Ariel-1 was also concerned with studying the sun. The six instruments carried by Ariel-1 were designed to examine the relationship between the ionosphere, at the top of the atmosphere, and solar and cosmic rays. Solar Orbiter builds on the legacy of Ariel-1 and the other solar missions the UK has been involved in.

Solar Orbiter is the first mission in ESA’s Cosmic Vision programme to start its implementation phase. The mission lifetime will be 7 years. See Astrium’s official video here: http://videos-en.astrium.eads.net/#/video/36f387af2e2s

Prof. Giménez Cañete said:

“Today ESA awarded a very important contract in the space science domain to Astrium’s spacecraft design and build facility at Stevenage in the UK. This is testimony to the important role that the UK has played in space flight since the launch of Ariel-1 in 1962 and it is testimony to the important role that the UK continues to play in space science.”

Solar Orbiter will study the Sun in detail and its effects on the solar system. The spacecraft will carry a suite of complementary instruments that will measure the particles, fields and waves of the plasma through which it travels, and at the same time make observations of the Sun’s surface and outer atmosphere, the photosphere and corona.

At its closest point Solar Orbiter will be closer to the Sun than the planet Mercury, at a distance of 0.28 Astronomical Units (42 million kilometers), in an orbit that takes it out of the ecliptic plane. From here, it can perform long-duration observations of the same region of the Sun’s surface, and have visibility of the Sun’s polar regions. It will be one of the closest approaches of the Sun by any spacecraft. To position itself in this challenging orbit, Solar Orbiter will make a complex series of gravitational-assist fly-bys past both Earth and Venus.

Colin Paynter, Head of Astrium UK said:

“I am delighted that Astrium has won Solar Orbiter which reaffirms our leading position in science and exploration missions. Solar Orbiter is the second prime contract awarded by ESA to Astrium in less than six months. This contract builds on our unrivalled heritage in solar missions which includes the SOHO satellite which is still operational after 17 years providing valuable data for solar scientists across the world.”

Design challenges include accommodating and resourcing a large suite of cutting-edge instruments and ensuring stringent magnetic and molecular cleanliness to enable the most sensitive scientific measurements to be made effectively. At its closest approach, where sunlight is thirteen times more intense than it is for satellites orbiting the Earth, Solar Orbiter must survive intense thermal radiation and protect its instrument suite, while at the same time allowing those instruments to observe the Sun. To achieve this, the design includes a heat shield and incorporates new high-temperature solar array technology.

The Sun is vital for life on Earth, but can also cause major problems for satellites and Earth based systems. The Sun releases bursts of high-energy particles (Coronal Mass Ejections), which can disrupt electrical power distribution systems, cause computers to crash, damage satellites and endanger astronauts. Solar Orbiter will provide scientific data to better understand the mechanisms on the Sun that cause these violent and disruptive outbursts.

The signature marks the start of the development and construction phase of Solar Orbiter, due for launch in 2017. Astrium UK will lead a team of European companies who will supply various parts of the spacecraft. The contract carries a value of about £300 million, one of the largest ever signed between the ESA Science Programme and a UK company.

Business Secretary Vince Cable, who witnessed the signing, said:

“Today’s £300 million contract signing shows the continued success of the UK space industry and underlines our leading position in space science and satellite technology. With a world class research base and innovative companies like Astrium, we are developing products and services that are in global demand, driving growth and supporting high tech jobs.”

Cosmic Vision is the European Space Agency science programme which involves long term planning for space science missions to discover more about our Solar System and the Universe.

It is the first time fighter jets have been stationed at the historic west London site since WWII…

For the full article – please visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17922490

By becoming an Associate Member, Frazer-Nash is now able to participate in Niteworks projects and be considered for specific roles contributing knowledge and experience to support the MoD as required.

Commenting on the news, Frazer-Nash Business Manager Dave Reed said:

“Frazer-Nash’s specialist defence engineering capabilities are complemented by our strong existing relationship with the MoD – indeed we have been called upon by MoD in the past to manage and deliver high technology projects, and to develop decision making approaches across the land, sea, air and communications domains.

“Being an Associate Member of Niteworks is very important to us and we look forward to the opportunity to provide our full range of engineering services – including systems engineering, decision support, research and policy development – to the MoD on its programmes.”

“The recent appointment of Bill Hodson as Business Director to Frazer-Nash also underlines our ambition to continue to refresh and develop our information systems, resilience and security engineering offering to the MoD and industry, at a time when these services are more important than ever.”

