desider_80_Jan2015

desiderJan 2015 Issue 80the magazine for defence equipment and supportUpgraded Spearfish gives Navymore firepower beneath the wavesLatest Finance and Military Capability wallchart See insideBringing homethe kitMinehunting inthe 21st centuryLast respiratoris handed overGreen lightfor steel cutTeambuildingat DE&S

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FEATURES19 Herrick: the RedeploymentAfter more than a decade of UK operations in Afghanistan,military equipment is coming back from Operation Herrick inone of the largest logistic tasks in modern UK military times24 Facing the underwater threatNew ideas are shaping the way in which the Royal Navydetects mines at sea and performs surveys of the ocean floor6Picture: BAE Systems26 Get in, Go far!That's the message to the young as the best engineeringapprentices in DE&S went on show in the annual MODawards in London28 There's no i in teamNew apprentices have been learning the values of teamworkand co-operation a long way from Abbey Wood30 Squeezing out the costsStaff have moved into top gear to find efficiencies in theDE&S C-Vehicle private finance initiativecover imageA £270 million contract to upgrade the Royal Navy’sSpearfish heavyweight torpedoes, increasing thecapability of the submarine fleet, has been signed whichwill sustain hundreds of jobs in the UK and create 40new skilled engineering rolesjanuary 2015desiderwww.gov.uk/government/publications/desiderAssistant Head, Corporate Comms:Ralph Dunn - 9352 30257 or 0117 9130257DESSec-CorpComms-AsstHd@mod.ukNEWS4 MSPs have boosted the Materiel StrategyThe Managed Service Providers are working withDE&S staff in two key ways, explains MaterielStrategy Director Richard SmartEditor:Steve Moore - 9352 30537 or 0117 9130537stephen.moore544@mod.ukDistribution Manager:Dick Naughton - 9352 34342 or 0117 9134342DES HR-Corp-BusMgr1a@mod.ukAdvertising:Richard Stillman – Ten Alps Media, 1 New OxfordStreet, High Holborn, London SC1A 1NUTel: +44 (0)20 7657 1837Fax: +44 (0)20 7379 7155richard.stillman@tenalps.comPrinting:desider is distributed free to DE&S employees and theequipment capability organisations. Copies may besent to readers outside MOD, including in the defenceindustries. While the editor takes care to ensure allmaterial produced is accurate, no liability can beaccepted for errors or omissions. Views expressed indesider, and products and services advertised, are notnecessarily endorsed by DE&S or the MOD. All editorialsubmissions must be cleared by the relevant MODauthorities with content for advertorials to be cleared bythe relevant MOD project team before publication.© Crown CopyrightThis magazine is produced on Cocoon Silk90gsm which contains 50 per cent recycledand de-inked pulp from post consumerwaste and Forest Stewardship Councilcertified material from well-managedforests.8 More praise lavished on defence reformLord Levene's latest comments on reform of DE&Sput the transformation work of the organisation in apositive light9 Final respirator is handed overThe last of more than 300,000 General ServiceRespirators has been handed over at the end of themanufacturing phase of a £52 million contract10 A400M support contract signedDE&S' A400M team has awarded the first commonin-service support contract for initial maintenancefor the aircraft16 Putting steel into MARS tankersTwo significant milestones have been achieved in thedelivery of four support tankers for the Royal FleetAuxiliary18 Fort Victoria ready for seaOne of the largest ships operated by the Royal FleetAuxiliary has a new lease of life following a tenmonthrefitCDM Commendation winner 2014desider magazine’s performance in the commercialmarket earned it an award from Bernard Gray,Chief of Defence Materiel, in his recognition of topperformingstaff at DE&S over the previous 12 months.Advertising revenue from the magazine and its familyof supplements and wallcharts reached more than£500,000 in 2013-14.Insider

Bernard GrayChief of Defence Materiel‘With your continuedsupport 2015 will see ourconfidence grow and ourreputation build’I was privileged to be in MainBuilding a few weeks beforeChristmas to host the MOD’sApprentice Award Ceremony, andto see the winner of the year beingrewarded for her efforts in thesubmarine domain.It caused me to think about howour next generation of engineerswill shape the future of DE&S and,perhaps more importantly for them,how we can offer them fulfillingjobs and attractive careers both inDE&S and across the wider MOD.There is a vast range ofaccredited training qualificationsand opportunities available to theyounger generation and the MODis helping to lead the way withup to 19,000 young apprenticesemployed throughout the ArmedForces and their civilian supportorganisations. This is a substantialand important commitment, andone I’m especially proud of as I seeDE&S taking on more and moreyoung talent to build our future andhelp safeguard our country. Theyare training in important areas andquickly building up the skills whichwill stand them in good stead, andenhance our workforce.In addition to the practical skillsand expertise, a number of formerapprentices have also developedsound leadership skills which hasseen them taking on importantroles in project teams, provingthe wider worth of the apprenticescheme, and that age is no barrierto responsibility and progress.The New Year often sees peoplesetting new goals for themselves,and DE&S is no exception. Iencourage us all to build on whatwe achieved over the previous 365days. When I look back at some ofour successes in 2014 – equipmentdelivered on time and to cost, someprojects delivering early, majorcontracts renegotiated on morefavourable terms to the department– it sets the 2015 bar a lot higher.I recall the comments ofLord Levene in his early 2014review of the progress made ondefence transformation, wherehe noted that we had become‘more business-like and focused’while praising us for embracingcomplex and radical change.Those comments were made atabout the same time as the lastType 45 destroyer, HMS Duncan,entered service four months early.This set the tone for the yearwhich went on to see successfulintroduction of upgraded Chinookand Merlin helicopters, signing ofthe multi-billion pound contractfor the Scout Specialist Vehicle,the naming and floating out ofthe first Queen Elizabeth aircraftcarrier, introduction of Voyager intoservice on time, and the beginningof Airseeker’s reconnaissancework over northern Iraq. In thebackground was continuing workto bring home a vast range ofequipment from Afghanistanfollowing the end of combatoperations there, the eradication ofthe black hole in the MOD financesand the feeling in Government thatthe MOD can now be trusted tospend taxpayers’ money much morewisely and efficiently.Those successes and milestonesare just a snapshot of 2014. Therewere many more achievementswith perhaps a lower profile butwhich were no less significant thatwe can all be proud of. The changein DE&S status as we became aBespoke Trading Entity last April,began the changes required toimprove and strengthen the waywe do our business. It is the designand implementation of thosechanges which will, in turn, ensurethat we become the world classorganisation that I know we can beby 2017.The Managed Service Providersare here and working alongside usacross the business, supportingour goals. The first arrivals arebedding down and more will followin the coming months. It is clear tome that we are becoming a moreconfident DE&S with every passingyear. With your continued hard workand support, 2015 will see thatconfidence grow, our performancecontinue to improve and ourreputation build. There is a greatdeal to look forward to.A400M supportmoves intogearArrival of the new Managed ServiceProviders (MSPs) – bringing to DE&Sskilled people with experience intransformational change – has beena big boost to the Materiel Strategyprogramme, according to its Director,Richard Smart.“We have all been working hardto build relationships and ensure theMSPs understand our business inDE&S and what’s been done to date ontransformation,” he said.The MSPs – Bechtel, CH2M Hilland PwC – announced last autumn, areworking with DE&S in two key ways.The first is through the MaterielStrategy Team. Here MSP staff areworking as part of the Rainbow Teamof DE&S and MSP personnel, whowill jointly develop and manage thedesign of strategic change as part ofa transformation plan for DE&S as awhole.They are also integrating with theDE&S-led Programme ManagementOffice whose role is to support thechange programme and ensureoptimum coherence of the variousstrands of activity.Secondly, the MSPs are working

news 5Picture: Andrew LinnettA400M pictured at RAF Brize Norton flanked by, left a C-17, and, right, a VoyagerThe first support contract for A400MAtlas, the RAF's new military transportaircraft, has been announced.The £175 million contract was awardedto Airbus Defence and Space (ADS) byDE&S and the French Direction généralede l’armement (DGA) through the Europeanco-operative body, OCCAR.The news comes as Rolls-Royce hasannounced an £18 million investmentin Bristol to support the TP400 engine,produced by the Europrop Internationalengine consortium and which powers theAirbus A400M.The money will fund facilities formaintenance, repair and overhaul of theengines, training for employees, andconversion of an existing test bed to becapable of running the engine while on theground.This will initially support engines inservice with the RAF, but will also supportservice requirements for other A400Mcustomers.o A400M support: page 10MSPs get down to business inDE&S transformation workwith the Chiefs of Materiel and DirectorHuman Resources to inform and deliverthe strategic transformation developed bythe Rainbow Team.To do this the MSPs have beengetting to know DE&S business and buildrelationships, with their focus shiftingonto future baselining and data collectionactivities in the New Year, building onprevious work.PwC are directly supporting DirectorHR in the design and delivery of a newemployment model and focusing on waysto attract, develop, retain, reward anddeploy staff.For DE&S to complete the one-yeartransition phase, the key milestones willbe: agreeing the collaboration charter,baselining DE&S’ Key PerformanceIndicators, business capabilities andskills and putting together with theArrival has been aboost to theMateriel Strategysenior leadership a ‘Match Fit’ end statearticulation as well as the associatedtransformation and implementation plans,which will be reviewed and signed off bythe DE&S Executive.These will then form the basis ofthe subsequent transformation phaseof the programme, capturing the KPIsand milestones which the MSPs will beexpected to achieve and deliver.Mr Smart said the programme hadbeen given a big boost by the MSPs.“It’s been all about building ourcapacity so that we’re ready to give theright support to business change. Work isnearing completion on the Collaborationcharter which is an early key milestonefor the programme and we’ve also beenconstructing a joint plan for delivery ofthe key programme milestones,” he said.“The Transformation Plan will bedeveloped by this March and a detailedImplementation Plan by June, when wewill expect change in the business tosignificantly ramp up.”The procurement of the third and finalMSP, for Work Package 2, which will bedesigned to improve DE&S Informationand Financial Management as well asInformation Technology, is expected tobegin in the next few months.The competition for this contract hasbeen deliberately timed to enable WP1 andWP3 outputs to shape the requirements.

6newsSpearfish all set formany more yearsAbove: Defence Secretary Michael Fallonannounces the Spearfish contract atPortsmouth. He said: “This contract shouldbe considered in the context of the broaderpackage of measures announced over thepast year – a £600 million investment inPortsmouth’s naval base, £100 million toupgrade the port in preparation for thecoming of fleet flagships, £70 million tosupport and maintain Type 45 destroyers and£4 million to exploit the massive potential ofunmanned vessels.“All adding up to an iron-clad determinationto keep the expertise, so long a preserve ofthis city, in house and guarantee Portsmouthremains a thriving hub of marine excellence.”Below: a Spearfish torpedo is loaded onto aRoyal Navy submarineA deal negotiated by the DE&STorpedoes, Tomahawk and Harpoonproject team has ensured thesustainment of the UK’s torpedomanufacturing capability in Portsmouthfor another ten years.Announcement of the £270 millioncontract to upgrade the Royal Navy’sSpearfish heavyweight torpedoes wasmade by the Defence Secretary, MichaelFallon, as he visited BAE Systems(BAES) Broad Oak facility in the city lastmonth.Spearfish is one of the most powerfuland advanced wire guided torpedoesin the world and enables Royal Navysubmarines to engage a variety ofsurface and underwater targets.The upgrade will include a newwarhead, a change to the fuel system toimprove safety, full digitisation of theweapon and a new fibre optic guidancelink to improve performance.Following the completion of thedesign phase, existing torpedoeswill be upgraded by BAE Systems inPortsmouth to the new design withinitial deliveries in 2020 continuing until2024.Bernard Gray, Chief of DefenceMateriel, said: “The contract to upgradethese important weapons representsvalue for money and a significantc a p a b i l i t yboost for theRoyal Navy,highlightinghow the MODis investing inequipment theArmed Forcesneeds now andin the future todefend the UK.”New design upgradesone of the world’s mostpowerful torpedoesSpearfish torpedoes are carried bythe Royal Navy’s Astute, Vanguard andTrafalgar class submarines and oncefired Spearfish homes in on its targetusing sonar. It is controlled by thesubmarine after launch via the new fibreoptic link.The Spearfish programme supports60 jobs in Portsmouth where the torpedois designed and manufactured, with anadditional 40 new skilled engineeringjobs being recruited to work on theprogramme by BAES.The company estimates thathundreds of jobs will be sustained inthe company’s supply chain, with thejobs of around 100 MOD staff, based atDefence Munitions Beith in Scotland,also sustained by the contract award.John Hudson, Managing Directorfor BAE Systems’ UK Maritime Sector,described the contract as “one of themost exciting development programmesin the country”.He added: “Upgrading the SpearfishHeavyweight Torpedo will providesophisticated advances for the RoyalNavy with increased operationaladvantage in the underwater domain.”The MOD has already awarded BAESystems a £600 million contract to runPortsmouth naval base and a £70 millionType 45 destroyer support contract thatcombined sustains more than 2,000 jobsin the Portsmouth region, includingskilled engineering roles.DE&S pride in a job well doneBAE Systems Spearfish TorpedoUpgrade supply chain:• BAE Systems, Maritime Services,Portsmouth and Hillend• Defence Munitions, Beith• Atlas Elektronik UK, Newport andWinfrith• Altran, Bath• Hortsman Defence, Bath• GE Intelligent Platforms, Towcester• FPT, Portsmouth• Hymatic Engineering Ltd, Redditch• UTC Aerospace, Plymouth• Caledonian Control Technology Ltd,Warwickshire• Eaton Aerospace Group, Hampshire• Honeywell Hymatic, Worcs• Polaron Components, Watford• QinetiQ, FarnboroughDavid Easton, DE&S Torpedoes, Tomahawk andHarpoon team leader, said: “This is the culmination ofan extended and very challenging period of work, andis great news for DE&S and the Royal Navy.“My team, supported by numerous DE&S and MODstakeholders, has put in a massive effort to make thishappen, so it was fitting that they were able to attendthe media event and witness the Secretary of Stateannouncement first hand.“Our relationship with BAES is very strong and weare both now fully focused on ensuring we deliver asuccessful project and the much needed improvementsto the Spearfish torpedo.”Defence Secretary visits naval bases: page 36

