Chris Forster

How can military bases become more efficient, effective, and sustainable? With the UK defence sector responsible for 50% of government emissions, sustainability is crucial. Smart Base supports better decisions, cuts emissions, and aligns with the MOD's net-zero strategy. Visit The Collective to explore a sustainable future: https://okt.to/hpMezv

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How can military bases become more efficient, effective, and sustainable? With the UK defence sector responsible for 50% of government emissions, sustainability is crucial. Smart Base supports better decisions, cuts emissions, and aligns with the MOD's net-zero strategy. Visit The Collective to explore a sustainable future: https://okt.to/FuSwyh

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University of Exeter News: Defence Data Research Centre leads a week-long sprint to enhance machine learning techniques in image data. A significant step in bridging academic research with practical applications. #Defence #TechInnovation #AcademicResearch #DataStudyGroup https://lnkd.in/ebmJQTye

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🚀 **New Innovation Opportunity Announced: Protecting Physical Assets from UAS Attacks** 🚀 The UK Ministry of Defence Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), in collaboration with the National Protective Security Authority, the UK Home Office, and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, has announced an exciting new competition seeking innovative solutions to protect land-based assets from aerial drone attacks. 🔹Importance of the Competition: Recent conflicts have highlighted significant vulnerabilities in defenses against Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS). While current technologies primarily intercept these drones in flight, there is a critical need for robust protections for critical infrastructure on the ground. 🔹 Competition Focus: DASA is inviting innovators, technology visionaries, and defense specialists to propose defensive solutions that extend beyond traditional methods. Desired innovations include asset hardening, comprehensive area defense, and automated alert systems to counter kinetic UAS threats. 🔹 Funding & Participation: The competition is supported with a total of £750,000 available for the development of pilot-ready solutions, offering participants a chance to play a pivotal role in enhancing national and global security. 🔹 How to Participate: Interested parties should note that the competition will close at midday on 13 June 2024 (BST). Detailed information and proposal submission guidelines are available on DASA's competition page. 🔹 Call to Action: This is a call to the community to innovate and protect. Participants are encouraged to share their insights, tag potential collaborators, and consider entering the competition. Collaboration can lead to groundbreaking solutions that safeguard assets and maintain a competitive edge against threats. >🔗 Engage with the community and transform your innovative ideas into reality! < #Innovation #DefenseTech #UASTechnology #NationalSecurity #PublicSafety #TechChallenge

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From 94 last week to 103 today ..the number of RPTOs ( Remote Pilot training organisations) has been increasing at a rapid pace, by the end of 2024 there might even be 150 or more, but my question is we are training at this rate but do we have enough jobs available for Drone pilots with RPC (remote pilot certificate) ... how many drone industries are hiring drone pilots on a regular basis, is the government taking in these drone pilots into their forum ? All these needs to be addressed as the Future is going to be dependent on drones (Air, land, sea), who knows if Terminator scene is gonna happen in real life. #Drones #Dronetraining #RPTO #RPC

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The Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) has published its position paper today outlining a strategic approach for the Society to advise the UK government on prioritising the growth and security of the nation’s aerospace sector, while improving the sector’s contribution to a #sustainable future. As stated by the RAeS Chief Executive, Dave Edwards FRAeS, the position paper calls on the new government to focus on the following priorities ensuring that the #aerospace sector remains a key driver of economic growth, technological advancement, and global competitiveness: ● Advancing modernisation programmes with safe and secure sustainable and innovative technologies. ● Strengthening air power and space capabilities to protect national security interests. ● Accelerating regulatory capacity and capability to advance future flight. ● Supporting further investment, research and international co-operation. ● Developing joined-up collaborative approaches to attract, retain and upskill the workforce. Read the full paper at:

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The UK's aerospace, defence, security and space sectors are vital pillars of our social, economic, and national security. Our 2024 manifesto sets out the policies needed to secure the UK's domestic, global and future advantage. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gyVSQYfj ✈ ⚙ 🔒 🚀 #aerospace #defence #security #space #ukmfg