Niteworks’ Partnering & Communications Director Gerry Ward said:

“We are delighted to welcome Frazer-Nash to the Niteworks partnership as an Associate Member. Developing our specialist knowledge and industry expertise helps to make the Niteworks offering stronger and enables us to deliver greater value for money to the MoD.”

About Frazer-Nash

Frazer-Nash is an independent systems and engineering technology consultancy, employing approximately 400 permanent staff in the UK and Australia. Turnover for 2011 was around £42 million, with consistent growth levels since 1996 of between 10% and 20% per annum.

Frazer-Nash’s key markets are defence, nuclear, power & energy, civil aerospace, rail, marine, petrochemical and industrial.

Key clients include: Airbus, Alstom, Angel Trains, Babcock International Group plc, BAE SYSTEMS, Balfour Beatty, Bombardier, BP, EDF Energy, Carbon Trust, Deloitte, DLR, Doosan Babcock, EADS, First Group, GE Aviation, Health and Safety Executive (Nuclear Installations Inspectorate), Horizon Nuclear Power, HSBC Rail, Lockheed Martin, Magnox, the Ministry of Defence (DE&S, Dstl), NNB Gen Co, NPL, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), Porterbrook, QinetiQ, Railway Safety & Standards Board, RNLI, Rolls-Royce, Sellafield, Siemens, Subsea 7, Thales, UK Sport, Ultra Electronics, United Technologies & Wood Group.

More information is available at www.fnc.co.uk

About Niteworks

Niteworks is a fully inclusive partnership between the MOD, including Dstl, and Industry. It is unique in providing a collaborative environment which enables the MOD and Industry to work together to make informed decisions for the MOD. Working across the MOD-Industry space to analyse problems, examine options and de-risk requirements Niteworks employs impartiality, scalability and agility to help the MOD to make better, faster and more informed decisions.

For more information visit: www.niteworks.net

Lord Green, Minister for Trade and Investment said:

“These figures show the strength and breadth of this important high technology sector and its contribution to advanced manufacturing trade. They are all the more encouraging in the absence of a major defence platform export from UK last year, illustrating the remarkable breadth and depth of the UK’s defence industrial base which is rich in SMEs. The increase in the security sector reinforces a consistent picture of year on year growth. Growth is also particularly strong in the cyber security area. The UK Government will remain committed to support UK industry as it continues to excel in this very fast growing global market, which is also so critical to our own national security.”

Mark Heydon, Managing Director at Peli-Hardigg said:

“It’s good to know that our local MP and Minister for Immigration takes an interest in local businesses like ours. It was great to have Damian Green visit and see first-hand how Aerospace and Defence companies support our forces, protecting their equipment from battlefield hazards and offering them the reassurance that when lives are at risk the equipment will work, first time. Our customers can’t just pop round to the shop for a replacement!”

Commenting on Twitter, Mr Green said he had an informative visit and that it was:

“Excellent to discover the cases for carrying Typhoon windscreens and various missiles [are] made in Ashford by Peli-Hardigg UK”

Having originally started in Folkestone in 2000, the company expanded to Ashford in 2003 and last year consolidated manufacturing of its advanced cases from France to Ashford. The company now employs 30 people, building cases for the Defence, Aerospace, Security and Space markets.

Manufacturing cases for items ranging from fighter jet components to computers and satellites for use in the field, the company’s clients include Rolls-Royce, EADS and General Dynamics.

The visit was arranged through Defence Matters, the Defence Industries Council’s campaign to promote the impact the thousands of small and medium sized companies, working in the UK defence industry, have on local economies up and down the country.

Rees Ward, Chief Executive of ADS, said:

“ADS is delighted to deepen our already excellent relationship with our counterparts in Norway. This agreement will deliver significant benefits for our respective members by opening doors to extended overseas trade in markets of crucial importance to both sides. We look forward to building on this relationship to deliver additional benefits to both the UK and Norwegian economies.”

For more information, visit http://www.adsgroup.org.uk/

“Manufacturing accounts for 8 per cent of total UK employment and well over half of export goods, yet current perceptions of the industry are out of date and do not reflect that reality. We have selected a really exciting mix of exhibits, from the manufacture of MRI magnets by Siemens, to the secrets behind McLaren’s winning team.” 
 
“I hope that as many people as possible visit the exhibition and see all of the great examples of British design and manufacturing – it will be spectacular.”
 
Mark Cropper, Chairman of James Cropper plc, and a member of the exhibition judging panel, said:

“The Make it in Great Britain exhibition will be a fantastic display of manufacturing prowess, telling stories from around the UK; ranging from a Sunseeker luxury motor yacht to a multi-award-winning laser ophthalmoscope – developed by a company called Optos – that allows an optician to take a 200 degree scan of a patient’s retina when a normal eye examination would only allow around 30 degrees. This is truly groundbreaking and manufactured right here in the UK.”
 
