Dragon, First A400M
Defender and now Duncan.
Principal guests at Duncan’s The first A400M
tactical airlifter has
ceremony included Lady Marie Ibbotson
been delivered to
– the ship’s sponsor who launched the the French air force
vessel at Govan shipyard on the River at a ceremony at the
Clyde in October 2010 – and First Sea Airbus Military final
Lord Admiral Sir George Zambellas. assembly line at
Dignitaries from the ship’s affiliated Seville. The aircraft,
cities of Belfast and Dundee and veterans the first of 50
ordered by France
from the last HMS Duncan – a Type 14
and of a total of 174
frigate in service between 1957 and 1985 on order, will be
– were also present.
The hour-long ceremony was rounded
Duncan completes the based at Orleans-
Bricy air base.
off in traditional Royal Navy fashion Royal Navy’s T45 fleet The first of the 22
aircraft ordered by
with the cutting of a commissioning
cake. Performing the honour were the the UK is scheduled
for delivery next
commanding officer’s wife along with the
year.
youngest member of the ship’s company
– Logistician (Steward) Clancey Welford, The Duke of Kent, left, has
aged 18. taken a look around HMS DVD dates
Duncan after the ship's
The first four Type 45s have already DVD, DE&S’ annual
commissioning.
experienced life on operational The destroyer hosted the stakeholder
deployments and the fifth – HMS Duke in his capacity as event, will be held
Defender – is due to deploy for the first Colonel-in-Chief of the again next year
time next year. Scots Guards – the ship’s at Millbrook’s
HMS Duncan will continue trials and affiliated Army regiment. proving ground in
He spent a couple of Bedfordshire. It will
training around the UK lasting well into
hours on board, sailing be on 25th-26th
next year before being ready to undertake June with a pre-
operational tasking along with her sister from Portsmouth and
disembarking at the conference day on
ships around the globe. 24th June.
Marchwood military port.
8 news
NEWSREEL
A call to
industry
Wanted!
The Defence
Science and
Technology
Laboratory is
looking to industry
for innovative
ways to develop
simulation and field
trial capability to
counter potential
threats to UK
military helicopters
from ground-based
operated weapons.
In particular,
weapons operator
performance
during field trials is
currently assessed
using the Helicopter
New home for Illustrious
Collective Training
System which is
soon to be obsolete.
So there is a call to
replace and upgrade
existing capability.
This should bring
together four
elements; the The MOD is looking for ideas for The ship has been involved sister ships Invincible and Ark
weapons operator, how best to preserve the legacy in the Gulf War, supported Royal , has provided an invaluable
the Defensive of the Royal Navy’s Invincible evacuations from Sierra Leone, service to this country over more
Aid Suite (DAS) class aircraft carriers. the conflict in Afghanistan in than three decades.
fitted aircraft, The last of the ships, HMS 2001 and Lebanon in 2006. “This competition will
the aircrew and Illustrious, is due to retire The MOD wants HMS provide the opportunity for
countermeasures. towards the end of next year organisations to put forward
after 32 years of distinguished innovative and viable proposals
Jetty plans service that has seen her involved o Proposals for HMS to honour the role and history
in operations across the world. Illustrious’ future use of this iconic class of ship and
Plans have gone should be directed to the
Following the announcement all those who served onboard
on show for a MOD’s Disposal Services
new jetty at the last year that the 22,000 tonne Authority (DSA) – https:// them.”
Thanckes oil fuel ship will be preserved in some www.gov.uk/buying-defence- Once proposals are received,
depot, in Devonport. form, the MOD is now inviting equipment-from-the-uk- an industry day will be held next
Built in the 1950s, private companies, charities armed-forces#dsa-capital- year to discuss the ideas further.
Yonderberry Jetty and trusts who are interested in equipment-sales It is expected a final decision
has been the main buying her to come forward with will be made after the ship is
fuelling point used
ideas for her future use. decommissioned and handed
by Devonport's
Royal Navy ships. HMS Illustrious is the UK’s Illustrious to remain in the UK over to the Disposal Services
It has now reached High Readiness Helicopter and and bids for her future use must Authority.
the end of its Commando Carrier, able to be viable and include plans HMS Queen Elizabeth, the
serviceable life and deploy Merlin, Chinook, Sea for part or all of the ship to be first of the two new aircraft
is being replaced. King, Lynx or Apaches. She is developed for heritage purposes. carriers, is almost complete.
