Author: Mario Jaconelli

A British-built satellite equipped with a 3.4-Kilowatt laser, as powerful as 840 lightbulbs, has been launched into space. Flying at 200 miles above the surface of the Earth, the powerful laser on the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Aeolus spacecraft will beam down into the atmosphere and measure wind speeds. This represents a completely new approach […]

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Leidos has been awarded a prime contract by the US Air Force Sustainment Center to provide single-point integration services for F-16 fighter jet avionics shops. The single-award, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract has a three-year base period, two one-year option periods, and a total contract ceiling of $620 million. Leidos will support the Air Force Avionics […]

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Cardiff University has been named as an Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), becoming the first institution in Wales to be given this status. The award is in recognition of the internationally excellent research developed at the University over a number of years, and will […]

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Some have theorised that breakthroughs in autonomous and remote systems will render the contemporary soldier obsolete. This is the age of drone warfare after all, where complex operations can be carried out at arm’s length. More likely, however, is that the infantryman of tomorrow will be augmented by an increasingly sophisticated complement of innovative new technology.  You may remember the Ministry of Defence’s Future Soldier […]

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Babcock International has secured a five-year Maritime Training Systems Through-Life Availability & Support Service (MARTASS) contract with the Ministry of Defence. A series of support packages, defined by the Maritime Combat System (MCS) and Maritime Training Acquisition Organisation (MTAO) teams within Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), will be clustered into one contract for consolidated delivery […]

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Cyber experts of the future were given a unique glimpse inside the world of digital security during the four-day programme designed to encourage young people into the industry. Around 45 students, aged between 13 to 17, have taken part in the CyberFirst scheme, a government-recognised programme, developed by GCHQ’s National Cyber Security Centre and run […]

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Royal Navy aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, has departed her home port of Portsmouth, bound for the USA to land fast jets on deck for the very first time. Eight years since a British aircraft carrier last flew a fast jet from her decks, the 65,000-tonne carrier will embark two F-35B test aircraft, from the […]

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Defence Ministers Tobias Ellwood and Stuart Andrew have toured Scotland, visiting some of the UK’s most important military bases. Minister for Defence People & Veterans, Tobias Ellwood, visited RAF Lossiemouth where he saw progress being made on the £132 million invested in the site ahead of the arrival of the 9 new P-8A Poseidon aircraft. […]

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Deployed personnel from the RAF have been involved in a joint exercise alongside military personnel from the US Forces, including the US Black Hawk Squadron, to realistically simulate a downed aircraft involving mass casualties. Personnel from 135 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW) have been deployed to Romania to conduct the NATO ‘Enhanced Air Policing’ mission. The […]

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The US Department of Defense has announced SAP Concur has been chosen to develop a business travel system prototype to replace the ageing Defense Travel System. It is envisaged the deal will exponentially reduce the cost of airline tickets and save more than 10 million labour hours annually spent on the process of booking travel […]

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The concept of artificial intelligence being deployed by the military may for many conjure up images from science fiction blockbuster movies, but technological advances in AI provide significant opportunities for the Ministry of Defence.  For the defence industry, the fundamental need to do more with less in terms of budget and manpower means that the adoption of AI presents a viable solution to these demands. As it looks to exploit the […]

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Three Royal Air Force Chinook helicopters, supported by around 90 British personnel are now fully operational and are supporting French counter-terrorism operations in Mali. The helicopters, from RAF Odiham, are providing niche logistical support to French combat forces conducting counter-terrorism operations as part of Operation Barkhane. UK forces have built three temporary aircraft hangers on […]

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The Joint Medical Group has deployed to Oman ahead of a joint exercise between the armed forces of the UK and Oman. Exercise Saif Sareea 3 (SS3) will take place across Oman in October and November. It is the UK armed forces’ lead exercise this year and the largest in 17 years. It is also […]

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CGI has been awarded a £17M four year contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) to provide a mid-life upgrade to the Fire Control Battlefield Information System Application (FC BISA). The upgrade will replace the current practice of voice communications and liaison officers, to deliver operational advantage through digitised Joint Fires among NATO Allied […]

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BAE Systems has announced a new collaboration with The National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. The Company will provide £20,000 of sponsorship in a deal which will see the two organisations working together to deliver public events such as those to support Armed Forces Day, as well as supporting education […]

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