Juergen Maier, Managing Director, Siemens Industry Sector UK, which will be exhibiting said:

“We’re delighted that Siemens has been selected to be part of the Make it in Great Britain exhibition. It’s a real honour to be part of such a prestigious event at the iconic Science Museum.  Alongside the other exhibitors, we’re committed to showing the world that British manufacturing is a dynamic sector offering great career and investment opportunities.”
 
Ian Blatchford, Director of the Science Museum commented:

“We’re incredibly excited to be hosting the Make it in Great Britain exhibition this summer. The Science Museum and its world leading collections demonstrate some of the greatest engineering achievements of the last 200 years. We hope that as many people as possible visit the exhibition, and see at first-hand how innovation in British manufacturing is still thriving today.”
 
The exhibition is the culmination of the Make it in Great Britain campaign; an initiative launched by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills last year which aims to challenge outdated opinions of the UK manufacturing industry, worth approximately £130bn to the UK economy each year and employing 2.5 million people. The exhibition will be open from 24 July to 9 September, and is free to visit. The full list of exhibitors is:
 
Airbus
A.J Wells & Sons
Amber Composites
Andor Technology Ltd
Axon Automotive Ltd
BAE Systems
Bombardier
Ceravision
Coca-Cola
e2v Technologies
Elfab
Evac Chair
FT Technologies
GKN
Goodrich Actuation Systems
Gripple
Intelligent Energy
Jaguar Land Rover
Johnson Matthey
Mars
McLaren
Messier-Dowty-Ltd
Mettler Toledo
Naim Audio
Oclaro
Optos
POD Point
Raytheon UK( Air Traffic)
Rolls-Royce
Siemens
Stromatolite
Sunseeker
The Greenroof Tile Company
The Royal Mint
Topper International
Ultra Global
Westwind Air Bearings
Xaar
Yamazaki

For more information on visiting the exhibition visit: http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/visitmuseum/galleries/make_great_britain.aspx

The MERLIN family has been developed to deliver a system capable of retaining boresight even when subjected to the harsh shock impacts produced by modern 5.56, 7.62 and 8.39 mm rifles, for single shot, semi and full automatic firing modes.

The MERLIN family will sit alongside Qioptiq’s existing KITE family of stand alone Image Intensified Weapon Sights to provide a greater choice for the customer wanting reliable, robust weapon sight solutions.

A Spokeman at Qioptiq said:

“Qioptiq is totally committed to reducing the weight and burden of our ultimate customers – the soldiers and security forces of our nation and its allies that are tasked with undertaking dangerous operations in harsh environments. 2011 has been an extremely busy and challenging year for Qioptiq as we continue to push forward and challenge technical boundaries.”

The Merlin family represent the latest robust military Night Vision equipment. With static boresight retention of less than 0.5MoA, MERLIN is poised to deliver accurate results to users who require the flexibility of a modular sighting system approach.

About Qioptiq

Qioptiq designs and manufactures photonic products and solutions that serve a wide range of markets and applications in the areas of industrial manufacturing, medical and life sciences, research and development, defence and aerospace.

The company is known for its high-quality standard components, products and instruments, its custom modules and assemblies, its leading-edge innovation, its precision manufacturing and its responsive global resourcing.

Through a series of acquisitions, Qioptiq has an impressive history and pedigree, and benefits from having integrated the knowledge and experience of Pilkingtons, Avimo, LINOS, Point Source, Rodenstock, Spindler & Hoyer, Gsänger, Optem, and others. Qioptiq has a worldwide presence with locations throughout Europe, Asia and the USA, employs over 2,300 people, and generated revenues of approximately US$ 380 million in 2010.

For further information regarding Qioptiq visit: www.qioptiq.com

For high resolution images and additional information please contact: Craig Taylor: craig.taylor@uk.qioptiq.com

Trilogy will supply its Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) Mercury Communications systems to MES (Marine Electronic Systems) who are contracted to carry out the navigation and communications systems integration for both current vessels.

The installation will feature two Mercury systems on each vessel, the first of which will integrate mobile users operating on a range of marine radio channels covering VHF, UHF and HF with operators utilising one of ten Trilogy 16 key panels installed at locations throughout the vessel.