A new temporary in the Mediterranean as part Minister for Defence She will begin sea trials in 2017,
jetty is proposed
in the River of the Royal Navy’s Cougar 13 Equipment, Support and before undertaking flight trials
Tamar, essential deployment of the UK’s Response Technology Philip Dunne said: with the Lightning II Joint Strike
for maintaining Force Task Group. “ HMS Illustrious, like her two Fighter aircraft in 2018.
military operations,
while a more long
term structure is
constructed. New weapon suppressors for UK Forces – the hunt is on
DE&S is planning to launch a Capability Concept already been tested and the next stage is an in-depth
New recruits Demonstrator to test new suppressors for weapons examination of the potential benefits offered by
used by UK troops to assess the effect on tactics, ‘tailor-made’ suppressors.
More than 270 techniques and procedures. The MOD has now called on companies to
recruits have The CCD will combine bespoke suppressors and manufacture bespoke products to be tested by
begun training five types of platoon weapons; SA80; Light Support specially selected troops and weapons experts.
at the Afghan Weapon; Sharpshooter; Light Machine Gun and It is not certain that these new suppressors will
National Army General Purpose Machine Gun. be bought for use across the Armed Forces, but this
Officer Academy A suppressor reduces noise from the shot and research is set to inform and reduce the risks of
in Kabul, marking potentially minimises disturbance of foliage when making the wrong decision if they are bought.
a major step in firing. It will also seek to minimise muzzle flash, It is hoped a contract will be let by the beginning
Britain’s long-term particularly important in the dark. of next year. Following that, the suppressors can be
commitment to Commercial off-the-shelf suppressors have designed, manufactured and tested by the summer.
Afghanistan’s future.
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10 news
NEWSREEL Chief of Defence Materiel Bernard Gray
has witnessed operations of the base which
Protection hosts the UK’s nuclear deterrent.
Mr Gray visited Clyde naval base on 21st
money and 22nd October for talks on the base’s
infrastructure and to see the operations of
Anticipated some of its key facilities.
expenditure on Last month saw Astute and Trafalgar
personal protective class submarines using the base’s new
equipment such Valiant Jetty for the first time. The jetty is a
as helmets and modern facility to berth and maintain Clyde-
body plates, based nuclear-powered submarines and
personal load- will be a vital capability for Clyde as it moves
carrying equipment towards being the single UK submarine
(including webbing, operating base.
belts and pouches) Mr Gray was given a tour of the
and CBRN suits jetty’s facilities accompanied by Nuclear
in 2014-15 will be Operations and Infrastructure Director
around £16 million, Wayne Lonsdale and the jetty’s operator
Minister for Defence Andrew Pursey.
Equipment, Support CDM opened a new centre for 43
and Technology Commando Fleet Protection Group
Philip Dunne has Royal Marines, which provides military
Mr Gray opens a building at Clyde with Col Matt Pierson
told Parliament. protection for the UK’s strategic deterrent.
A top-level look at
This does not Unit members put on a display of their
include concept capabilities for him.
and assessment Mr Gray also visited the armaments
phase expenditure
for developing new Clyde and Yeovilton depot at Coulport which stores, processes
and maintains the Trident deterrent, and
CBRN suits. stores conventional weapons for Royal Navy
In addition, MR Gray has seen Yeovilton’s support to operations submarines.
Virtus, which and transition plans for future Wildcat and Merlin And he visited the base’s spectacular
aims to deliver an helicopters. shiplift, which lifts vessels out of the water
integrated helmet for maintenance.
and torso protection The Chief of Defence Materiel met the Royal Naval
“My visit to Clyde provided me with
solution (including Air Station’s commanding officer, Commodore Jock
an excellent insight into one of the most
face, eye, pelvic and Alexander, and his senior team, along with members important UK bases,” said Mr Gray.
knee protection) of the Royal Navy and Army Wildcat fielding team. Mr “During my visit I was struck by the
optimising the whole Gray also toured the Wildcat training facility. professionalism of the staff who work there.
system capability for The visit followed a morning at AgustaWestland The work of Clyde naval base helps to keep
service personnel, where Mr Gray saw the Wildcat production line and the UK and its interests safe and I was glad
has a budget of to be able to see some of its capabilities at
approximately £5 discussed the project with DE&S staff.
first hand.”
million for financial
year 2014-15.