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John Nicholson, Principal Digital Strategy Consultant at AtkinsRéalis, argues that the UK’s defence industry must embed a culture of “psychological safety” if it is to succeed with digital transformation. Read this blog, "Using psychological safety to accelerate digital innovation in defence" as part of our Defence Campaign Week 2024 👉 https://orlo.uk/kEjhG #techUKDefence #Defence Jeremy Wimble | Tracy Modha ____________ Visit our #DefTechWeek Hub: https://orlo.uk/tDOVr ___________ 🛡️ #techUKDefence DefTech: Technology Transforming Defence report is now live! The report, launched as part of techUK’s 2024 Defence Campaign Week, looks at how technology is shaping defence across all domains including the use of Artificial Intelligence, unmanned autonomous systems, and the exploitation of data. ➡️ Click here to read the report now: https://orlo.uk/jYFCV

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ADS Manifesto 2024 ✈️ ⚙️ 🔒 🚀 The aerospace, defence, security and space sectors are critical national assets that are essential to securing prosperity and security across all four nations of the UK. They underpin so many areas of our society, including providing the opportunity to secure a skilled, well-paid job. 👷‍♀️ ADS members have highlighted the critical impact of skills shortages on their businesses. We need a cross-departmental, long-term workforce strategy if we are to address the current skills gap and ensure a steady supply of skilled workers for the future. Read more in our Manifesto where we recommend how the next Government can work towards this: https://lnkd.in/gyVSQYfj #aerospace #defence #security #space

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If ever a UK DefTech drive was needed, it’s now. techUK’s first Defence Campaign Week, "DefTech: Technology Transforming Defence" running 25–29 November, is timely. The British Army’s Chief of the General Staff and the UK’s Secretary of State for Defence appear to be keen supporters of what we are aiming to achieve for the benefit of SMEs and country alike. My latest blog article, ‘Our defence forces face big challenges — and an urgent DefTech drive will help address them’, explores the key challenges while mapping out an urgent and positive path forward. The blog is now live in the News section of the 2iC website here: https://lnkd.in/edpdGAaP  If you’re in UK defence (particularly in a SME in the DefTech sector), join me on the UK DefTech drive and also get involved in techUK’s Defence Campaign Week. I'd welcome your comments and feedback.   #DefTech #DigitalInteroperability

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Looking to pick up some new skills and methods in Systems Engineering? The next course is an introductory course to Model-Based Systems Engineering and can be joined from anywhere in the world. Book now: https://bit.ly/4flcFbD #INCOSEUK #TrainingCourse #MBSE #SystemsEngineering

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Great to see the MOD publishing the Acquisition Pipeline for the next few years, and especially mentioning the need for SMEs to plan for upcoming opportunities. Interestingly, the  MOD contracts with 10,000 SMEs directly or indirectly every year, and so it's great to see this, (along with our friends from Defence and Security Accelerator) continuing to encourage commercial engagement and innovation with this business population. For those SMEs looking to enter the defence supply chain, there are 35 open calls valued at over £175m. So, there are plenty of opportunities to diversify from a MOD supply chain perspective and to get involved from a business growth perspective. Check out the data yourself at the following link: https://lnkd.in/e6XmrRNa #defence #procurement #innovation

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Our technical consultants are working to deliver systems integration for the Remotely Piloted Air System which will deliver a UK capability for medium-altitude, long-endurance armed Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance up to 2035 and beyond. Key components of this task include: - Local and Wide Area Network (LAN/WAN) development at the main operating base - Satellite and ground communications elements of Command and Control network - Integration of MoD core Information Systems - Development of an enterprise architecture for PROTECTOR and its supporting systems. Find out more about this important project: https://lnkd.in/e8qPfQcW #SystemsIntegration #EnterpriseArchitecture #P3M #InformationSystems #TechnicalArchitecture

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https://lnkd.in/eKNweNaC   Deftech Technology Transforming Defence: Insights from Tech UK's Latest Report The Tech UK report "Technology Transforming Defence" highlights the pressing need for ongoing change in MoD procurement to enable the UK to develop, integrate, and deploy advanced technologies swiftly. Here are the key recommendations to empower the MOD and DefTech to deliver at the necessary pace, quality, and price for future conflicts: 1. Forget GDP, think capabilities: Prioritize capabilities over GDP metrics. 2. Who, what, where?: Improve coherence across innovation and delivery units to reduce duplication and reinforce successful across the TLBs. 3. Bring problems not solutions: Present problems, not solutions, to engage a wide range of providers in finding innovative answers. If a problem can't be defined concisely, it hasn't been defined well enough. 4. What got us here..: Empower commercial teams to consider a broad group of suppliers, removing unnecessary requirements on suppliers and SMEs. 5. Mind the Gap: Utilise reservists with industry tech experience to identify and fix process issues between innovators and end users. 6. All about the data : Standardise data exchanges, and provide libraries for partners across Defence to train and test systems effectively. These recommendations are a solid starting point, some of which are already being implemented.  In my humble opinion, to achieve the required pace, a continuous improvement approach is essential to manage the change. Blockers must be continuously identified, actions taken, and metrics used to measure the impact of improvements.  Embracing a culture of continuous improvement at all levels and across the ecosystem (Deftech and MoD) is key to readiness for future challenges we may face.