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8newsNEWSREELSuccessorspendingtotal spend onthe Successorsubmarineprogramme upto the end of thefinancial year 2014was £2.068 billion.As of 31st Marchlast year the MODhad committed £230million for long leaditems, includingweapons handlingand launch systemand the pressurisedwater reactor.Contract forsafety firstAtkins andGama Aviationhave secured afive-year contractto undertakeairworthinessreviews to helpensure RAF aircraftare airworthy andfit for deploymentwhenever they’reneeded. The contractfollows the MilitaryAviation Authority’sJuly 2013 regulationrequiring a baselineairworthiness reviewof every aircrafton the MilitaryRegister by 1st July2015, followed byan annual review ofeach aircraft.Joining upRicardo, acompany involvedin design andmanufacture ofvehicles such asFoxhound andVixen, has joinedNiteworks, the MODindustrypartnershipproviding decisionsupport to enhanceUK defencecapabilities.F-35B arrivalsthe four F-35Baircraft orderedlast Novemberfor the UK will bedelivered in May,July, September andOctober 2016, it hasbeen announced.This is an initialplanning date only.Support programmes to get vital technical backingTechnical expertise and support for supply ofvital goods to the front line will be provided to arounda dozen of DE&S’ Operational Support Programmesby QinetiQ in a new £2.4 million contract.Projects include supply of water, fuel and power,and operation of support vehicles. Support will helpthe safety and efficiency of troops in theatre whilesecuring value for money.The contract is for an initial 12 months withoptions for three further years. It has been awardedunder the Framework Agreement for TechnicalSupport, managed by DE&S, which offers a quickroute to market for teams requiring specialisttechnical skills.Col Doug Gibson, DE&S Deputy Head atOSP, said: “This contract establishes a singlearrangement to secure required technicaldeliverable support with the aim of improvingtimeliness, quality and consistency.An independent reviewerhas praised the “fundamentaltransformation” that the MODhas undergone in the last fouryears.And there is a positiveassessment too of reform inDE&S.Lord Levene, who madehis original Defence Reformrecommendations in 2011,delivered his annual progressreport just before Christmas anddeclared: “a leopard really canchange its spots”.The review praised strongerfinancial management acrossdefence – a vital step in ensuringthat the department never againhas an unaffordable, overheatedprogramme – and finds that theMOD is now much better placedto address the challenges of thefuture.Lord Levene said: “Thisyear I perceive a sea change inattitudes from every side. One ofthe principal recommendationswas to delegate expendituredown the chain of commandto the user. This was a bravedecision by Ministers andthe Treasury but I think thattheir faith and confidence isbeginning to pay off.“To me the MOD is now avery different animal from thatwhich I left some 20 years ago,especially in terms of showingthat they can be trusted tomanage the money. A leopardreally can change its spots.”DefenceSecretaryMichael Fallon said: “Defencehas undergone significanttransformation over the pastfour years, and I am pleasedthat Lord Levene has recognisedthe progress made, not leastthe much stronger financialmanagement he observed.“Of course, there is alwaysmore we can do. That is whyI welcome Lord Levene’ssuggestions for furtherimprovement and am pleasedto report that much of this workhas already begun.”As the MOD moves towardsthe next Strategic Defence andSecurity Review this year, theSecretary of State has reiteratedhis commitment to cementingand building on the progressmade so far, with a strategicfocus that ensures that defencestands up to challenges from aposition of strength.To ensure progresscontinues, Lord Levene has“The technical expertise provided is critical tohelp define and manage requirements, to sourceand manage suitable industry sub-suppliers, and tounderpin procurement and support of safe systemswhich can provide the required capability at a costthat represents value for money to the taxpayer.”QinetiQ will support OSP in definingrequirements of its end users, assessing potentialsolutions, and identifying the investments mosteffective in meeting the challenges.The company is the prime contractor and hasteamed with PA Consulting, Frazer-Nash Consulting,Roke Manor Research and BAE Systems to deliverthe programme.Steve Elwell, Director for QinetiQ ProcurementAdvisory Services, said: “It is the independentthinking and technical expertise of our scientists andengineers that helps provide our customers with theconfidence to make decisions.”Levene praises MOD onits four-year reformaccepted the Defence Secretary’sinvitation to conduct a furtherreview.The review also found that:• the “right attitudes andbehaviours are increasingly inplace” in the Head Office;• the Defence Board hasalready come to be consideredamong the best in Whitehall,embedding a wholesale attitudeand behaviour change, as FrontLine Commands embrace newlydelegated powers;• financial management ismuch stronger in MOD thanthree years ago;• top level budget holdersare, on the whole, seen to‘own’ their plans, take moreresponsibility for delivery andare more active in determiningtheir own priorities;• a “lean and agile” JointForces Command is bringingimproved focus to technologicalenablers.... and there’s good progress at DE&S tooLord Levene said: “Good progress has been made in the last year aroundthe future organisation and operation of DE&S: its new status as a bespoketrading entity and the strengthened governance arrangements under anindependently chaired commercial-style Board, seem right; the quality andmorale of the DE&S management team is good, and I congratulate MOD onsecuring extensive new pay flexibilities. These reforms augur well for thefuture.“I also welcome DE&S' review of the delivery of the storage,distribution and other logistics services with a view to greater privatesector involvement. This seems right; DE&S needs to maintain a strongfocus on its core business of equipment acquisition and support.”

news 9309,228!Final respirator ishanded over in £52million contractThe last of more than 300,000General Service Respirators (GSR)has been handed over to DE&S.The 309,228th delivery was madeby Rob Sutton, Military and CivilDefence Director of manufacturersScott Safety on a visit to DE&S.It completes the design andmanufacture phase of the £52million contract, marking the end ofan intensive period of development,testing and trialling.“Scott Safety is proud to bethe supplier of the MOD’s GeneralService Respirator,” said MrSutton. “Providing this world classcapability has created and securedjobs in the UK.”The GSR provides significantlyenhanced respiratory protection toUK Forces and is planned to remainin service for 20 years.Front line forces receivedthe first GSRs in 2010 and, sinceSeptember 2012, all personnel onmilitary operations have deployedwith a GSR. More than 90 per centof soldiers on the front line havebeen issued with the new respirator.During development the GSRhas been designed to integrate withall MOD-provided equipment that itmay be expected to interact with.Air Commodore Andy Hall ofAir Command, the lead user FrontLine Command, said: “The GSR is asuperb piece of equipment, offeringunprecedented levels of protectionas well as being practical and, sofar as is possible for a respirator,comfortable.”Peter Bartlett, PhysicalProtection project manager withDE&S’ Chemical, Biological,Radiological and Nuclear team,said: “The end of the developmentand manufacturing phase for GSRmarks a momentous milestone,replacing the S10 after nearly 30years in service.“The GSR is individual issueand impacts on every member ofthe Armed Forces. Reaching thispoint is the result of a team effort.Thanks to all personnel involved aspart of the MOD unified customerand Scott Safety for reaching thisstage.”Protected: a soldier wears the General Service Respirator atthe Defence CBRN Centre, Winterbourne Gunner in Wiltshire.The Centre has provided fielding support for the GSR roll out viatheir Technical Support Group (TSG) running GSR conversioncourses for existing trainers and operational instructors.A range of enhancements overother respiratorso Twin canisters and self-sealing valves reduce the possibility ofcontamination inside the mask during canister change.o In emergency situations it continues to protect a user fromCBRN threats with only one canister. The one piece visor improvesthe field of vision and enhances personal situational awareness whenoperating in a CBRN environment.o Locking bars on the harness ensure the fit of the respiratorremains constant through repeated use.o A considerably lower breathing resistance reduces thephysiological burden of wearing a respirator especially when underphysical stress. This was evidenced by RAF Regiment Gunner, LanceCorporal Andy MacMahon, breaking a world record by running theLondon Marathon wearing an issued GSR and canisters in 3 hrs 28mins. After the run he said: “I am very impressed with the new GSR;compared to the old respirator it is almost as if you are runningwithout one!”NEWSREELThree winsfor companyMASS, a subsidiaryof technology groupCohort, has beenawarded threecontracts to provide£8 million worth ofelectronic warfareoperational supportservices. The firstwill provide airplatform protectiontest and evaluationservices at RAFWaddington for aminimum of fiveyears. The others areto provide specialisttools and training forusers in the MiddleEast. The supplyis via two differentUK customers withprogrammes runningfor one and two yearsrespectively.Along the pathMore than£8 million ofGovernment moneywill go to theAldershot VeteransAccommodationPathway toprovide 85 units oftemporary, supportedand independentaccommodationaround the townto create anaccommodationpathway for veterans.Approximately 275vulnerable ex-servicepersonnel fromacross the countrywill benefit each year.Science probeThe Defence Scienceand TechnologyLaboratory hascommissioned RokeManor Research toconduct a scienceand technologyprogramme onbehalf of HQ Armyto support futuredevelopment ofLand Forces in the2030-2040 timescale.During the initial18-month research,Roke will present theArmy with anoverview oftechnologies thatcould be exploitedto support therequirements forfuture capabilityin the LandEnvironment.

10newsDE&S’ A400M project team hasawarded the first common in-servicesupport contract for the initialmaintenance and support of theA400M Atlas.The £175 million contract wasawarded to Airbus Defence andSpace (ADS) by DE&S and the FrenchDirection générale de l’armement(DGA) through the European cooperativebody, OCCAR.The contract, which will coverall lines of maintenance and includesthe implementation of spare partspooling, has been praised as theresult of “close defence ties” whichhave built up between London andParis.Bernard Gray, Chief of DefenceMateriel, said: “A400M Atlas is a trulymulti-national programme; indeed,it is the biggest of its kind in Europe.This support contract seeks to draw onthat fact and reduce support contractcosts through the close collaborationthat has developed between DE&Sand its French partners at the DGA.“For success in any major jointprogramme we need competenceand strong working relationships,something which has been clearthroughout this process.”The UK service, which will run foran initial two years, will be based atRAF Brize Norton with the inclusionof RAF engineers to ensure theskills and flexibility for operationaldeployment are developed andmaintained. French support will bebased in Orleans.French procurement chief for theDGA, Laurent Collet-Billon, said thecross-channel deal could lead theway for service co-operation withother European nations in the A400Mprogramme.“This newly-signed joint contractdemonstrates added value under theFrench and British leadership fora common approach for in-servicesupport and paves the way forpossibly our A400M partners to moveforward that way,” he said.The UK’s first A400M Atlas wasunveiled in late November at RAFBrize Norton, which will become thehome of the fleet.The UK is the third country tooperate the aircraft which is at theforefront of modern technologyand will replace the fleet of C-130Hercules.Air Commodore Stephen Wilcock,head of the A400M programme,added: “We are delighted to haveplaced this contract along with ourpartners in the DGA to provide inservicesupport to the A400M Atlasaircraft. This contract deliverssignificant savings through sharedcosts and provides the foundation forlonger term co-operation on supportand inter-operability which willbenefit both air forces.”After the unveiling,now the supportThe RAF's first A400M arrives at RAFBrize Norton in NovemberRight: Bernard Gray, Philip Dunne andLaurent Collet-BillonJoint UK-French deal will keepthe new A400M transport aircraftin the airOperational build-upalready under wayThe first front line Atlassquadron – 70 Squadron – isbuilding up its engineeringstrength for the firstoperational tasking thissummer.The squadron’sengineering manpower hasbeen steadily building withRAF personnel supplementedby Airbus civilian-licensedengineers.Servicing and maintenanceof the aircraft away from homebase RAF Brize Norton willbe done by the squadron'saircraft ground engineers,which should number 42 byApril and 88 by the end of thisyear.So far all thoseengineering personnel havecompleted their training atthe Airbus Defence and SpaceInternational Training Centre,Seville; the first course to trainfuture Atlas engineers at Brizewill be run on the squadronearly this year.Buildings previouslyused for the VC10 and TriStarare being refurbished andBase Hangar is undergoingrenovation.Building of a new hangaris under way and the combinedAirbus and RAF engineeringteams can look forward tobeing housed in a maintenancefacility large enough to holdthree Atlas aircraft.Squadron engineershave already visited industrypartners Rolls-Royce andAirbus in Filton. They heardof Rolls-Royce’s role inthe Europrop Internationalconsortium of four companiesthat make Atlas engines.At Airbus personnel sawwhere the wings for all Atlasaircraft are made before beingshipped to the final assemblyline in Seville.Below: engineers get a closelook at components in Bristoln The £2.8 billionprogramme to procurethe 22-strong fleetfor the RAF will seethe A400M Atlas goon to support a widerange of militaryand humanitarianoperations –combining theintercontinentalrange of the C-17 withthe ability to do thetactical rough landingsof the C-130 Hercules.To date, AirbusDefence and Space hasdelivered the sevenfirst serial A400Maircraft among the170 which have beenordered by the sixpartner nations:Belgium, France,Germany, Spain,UK and Turkey. Fiveaircraft have beendelivered to France,one to the UK and oneto Turkey.