Missile move
Installation Inventory management
takes next step forward
of the Sea Ceptor
missile system on
Type 23 frigates
will be part of the
vessels’ long-term
refit programme,
Minister for Defence
Equipment, Support The first major project to which is being implemented System. Further work is set
and Technology improve the supply of essential by DE&S’ Logistic Network to improve inventory systems
Philip Dunne has information to support vital Enabled Capability team and is across land, maritime and
told Parliament. defence logistics has been set to run until 2021. munitions.
It is due to start
in 2015 and be delivered. Boeing Defence UK is the “Replacing legacy inventory
completed by 2021. Release 1 of Base Inventory industry partner providing management systems, some of
The weapon forms and Warehouse Management commercial off-the-shelf which are approaching 40 years
part of a new naval Services, or BIWMS, was products to replace outdated of age, is a major step forward
air defence system introduced in September. logistic processes for each of the for defence,” said Barry Austin,
that can intercept It allows placement and services with a single one. BIWMS project executive.
and destroy enemy monitoring of acquisition The first release of BIWMS “The project will allow us
missiles.
requests with the US Department uses the infrastructure at to manage our inventory in a
of Defense under the Foreign Boeing’s new data centre which more cost effective and efficient
Change talk Military Sales programme. is provided under the FLIS manner.
The first release replaces an contract. “It will also enable the
Jonathan Slater,
Director General obsolete system for ordering It shows the success of the MOD to correctly account for
Transformation under such agreements with the partnership between Boeing, inventory transactions, and
and Strategy, US. More users will be brought the BIWMS team, Miro therefore reduce the need
will answer staff onto the system in the near Technologies and a host of other for a large degree of manual
questions at future. stakeholders. intervention.
Northwood from BIWMS is the first major Release 2 is being developed “As each stage is rolled
1-2pm on 6th
transformation under the £1 and will replace the RAF’s out, project teams will have
November. Bookings
to 96161 4828 billion-plus Future Logistic inventory management known increasing confidence in stock
Information Services contract as the Supply Central Control accounting information.”mastering the seas
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13
Air-to-air milestone fuels NEWSREEL
Speculate to
Voyager feelgood factor innovate
New ‘Innovation
Networks’ are being
launched by the
Centre for Defence
Picture: AirTanker/Geoff Lee Enterprise (CDE)
www.planefocus.com offering greater
support to industry
and academia. The
CDE has offered
events to small
and medium-sized
enterprises and
A Voyager academia. It is now
pulling all of these
refuels a
into a new-style
Typhoon and
event, where more
a Tornado
information will
during a be provided on
sortie from themed and open
RAF Brize competitions and
Norton projects previously
funded by CDE will
be showcased. The
first will be on 27th
November with ten
Typhoon the latest networks held per
year. Register at
to feel the benefit www.science.mod.
uk under ‘Events and
Calls’
Refuelling contacts represented an important step AirTanker has also received
between the RAF’s new Voyager forward for Voyager, clearing the its Extended Twin Engine
Answering
air tanker and transport aircraft fast jet programme. Operations clearance from the call
and Typhoon jets have passed the “Our service and the the Civil Aviation Authority
Boeing Defence
350 mark. infrastructure is now there, which allows its civilian airline UK has become the
The milestone is part of a while six of the aircraft that make operation to take on long-range first commercial
rapid build-up in capability of up the core nine-strong Voyager routes by allowing it to fly up company to gain
the Voyager aircraft a month fleet, have been delivered – we to 180 minutes from the nearest accreditation for
after the retirement of the last have a very tangible capability.” suitable airport. directly connecting
VC10s. Voyager received the go- This is a precursor to its role its telephone
Voyager was given the green ahead to refuel the Tornado GR4 in support of the Falklands air system into the
military restricted
light to begin air-to-air refuelling at the beginning of the summer. bridge carrying military and system – CCS. Staff
operations with Typhoon in a Combined with those figures for civilian passengers from the at Dakota House,
formal Release to Service on 15th Typhoon, Voyager has completed UK to the Falkland Islands and Bristol (9267 4+ext)
August. more than 70 air-to-air refuelling Ascencion Island. The service and Turing House,
Having carried out its first sorties, giving away more than began last month. Milton Keynes (9267
Typhoon towline on 11th June, 2,300 tonnes of fuel. The fully The civilian registered 5+ext) now have a
Voyager and Typhoon have certified and militarily converted aircraft will fly the route twice public telephone
number (the normal
now completed more than 350 Airbus A330-200 has a total fuel a week, the same as the previous office number) and
contacts, offloading around capacity of 111 tonnes. service, carrying up to 200 a military number
840 tonnes of fuel to the end of The aircraft can carry up passengers. (part of the MOD
September. to 291 passengers with a cargo Dave Mitchard, AirTanker global military
Phill Blundell, Chief Executive capability of up to eight Nato Services, said: “We have a network) and can
of AirTanker, contracted to pallets or up to 43 tonnes. first class aircraft and a highly make and receive
restricted calls to
deliver an air-to-air refuelling The aircraft can also be competent team from military
and from any global
capability to the RAF by next configured to accommodate a and civil aviation that’s allowing military site.