This system allows communication to continue uninterrupted within the radio networks, with the addition of the ability to talk between the networks in either point to point or group/conference calls. Users on the Trilogy 16 key panels are able to talk to other panel users singularly or in groups or to either individual or groups of radio users.

A second system on each vessel uses a combination of a standard MIU with custom manufactured ‘plug & play’ user interfaces and a PC based ‘Virtual Panel’. The user interfaces have been designed to provide optimum performance in this challenging environment and whilst not linked to the first system, it is a simple process, should the end user wish to do so in the future.

These second systems are designed to simply and quickly connect users in one of the pre-configured work groups. Those users can connect through one of the seventeen ‘plug & play’ user interfaces installed at work locations around the vessel. For example, when the ‘weapons control’ group is required, users might plug in at locations including the bridge, gun positions etc. To change role, the user simply moves to their next task position and plugs in, becoming a member of the group associated to that position.

 Mark Ellis, director Trilogy Communications said:

“The high intensity environment found on board means that the communications systems must be intuitive. “We believe that Mercury provides a powerful yet instinctive tool helping to deliver the highest level of operational efficiency”

Mercury is scalable and whilst well suited to relatively small OPVs it is also equally suited to installations of a much larger size enabling command and control structures to be equipped with the fullest operational picture possible. In doing so, significant strategic and tactical advantage can be gained.

About Trilogy

Trilogy has supplied audio communications equipment to customers in more than seventy countries since 1986. The company was originally formed to design and build video and audio infrastructure equipment for the television and radio broadcast industries. It continues to serve this market but now also offers its products to a wide array of customers in defence, emergency management, training and simulation, oil & gas and other industries.

Trilogy has achieved a compound growth rate of over 20% over the past 4 years and hopes its success in the 2009 Queen’s Award forEnterprisewill spearhead activities over the coming years. Trilogy counts some of the world’s best known names in defence and broadcast among its customer base. These include Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, L3, Lockheed Martin, SAIC, BAE, Teledyne, BBC, Sony, CBS, Hearst-Argyle, Radio France and others.

About Marine Electronic Systems Ltd

MES is a leading systems integrator, supplier and installer of navigation systems (including integrated bridge systems), radio communications, CCTV and video surveillance, internal communications and crew entertainment and mission systems.  With over 30 years experience supporting customers in theUnited Kingdomand worldwide.  MES is 60% privately owned and indirectly 40% by BAE Systems… www.mesuk.com

About Babcock

Babcock International is the UK’s leading engineering support services company with recorded revenue of £3bn in 2010 and an order book in excess of £12bn. Managing vital assets valued at over £40billion, Babcock delivers critical asset support to many sectors, including transport, energy, defence, telecommunications and education. We take great pride in the considerable depth and breadth of our people’s expertise. Our 27,000 skilled staff design, build, manage, operate and maintain assets that are vital to the delivery of many key public services, both in theUKand overseas. Our market-leading reputation is based on one key fact: Babcock is a partner that can be trusted to deliver™… www.babcock.co.uk

For more information please email: marketing@trilogycomms.com

Currently 65 UK companies ranging through Primes, Mid-Caps and Small Medium Sized Enterprises are exhibiting at DSA. 20 of these will be exhibiting on the UK Pavilion, Hall 4. A full online presspack featuring these companies’ press releases is available at www.adsgroup.org.uk/dsa2012

Willy Hockin, Director Maritime at ADS, said:

“As the high level of interest from UK industry present at DSA and our Prime Minister’s recent tour of the region has demonstrated, Asia is a key market for UK defence and security companies. Industry anticipates there to be a significant demand from the region in the future, and the UK as the second largest global exporter of defence equipment is an ideal partner to aid this growth.”

Companies and organisations exhibiting on the UK Pavilion are:

ADS Group

Communications Audit UK Ltd

Defence Equipment & Support

Faun Trackway

General Dynamics UK Ltd

Hale Hamilton Ltd

J&S Ltd

JCB Defence Products

Meggitt Defence Systems

Northrop Grumman Information SystemsEurope

Pearson Engineering

Primetake Ltd

Pursuit Dynamics Plc

Qioptiq

Scott Health & Safety Ltd

Smiths Detection

Trilogy Communications

Typhoon International Ltd

UKTrade & Investment

WFEL Ltd

Fred Cahill, VP Cobham Antenna Systems, explained:

“Cobham has been developing GPR technologies for many years and we continue to provide leading-edge Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) capabilities for the most demanding military requirements.”

For more information visit http://www.cobham.com/home.aspx

Following the morning session and lunch at Thales’ impressive facility, members of the Forum were given an introduction to the site and a demonstration of the Catalyst facility.

