Author Archives: HM Government

Following an initial £4 million demonstration phase, the robots will be purchased from US robotics manufacturer Harris under the MOD’s Project Starter for use by the British Army, and will be supported by engineers at Harris EDO MBM Technology in Brighton, where the contract will sustain 10 highly-skilled jobs.

In a keynote speech, the Defence Secretary outlined how the Harris T7 robots use ‘advanced haptic feedback’ to allow operators to ‘feel’ their way through the intricate process of disarming from a safe distance, protecting UK personnel from threats such as roadside bombs.

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said:

With our rising defence budget, we are investing in the latest equipment for our Armed Forces to tackle the growing threats we face. These state-of-the-art bomb disposal robots will be powerful and reliable companions to our troops on the battlefield, keeping them safe so they can help keep us safe.

The British Army’s new bomb disposal robot.

Equipped with high-definition cameras, lightning-fast datalinks, an adjustable manipulation arm and tough all-terrain treads, the robots are able to neutralise a wide range of threats.

The haptic feedback function is designed to provide operators with human-like dexterity while they operate the robot’s arm using the remote control handgrip. The unit gives the operator physical feedback, allowing intuitive detailed control.

The announcement comes after a competition between the world’s leading manufacturers, organised by the MOD, with the new fleet replacing the current Wheelbarrow Mk8b. All 56 robots are due to be delivered to the UK and in service by December 2020.

Chief Executive Officer for Defence Equipment and Support, the MOD’s procurement organisation, Tony Douglas said:

This contract has been designed to deliver future-proof, world-leading technology at the best value to the taxpayer. Innovation is central not only to the success of this remarkable system, but also to the relationships across DE&S, Industry and the frontline commands which allowed this agreement to be reached.

With 141 international delegates from 60 countries, DSEI showcases British business and innovation across security and defence. The Defence Secretary toured the exhibition and announced the latest investment in advanced equipment for the UK’s Armed Forces.

In addition to new bomb disposal robots, the Defence Secretary announced that UK personnel will be protected by a new lightning-fast protection system under development by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl). The new ‘Icarus’ system, involving a consortium led by Leonardo, will be able to detect and defeat threats to armoured vehicles within 100 milliseconds: many times faster than a human could respond.

The proof of concept Technical Demonstrator Programme is worth £10 million to the UK economy and will develop system sensors and countermeasures to defeat a wide range of current and future battlefield threats such as Rocket Propelled Grenades and Anti-Tank Guided Weapons, helping to protect the lives of the UK Armed Forces.

The Demonstrator Programme will initially secure 45 jobs across the UK and has the potential to create up to 250 jobs if the system is eventually deployed.

The Defence Secretary also pointed out that, for the first time, a full-scale model of the UK’s future laser turret will be on display at DSEI. In January 2017 the MOD awarded a £30 million contract to the MBDA-led Dragonfire consortium, to demonstrate the potential of Laser Directed Energy Weapons. The demonstrator will be tested on UK ranges from 2018 with in-service capability planned by the end of the 2020s.

Following Minister for Defence Procurement Harriet Baldwin’s announcement of the successful first firings at sea of the Royal Navy’s new Sea Ceptor system last week, the Defence Secretary also pointed out that the British Army is showcasing the new Land Ceptor air defence system launcher at DSEI. Developed by MBDA, Land Ceptor will replace the Army’s Rapier system as part of the new Sky Sabre capability.

The Innovation Initiative and £800m Defence Innovation Fund aim to transform Defence to encourage imagination, ingenuity and entrepreneurship. From laser weapons to autonomous vehicles, the MOD is working with small firms, academics, industry, and the new Defence Advisory Panel to find Twenty-first century solutions to defence challenges.

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The Secretary of State for Justice has announced the reappointment of Nicholas Caton for a tenure of 3 years and 5 months.

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The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has placed a contract with Leonardo to improve the survivability and protection of Land Armoured Vehicles through Active Protection System (APS) technology. APS can detect and defeat threat missiles within 100 milliseconds, which is less time than half the time it takes a human to react to a visual cue.

As the performance and sophistication of modern battlefield weapon systems continues to improve, the vulnerability of Land Armoured Vehicles and their crew to these threats continues to increase. Dstl is conducting a proof of concept Technical Demonstrator Programme (TDP) to develop a Modular Integrated Protection System (MIPS). Under the Icarus TDP, Leonardo will lead a team of UK industry experts to develop an APS Electronic Architecture (EA) that is founded upon Modular Open System Architecture design principles.

The MIPS Electronic Architecture will provide a common infrastructure that will deliver UK operational sovereignty and enable “best of breed” commercial off the shelf APS sensors and countermeasures to be selected, integrated and deployed to defeat a wide range of current and future battlefield threats. This will enable the provision of a weight-efficient and affordable protection system capability that can be tailored to protect military vehicles against threats such as Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) and Anti-Tank Guided Weapons (ATGWs) thereby helping to protect the lives of the UK Armed Forces.

The TDP will initially secure 45 jobs and has the potential to create up to 250 jobs if the protection system demonstrated is subsequently deployed across the UK Armoured Vehicle fleet. The Icarus TDP is worth £10million to the UK economy.

Richard Hooper, Dragonfire Technical Demonstrator Programme Technical Lead at Dstl said:

By equipping land vehicles with a sustainable and effective active protection capability we will enable mission success to be achieved in ever-more challenging environments.

Ray Hopkins, Vice President Capability UK for Leonardo said:

The MIPS electronic architecture to be developed under the Icarus TDP will enhance survivability across the UK Land Armoured Vehicle fleet by allowing vehicles to be rapidly tailored to counter threats in specific operational scenarios. We look forward to working with Dstl, our team members, and APS equipment vendors to deliver a future operational advantage to the British Army that will both save lives and protect equipment.

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2015 to present Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Head, South Asia Department and India Co-ordinator 2012 to 2015 Pretoria, Counsellor (Politics, Prosperity and Communications) 2010 to 2011 Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Joint Head, Sudan Unit, Af… read more

Speaking at Defence & Security Equipment International in London, (13 September) Alun Cairns will tell Defence companies based in Wales that there has never been a better time to increase their exports.

He will tell companies that Wales is already one of the most competitive places in the world to innovate, build business and deliver security, however leaving the European Union presents exciting opportunities for companies across the country.

Alun Cairns said:

Wales is already home to many global defence companies, who have demonstrated their success by securing major contracts in the face of competition from overseas. This is testament to the skills and expertise of the workforce in Wales and I am delighted to see so many Welsh export and defence companies of all sizes at such a world leading event.

Success is about turning chances into change, so I want these companies to seize this opportunity to explore new markets and discover the opportunities that exiting the EU presents.

The UK Government is committed to backing Welsh businesses and creating the right environment for them to flourish. We are here to support them on their exporting journey, helping them break down barriers and inspire confidence.

Over four days, the London based ‘Defence, Security Equipment International’ event, DSEI, attracts up to 34,000 visitors with a large exhibiting presence from Welsh based businesses. Meeting with companies such as BCB International, GD UK, Raytheon and smaller SMEs, the Secretary of State for Wales will reaffirm the close partnerships between the sector and show them how the UK Government can support them in exporting, identifying barriers and how they can be broken down ahead of Brexit.

The UK Government has produced an export guide for Welsh businesses, with full details of the support on offer for companies to export: LINK

Ends

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