May, said: “Release to Service 40-stretcher medical evacuation us to blend best practice from
on Typhoon in the summer capability including critical care. both.”
Signal work
BAE Systems has
A Royal glimpse at Portsmouth’s future contracted Babcock
to work on a new
The Princess Royal gets an overview, right, of preparations for design for the
arrival of future warships at Portsmouth, including the Queen Submerged Signal
Elizabeth carriers, from base commander Commodore Jeremy Ejector (SSE) for the
Rigby. The Princess was on a tour of the base which included the UK’s future ballistic
historic Block Mills, a Georgian factory which mass-produced nuclear submarines.
wooden pulley-blocks for ships. The latest contract
She also visited the Royal Marines School of Music where she covers development
spoke to several trainees and watched a marching display on the of a new Mk12 SSE
parade ground. It was the school’s first royal visit since 1996 when design up to system
the Earl of Wessex opened it on its relocation from Deal. design phase.14 news
NEWSREEL
Britain hires
Guidance reissued on
a cyber army
Britain will build a
dedicated capability
probing the X-factor
to counter-attack in
cyberspace and, if
necessary, to strike
DE&S has reissued its advice Teams and take custody of any protectively
in cyberspace. The about companies holding marked material.
MOD is recruiting protectively marked assets companies “The government operates
hundreds of on their own premises at a ‘level playing field’ where all
computer experts to ‘confidential’ level or above – reminded companies are able to compete
work in a new Joint
Cyber Reserve which
known as being List X-cleared.
Clearance is needed to over security for work at any level of protective
marking, regardless of their
will see reservists
working alongside
make sure assets are stored at
the same level as those held in
processes List X status. This is to drive
best value for money through
regular forces to
protect critical Government. competition, and to ensure
computer networks In the MOD, List X is compliance with EU and UK
and safeguard vital managed by the DE&S Principal for classified contracts.” competition and procurement
data. Recruiting Security Advisor Team. Around Mr Medland added: “Where laws.”
began this month, 1,000 List X facilities are being a successful bidder is required to List X enquiries can
targeting three
sectors: regular managed with another 50 added be on List X these arrangements be directed to desinfra-
personnel leaving this year. must be completed before they securityadvicecentre@mod.uk
the Armed Forces, Clearance by the DE&S
current and former Security Advice Centre can
reservists with the take 12 weeks and involves
necessary skills, background checks on the
and individuals with company, its directors and
no previous military
experience, but security controller, using
with the technical external government agencies.
knowledge, skills, Once complete, the site is
experience and assessed by an adviser and,
aptitude. after any remedial action, the
facility can be placed on List X.
British work The process can take up to nine
months.
A £367 million Security requirements do
contract to support not stop companies without List
the RTM322 engine
X status from bidding for some
used in Apache and
Merlin helicopters government contracts and DE&S
– announced in project teams should ensure any
September – will see documentation does not state or
40 per cent of the imply that List X status is a pre-
work performed in requisite.
the UK, Minister for “For companies that have not
Defence Equipment,
undergone the List X process
Support and
Technology Philip MOD teams and contractors can
Dunne has told arrange for supervised access
Parliament. The by individuals from the tender
vast majority will be companies to UK protectively
Work starts on Scott
done at Rolls-Royce marked material where these
facilities at Ansty individuals have undergone
in Warwickshire
and Filton, Bristol. and met the Baseline Personnel
Security Standard,” said Richard Seven months’ work has begun on HMS Scott, above, the Royal
The contract will
Medland, DE&S Principal Navy’s only ocean survey vessel, under the through-life support
be performed by
contract signed earlier this year.
the Rolls-Royce Security Advisor.