Catalyst is a purpose-built facility, designed to showcase the breadth and depth of Thales UK’s talents and capabilities to civil and military customers alike. Used either as a presentation facility with the theatre room’s 4xHD screen, as a synthetic demonstration facility or by the Armed Forces to conduct realistic pre-deployment planning and training exercises, the facility provides the ultimate tool for answering the question ‘what if…?’.

The ADS Young Professionals in Defence Forum was launched in December 2011 to bring together new Graduates and Apprentices from across the country to learn about the Industry from each other. The Forum will meet quarterly with Speaker events and facility tours, giving members a greater insight into the roles, future possibilities and career development within the Industry.

For more information on Thales’ Catalyst, please visit: http://www.thalesgroup.com/News_and_events/2009-04-28_UK_FOC_Laymans_Guide_Catalyst/?pid=1723

For more information on the Young Professionals in Defence Forum, please contact Charles.Fletcher@adsgroup.org.uk

The contract has been awarded to Raytheon UK and will sustain some 450 jobs in advanced weapons manufacturing at its plants in Glenrothes, Scotland and Harlow, Essex.

A number of jobs will also be sustained at subcontractors Portsmouth Aviation Ltd, Portsmouth and Thales plant based in Basingstoke.

Paveway IV proved highly effective during the 2011 air campaign over Libya and is also currently used in Afghanistan on Tornado jets. It is fitted with Global Positioning System (GPS) technology and laser guidance systems which mean that the precision delivery of the capability is unaffected by clouds or smoke screens, giving the UK the capability to conduct 24-hour attacks against a wide range of targets.

The weapon has a UK-developed fail-safe fuse mechanism means that the bomb will only detonate once it has reached its intended target.

Bob Delorge, chief executive of Raytheon UK, commented:

“The Paveway IV contract sustains highly skilled jobs in the UK’s advanced manufacturing arena and is one of the UK’s leading examples of technology transfer success. A pivotal element of the RAF’s air-to-surface target engagement capability, Paveway IV enhances the nation’s military capability and has been the precision-guided bomb of choice for the Royal Air Force since 2008.”

Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, Peter Luff, said:

“The Paveway IV bomb has been proven in combat in Afghanistan, where it continues to equip RAF Tornados, and in operations in support of the UN over Libya. It is a highly sophisticated weapon and this contract will both boost the MOD’s weapon stocks and support the employment of hundreds of skilled staff at plants across the UK who are working on this project.

“By stabilising the defence budget, more and more we are able to commit to equipment projects which help to safeguard our national security.”

Assistant Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice-Marshal Baz North, said:

“Paveway munitions have long been a success story for the Royal Air Force in terms of their precision bombing capability. The ability to operate in any weather means that we are able to support operations 24/7; Paveway IV weapons are a real asset to not only the Royal Air Force, but to Defence as a whole.”

Paveway IV was first introduced to operations in Afghanistan in 2008 and plans are in hand to fit it to the RAF’s Typhoon combat aircraft in 2013.

For more information visit: http://raytheon.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=2069

The order will help to sustain around 600 jobs at BAE Systems’ Warton and Samlesbury sites in Lancashire focused on engineering, supply chain and project management.

This work will provide the test and evaluation infrastructure for the future air-to-air and air-to-ground Typhoon capability enhancements announced in the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR). The contract will also underpin the essential day-to-day support to air force operations across four nations (Germany, Italy, Spain and UK).

Typically the type of engineering support will involve query answering and investigations following customer operations. There are studies ongoing on how to improve availability and reliability to maximise flying hours and reduce cost. Emerging operational requirements for Typhoon will also be covered including for example, the Olympics.

Martin Taylor, BAE Systems’ Combat Air Support Director said:

“This contract is great news for BAE Systems and for the Eurofighter programme as a whole. Over a five year period the contract will deliver significant savings to the customer and will ensure that we have the skills, capabilities and funding in place to support Typhoon users across Europe.”

The BAE Systems element of this contract is part of the wider support contract which was awarded to the Eurofighter partner companies through NETMA (NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency). NETMA is the prime customer and management body for the four-nation Eurofighter Typhoon weapon system.

. an ‘ex-fix’ bike which is being used by injured troops at Headley Court – Frazer-Nash developed the customisable bike to support patients’ changing needs throughout the rehabilitation process (design pictured above)

. an imagery-based system to locate hostile forces from the air – 2d3 Sensing has had four CDE contracts totalling £240,000 and has been combining conventional GPS with a new vision-based tracking system

. e-textiles which allow electrical power and data to pass through material – Surrey-based Intelligent Textiles Limited, which is developing the ‘electrical’ fabric holds the Guinness World Record for the ‘most advanced soldier system uniform’.