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LAND + NAVAL + UN12newsTyphoon tests out Paveway IVThe RAF will release up to 20 Paveway IV weapons thismonth when they deploy to the USA for exercises.This comes after successful release of live PavewayIV bombs over the Cape Wrath training area, pictured, aspart of the latest Typhoon upgrade, known as P1Eb.The predominantly air-to-ground capability upgradeprovides enhancements to the Litening III LaserDesignator Pod and a helmet-mounted sight. The podcan now be used seamlessly with the sight to visuallyidentify air tracks at long range, as well as identifying,tracking and targeting points on the ground.Paveway IV offers increased precision, stand-off, andflexibility of employment, and the Typhoon can release anumber of weapons to different targets in a single pass.The Paveway IV drops included a mix of profilesincluding GPS and laser guidance; pre-planned andtarget of opportunity using the helmet sight, andemploying impact and airburst fusing settings on theweapon.Air + UnmAnned + medicAl + SecUrity + lAnd + nAVAlEngage with the wholedefence & securitysector at DSEI 20151,500 companiesrepresenting the wholesupply chain, from Primesto sme’s6 dedicated areas featuringstate-of-the-art solutionsregister now on:www.dsei.co.uk/bookLargest display of thelatest defence & securitytechnologynetworking opportunitieswith 32,000 representativesfrom government, military,industry and academia fromall over the worldHigh-level seminarsdelivering the latestinsight into the defence &security markets from aninternational prospectiveTheWorlddefence Visitor & SeDSEI has long beenrecognised as a world openleading forum for theland systems sector andthe pattern of growthcontinues.in IN assOCiaTiOn ASSOCIATION WiTH WITHregistrationnowOrganised byOrganised byImages courtesy of: Supacat,Peter Harlsson SAAB, Richard Seymour and THALES+ The largest Laincluding 25 i+ Vastly expandfeaturing thethe defence inREGISTER NOW FOR EARLY BIRDPLATINUMCL1254 DSEI15 Half Page Gen Vis DPI Ad.indd 1 09/12/2014 15:21

news 13Radar returnsto WitteringThe radar team,below, includes fromleft: Webber Forbes(ADATS Proj & Elec 1),Flt Lt Wes Hearst (AirCommand), SAC DanGreenhow (90 SU) , FSBob Burke (90 SU), CplLee Pritchard (90 SU),Ian Lethbridge (site coordinatinginstallationdesign authority),Sgt Steve Jones(Wittering GroundRadio MaintenanceSection), Chris Kealey(ADATS Projects andElectrical), MedwynWilliams (ADATS RadioTech Authority2)DE&S team helps regeneratecapabilities at former Harrier baseA DE&S-led team has completedinstallation of new radar to allow flying totake place again at an RAF station.The year-long project included a newair traffic control position and a completeWatchman primary surveillance radarsystem.Completed under the management ofthe Air Defence and Air Traffic Systems(ADATS) team, the work allows thesafe return of flying squadrons to RAFWittering this year.It saw the first full Watchman radarinstallation on an RAF airfield for around20 years and had to be completed beforethe start of Project Marshall, the futuremilitary air traffic management whichbegins on 1st April.Work was delivered by ADATS’ RadioTech Authority under Medwyn Williamsand Radars Installation Design underWebber Forbes for theair traffic control towerengineering worksand radar installation,respectively. Overallproject/programmemanagement fell to ChrisKealey of ADATS Projectsand Electrical.Radars InstallationDesign developed designswith constructioncompany Morgan Sindell – on contractthrough Babcock Dyncorp to build the16-metre steel radar tower – to ensuresuccessful interfacing with the radarequipment.RAF Leeming-based 90 Signals Unitextensively refurbished a previouslyrecovered radar equipment cabin and thesystem parts.RAFstaff takecontrol atWitteringThe RAF Northolt radar cabin, part ofdefence strategy for the 2012 Olympics,was used in the installation.Mr Forbes said: “I managed recoveryof the RAF Northolt radar and I ampleased to have overseen its recyclingand re-deployment to RAF Wittering.With the closure of various airfields overthe past few years, it has been a pleasureto enhance air traffic managementcapabilities, rather than draw themdown.”There was skilled input from 90 SignalsUnit Navigational Aids, Aerial Engineeringand Ground Engineering Flights, 5001Squadron, ADATS Installation Flight,Babcock Dyncorp, RAF Wittering GroundRadio Maintenance Section, and severalcontracted organisations.The radar and control suite passedall performance checks and flight trialsand was handed over to RAF Witteringpersonnel on 2nd December. It will enablethe closure of RAF Wyton airfield inMarch.Among flying units to relocate toWittering will be Cambridge UniversityAir Squadron (UAS), No 5 Air ExperienceFlight, East Midlands UAS and 115Squadron.

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news 15Albion takes first steps towardsFlagship taskHMS Albion in DevonportPlymouth-based HMSAlbion is getting a new leaseof life as she starts a refitafter three years in extendedreadiness.Work will bring her back tolife as the Royal Navy’s flagship.The make-over of the19,000-tonne ship will includeupgrading her computers,weapons, radar and commandsystems. Her engines andpropulsion system will begiven a full overhaul, as willthe accommodation spaces andmesses.The mammoth task began indry dock with staff inspectingthe outside of her 577ft hull,which had become home tomasses of marine life nowremoved.The team of sailors,reservists and specialist marineengineers from defence firmBabcock will work together tobreath life back into the assaultship.Commander Steve Ward,the ship’s senior naval officer,said his team found the ship ‘insurprisingly good nick’ whenthey stepped aboard to beginAlbion’s rejuvenation.Commander Ward said:“The first impression was verymuch like stepping on boardany Royal Navy warship. Thecore team have done a good jobof keeping the ‘patient’ alivethese past three years. All ofus – MOD, Babcock and ship’scompany – are raring to go andup for the challenge.”When she completes herregeneration Albion will swaproles with her sister ship HMSBulwark as the Navy’s flagship.Bulwark will then be laid up inextended readiness.Babcock takes on more Phalanx workBabcock, in association with Raytheon, will deliver four Phalanx 1Bkits and convert four land weapons systems to their original marinisedconfiguration to provide close-in protection for Royal Navy vessels.Three of the four Phalanx kits will add to the defensive capabilityof the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carriers.Babcock supports Phalanx systems under a long-term availabilitycontract awarded in 2006. The company is also upgrading 16 Phalanxsystems to the 1B configuration in an on-going programme.The latest contract to provide a further four Phalanx 1B kitsand four conversions, which follows a similar contract awardedlast year for four kits and two conversions, will be delivered underan amendment to the existing support and upgrade contract. Thesystems are to be delivered by March.Phalanx is a rapid-fire, computer-controlled radar and 20mmGatling gun system.©MOD Crown CopyrightMOD Partner forTest, Evaluationand TrainingSupportwww.LTPA.co.uk

16newsNEWSREELBattlefieldinfo probeA consortium is tobe formed from UKand US academiaand industry tohelp troops on thebattlefield share,store and processinformation. TheDefence Scienceand TechnologyLaboratory and USArmy ResearchLaboratoryare holding anOpportunity Day on3rd February. Mostcore informationtechnologies aredesigned for anoffice rather thanthe tactical spaceused by Forces. Theconsortium will lastfor up to ten years.More informationfrom http://www.arl.army.mil/www/default.cfm?page=2499QE carrierco-operationThe Government isexploring possibleco-operationbetween the RoyalNavy and the USNavy and MarineCorps on the QueenElizabeth classaircraft carriers,Defence SecretaryMichael Fallonhas said. “TheUS Marine Corpsoperates the F-35BLightning aircraft,the same aircraft wewill operate fromthe carriers. We areexploring options forco-operation,” headded.Bahrain baseImprovementof facilities for UKships in Bahrainwill support theMOD in furtheringBritish interests inthe region, DefenceMinister MarkFrancois has toldParliament. Theywill be used by RoyalNavy ships assignedto the region andothers which passthrough on globaldeployments.Around 170personnel will bestationed there.Putting the steel into theMARS tanker buildTwo significant milestonesin the delivery of four tankersfor the Royal Fleet Auxiliaryhave been achieved.The keel has been laid for thefirst block – the cargo section –of first-of-class RFA Tidespring.And the first cutting of steelhas taken place for second shipRFA Tiderace.Both events in the MilitaryAfloat Reach and Sustainability(MARS) tankers progammetook place at the DSME shipyardin Korea.The yard is buildingfour tankers to support andreplenish the Royal Navy in itsworldwide operations.RFA Tidespring is makingKeel lay for RFATidespring – In thecentre Mr JS Shin,Executive VicePresident DSME,with DE&S DirectorShips Tony Graham;DE&S CommerciallySupported ShippingCommodore (E) RFAIan Schumacker,ACOS AfloatSupport and SeniorResponsible Ownerfor MARS tankersCommodore RFARobert Dorey,and other MARStanker project teammembersexcellent progress, with morethan 95 per cent of the 11,000tonnes of steel prepared sincelast June and 93 per cent of theblocks fabricated.She is expected to completeher build phase next autumn,before entering service in 2016.Each tanker will travelto the UK from DSME forcustomisation and capabilitytrials before entering service.RFA Tiderace is due tocomplete her build phase withDSME in spring 2016 beforeentering service in 2017.DE&S Director Ships TonyGraham, who was in Korea,said: “This represents anothergreat step forward on theLeft: DE&SDirector ShipsTony Grahamcuts the firststeel for RFATideraceMARS tanker programme, withthe keel lay of the first ship.“It is clear from my tour ofthe block that the quality ofworkmanship is high, and thelevel of pre-outfit achieved isimpressive. This is testamentto the focus and disciplineof the wider MARS team asa whole, the MOD, shipyard,supply chain and supportingcontractors.“It is also a delight to beginconstruction of ship 2, clearlyillustrating to me and the widerstakeholder community thespeed of build of these vessels,all helping to deliver the plan toreplace ageing RFA tanker hullsas quickly as possible.”

QinetiQ in line to putArtful to the testnews 17QinetiQ.comArtful, above, pictured in BarrowThe search for efficient andeffective trials has seen QinetiQchosen to support testingand acceptance of Artful, thethird and latest Astute classsubmarine.Acceptance and testingtrials will cover static andunderway acoustic signaturemeasurements, magneticsignature measurementsand optimisation, weapondischarge and electronicwarfare calibration. Trials willbe on QinetiQ-managed rangesand in the open sea.QinetiQ has providedextensive test and evaluationservices for ships andsubmarines including theprevious two Astute submarinesand the Type 45 destroyers.Lt Cdr Gary Dunn of DE&S’Submarine Production team,said the emphasis in awardingthe contract was improvingvalue for money.“In addition due to thenature of acceptance andtesting programmes we needto work with a supplier capableof dealing with short termchanges of plan,” he said.“We selected QinetiQbecause they have delivereda significant reduction in thedefined programme costs,underpinned by their ability tomanage a complex programmein a highly flexible andresponsive manner.”QinetiQ will manage therange infrastructures and safetywhile co-ordinating personneland facilities including those ofits subcontractors.The company will alsogather information throughoutthe programme to producecomprehensive reports at theend of each trial to supportacceptance and operationalhandover of Artful to the RoyalNavy.PeoPle Who KnoW hoWto De-riskthe FutureThrough their technical expertise, knowhowand rigorous independent thinking, ourengineers and scientists are uniquely placed tohelp customers meet challenges that define themodern world. Our prized possession is trust.We inspire confidence by working in partnershipwith our customers to ensure that they meettheir goals, first time, every time.