Under the five-year contract, with an option to extend a further
Turbomeca joint “If the level of protectively five years, Babcock will also provide fleet time maintenance, design
venture in the UK, marked material demands services and spares management.
France, Germany National Security Vetting Capt (RFA) Ian Schumacker of DE&S’ Commercially Supported
and Italy with 60
clearance before access can Shipping said: “This is going to be Babcock’s first refit of HMS Scott
per cent of the work
be granted, then company using commercial refit methodology. It will be a challenge, but one I
performed overseas.
personnel will be sponsored by am sure Babcock will rise to.”
The docking period will see HMS Scott receive a number of
the Contracting Authority to
Legion award undergo vetting.
upgrades and improvements that will significantly improve her
sustainability and capability.
Royal British Legion “The project team can Babcock’s project manager Mo Morey said: “The refit will be
Industries, which arrange for supervised access challenging as HMS Scott is a unique vessel built to commercial
provides training to the protectively marked standards. We have taken a proactive approach, utilising our fleet
and employment material, either at an MOD time experience of the platform and undertaking extensive surveys of
to Armed Forces establishment or an approved the vessel prior to the refit period to understand her material state to
personnel, is charity mitigate downstream risks.
List X facility. If appropriate, this
of the year in the “We look forward to working closely with the MOD and ship’s
national Charity allows all potential bidders equal staff to ensure successful completion of the first refit of HMS Scott’s
Times awards. access to material and to tender through-life support arrangements.”No.1 Supplier to the MoD
All major programmes delivered on time and to budget.
All modifications delivered on time or ahead of schedule.
Integrated support programmes delivering increased availability
and exceptional value for money.
It’s no surprise that Finmeccanica was rated the number one supplier
by the MoD Supplier Relations Team in its 2012 annual Performance Review.
LEADING THE FUTURE
agustawestland.com16 news
Bowman update
Advertisement
is delivered to
The way ahead the field
With challenging
budgets, an ever Right: Cpl Gavin Read,
reducing head count attached from 21 Engineer
Regiment. On completion of
and the need to the uplift he is setting up hard
maximise spend, the drives for encryption using
MoD is working hard visual user data terminals
to make savings in
all areas of service
delivery. Yet, how is The latest update functionality for users. It also from General Dynamics UK.
to the Bowman Tactical reduces burden on training. This has reduced fielding costs
this challenge to be
Communications System – Previous updates to by 50 per cent compared with
met without affecting known as BCIP 5.5 – has now Bowman were undertaken by previous updates.
the quality of the been fielded to the first two General Dynamics UK with Training for DE&S and Army
services delivered? Brigades. military liaison by Battlefield HQ personnel began last April
The final units of 3 and Tactical Communications with the Fielding Management
Outsourcing has a vital Commando Brigade and 16 Air and Information Systems’ Team being trained to run the
role to play, and with Assault Brigade were issued their Ashchurch-based Fielding MOD-owned equipment used to
the correct integrated updated equipment in August – a Management Team. uplift Bowman kit.
service solutions in month ahead of target. A more innovative, hands- Out-of-area work has been
place, the MoD can All Royal Navy Exercise on approach this time sees the undertaken to uplift equipment
benefit from established Cougar 13 ships and units also team and attached Army HQ in Kenya, where a team of three
expertise, freeing up uplifted before their departure staff running the production completed the task in 12 days.
military resource for in mid-August. facility to carry out the technical As of 11th October 9,576
core specialisms. This The update delivers much uplift of around 30,000 items items – more than 30 per cent of
is where the right improved interoperability and of equipment, with limited the total requirement – had gone
provider can make the is easier to use with greater specialist contractor support through the uplift.
difference as efficiency As well as the major Land
improvements require formations, 12 Royal Navy and
much more than a o The whole 5.5 uplift completes in March 2015. Phase Two began last Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels
commoditised supplier month for 12 Mechanised Brigade, the RAF, theatre troops (11 Brigades in
have been uplifted and proven as
relationship. all), 4 Mechanised Brigade, further training fleet stock and a second major
overseas task at the British Army Training Unit Suffield in Canada. fully BCIP 5.5 operational.