The role of CDE, part of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, is set to grow as outlined in the recent Government White Paper – National Security Through Technology.

This includes its novel ‘marketplace’ scheme to provide dedicated support to mentor and promote the best projects from SMEs to help them grow and work with the main defence suppliers, MOD and other government departments. The first ‘marketplace’ will be held on 1 November.

Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, Peter Luff, said:

“It is essential that small and medium-sized enterprises have their own platform within the defence industry. Championing these firms requires us actively to encourage and drive greater pull-through of innovative ideas into applications and contracts.

“The Centre for Defence Enterprise will mentor smaller companies, guiding and helping them to maximise opportunities for exploitation on the international stage. The Centre for Defence Enterprise will be a promoter – giving these firms the opportunity to present their innovations to leading defence and other suppliers and users.”

Mr Luff also announced an additional £2m of funding for SMEs working on defence research. The funding, from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills’ Small Business Research Initiative, will help further support SMEs to develop their ideas.

Head of CDE, Jonathan Byrne, said:

“At CDE we reach out to the widest range of possible innovators, provide funding to prove the value of innovative concepts, and now, through our planned ‘marketplace’ events, champion the most successful outputs across both MOD and the established defence industry.”

The Centre for Defence Enterprise was established in 2008 to overcome traditional barriers to innovation within the defence sector and encourage the rapid delivery of cutting-edge research and development in support of front line operations. Since then it has provided funding of more than £23.5m – 43 per cent of which has gone to SMEs.

The Centre for Defence Enterprise has now placed its 500th contract, with ITSUS, a small Welsh company which will receive £104,000 of funding to look at ways of improving existing IT network systems for military operations. Bandwidth is a scarce and valuable commodity on the front line.

The aim of this project is to provide an enhanced tactical advantage, improved incident response and significantly cheaper operating costs.

Watch a report from the event by British Forces News here: http://bfbs.com/news/england/hi-tech-military-gadgets-showcased-56040.html

Steve Schaefer, vice president of Cobham Tactical Communications and Surveillance, says:

“The IP Mesh radio nodes link together, so that video, audio and GPS information can be transmitted back to a central point or HQ over a much greater range. Wireless networks need no longer be static, as the mesh readjusts itself as nodes move, with no loss of bandwidth or performance. As popular as these have been in harsh physical and RF environments, Cobham has been working hard to improve them further, with a new Phase 3 of mesh node and mini mesh products now available.”

Following customer requests for man portable solutions, increased bandwidth, on board recording, new frequencies and greater range, the Duo product range now offers a point to point IP radio with fixed bandwidth suitable for unmanned vehicle applications and up to a 12 node IP mesh radio utilising 5MBs bandwidth in mobile or rapid deployment applications.

What began in 2009 as a large box weighing some 2.5kg and using 20W of power, has been refined and redesigned to today’s powerful solution, which weighs only 350g and uses half as much power. This enhances its use in mobile and rapid deployments and makes it an excellent solution in urban or challenging environments such as open cast mines or airports, where non-line of sight performance is key.

For further information on Cobham’s IP Mesh solutions, please visit http://www.cobham.com/

Crucially, the technology – that can be used on any existing SAR system – analyses radar information in real time and is extremely energy efficient, meaning it is ideal for use in many different environments, both static and mobile. It is also low cost, so could become a cost-effective addition to military radar systems in the future once testing has been completed later in 2012.

Sam Dugelay at Frazer-Nash, who was responsible for leading the project, commented:

“At any point while working in the field, a radar operator can be met with a large amount of data on a radar screen that needs to be quickly analysed, and a decision made as a result. What the cascade classifier brings to operators within the Ministry of Defence is an aid to more effectively filter out unnecessary information that they encounter.

“Conservationists working in the Arctic have been successfully using a similar technique for many years to identify individual penguins from within a large colony. What we have done is look at how the technique can be used in a defence context to help radar operators prioritise more effectively. The approach could benefit those in the field as well as those in training.”

The technology is being demonstrated at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’s Centre for Defence Enterprise Showcase on 27 March 2012. Frazer-Nash is also showcasing its ExFix bike at the event, which has been developed for the MoD’s Headley Court. The bike has been specifically developed to aid victims of blast injuries whose rehabilitation is restricted by the external fixator cages used to set complex bone fractures.