18newsBabcock isconfirmed torun DSGReserviststo get morepaid leaveThe MOD is increasing the minimumlevel of special paid leave available tocivil servants who are also VolunteerReservists from ten to 15 days.Permanent Secretary JonThompson is leading the cross-Government challenge to encourageeligible civil servants in alldepartments to join the ReserveForces.The increase in special paidleave will better support VolunteerReservists in meeting their Reservetraining commitments.The MOD has signeda contract to sell theDefence Support Group(DSG) to Babcock for£140 million.DSG maintainsand repairs keymilitary equipment andmanages the storage ofthe land vehicle fleet.As part of thetransaction, a tenyearservice provisioncontract has beenplaced with Babcock formaintenance, repair,overhaul and storage ofcurrent military vehiclesand light weapons.The contractaward follows theannouncement of thepreferred bidder inNovember and will seeBabcock continue theservices DSG currentlyprovides.As well as the£140 million that thesale will generateup front, the Armywill also benefit fromconsiderable savings,seeing a transformationin the way its vehiclessuch as Challengersand Warriors aremaintained.Minister for DefenceEquipment, Supportand Technology PhilipDunne said: “Signingthis deal with Babcockwill put the DefenceSupport Group ona sustainable longtermfooting andwill transform theequipment maintenanceand repair support thatthe Army relies on bothat home and overseas.“Babcock willprovide market-leadingengineering and fleetmanagement expertiseto optimise vehicleavailability to the Armyat better value for thetaxpayer.“The £140 millionproceeds from the saleand the significantsavings over the life ofthe contract representoutstanding value formoney for the tax payerand will allow us tocontinue to focus ourresources on the frontline.”Contract completionis planned for 31stMarch and the serviceprovision contract willstart on 1st April.DE&S Director Ships Tony Graham with DE&SCluster Team Leader Capt Nick Fox on a visitto Cammell Laird to see progress on RFA FortVictoriaTeam praised as Victoriais ready for sea againOne of the largest vesselsoperated by the Royal FleetAuxiliary (RFA) has been givena new lease of life following thecompletion of a ten-month refit.The £49.5 million work hasseen RFA Fort Victoria’s twomain engines overhauled andsix diesel generators replaced.Significant pipe and steelwork, sewage and ballastwater treatment plants, boilersand upgrades to navigationalsystems also formed part of therefit.More than 450 people,including apprentices, haveworked on the refit, which wasdelivered by the DE&S projectteam and Cammell Laird, inBirkenhead, on time and withinbudget.Ian Schumacker, DE&S’Royal Fleet AuxiliaryCommodore, said: “The refitof RFA Fort Victoria is a greatexample of what can be achievedthrough the collaborativerelationships developed withinthe cluster contract supportmodel.“Cammell Laird has a provenCommodore Ian Schumackertrack record in supporting RFAships on a worldwide basis, andI am delighted that followingthis complex package of workthe ship is now rejuvenated forfuture operations.”After entering servicein 1993, RFA Fort Victoria’sprimary purpose has beento replenish warships andauxiliaries with fuel, oils andlubricants, water, ammunition,food and solid stores.At 204 metres and displacing36,500 tonnes she is the biggestRFA ship, and one of the biggestoperated by the MOD. Aftera period of operational seatraining, she will be redeployedon operations early this year.Cammell Laird chiefexecutive John Syvret said: “Icongratulate the DE&S, RFAand Cammell Laird team fordelivering such a good job soefficiently.“The RFA’s investmentin us enables Cammell Lairdto employ and train workersincluding apprentices, improveour infrastructure andcontribute millions of pounds tothe Merseyside community andsupply chain.”

edeployment 19After more than a decade of UK operations in Afghanistan, military equipmentcontinues to be brought back to the UK from Operation Herrick. One of the largestlogistic tasks performed in modern UK military times, DE&S staff have performedmiracles in helping to bring home equipment in good order. desider looks at thestatistics of the redeployment in a five-page specialHerrick: the redeployment

20 redeployment‘Benchmark for thefuture’The task of closing down the UK’spresence in southern Afghanistanand moving people and equipmentback to the UK – termed Redeployment– was the biggest logistical challengefaced in a military generation. It is largelycomplete and in good order.Brigadier Richard Parkinson who,as Head of Defence Support ChainOperations and Movements (DSCOM),co-ordinated all DE&S Redeploymentactivity and managed the air, land andsea lines of communication on behalf ofCommander Joint Operations, said: “Thechallenge was huge: the sheer volume ofequipment that needed to be redeployedor disposed of was compounded by theremoteness of the location in a landlockedcountry 3,500 miles from the UK andmade more complex and uncertain by thevolatile regional security conditions.“All aspects of Redeployment wereplanned meticulously and coherentlyby all stakeholders across defence; thisplanning coupled with the outstandingefforts from everyone involved inRedeployment from in-theatre to staffin Logistic Commodities and Servicesdepots and DE&S project teams, hasenabled an incredibly successful end tothis long military campaign.”DE&S personnel needed tounderstand what was to happen to itemsonce they were no longer required onOperation Herrick. DE&S inventory andrequirement managers reviewed allstocks in Afghanistan be it an Apachehelicopter or an office chair. Over sixDE&S’ work in organising the return ordisposal of equipment from Afghanistanhas helped bring a successful closure to theHerrick missionWhere sale was not viable, itemswere sent to be correctly disposed of,complying with UK regulationsmonths, decisions were made on morethan 45,000 Nato stock numbers, oftenthree or four decisions being requiredper number to reflect differing conditionsof each items.Lt Col Rachel Parr, SO1 J4 in JointForce Support (18), said: “Understandingwhat we were required to do withstocks made our lives so much easier ina time-sensitive operation. The decisionmakingprocess has been superb and Icommend DE&S staff for their efforts.Accelerating the deployment of logisticinformation systems MJDI and JAMESto Afghanistan was the right thingto do and enabled us to manage thedrawdown of the theatre equipmentsand stocks in a professional manner andclose down the theatre accounts withminimal loss or write-down. JAMES andMJDI have permitted a leap forward inour capability to manage our deployedinventory.”Items no longer required weredisposed through sale, war-like scrapor gifting. Under the management ofthe Disposal Services Authority, AgilityDefence and Government Services hassold equipment beyond economicalrepair or not economical to return tothe UK including tented camps, officefurniture, washing machines, medicalincinerators and scanners. More than130 non-military vehicles have also beensold including fork-lift trucks, white fleetvehicles and even two airfield de-icingvehicles. Money raised will go to theFront Line Commands.Where sale was not viable, itemswere sent to the war-like scrap area to becorrectly disposed of, complying with UKlegal regulations.Stocks returning to the UK enteredthe theatre reverse support chain.Logistics Commodities and Servicespersonnel deployed to Camp Bastion toinspect and triage stock entering thechain. They ensured that the containersor aircraft pallets were correctly packed,consigned and marked up for returnto that depot, so that staff would knowexactly what was arriving and be ableto process the stocks on to the shelf asefficiently as possible. Through theirtriage they have saved more than £12million in unnecessary disposal ortransport costs.DSCOM was responsible for moving

edeployment 21items to and from Afghanistan. Achartered Boeing 747 aircraft flew everyother day to resupply theatre with criticalstocks and recover items back to theUK. Sensitive items such as protectedmobility vehicles and munitions werecollected by the RAF’s C-17 fleet shuttlingbetween Bastion, the Middle East andRAF Brize Norton. Together the 747s andC-17s flew almost five million air miles.Some medical stocks were immediatelydespatched to Sierra Leone to tackle theoutbreak of the Ebola virus.On the main surface route, shippingcontainers and some bigger vehiclestravelled through Pakistan to link upwith roll-on roll-off vessels. Alternativeroutes went north, with general storestravelling via road and rail across seveninternational borders arriving in Riga,Latvia, a journey of 5,508 miles, beforereturning by sea to the UKDSCOM also co-ordinated vehiclesand equipment arriving back atMarchwood military port and RAFBrize Norton. They are subsequentlymoved in the UK by Logistic Services,unit or chartered transport to their finaldestination. For the land vehicles, thishas been to the DSG-operated HerrickExchange Point at Warminster. Thisfacility, supported by DE&S, is carryingout the regeneration and refurbishmentof vehicles before their re-issue to units.Stocks continue to arrive in the UK andare expected to do so until the end ofMarch.Brigadier Parkinson added: “WhileUK forces have departed southernAfghanistan the DE&S Redeploymenteffort continues until March by whichtime we should have received backall of the vehicles and stocks that aretransiting back to the UK. That said,the task of removing 3,465 vehicles andmajor equipment and 4,728 containersof materiel, as well as the disposal of theequivalent of 6,293 containers, has been asignificant undertaking that has occurredalongside the need to support the Herrickmission and also to mount, sustain andrecover other operations and trainingactivities worldwide. DE&S should becollectively proud of the significantcontribution it has made to the successfulclosure of the Herrick mission. It will bethe benchmark for the future.”

22 redeploymentHerrick in numbersCamp Bastion• Largest operational UK military basebuilt since World War Two• Operating since 2005• 26km² (City of Bath is 29km²)• On site facilities included its own waterbottling facility, three dining facilitiescapable of feeding around 7,000 diners,a Pizza Hut and a KFC• 28,000 troops on site in 2011-12(including Leatherneck and Shorabakbases within the broader site)The challenges to DE&S Logistic Services onOperation Herrick• 31,000 lines identified and re-brigadedacross Logistic Services sites atDonnington, Bicester, St Athan, Stirling,Portsmouth and Longmoor to allowHerrick stock to be returned to theiroriginal base and be located withexisting stock.• To date Logistic Services has receivedaround 39,000m³ (equivalent to 13Olympic size swimming pools) of stockfrom Herrick since redeploymentstarted.• Around 18,000 Nato stock numbers(items) with a total stock value of £648million dispersed around 34 separatewarehouses across the LogisticServices estate.• More stock is still expected fromOperation Herrick.Challenges:LS estate did not have enough space orthe specialist facilities for the volume ofstock forecast to return from Afghanistan,therefore:From protection suits to post office services,the UK effort was underpinned by DE&Sstaff. Statistics for returning ordisposing of equipment showhow important that workhas beenSt Athan were converted to LogisticServices warehouses to hold slowmovingstock, making room in mainwarehouses in Donnington and Bicesterfor returning stores. This provided anincrease of around 45,000m³ storagecapacity• Four Bicester warehouses that wereused by third parties were recalled toprovide additional storage space• Donnington building B9 was convertedto a specialist warehouse to meet theacute capacity shortfall for classifieditems and specialist inventory, suchas cryptographic equipment• Equipping new warehouses withappropriate IT equipment, mechanicalhandling equipment, storage media andre-brigading large amounts of stock toachieve optimum storagesolutions in relatively shorttimescales.Logistic Commodities and ServicesForward• Operation Anvil is the name of the• three aircraft hangars atDefence Food Services staff helped feed 14,500 personnel each day at thepeak of Operation Herrick (required average was 4,000 calories per person, or 5.6 million caloriestotal each day). This was for UK military, entitled coalition military, civil servants and contractors

edeployment23operation to redeploy equipment orreturn it to the UK• Logistic Commodity Services Forward(LCSF) personnel are deployed to assistwith the in-theatre reverse supply chainduring redeployment in Afghanistan.They inspect and triage stock for returnto the UK• The LCSF team offers the potential tosignificantly streamline the reversesupply chain process by identifyingprecisely which stores depot and depotwarehouse each Nato stock numbershould be consigned to, in line with itsmateriel condition• UK base processing of ISO containers(the time taken to receive the receiptfor a transport container to placing onshelf) increased from two ISOs per dayto 5-8 ISOs per day• Operation has been instrumental in‘proof of good order’ and has savedmore than £12 millionDisposal Services Authority in theatre• Under the management of the DSA,Agility, Operation Herrick’s in-theatredisposal contractor, has disposed ofequipment beyond economical repair,or is not economical to return to the UKas well as Camp Bastion’s (and othercamps) waste.• DSA’s contractor has disposed of 3,300pallets of surplus, non-controlledequipment including screwdriversto kitchen pots, rowing machine to atelevision• 131 non-military vehicles disposed ofincluding fork-lift trucks, transit vans,white fleet vehicles and pick-up trucks• 300 tons of ballistic glass (for exampleheavily laminated glass from vehicles)was disposed of in theatre by ascrapyard contractorBenefits• Using a contractor to manage thedisposal keeps military resources in theFront Line Commands free to performtheir duties and keeps space availableon the Logistic Services estate foroperational equipment• All items disposed of in theatre werecategorised as surplus equipmentnot commercially or financiallyviable to return to the UK. The robustdisposal programme has ensured thatenvironmental and financial risks havebeen minimised. The net value of salesof equipment and materials has still tobe determined but is expected tobe millions of pounds. Most of thismoney will go to the FrontLine Commands.