The key lies in
developing partnerships
with industry. It is
here that the MoD
can find new ways to
meet these challenges,
‘Olympic’ missile sees Picture: Thales UK
improve facilities and
create long-term cost
stocks boosted
benefits – creating a
Another 200 StarStreak missiles –
service delivery model the weapon which gained publicity for
that delivers the right its defensive role during the London
outcomes across all Olympics, right, – are being bought in
aspects of the defence a multi-million pound contract.
arena. The decision was announced last
month by the Prime Minister on a visit
It is not about being to Thales UK’s factory in Belfast.
just another supplier David Cameron said: “Not
to the MoD; it is about only will this contract sustain jobs
providing confidence and in Northern Ireland, but it also
reassurance and being a demonstrates the Government’s
catalyst for change and commitment to supporting the UK’s
high tech design and manufacturing base. years and these additional missiles are key to
transformation.
"We know that our continuing support for this sustaining our ground-based air capability.”
missile system will be of immense interest to The order will increase stocks of the missile
potential export customers around the world.” – known in the MOD as the High Velocity Missile,
Laurence Bryant, DE&S Director Weapons, or HVM – which will be used to equip regular and
added: “The continued support of the missile is a reserve forces.
major part of the work of the DE&S Lightweight and The world’s fastest very short range missile has
Medium Attack Systems project team. This system a peak velocity of more than Mach 3 which means it
www.interserve.com has been in the MOD inventory for more than 20 can cover a kilometre in less than a second.news 17
17
F-35: 10,000 hours and counting
The F-35 Lightning II programme has now passed 10,000 flight
hours, more than half of those in the last eleven months.
To the end of September, F-35s flew 6,492 times for a total of
10,077 flight hours. The new milestone effectively doubles the safe
flight operations of the F-35 in a year, compared to reaching 5,000
flight hours in six years.
Have you met some
All three variants, the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing,
the F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing which the UK will buy, and
the F-35C carrier variant participated in the milestone.
Meanwhile major components of the Royal Australian Air
Force’s first F-35 have been joined together to form the aircraft’s
structure. AU-1 will be delivered next summer. of your Test and
Lynx repair Evaluation team?
contract goes To get the best out of Test, Evaluation
and Training, you need suitably qualified
and experienced people, combined with
out to 2015 access to the right facilities.
Since 2003, cost effective Test, Evaluation and
Depth maintenance for Lynx fleet throughout more Training Support Services have been delivered
Lynx helicopters will continue than 30 years' of service and
to be carried out by Vector has been sole provider of this to the MOD through the Long Term Partnering
Aerospace UK. service to the Royal Navy and Agreement (LTPA). This brings together experts
The news has been Army Lynx fleets since 2005. in the test and evaluation of systems, weapons
welcomed by DE&S’ Lynx Michael Tyrrell, UK
team, which has guaranteed Managing Director at Vector,
and components to meet your requirements,
extension of the Lynx Aircraft said: “We are delighted to from concept to disposal. Tailored live and
and Component Servicing, be extending this service, simulated training is also available.
Repair and Overhaul contract ensuring that the UK Lynx
until the end of 2015. fleet can meet all of its current
This will provide support and future requirements.”
to the Army and Royal Navy The Lynx team has worked Visit www.LTPA.co.uk to find out more.
Lynx aircraft. Col Darren to ensure approval was
Crook, Lynx team leader, achieved in time to provide
said, “We are pleased to have a seamless extension to the
secured an extension to the contract.
Lynx depth arrangements The submission was
with Vector. welcomed by the approving Senior Engineer, ETPS, Capability Manager,
“It will allow us to authority. Annette Matton, MOD Boscombe Down MOD Aberporth
continue supporting the Front Head of Defence Portfolio and
Line Commands with well- Approvals Secretariat, said: Capability Manager, Telemetry Engineer,
MOD Shoeburyness MOD Aberporth
maintained aircraft, which is “The approving authorities
a fundamental role of the Lynx were grateful for a coherent,
project team.” concise and logical exposition
The Fleetlands-based of the issues. They commend
operation has been a main the team for constructive
UK provider of depth engagement with the
maintenance support to the scrutineers.”