For more information on Frazer-Nash, visit www.fnc.co.uk

For this innovative research programme, Gioconda comprises Roke (a Chemring Group company) as prime, Scisys Ltd, and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. It will deliver engineering and flight-ready models (mechanically, electrically, electronically and functionally representative), software and electrical ground support equipment (EGSE) for an advanced experimental RF payload suitable for subsequent deployment in space within a CubeSat.

About Roke:

Roke, based in Romsey, Hampshire, is the principal electronics research and development centre of Chemring Group Plc. Founded in 1956, Roke is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of innovative solutions and contract R&D, pioneering developments in electronic sensors, networks and communications technology. It employs 450 staff and has over 430 patents to its name.

Roke has over 50 years of communications experience, providing customers with technology consultancy through to product development. Roke’s expertise in small form factor electronic solutions has been developed through significant involvement in the design of mobile phones and military handheld radios over the last decade.

For more information visit http://www.roke.co.uk/

BCB has been developing and formulating Fire Dragon – its new fuel – over the past five years, and has now applied for a patent and with £150,000 from the Economic Growth Fund can start production this summer.

BCB’s Product director, Derek Taylor, said the funding had been critical in enabling the company to start manufacturing:

“We reinvest a substantial proportion of our profits every year on R&D and product development and have invested more than £840,000 since 2009 which is a significant sum considering the size of our company.

“Funding support was therefore vital for us to proceed with the project now and invest in a new manufacturing facility to start production this year. Any delay could also have resulted in a lost opportunity to be first in the market with this type of product.”

BCB intends to site the new facility in an area of high unemployment within South East Wales area and will initially create six new jobs.

Business Minister, Edwina Hart, said she is pleased the Fund is bringing real benefits to companies in Wales with the potential to create long term economic gains:

“We know there are many businesses in Wales that want to expand, create jobs and bring new products to market but have not been able to access traditional funding. I am delighted this Fund is providing the support these businesses need to remain competitive and invest in the future.”

Derek Taylor said Fire Dragon, which was developed with support from Cardiff University, is a major advance on existing solid fuels for cooking. It is ethanol based, the consistency of candle wax and therefore easy and safe to transport, burns clearly and cleanly with a zero carbon footprint in its production and use. A number of other products on the market are toxic and sold with health warnings – some give off cyanide derivatives when burnt, while others release formaldehyde in certain situations.

He added there was a major international market for a unique next generation product like Fire Dragon which includes the military for cooking rations in the field as well as the camping, survival, leisure markets and catering markets.

A feasibility study identified an existing worldwide market in excess of 180 tonnes a year with potential for new markets.

For more information visit http://www.bcbin.com/index.php

Frazer-Nash is providing a leading role in the ‘Ageing, Maintainability and Durability’ project within the programme and is currently delivering two initial tasks which will set the direction for future work. The first task is to establish a baseline of the current asset management practices used to manage military vehicle fleets both in the UK MOD and also in other nations. The purpose of this baselining activity is to identify any gaps in knowledge and understanding of sustainability and asset management that could be addressed within the research programme, and to identify examples of best practice within the MOD and other nations.

The second task is focused on the development of a generic Decision Support Framework. The aim of this framework will be to support MOD project teams and decision makers in the development of bespoke Asset Management strategies tailored to the specific needs of their vehicle fleets.

Frazer-Nash has a proven track record in this field of work, having previously developed an Asset Integrity Management strategy for submarine tailshafts. The programme will also call on the consultancy’s technical knowledge of Defence land vehicles and the expertise in systems engineering, structural analysis, design, materials science and modelling.

Greg Pope, Programme Manager at Frazer-Nash said:

“We are very excited about this RAMD programme. Since undertaking our work on submarine tailshafts we have felt that our skills and experience could be applied to other domains including land-based vehicles. Whilst the equipment may be very different, the key is putting Asset Integrity at the heart of the problem and recognising that to successfully manage safety, cost and availability of an asset, its integrity needs to be understood and managed throughout the life of the system.”

Dr Ian Pickup from Dstl’s Platform Science Group said:

“We are pleased to bring Frazer-Nash on-board with the RAMD programme. Their team’s experience of delivering a very successful Asset Integrity Management strategy for submarine tailshafts combined with their in-depth knowledge of military vehicles makes them very well placed to support us in this research.”

For further information please contact Michelle Sweeney or Rod Dennis on 0117 929 2311 / fnc@grayling.com.

More information is available at www.fnc.co.uk

’30 Under 30′ is a part of the Make it in Great Britain campaign, which aims to challenge outdated opinions and transform the image of modern manufacturing. Once selected, the ’30 Under 30′ will play an important role in promoting manufacturing careers to the next generation, highlighting the diversity of jobs in the sector which include design, sales, marketing and business management.