24 mine disposalFacing the underwater threatNew ideas are shaping the way in which the Royal Navy detectsmines at sea and surveys the ocean floorArevolution in the way the RoyalNavy detects and disposes of seamines and surveys the ocean flooris on the way after a DE&S programmepassed a significant milestone.Mine disposal is currently carriedout by the Hunt and Sandown classmine countermeasures vessels. Oceansurvey, or hydrography, is mainly theresponsibility of the Echo class ships.DE&S’ Mine Countermeasuresand Hydrographic Capability (MHC)programme – which has just kicked off itsassessment phase – is looking at a rangeof autonomous systems operating above,on and beneath the ocean’s surface,deployed from a single class of mothership or from the shore.Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) couldbe used to taxi UUVs at high speedsinto the area of interest and providea platform for further sensors andmine disposal equipment. UnmannedAir Vehicles (UAVs) may providecommunications and overwatch, furtherextending the range between the systemsand their operators.”Autonomous systems are potentiallymore cost-effective and flexible. Themother ships would not need to be assophisticated as the current minehuntersand the autonomous systems willbe portable, meaning they can betransported rapidly by land, sea or airand deployed from sea or land.Assessment phase will confrontand has been established with theexpress purpose of de-risking the MHCprogramme. MASTT trials will helpdetermine the full capability of the newsystems while building confidence andexperience in their operation.“Unmanned systems promise greatlyimproved operational flexibility,” said Mrdu Pré. “By breaking the link betweenthe ship and the mission systems,they also allow greater flexibility inprocurement. The programme is ideallysuited to incremental acquisition, whichwill, in turn, reduce risk exposureand allow the risks to be managed in acontrolled way. To achieve this, MHCwill need to deliver a modular, opensystem architecture allowing for easyRNMB Hazard, anexperimental boat used bythe Maritime AutonomousSystems Trials Team,capable of launching andrecovering a range ofautonomous systems“The MHC programme aims torevolutionise these capabilities byexploiting the rapidly developing fieldof maritime autonomous systems,”said MHC team leader Alex du Pré.“This builds on some very excitingdevelopments in the R&D community.“Unmanned Underwater Vehicles(UUVs) fitted with sophisticated sonarand navigation systems offer thepotential both to detect mines andprovide an ocean survey capability. Thiscould be done covertly at long range fromthe operators, while improving safety bypreventing the need for ships and theircrews to enter the minefield themselves.technological challenges. In additionto a thorough analysis of technical andprogramme aspects, MHC is planningadvanced technology demonstratorsto try out the systems in a demandingoperational environment. One of these isan unmanned, USV-based minesweepingsystem which will be fitted to a Huntclass ship. Another is the Maritime MineCounter Measures demonstrator, incollaboration with France.MHC will also be running an extensivetrials programme using the RoyalNavy’s Maritime Autonomous SystemsTrials Team (MASTT). This 15-strongunit has high-tech robotic equipmentupgrade and replacement of individualsystem components.”There will be other challenges too. TheRoyal Navy currently approaches minehunting and ocean survey differently butthe two branches could be merged in thefuture as the two tasks will be deliveredby similar systems.“Change will need to be carefullymanaged,” said Mr du Pré. “Current minedisposal and hydrographic capabilitiesare highly respected but obsolescencewill catch up with them in time and theexisting ships will be very old by the timethey are retired. The Royal Navy willneed to be convinced of the benefits of the

mine disposal 25new systems if they are to make the leapaway from the current tried and testedapproach.“In focusing on modular, autonomoussystems, MHC is the first major RoyalNavy programme to break away fromtraditional shipbuilding. As the RoyalNavy is likely to exploit autonomoussystems widely in the future, MHCis seen as a pathfinder in this newtechnology area.”Mr du Pré added: “Achievementof Initial Gate success is animportant milestone for theprogramme. While thereare many challenges to beaddressed, the rewardsfor the Navy promise tobe great. This feelslike an exciting placeto be.”‘Members of the MHC team receiving a Chief of Materiel (Fleet) award from Director Ships for excellence in project delivery following successat Initial Gate. From left: Jayne Hamling, Rhodri Briddon, Tony Graham (Director Ships), Alex du Pré and Jennifer Back

26 apprenticesTOM NEVARD MEMORIALCOMPETITIONapprentices (or group of apprentices)for awards for work which is consideredto be of outstanding merit and in thetradition of excellence of engineeringdesign and quality of workmanshipfor which Sir Henry was renowned.Award Winner Jake Briscoe DM GosportSIR DAVID CARDWELLMEMORIAL PRIZEThe competition started in 1952 as amemorial to Tom Nevard who was anassistant secretary in the labour branch ofthe Ministry of Supply and played a key rolein how engineering apprenticeships aremanaged within the Ministry of Defence.AwardsPhase 1 -Individual Design and ManufacturingWinner (Phase 1)Rhys Davies DE&S Abbey WoodRunner Up (Phase 1)Rose Wheelhouse-Thomas DM GosportRunner Up (Phase 1)Jonathan Derwin DM GosportPhase 2 -Individual Design and ManufacturingWinner (Phase 2)Kersey Segger DE&S DevonportRunner Up (Phase 2)Craig Kitcher DM GosportRunner Up (Phase 2)Macauley Binner DM GosportTeam Design and Manufacturing EventWinners Emma Quigley (Phase 3)DE&S DevonportRichard Carlile (Phase 3) DE&S Abbey WoodElliot Symes (Phase 3) DE&S Abbey WoodJoseph Clingo (Phase 1) DE&S DevonportAshely Hodgetts (Phase 1)DE&S Abbey WoodJack Newman (Phase 1) DM GosportRowan Ward (Phase 2) DSG BovingtonJo Jones (Phase 3) DE&S Abbey WoodRunners UpStuart Redford (Phase 3) DE&S DevonportGareth Hopton (Phase 3) DSG DonningtonMiles Goldsack-Rowland (Phase 2)DE&S Abbey WoodLee Williamson (Phase 1) DSG BovingtonMatt Veal (Phase 3) DE&S Abbey WoodJoe Gardiner (Phase 1) DSG BovingtonNick Bennett (Phase 3) DE&S Abbey WoodDan King (Phase 1) DE&S DevonportSIR HENRY ROYCE MEMORIALFOUNDATION MEDALIn 1982, the MOD accepted an invitationfrom the Sir Henry Royce MemorialFoundation to nominate civilian engineeringIn 1982 it was decided to award a prize inmemory of the late Sir David Cardwell (theformer Chief of Defence Procurement).The award is given to an apprentice who,while not being an outright winner, hasnevertheless made exceptional progressand overcome some great personal orphysical difficulty.Award WinnerJacky TommyDSG DonningtonIET Technician of The Year 2014Mark HollowayFinalistIET Young Woman Engineerof The Year AwardsHannah StanburySoutheast ShortlistedEEF Future Manufacturing AwardsRegional EventJoshua BeddisSouthwest Regional FinalistStuart RedfordSouthwest Regional FinalistHannah StanburySoutheast Regional FinalistAPPRENTICE OF THE YEARIn 1977, the Competitions Committeedecided that there should be a competitionto find the “Apprentice of the Year” fromapprentices in their final phase of training.This encompasses a paper sift and interviewto determine the top three apprentices inthe MOD.Ministry of DefenceApprentice of the Year 2014Gold Medal WinnerEmma Quigley DE&S DevonportSilver Medal WinnerJoshua Beddis DE&S Abbey WoodBronze Medal WinnerStuart Redford DE&S DevonportGet in,Emma Quigley led the best of DE&S’young talent against the top talentacross the MOD in the annualapprentices award ceremony in London.Emma, a DE&S apprentice workingon submarines at Devonport, receivedher Apprentice of the Year award on aglittering occasion attended by principalguest of the event, the Duke of York.Emma’s triumph was part of another1-2-3 for DE&S with her Devonportcolleague Stuart Redford taking thebronze medal and Abbey Wood’s JoshuaBeddis the silver.The day was opened by Bernard Gray,Chief of Defence Materiel, who also gavethe closing address. The event has becomea celebration of the achievements of theMOD’s civilian engineering apprenticesand increases in importance every year.MOD chiefs are keen to show how vitalyoung talent is to the defence of the UKand central to its future prosperity. Theyare key to creating and nurturing theengineers and craftsman of the future.Air Vice-Marshal Julian Young,Director Technical at DE&S, said: “TheMOD Apprentice of the Year awards isa celebration of some of the best in ourfuture talent within defence, and it was aprivilege to have the Duke of York as ourguest of honour at the event.“As well as internal prize winners, it isgreat to know that we benchmark stronglyin competition with the private sector inpicking up national awards too. DE&Sis a major stakeholder in Civil Serviceapprenticeships, and we are proud to havemore than doubled our numbers over thepast two years, and delighted with thehigh quality of intake – get in, go far!”The MOD is increasingly turning toapprenticeships as a preferred way oftraining youngsters for other functionalareas such as information systems,information management, commercial andfinance.

apprentices 27Go far!That’sthe message to youngsters as the bestengineering apprentices in DE&S went onshow in the annual MOD awards in LondonLast year was the MOD’s mostsuccessful year for engineeringapprentices with a completion of morethan 93 per cent; each apprentice filleda vacant post in the department. Andschemes that closed down in the lastmillennium are starting up again,including ones at Defence Munitions inBeith.Apprentices find themselves regularlytested against their peers in industry,including Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems andAirbus where they routinely hold theirown.Alongside the DE&S apprentices inMain Building was young talent fromthe Defence Science and TechnologyLaboratory, Defence Munitions and theDefence Support Group.Richard Nevard, grandson of TomNevard, who played a key role in howapprenticeships are managed in the postwarperiod and after whom one of theapprentice competitions is named, wasagain a guest at the event and praised theinfluence of apprenticeships on the futurewell-being of organisations.“I was delighted to speak again withthe winners and runners up and hearhow real work is starting for some,” hesaid. “We are all pleased to hear thatapprenticeships are definitely back infashion. It was certainly music to ourears to hear the Duke of York speak soeloquently and passionately on the subjectand the Chief of Defence Materiel givehis full support. I look forward to hearingplans for 2015’s competition.”As an example of the skills on show, theDuke was presented with a scale modelbrass Spitfire, made by three apprenticesfrom Defence Munitions at Gosport, RoseWheelhouse-Thomas, Jack Newman andJonathan Derwin.Among organisations representedon the day were the Institution ofEngineering and Technology and theInstitution ofMechanicalEngineers, whosponsored someof the prizes.Right: BernardGray congratulatesApprentice of theYear Emma Quigleywhile, below, theDuke of York was theevent's special guest

28 apprenticesThere’s no i in team!Apprentices newto DE&S have beenlearning the valuesof teamwork andco-operation inan environmentsomewhat removedfrom Abbey Wood –DartmoorPhase 1 apprentices have taken partin a five-day residential adventuretraining course at Runnage Farm,near Princetown, in the middle of a wildand rugged moor, a centre which catersfor everything from cycling to climbingand kayaking and where people go forDuke of Edinburgh’s Award and Ten Torstraining.The training, as part of the three-yearapprenticeship, is run in conjunction withBridgwater College, the new trainingprovider for DE&S.During the week, the students tookpart in rock climbing, mounting bikingand a two-day wild camping expeditiondesigned to develop necessary leadershipskills.They have to navigate their wayacross the moor, build a temporary rivercrossing and prepare meals with nothingbut basic equipment.They also had the chance to meet andwork with inspirational instructors suchas former Royal Marine Darren Swift,who while climbing Mt Everest in 2003rescued an injured climber from highon the north ridge, for which he wasawarded the Royal Humane Society’shighest award, The Stanhope GoldMedal, and the society’s Silver Medal.“The students thoroughly enjoyedthe experience even though many hadnever participated in similar exercises,”said Tracey Cruse, DE&S’ apprenticecompetition officer.

apprentices 29Cycling and rock climbingwere two of many activitieson the Dartmoor agenda.Below: Tobie Bryant andJayden Peck get to grips withsome steering issues“The course was challenging forsome but for most it formed goodfriendship groups which I am surewill continue throughout their threeyearapprenticeship. In previous yearsthe course has taken place later in theapprentices’ time at Abbey Wood; nowit’s closer to the start, and that has helpedthem form their friendships so muchearlier.”