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The Ministry of Defence has recently updated its website guidance around 'Doing Business with Defence', making it easier for businesses to navigate and identify MOD Procurement opportunities. As part of the continued support through Dorset LEP’s Defence & Security Supply Chain Development Programme, join SWMAS LTD and the MOD for a guided tour of the revised website, when we will review where to find and how to apply for MOD supply chain opportunities. This will include an overview of: 🔦 The Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP) - tailor your notifications 🔦 Contracts Finder - information about contracts worth over £12,000 🔦 Find a Tender service to search and apply for high-value contracts in the UK’s public and utilities sectors 🔦 Crown Commercial Services 🔦 MOD Acquisition Pipeline - a forward look of potential procurement activity undertaken by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) 🔦 MOD’s strategic partners – Links to tier 1 customers 🔦 Supplier Registration Service for Government - Register to increase your visibility to over 6,000 government buyers. 🔦 MOD Engagement with Trade Associations and supplier events  🔦 Update on the programme and overview of future events scheduled for 2025 Book via the weblink below: https://lnkd.in/e8WiYj7d

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The Ministry of Defence has recently updated its website guidance around 'Doing Business with Defence', making it easier for businesses to navigate and identify MOD Procurement opportunities.   As part of the continued support through Dorset LEPs Defence & Security Supply Chain Development Programme, join SWMAS and the MOD for a guided tour of the revised website, when we will review where to find and how to apply for MOD supply chain opportunities. This will include an overview of:              - The Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP) - tailor your notifications           - Contracts Finder - information about contracts worth over £12,000            - Find a Tender service to search and apply for high-value contracts in the UK’s public and utilities sectors           - Crown Commercial Services           - MOD Acquisition Pipeline - a forward look of potential procurement activity undertaken by the Ministry of Defence (MOD).           - MOD’s strategic partners – Links to tier 1 customers            - Supplier Registration Service for Government - Register to increase your visibility to over 6,000 government buyers.           - MOD Engagement with Trade Associations and supplier events             - Update on the programme and overview of future events scheduled for 2025   Book via our weblink below:   https://lnkd.in/e8WiYj7d

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In an ambitious move to enhance digital connectivity in some of England's most isolated regions, the UK Space Agency, in collaboration with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), has launched a series of projects underpinned by a significant investment of up to £3.5 million in government funding. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eiinsTsF #Space #News #Funding

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On 25th June 2024, Project BLUEPRINT showcased at Cranfield University Digital Aviation Research and Technology Centre (DARTeC), laying out a "blueprint" for integrated BVLOS operations, as described in this excellent article by Philip Hicks published in Unmanned Airspace, and laid out in our case study[SL1] , which highlights our contribution to the project through the development of a holistic "two levels down" safety assessment to influence the Blueprint requirements. Ebeni's next steps, capitalising on the proposed Regulatory blueprint for BVLOS operations that we developed during this project, will be to work with industry to develop safety arguments and evidence structures to influence both regulatory and standards guidance. Thanks again to Neuron Innovations, who led the consortium, and consortium partners Cranfield University, University of Southampton, ANRA Technologies, Dronecloud, Distributed Avionics, Cranfield airport, Sky-Drones and Future Aerial. Also Joanne Wilkinson, Dr Chris Malbon, James Dunthorne, Niall Greenwood, Alejandro Canca Mancera, Yurii Stelmakh, Kirill Shilov, Helen Murray, Ajay Modha, Antonios Tsourdos, Dave Bush, Joe Roberts, Bob Entwistle, Jan Domaradzki, Andrew Blogg Glen Smith, Sarah Lay, Thierry Narnio, Joseph Taylor, Sindhura Lang, Andy Rignall   Read the case study here: https://lnkd.in/eBpqQqpM

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