0800 015 0594 www.LTPA.co.uk
www.LTPA.co.uk is a QinetiQ registered domain name.
Brian Butler of Vector Aerospace, left, and Peter Connew, the Lynx
team's senior commercial officer, sign the contract extension18 news
Successor
success is
rewarded
Safety – at the heart of
Performance up
and cost out are two of
the primary Submarine
Submarine Enterprise
Enterprise targets – and
two Successor teams
have been saluted by
representatives from
across submarines.
The Successor
manoeuvring room and
secondary propulsion
teams received the
inaugural Submarine
Enterprise Performance
Programme (SEPP)
awards.
They were
‘We must not, and
presented by Rear
Admiral Simon Lister.
cannot afford to,
The team, get it wrong’ – Rear
implementing a vision
of DE&S member Admiral Mike Wareham
Commander Tom
Cheshire, had taken a
significant change in Simon Lister is pictured, far right, with Artful, Astute Boat 3 at Barrow, and below, taking a break during the safety
direction from previous symposium last month
UK manoeuvring rooms
to derive maximum The new DE&S Director operate it’, Admiral Wareham light of incidents from his own
benefit from the PWR3 Submarines has reinforced the added: “We must not, and cannot experience.
reactor design and the need for ever more vigilance over afford to, get it wrong.” He told delegates about
US/UK exchange.
safety throughout the Submarine Admiral Wareham gave the being rescued as an 18-year-
“The design
development Enterprise. opening address on the second old from a capsized boat while
demonstrated what can That was the message from day of the symposium, promoted sailing on a Scottish loch. Later
be achieved in a short he witnessed children picking
timescale from genuine up graphite from the Chernobyl
collaborative working, disaster as souvenirs. He was a
good communication, Nato delegate at the time of the
challenging existing
sinking of the Russian nuclear-
thinking and strong
leadership,” said powered submarine Kursk and
Admiral Lister. was Naval Base Commander at
Receiving the award Devonport when two seamen
alongside Commander were swept to their deaths from
Cheshire were Ian Shaw a visiting US submarine during a
(BAE Systems) and John Channel gale.
Mount (Rolls-Royce).
They represented an Admiral Lister said poor
18-strong team drawn behaviours, lack of training and
from DE&S’ Nuclear equipment failure had played
Propulsion and Future a role in each past incident – all
Submarines, Rolls- resulted from complacency.
Royce, BAE Systems Barrow has built more than
and US Naval Reactors. 300 submarines for various
The second award
recognised a major customers including the Royal
initiative to examine Navy. As well as being the most
options for simplifying capable of those submarines, the
the secondary Rear Admiral Mike Wareham by DE&S Submarines and latest Astute class is also the first
propulsion. to nearly 200 delegates at the sponsored by BAE Systems. to have a whole boat safety case
Admiral Lister said: fifth annual safety symposium in His predecessor, Rear as part of the design process.
“The real success of the Barrow. Admiral Simon Lister, who will The symposium was held
initiative is the cultural
change delivered by Admiral Wareham said that become Chief of Materiel (Fleet), against the atmospheric
encouraging others everybody in the enterprise challenged delegates to examine backdrop of the former graving
to look for new contributed in some way to their own role in ensuring the dock, over which the Barrow
approaches, and in submarine safety, and he safety of submarines in the dock’s museum is built.
the relationships it urged them all to follow the
has built across the
teams and between
guiding principle coined by the
US Admiral, Hyman George
Artful on course to hit the water next year
organisations.”
The team behind Rickover, known as the Father of Artful, Boat 3 in the Astute class build programme, will leave Barrow next
this initiative was 14 the Nuclear Navy. spring and enter the water for the first time to begin the commissioning
strong, represented at Quoting Rickover’s ‘I have phase of the propulsion and manoeuvring systems, before being handed over
the presentation by Jon a son. I love my son. I want to the Royal Navy in 2015.
Nicholson and Robert everything to be so safe that I The remaining boats in the Astute programme; Boat 4 Audacious, Boat 5
Ritchie. would be happy to have my son Anson, Boat 6 Agamemnon and Boat 7, are in various stages of construction.
The final submarine, Boat 7, is scheduled to enter service in 2024.You can also read