30 construction vehiclesSqueezing out the costsAbbey Wood teams are always under pressure to operate moreefficiently and effectively. When savings were demanded in DE&S’15-year private finance initiative to provide bulldozers and diggers tothe front line, staff moved into top gearADE&S team which provides morethan 2,000 earth movers, diggers,bulldozers and other constructiontrucks to the three services has achievednearly seven per cent savings on itscontract after a series of radical changesin the last year.The Cabinet Office demanded savingsof at least five per cent on the £714 million15-year private finance initiative (PFI) –known as the C-Vehicle contract – whichruns for another six years.Kat Morgan, Head of the PFI CapabilityCell in DE&S’ Operational SupportVehicles Programme (OSVP), said: “Thecontract has been delivering continuousefficiency improvements from itsconception so there wasn’t a lot of fatremaining. The key was to recheck whatcapabilities the Front Line Commandsreally needed today and tomorrow. Thisenabled us to remove or reduce unwantedcapabilities and introduce new ones ormore of those required.“The fleet has more than 100 differentlines of equipment, some of them used byall three services, from field deployablemechanical handling vehicles like telehandlersand cranes to heavy RoyalEngineer equipment like bulldozers,excavators and dump trucks. Getting allcommands to confirm requirements inthe fluid post-Afghanistan period witheyes firmly fixed on Future Force 2020was never going to be easy. But we’veachieved it.”There were some easy wins likeremoving vehicles no longer needed, orcancelling new buys as their work couldbe done by existing equipment. Ultralightwheeled tractors were no longerneeded while some lines of dump trucks,excavators and loaders could be reduced.Service Provider ALC, a joint venturebetween Amey and Babcock, are usingcash from selling the equipment to buynew capabilities.Hamish Knox, Managing Directorof ALC, said: “We have achieved verygood prices for the vehicles we have soldby utilising our experience gained inreselling the original MOD legacy fleet.To date the MOD has already receivedmore than £13 million in gainshare fromthe legacy resale and the sale of vehiclesidentified during review should providean additional £3 million.”More excavators, lighting towers andconcrete mixers have been bought, allwithout the need for extra funding.There have been some harder winstoo. The original contract required theentire fleet of 2,100 to be available at 30days’ notice. This has been reduced to

construction vehicles 3190 per cent ready in 30 days, leaving theremaining ten per cent available for thirdparty hire, for which the MOD recoversa gainshare. Fixed levels of equipmentoverseas such as Kenya has beenremoved from the contract in exchangefor agreement that all equipment abroadnot in an ALC pool would be ondemand. This allows greater freedomof equipment allocation andpromotes return of equipment tothe UK when not in use. Thiscuts overseas maintenanceand increases incomefrom possible hire.The reviewalso includedbringing moreof the RAF’sequipment into the contract, fleets ofJCB telehandlers joining Terex 35-tonnecranes in the C-Vehicle fleet. The RoyalNavy has had its requirements fortelehandlers and cranes now includedas a core contract capability. Savingshave also been made by better use ofMOD transport.Kat Morgan added: “The challengefor the OSVP and ALC teams is tocontinue finding further efficienciesin support of the changing capabilityrequirements while maintaining thehigh standards of service they providetogether. As our Forces draw downfrom Afghanistan, including ALC’sfield service reps who are based withthem, and the returning equipmentregenerated, the question stillremains: can the provision of C-VehicleCapability be optimised still further?”

32dseiBiggest display of land systemscapabilitiesThe land systems component of DSEIhas achieved iconic status as a showcasefor the latest land systems presented bymanufacturers from around the worldand as a window on future developmentsin policy and the shape of the strategicchallenges we face.The Land Zone at DSEI 2015 will beof record size, with an expected 700 landfocused exhibitors, out of a total 1,500exhibitors, found in the Land Zone andaround the exhibition halls. The militaryvehicle static park at the heart of the Zonehas been similarly expanded.The exhibitor list features companiesinvolved in the heartland of MODprogrammes. They include LockheedMartin, currently delivering the WarriorCapability Sustainment Programme andwill see nearly 500 vehicles deliveredfrom 2016-2017 onwards. A key subsystemwill be the 40mm Case TelescopedAmmunition turret, a UK-France jointventure. Warrior CSP Armoured InfantryBattlegroups will be the backbone of theReaction Brigades in Future Army 2020structure.Lockheed Martin is also under contractfrom General Dynamics to produce theturret for the Scout specialist vehicle,which also features the CTA turret. GeneralDynamics is a major supplier to MOD,with 300 Foxhound Light Protected PatrolVehicles delivered. Proven on operationsin Afghanistan, the vehicle is a significantexample of the utilisation of motor sportDSEI Land ZoneThe continuing successof DSEI is due in no smallmeasure to the feature zonesdedicated to crucially importantareas of defence and securitycapability.The zones enable visitorsto optimise their time at theevent and the concept hasbeen undergoing continualrefinement since its introductionin 2011.In addition to displays andcapability demonstrations by adiversity of suppliers, the LandZone also hosts brief but highlyinformative seminars deliveredby top military figures.Thales Watchkeeper WK450 Remote Piloted Air System for all-weather use by theBritish Armyprotection technology and DSEI 2015will feature a dedicated motor sport zoneagain.The MOD fleets of General DynamicsMastiff and Ridgback are being overhauledby Morgan Advanced Materials, Ricardoand Ultra Electronics in a new jointventure. Each Reaction Brigade in FutureArmy 2020 will have a Protected MobilityBattlegroup equipped with Mastiff andRidgback at its core.A long-established flagship exhibitorat DSEI, BAE Systems, has beenupgrading the Viking all-terrain vehiclesfor future Royal Marine operations andis also close to delivering the last Terrierengineer tractors. Thales is in full flow withdeliveries of the Watchkeeper RemoteThe British Army is again planning todeliver a strong presence at DSEI 2015.Highlights of Army participation in DSEI2013 included a symposium hosted by theChief of General Staff, a keynote address bythe Chief of Materiel (Land) and a dedicatedstand in the Land Zone.The post-Afghanistan era is a time ofradical change, with Future Force 2020playing a fundamental role in shapingthe Army’s agenda. The Defence GrowthPartnership is another significant factornow in play, as the Army seeks to deepen itsrelationships with industry.Against this background the Armymust have the capability to tackle the broadrange of often complex and demandingroles that the coming decades will bring.These cover the spectrum from theassertion of sovereign rights to the conductPiloted Air System to the British Army. Thesystem received full flight clearance earlierthis year and is being shared as a jointprogramme with the French Army.Other major players exhibiting includeDenel, Iveco, Jankel, Nexter, Oshkosh,Patria, Raytheon, Streit and Supacat.However, DSEI is also renowned forproviding SMEs with a global platformfor their innovation. Visitors will beable to see solutions spanning a rangeof requirements, such as Aeroglowvehicle escape systems, Hesco’s rapidlydeployable barrier systems, through lifesupport specialists OSEC and RichmondDefence Systems’ training and equipmentpackages for border protection troops,special forces and police.Army involvement in DSEI 2015Advertisingfeatureof constabulary actions, and support forpartners, some of which may well havea counter-insurgency dimension. Newtechnical challenges, such as disruptivetechnologies and infomatics, also have tobe met.Lt Gen Mark Poffley, Commander ForceDevelopment and Capability, said: “Recentevents have highlighted the need for anintegrated and persistent security responseacross a wide spectrum of operations.The British Army is reconfiguring tomeet the challenges of the contemporarysecurity environment. An important partof this adjustment is establishing a closerelationship with its industrial partners,seeking out innovative and relevantsolutions as part of the DGP and exploitingmutually beneficial agendas to defeat thosewho threaten our security.”DSEI: 15-18 September 2015, ExCel, Londonwww.DSEI.co.uk

dsei 33n At DSEI 2015 highmobility vehiclespecialist Supacatwill showcase itsrange of vehiclesand its ability todevelop innovativeengineeringsolutions tounusual customerrequirements.Supacat designedthe High MobilityTransporter,known as Jackaland Coyote withUK Forces, to meeta requirement foran agile, all-terrainvehicle, which wasused extensivelyAfghanistan.Supacat vehicles on showo DSEi 2015 will be a keyevent for defence andsecurity company Saab.We will exhibit the fullrange of our land systemsportfolio includingbattlefield engagement,air defense, radars, vehiclesystems, CBRN systems,multi-level command andcontrol solutions and acomprehensive range oftraining options. Saab willalso bring its unique level ofexpertise in the air and navaldomains.n At Thales, our commitmentis to provide equipment,systems and services thatdeliver the interoperabilityand scalability that deployedforces need for operationalsuperiority.Our land solutions includecomplex mission systemsfor vehicles and soldiers,integrated combat systems,thermal imaging camerasand sights, lasers, voice anddata communications, andhigh-fidelity simulators fortraining drivers and othervehicle crews.o BAE SystemsMunitions hascompleted itslargest, mostsignificantinvestmentprogramme,following thesigning of theMASS PartneringAgreement inAugust 2008 withthe MOD.Thetransformationof facilities,infrastructure andculture occurredat its threemanufacturingsites (Glascoed;Radway Green andWashington).All objectives, schedule milestones and identified capabilities have been achieved, alongwith new facilities, significantly improved manufacturing flexibility, efficiency and designed insafety improvements.n A leader in design and manufacture ofspecialist batteries and chargers, Lincadis pleased to announce that it has beenawarded three new R&D contracts bythe MOD. This will provide the fundingrequired for the company to take thedevelopment of three key new productsthrough to the production stage.Lincad has been at the forefront ofdeveloping specialist solutions for theMOD’s battery and charger requirementsfor over 12 years. Over that time, througha process of mechanical refinement andthe use of cutting edge cell technology,the company has consistently deliveredproducts that have helped to reduce theload that soldiers in the field have to carry,with no loss of efficiency or reliability.Brian Soden, Lincad’s ManagingDirector, said: “We’re delighted that theMOD has decided to fund the furtherdevelopment of these three new products.We have every confidence that ourcontinued work will bring significantbenefits to soldiers deployed in operationalroles.”Visit Lincad at DSEi on Stand S4-430o WEW offers mobilefuel and water logisticsdelivery solutions,transportable by road,rail, sea or air. Ourintegrated tank andpump system moduleshave capacities from 500litres upwards to 60,000litres in one unit and canbe connected to create afuel or water farm.

Home of theBattlefield MissionChosen by Defence.Millbrook is an independent, impartialworld-leader in the full range of militaryvehicle and system test & evaluation.Email: bruce.lornie@millbrook.co.ukMillbrook, Bedford, MK45 2JQ, UKwww.millbrook.co.uk

Where DE&S can go fortechnical supportElectronicsandcomponentssupport toDE&S willremain aspart of theMOD this yearnews 35A technical repair organisation will be back inAbbey Wood next month to show off its capabilitiesto DE&S customers.The Defence Electronics and Components Agency(DECA) will provide DE&S with secure access toassured onshore capacity and capability for throughlifemaintenance, repair and overhaul, upgrade andprocurement services.The agency is currently the electronic andcomponents business unit of the Defence SupportGroup. But it will be retained in the MOD from 1stApril while the DSG is taken over by private enterprise.Extensive work is under way to separate theelectronic and components businesses at Sealand andStafford from the DSG Land business. Chief Executive(Designate) of DECA, Geraint Spearing and his team,are working to deliver an Executive Agency fromApril.The unit is trusted to work closely with its MODcustomers and industry to deliver depth repair tothe UK military and help meet operational needs.Given the need to continue offering best value,Treasury, Cabinet Office and defence ministershave also endorsed that DECA will continueexpanding its offerings into the Land, Maritime andJoint Enabler environments.MOD customer engagement days have been held atSealand, with follow-on events at Abbey Wood. Thesehave enabled engagement with DE&S customers tohelp identify areas where the new agency can supportDE&S in developing support strategies and delivery oftransformation.Further Abbey Wood events are scheduled for26th February and 20th April. For further informationcontact Steve Harrison on 01244 847490 or steve.harrison@dsg.mod.uk