With multiple routes into manufacturing careers, including apprenticeships and pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering and/or Maths (STEM) at college or university, it is hoped that the ’30 Under 30′ will encourage more young people to see the opportunities the industry has to offer.

Business Minister Mark Prisk said:

“Current perceptions of British manufacturing are out of date. Modern design, engineering and manufacturing offer varied and rewarding jobs for young people, yet many people don’t realise this. We want 30 young people working in industry to explain to their generation just what they’re missing.”

Brian Stone, one of the Make it in Great Britain Industry Champions added:

“We are finding it increasingly hard to recruit the talent that we need if the industry is to continue to grow. There are a wealth of jobs in the manufacturing industry – from the conception and design of a new product or process through to actually making and marketing it. I hope that by highlighting the successful careers that are being enjoyed by young people all over the country – from designing space missions to making clothes for the cat walk – we will encourage fresh talent into the industry.”

If you know someone who should be included in the Make it in Great Britain’30 Under 30′, please visit http://bis.gov.uk/makeitingreatbritain

The SC21 programme is a key industry venture for the Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space sectors and is overseen and managed by ADS in the UK. SC21 aims to accelerate and improve the competitiveness of the Aerospace and Defence and Security industries.

Falcon Group Managing Director Neil Martin commented:

“I am delighted that our Merlin Flexible Circuits facility has been awarded the SC21 Bronze award and see it as recognition for the efforts and dedication of our staff and for the support and assistance of our SC21 sponsor Thales UK. The award is also an acknowledgement of the professionalism and skill that we apply to all elements of our business.”

Pictured below (L-R) are Merlin Flexible Circuits MD Matthew Beadel, Laurence Barrett from sponsor Thales UK and Merlin Flexible Circuits Quality Manager André Dalby

Merlin Flexible Circuits is a leading European flexible and flex rigid circuit board manufacturer. The Merlin facility has a well earned reputation for the supply of high technology product manufactured to exacting quality standards for leading blue chip companies in the aerospace, defence, medical and other advanced technology market sectors.

The Falcon PCB Group is the parent company of high technology PCB manufacturers Merlin Circuit Technology and Merlin Artetch Ltd also specialist Flex and Flex Rigid board makers Merlin Flexible Circuits, and Merlin Flex-Ability, together with offshore PCB supply Kestrel International Circuits and fast turn around PCB manufacturer Elite Circuits.

For further information contact Clive Wall, Group Sales Manager at Falcon PCB Group on 07912513537 or clive.wall@falconpcbgroup.com

For more information on SC21, visit http://www.adsgroup.org.uk/pages/91430300.asp

The factory, which employs around 300 people, is responsible for the production of a number of complex weapons, including the Dual Mode Brimstone missile, which was used by the RAF during NATO’s operation in support of the UN over Libya in 2011.

Use of this missile was key to supporting the UK’s efforts during the conflict, providing the RAF with the ability to strike with precision.

During the conflict the MBDA Lostock factory was asked to double its output of the weapon to ensure that the RAF was adequately equipped to support the efforts in Libya as well as continuing its role supporting operations in Afghanistan.

© MBDA

The Minister’s visit, which took place on Tuesday 14 February 2012, also saw the 500th Brimstone coming off the production line ready to be delivered to the Ministry of Defence.

Addressing staff at the plant, Mr Luff said:

“I am very glad to have had the opportunity to come here and thank you all in person for your efforts in supporting the NATO operation during the conflict in Libya last year.

“Brimstone has a reputation for its accuracy and reliability, and the use of this missile, alongside the RAF’s other air-to-surface weapons, was of key importance to the success of the operation to liberate the country.

“Throughout this time, staff at MBDA provided exemplary support to ensure that this capability was available for use at all times.”

Executive Group Director Technical and MBDA UK Managing Director Steve Wadey said:

“Dual Mode Brimstone [DMB] has been a real success story in showcasing the innovative capabilities that MBDA delivers to the front line and we are delighted to be marking the 500th delivery of this weapon.

“We believe that this milestone highlights the continued success of Brimstone and the Minister’s visit is a welcome recognition of the contribution MBDA and its employees make to the Armed Forces and their operations.”

Supervisor Keith Nicholson said:

“I have been working at MBDA’s Lostock factory for 36 years and always recognised that our work was important in helping to defend our troops, yet after hearing from the Minister about the contribution we made with DMB in Libya, I think the last 12 months of hard work is going to stand out when I look back.”