36newsDE&S survey results spark detailed analysisThe headline results from the DE&SEmployee Engagement Survey have beenpublished and the reporting and commenttools, which enable teams to analyse theirresults in more detail, have recently beenreleased.Teams will now carry out detailedanalysis to help them identify actions to betaken forward that best suit their needs.Focus groups are to be held across anumber of sites to help gain further insightinto survey results and seek staff viewson the key actions they wish the seniormanagement team to focus on.The 2014 survey, the first specificto DE&S, generated the highest everresponse rate with 79 per cent (9,400) ofstaff completing the survey.Bernard Gray, Chief of DefenceMateriel, said: “I’m pleased that there aremany positives to share in these results.There are however a number of areaswhere we recognise we need to improve.“During the last 12 months DE&S haschanged direction from pursuing a GoCoto becoming a bespoke trading entity.Naturally, this has been unsettling.“Feedback on organisational objectivesand purpose tells us that we need to domore to engage with staff on what ournew status means for them and where ourMateriel Strategy transformation is takingthe new DE&S.“Pay and reward continues to be anissue across the whole of the Civil Serviceand this is an area that, with the expertiseof our Managed Service Providers, we arestarting to address.“We aim to put in place a frameworkfor rewarding people that better fits ourunique business and enables us to retainand attract specialist skills.Mr Gray added: “An increasingnumber of staff said that they believethe senior management team will takeaction on the results of this survey whichwe are committed to doing and we willbe reviewing the detailed results of thesurvey and focus group activity over thecoming weeks to agree the actions weneed to take.“Thank you to everyone who took thetime to participate in the survey; feedbackreceived will help the senior managementteam to shape and deliver the changeswhich will make DE&S an even betterplace to work.”Investment comes under spotlightDE&S’ long term investment in the UK’snaval bases came under the spotlightwhen Defence Secretary Michael Fallonvisited Devonport last month.The £2.6 billion Maritime SupportDelivery Framework contract runs for thenext five years and safeguards thousandsof jobs in Devonport, Portsmouth and onthe Clyde.Mr Fallon was in Devonport to meetRoyal Navy personnel and talk to cityofficials and industrial partners overinvestment plans to transform part of thenaval base for commercial use.During his tour, Mr Fallon saw thearea of the naval base which is due tobecome a prime location for the marineindustry.This follows the Governmentannouncement of the City Deal last year,which could bring nearly £300 millioninvestment to the region.Mr Fallon said: “The investment we arenow making in the naval base and throughthe City Deal will help support 25,000It may have been adamp day in Rosythbut progress on theQueen Elizabethcarriers made it apositive day for MrFallon pictured onthe right. He joinedIan Booth, AircraftCarrier Alliance MD,on the deck of thefirst carrier, whichis being fitted outfollowing its floatingout from No 1 docklast summern Engineeringsupport work: page38Right: MrFallonspeaks to theCommandingOfficerof HMSGrimsby,Lt Cdr WillKing, as theship andcrew returnalongside atClyde aftera fourmonthNatodeployment.defence andsupport jobsacross the wider Devonport area thatdepend on defence.”Mr Fallon also visited Clyde on18th December to reaffirm the defencecommitment to Scotland.During his tour of the base, Mr Fallonreceived a progress report on worksbeing undertaken to transform Clyde intothe Royal Navy’s Centre of SubmarineSpecialisation by 2020.Speaking from the submarine HMSTriumph at Clyde, Mr Fallon said: “It isso important as we head towards theend of what has been a very importantyear for Scotland, that we continue toaffirm our commitment to the country,not only as a fundamental part ofdefence, but as a part of the UnitedKingdom as a whole.“In Scotland we employ vastnumbers of highly skilled military andcivilian workers. At this base alone thereare more than 6,700 people workingon transforming the area ready toreceive HMS Triumph and HMS Talentand the remainder of the Astute classsubmarines to the Clyde by 2020.“This project brings job creation andsecurity to our people; it also provideslong term security to their families.”

news 37Latest Brimstone headsfor US-based trialsThe first productionstandard Brimstone 2 missileshave been delivered.DE&S’ Maritime and AirWeapons Systems team leaderMatt Brown formally accepteddelivery of the first 20 missilesfrom manufacturers MBDA atthe company's live build facilityat Henlow.First missile acceptanceis a key milestone for theprogramme and represents theculmination of much hard workby all those involved throughoutthe joint MOD and industryteam.Brimstone 2 will bringa range of operationalperformance and logisticalbenefits that will provideadvantages in operational useand stockpile management.These come from themissile being classified as aninsensitive munition due to thenew warhead and rocket motordesign as well as improvementsin the seeker, guidance andgreater air carry hours.The missiles will be takento the China Lake range in theUSA for use in operationalevaluation trials this year whenthe system will be put throughits paces against various targetsets and conditions to ensure itmeets the exacting requirementset by the user.These trials are the firststep along the road towards theformal acceptance into serviceof the Brimstone 2 weaponsystem by the RAF.Mr Brown said: “I have onlybeen directlyinvolved withthis project fora short time,but what hasbecome clear tome is the totalcommitmentand dedicationof the jointteam to makethis project asuccess.”His viewswere echoed byThe DE&S/industryteam welcome thefirst Brimstone 2production missiles.Back from left: AndrewWolstenholme (MBDA)Brimstone 2 B&PProject Managerand Paul Moulton(MBDA) BrimstoneManufacturingManager, Henlow.Front: Sam Rees-Booth (MBDA)Brimstone 2Production ProjectManager, Colin Lapsley(MBDA) Chief EngineerBrimstone, MattBrown (DE&S) MAWSleader, Tony Bates(DE&S) Brimstone PM,Martin Southworth(MBDA) ProductAssurance, RichardLeighton (MBDA) Headof BrimstoneRichard Leighton, head ofBrimstone at MBDA. “The jointteam – RAF, DE&S, MBDA,Dstl and QinetiQ – have workedextremely hard to get to thisstage, overcoming variousobstacles along the way,” hesaid.“I am proud of what theteam has achieved and wouldlike to personally thank all ofthose involved for their veryreal efforts that have made thisa reality.”NEWSREELHorsetradingDefence MinisterAnna Soubry hasissued reassurancethat deceasedworking militaryanimals do notenter the foodchain. “When ananimal dies thebody is passedto contractorsapproved by theAnimal and PlantHealth Agencyfor disposal inaccordance withthe appropriateanimal welfare,hazardous wasteand healthcareregulations,” shetold Parliament lastmonth. “In the caseof military horsesthe MOD retainsthe horse passportand returns it tothe organisationwhich issued thepassport. This is inaccordance with the2009 Horse PassportRegulations.”CovenantsuccessEvery localauthority in GreatBritain and morethan 370 businesseshave signed upto the ArmedForces Communityand CorporateCovenantsrespectively. Thenews is containedin the Covenantannual reportfor 2014, whichdetails a numberof key successesincluding morethan £100 millionawarded throughthe Covenantto projects thatbenefit personnel,veterans and ArmedForces families.The Covenant wasenshrined in law in2011.Latest chart• Brimstone 2 was developed to provide an InsensitiveMunitions-compliant version of this successfulmissile• It is a high precision air-to-ground missile usedagainst high value, fast moving agile targets as wellas armoured vehicles• Its high precision reduces collateral damage• It operates from the Tornado GR4Above: Martin Southworth of MBDA and MattBrown (MAWS leader) at the company's facilityin HenlowThis copy of desidercontains the latestDefence Finance andMilitary Capabilityorganisational chart.Further copies canbe obtained fromDE&S on AbbeyWood extension30537.

38newsTeamingupin thefieldLandopenarchitecturetakesfurtherstepsforwardTrialling withallies, left, anddiscussingfeedback withstakeholders,belowDE&S Technology Delivery hassuccessfully led an MOD and industryteam in trialling LOSA (Land OpenSystem Architecture) developments in thelaboratory and in the field.Activity culminated in an internationalconference and visitors’ day to showcasethe impact LOSA – a complex crosscuttingarea of work – could have onindustry, acquisition and user ways ofworking.Lt Gen Chris Deverell, Chief ofMateriel Land, and Lt Gen Mark Poffley,Army Force Development and Capability,have announced an audit into all existingland vehicle, soldier and tactical base/HQprogrammes and projects to assess theircompliance with LOSA.Open workshops (Government,industry, international) developed keyLOSA topics, notably: how future contractswould be tailored to suit ‘openness’;investigating the impact of open systemson security; impact on future equipmentdesign (in particularthe next generationof communicationssystems); ‘system ofsystems’ integrationand on what LOSAcan offer to deployedfacilities management.Workshop feedbackwill help inform thefuture LOSA Redprogramme developingfour standards on generic soldier, vehicleand base architecture along with COIL(Common Open Interface Land) whichenable LOSA implementation.As part of the generic soldierarchitecture trials, various companiesdemonstrated soldier equipment to keystakeholders.The German MOD helped demonstrateNato generic vehicle architecture, whichbuilds heavily on the work done bythe UK vehicle architecture team. Theemerging COIL standard enabled a levelof interoperability between the Germandemonstration vehicle and UK systems injust two hours.COIL defines the standards forsharing data between the various LOSAplatform architectures. The COIL-relatedpart of the event advanced developmentand validation of the embryonic COILspecification over radio networks. Furtheractivity is planned to demonstrate theimpact of the implementation of all fourstandards.Companies team up to design carrier supportBabcock and BAE Systemswill spend the next 12 monthshelping to design engineeringsupport for the Queen Elizabethclass aircraft carriers.The contract award ispart of the wider SupportDevelopment Phase in whichthe MOD, BAE SystemsMaritime Services and Babcockwill work together to provideoptimum and fit-for-purposeengineering support for the newcarriers.BAE Systems and Babcockwill be involved in four supportdevelopment phase workstreams– Class Management,Design Management,Maintenance Management,and Information KnowledgeManagement.Under these workstreamsthe companies will designtechnical services andmaintenance solutions toensure the carriers areavailable for their operationalrequirements.Both companies havewelcomed the opportunity towork together.Mike Whalley, BabcockManaging Director Warshipssaid: “We have a unique andtimely opportunity to deliveran innovative support solutionthat is focused not only on thesuccessful transition of theQueen Elizabeth class intoservice but will also underpinand de-risk her operationalsupport programme worldwide.“This is further testamentto the benefits of operating in anenterprise with BAE Systems,Royal Navy and the MOD todeliver optimised engineeringsupport.”Richard Dingley, FleetServices Director at BAESystems added: “This contractis a key stepping stone inorganising a joint enterpriseready to support HMS QueenElizabeth.“Together we aim tobuild an integrated supportcommunity, operating to ensurethat the resources the newclass of carriers are in theright place at the right time – inPortsmouth and in operationaround the globe.”The Support DevelopmentPhase contract announcementfollows news of £100 millionGovernment investmentin Portsmouth naval base,improving facilities and servicesin preparation of the arrival ofthe carriers.

news 39Groundbreaking!Managing information takeson a light-hearted look –thanks to ‘Des’ the 7ft modelTeamwork, fromleft: Gill Coleman,(IManager, InventoryManagementOperating Centre);Ian Martin (CIOCompliance Team);Leah Kennett, (KIMCost Assurance andAnalysis Service);Sue Hoare (KIMD Tech); Air Vice-Marshal Julian Young;Nathan Broderick,(CA CommunicationsOfficer); Sarah Enos(CIO CommunicationsManager); Ian Slade(IManager JES);Howard Mitchell(CIO InformationArchitecture Team)DES, a seven-foot tall campaign mascot,has helped underline how vital improvinginformation management across DE&S isto staff.Colleagues rose to the challengeof DE&S’ Chief Information Officer(CIO), Air Vice-Marshal Julian Young,to take part in activities associatedwith improving informationmanagement during the fortnight.Opportunities included MOSStraining sessions, market stallevents in larger DE&S sites as wellas daily hints, tips and shortcutsprovided on the IMWOW(information management ways ofworking) tour website. The touralso took in Bicester, Donnington,Waddington and Yeovil with onsitetraining and market stalls.Many other DE&S staff acrossthe globe received IMWOW materialincluding the information managementcalendar cube containing a host of tipsand hints to assist with managinginformation.Air Vice-Marshal Young said:“By the amount of feedback receivedpersonally, the IMWOWTour hasproven successful across Abbey Woodand our wider DE&S sites. The wholeCIO team has come together withIHub staff and presented themselvesas a community and professionwholeheartedly committed to improvingthe delivery and management ofinformation, tools and policy.o The DE&S IMWOW website has more hints, tipsand shortcuts to save staff time and make life easier.At Abbey Wood, ‘Des’ and his placard will deliverkey messages on behalf of CIO and iHubs over thecoming months. He returns for IMWOW 2015.http://defenceintranet.diif.r.mil.uk/Organisations/Orgs/DES/Policy/Info/Pages/IMWOW.aspx“I acknowledge that many colleagueshave struggled to get to grips with toolssuch as MOSS and Meridio, and this iswhy it was important for us to providea package that helped people acrossDE&S improve their skills and ‘get thatIMWOW moment’.“I congratulate the team for stagingthe campaign, and also give a big vote ofthanks to all colleagues across DE&S whospent time over the fortnight improvingtheir own knowledge and awareness ingood information management ways ofworking.“I look to everyone to applywhat they have learned and assistothers to learn more – it’s all aboutgetting access to the informationyou need and saving you time.”Visitors to the Abbey Woodmarket stall were able to seeWindows 7/Office 2010 in actionand meet the DES Tech Refreshteam. The CIO Cyber Smart teamwas also on hand to answer questionson how staff may ensure online safety atwork and at home.Another community that will beginto have greater visibility over the comingmonths is the DigitalBuddies, whereindividuals interestedin volunteering wereable to sign up.

40people newsIt’s a bargain!Rachael pits her skills on BBC's popularantiques showNigel says goodbye at theMemorial StadiumRoversfanNigelheadsbackDownUnderRachael Adams of QSEP’sAudit Team is set to become a TVstar after taking part in filmingfor BBC1’s Bargain Hunt.Presented by TimWonnacott, Bargain Hunt isthe show where two teams aregiven £300 and one hour at afair to buy antiques which theyhave to sell at auction, hopefullymaking money into the bargain.Both teams are advisedby an antiques ‘expert’. Oncethe teams have shopped fortheir antiques, the expert goesshopping with any leftovermoney.Their purchases are 'bonusbuys' and each team has todecide whether or not to taketheir expert's item to theauction, but just because it’sbeen bought by an expertdoesn't mean it's going to makemoney.Rachael said: “I applied,along with my friend Kristina,about three years ago as wethought it would be fun andwanted to meet the witty TimWonnacott. Our antiques expertwas Christina Trevanion.“The first part was filmedat the Stafford Antiques Fair inmid-September. We bought anold tin ladybird toy, a lacquerbox with playing cards and aplastic skeleton called Gary, andChristina’s bonus buy was asilver gilded hip flask.“At the time Tim was a TVshow contestant himself, inStrictly Come Dancing, so whilewe were there the Strictly teamdid some filming for their showso we were briefly in that too.”The show is expected to beaired next month but BargainHunt has whetted Rachael’sappetite for TV stardom. Shesaid: “I would like to apply forDeal or No Deal so that I have abetter chance of winning a lifechanging amount of money!”Top: bargain hunters, from left: Rachael, Kristina, 'Gary' and ChristinaAbove: presenter Tim Wonnacott with his Strictly dance partner Natalie Lowe, andRachaelThe Defence Ordnance Safety Grouphas said farewell to Commander NigelSmith of the Royal Australian Navy.Cdr Smith became a Head of Sectionin DOSG in 2011, as part of the MODExchange Programme.Additionally, as a naval weaponsengineer officer, he led DOSG on theSafety and Suitability for Serviceassessment policy. While in the UK healso engaged in wider Australian defencerelated activities. He leaves to becomethe Director Ordnance Safety in theDepartment of Defence in Canberra.While in the UK he followed his localfootball team, Bristol Rovers, home andaway. On his last visit to the MemorialStadium he received a surprise visit fromRovers team manager Darrell Clarke whopresented him with a club shirt signed bythe first team.Cdr Smith has been succeeded by LtCol Arthur Tsamis of the Royal AustralianElectrical and Mechanical Engineers.Pol Secgets tochangethe faceof men’shealthHundreds of staff across Abbey Wood threw away the razors and shaving foam forNovember in their annual efforts to raise cash to change the face of men’s health.There were some horror shows to be witnessed around the site, but the moneybegan piling up, thanks to the generosity of team colleagues.Typical of efforts across the site were staff from Policy Secretariat with, abovefrom left, Jonathan Hawkins, Lee Archer and Ben Musty sporting their Movemberefforts which, with contributions from colleagues, raised more than £200.

Why the AA is theperfect choice forthe Armed ForcesSAVEAS MUCH AS34 OFF%our onlineprices1• You’ll have the option to put your AA Membership on hold, for examplewhen you’re on duty overseas• AA Membership covers the whole of the UK including Northern Ireland• Save as much as 34% off 1 AA Breakdown Cover on our online prices atenrolment and 20% at renewal every year 2• More dedicated patrols than any other UK breakdown service 3To join, call0800 048 0075Quoting reference F690Breakdown Cover1. Applies to Family Roadside and Relay cover in first year only. Other levels of cover are available and varying discounts apply. Offer only available to Armed Forces personnel by calling the number given, quotingthe stated reference and paying annually by direct debit under a recurring transaction arrangement. Enrolment offer available to new Members for their first 12 months of Membership only. Offer not availablein conjunction with any other offer/discount or on any other AA product/service. Details correct at time of issue. 2. Renewal offer available to Armed Forces personnel who are existing AA Members, or who joinunder the enrolment offer, and will be available at each renewal date until they cease to be Armed Forces personnel or the withdrawal of this scheme. 3. Mintel – UK Vehicle recovery report, September 2013.Automobile Association Insurance Services Limited is an insurance intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered office: Fanum House, Basing View, Basingstoke RG21 4EA.Registered in England & Wales, number 2414212.

42people newsMotto – the MOD LotteryOctober winners£10,000: Ian Dowgill(Shawbury). £5,000:Nicholas Head (Bicester).£2,000: Valerie Furniss-Roe(Bordon). £500: Mark Coates(Harrogate), Victoria Hickman(Digby). £100: Neil Wilkes(Whittington), Brian Gilmour(Londonderry), Lorna Bain(RAF Lossiemouth), GeorgePearson (RAF Cosford),Jonathan Bowland (RAFMarham), June Wilson(Portsmouth), Kit Malia(Headley Court), MarkBassett (Abbey Wood), PaulHulley (Cheadle Hulme),Ronald Clark (BergenHohne), Josephine Pegram(Thatcham), Emma Starmer(Bergen Hohne), BradleyPengelly (Sennybridge),Richard Worsley (Bacton),Thomas Price (Gosport), JillGraham (Shawbury), PeteDoherty (Bielefeld), MaryAston (Northwood), AnitaHarrington (Andover), RitaLatty (Bicester).November winners£20,000: Deborah Orchard(Corsham). £10,000: SarahFletcher (Whale Island).£5,000: Philip Kent (Bastion).£2,000: Jason Piper (AbbeyWood). £500: JacquelineTillison (RAF Syerston),Marcus Purse (Grantham).£100: Damian Kemp (Lisburn),Christina Fowler (Arbroath),David Aitken (Clyde), ChristianFranklin (Barnstaple), DavidYeo (St Andrews), ColinFernley (Telford), ChristineCavill (Exeter), RaymondDrury (Abbey Wood), TraceyLee (Abingdon), DanielPhillips (Abbey Wood), KarenBeddoe (Brecon), AntonySmith (Abbey Wood), DanielWeaver (Telford), Paul Arnott(Newport), Janet Niemand(HMS Nelson), Norman Arnott(Barrow-in-Furness), JohnMoyles (Whitehall), Marion Lye(Corsham), Kevan MacLeod(Coulport), George Thompson(Holywood).n If you want to play the DSRALottery, contact the DSRA foran application form. Civ: 07793657066, or visit the DSRAteam intranet page: http://defenceintranet.diif.r.mil.uk/Community/Social/Pages/DefenceSportsandRecreationalAssociation(DSRA).aspxHelen flies the DE&S flagProject manager HelenThomas represented DE&S asan RAF Regiment squadron washanded its new Standard in aceremony in Suffolk.Helen is part of the Chemical,Biological, Radiological andNuclear team at Abbey Wood.She was at RAF Honingtonto see Prince Harry present thenew Standard to 26 Squadron,RAF Regiment. The Regiment’s26 and 27 Squadron are thespecialist users of several CBRNcapabilities.The prince was welcomed bya fly-past by a Typhoon jet fromThe MOD’s soccer players –boosted by a contingent fromAbbey Wood – suffered a toughtime at the hands of the RoyalNavy as they warmed up fortheir national championshipsin Warwick in March.With the MOD trying toselect the best players fromtheir A and B squads whichCBRN capabilityreinforcedfor Regiment atHonington29 Squadron for what was hisfirst official Standard parade asthe Reviewing Officer.With standards given onlyonce every 25 years, mostRAF airmen only take part in ahandover ceremony once in theircareer.completed at Warwick lastyear and a new managementteam in place it was alwaysgoing to be a tough test.And when the Navy scoredfour times without reply in thefirst half on the way to a 6-1win there was little chance ofan MOD comeback.Good work from SteveLeft: PrinceHarry reviews26 SquadronRAFRegiment onpresentationof its newStandardPrince Harry talked about thework that CBRN supports andmentioned the specialist systemsthey use.During lunch a numberof speakers acknowledgedthe contribution of otherorganisations, such as DE&Sand the Defence Science andTechnology Laboratory to thework of the Defence CBRN Wing.Helen said: “It was reallygood to be there and know thateveryone in the team at AbbeyWood is making a difference thatis recognised and valued by frontline users.”Back row from left: Andy Lakey (assistant manager, DE&S), David Chamberlain (DE&S), Steve Burke(Defence Commercial), Joe Mayled (Defence Commercial), Josh Samphier (DE&S), Oliver Howard (DefenceCommercial), Scott Drayton (UKHO), Daniel Jarman (DE&S), Joe Goss (DE&S), Chris Kite (DE&S), DavidCooper (DBS), Kevin Wade (manager, DE&S). Front: Wayne Shill (DSG), Richard Cope-Evans (MOD GuardService, Abbey Wood), Calum Simpson (Babcock), Jack Fillingham (DE&S), Tom Bond (UKHO).Navy gives MOD a tough timeBurke and a finish from manof-the-matchDavid Cooperpulled a goal back soon afterthe break and Josh Samphiertwice struck the crossbar fromdistance.But the Navy pulled awayagain towards the end withanother two goals to give thescore a convincing look.

Lucy bridges classroom/boardroom gapNaval architect LucyCollins is representing DE&Sas part of an inaugural boardof women looking to bridge thegap between classroom andboardroom.Lucy, currently onsecondment to UniversityCollege London, is one of tenwomen across the UK invitedto the Young Women's Board ofWISE, a campaign to promotewomen in science, technology,engineering and mathematics,or STEM for short.With the WISE campaign inits 30th year, the Board will helpyoung women be successful asthey enter the STEM workforceand navigate through theirearly careers.Board members wereselected through certaincriteria: the women must beborn after the WISE campaignwas established, hold technicalqualifications and work in atechnical position.As successful youngrole models in their ownorganisations, the Boardis perfectly poised to bringtheir expertise to an everchangingworkplace. Andwith technology creating newways to network and growprofessionally in comparison toLucy Collins, front row extreme right, joins her newly appointed Boardmembers, along with Board directors Megan Stowe and Sarah Shaw,back row30 years ago, Board memberswill be a great resource forthe WISE campaign to reachtheir target of one million morewomen in STEM.“After 30 years, it wasessential for WISE to bringin new blood to tackle thecountry’s growing need formore people to study and workin the STEM sector,” said HelenWollaston, Director of WISE.“We need to have massiveambition to reach the next onemillion women in STEM andthe young women’s board is areflection of that ambition. Wehope to aspire and capture theimagination of girls with theseoutstanding role models.”DINs - released this monthpeople news 43Neil’s GEMSaward earnshim cashA GEMS award of morethan £6,500 has beenwon by Neil Terry forimproving storage andmaintenance of smallboats.Mr Terry suggestedusing an off-the-shelfVersadock floatingcradle system securedto a jetty or pontoonor secured betweenmoorings to store andmaintain small boats.This has been rolledout through boat userswho were keepingtheir boats in water,increasing susceptibilityto flooding of the enginecompartment, whichresults in engine rebuildand compartment rewire.Savings in the firsttwo years has allowedfunding to be reallocatedfrom defectrectification to plannedupkeep which hasincreased Fleet seaboatavailability and to meettargets.Mr Terry retiredfrom the MOD last April.The award camefrom DE&S’ Group Awardcommittee, the firstattended by DE&S GEMSchampion Clive Tarver.Defence Instructions and Notices (DINs) are defence-wide instructions, guidance and notices for military and civilianstaff, containing up-to-the-minute information to help people carry out their duties. Some of the latest issued onDefence Equipment and Support are:2014DIN04-219: This DIN outlines the out-of-port vessel-tasking process for providing support to military trainingexercises.2014DIN04-223: The Hercules C-130K went out of service in Octobe 2013 which prompted the start of disposal ofall associated infrastructure, equipment, spares including data and records no longer required. This DIN remindsthe wider MOD of the necessity to review and dispose of all C-130K data and records still held in accordance withappropriate legislation and MOD regulation.2014DIN04-229: New supply arrangements are in place for supply of mechanical and avionic components using SelexES as the prime contractor. The Consumable Contract has merged 23 existing contracts into a single 'thin prime'contract to bring value for money, updated and current contractual conditions and embedded performance indicators.2014DIN01-206: This outlines guidance to service personnel on changes to the system of individual electoralregistration and the new way to register to vote on line.A DIN Index Search replaced the annual DIN indexes at the end of 2014. More information from the link below:http://defenceintranet.diif.r.mil.uk/Reference/DINsJSPs/Pages/DINsJSPsHome.aspx#DINs

Dragon remembersUnder brilliant Pacific skies withinsight of the coast of Chile, HMSDragon is pictured as she headstowards a commemoration of the1,600 British and Commonwealthsailors killed when their ships wentdown at the Battle of Coronel in1914. Type 45 destroyer Dragonand Chilean frigate CNS AlmiranteCochrane paused over the wrecks ofHMS Good Hope and HMS Monmouthfor a service of remembrance.