Luca Leone

Read the latest article from QinetiQ's chief executive Steve Wadey who talks about the power of disruptive innovation and explains the ambitious path the company is charting to Paul Derby To view the digital version please click here: https://lnkd.in/egxApBm7 #defence #qinetiq #disruptiveinnovation

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Recommended read! A well authored report based on high quality data inputs from leading UK defence businesses, with good year on year trend analysis and comparisons to the wider UK industrial base. Given the lag time to collate full annual year data the latest data set relates to 2022 and still shows supply chain challenges from a post-pandemic state of flux. The next year's data sets will be insightful as the real gearing up of defence spend worldwide starts to print through into the data. Nevertheless, some key trends already: productivity and wages remain higher than than the UK industry average; supply chain engagement is rising; employment and training are both growing and a younger workforce is coming on stream.

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New figures show the growth and success of the UK defence industry, with growth in defence sector jobs and strong investment in research and development. This new report by the Joint Economic Data Hub (JEDHub) on the defence sector’s contribution to the UK economy comes a week after the Prime Minister and Defence Secretary announced the biggest rise in defence spending in a generation, and reiterates a 69.9% increase in UK defence exports, increasing from £6.6 billion in 2021 to £11.2 billion in 2022. The report demonstrates both the contribution of the defence sector to the UK and the important role international trade makes to its success, with over a third of turnover coming from international sources in 2022. The report shows the defence sector continues to be an attractive employer, with surveyed recruitment growing by 17.8% in 2022. Of the c. 84,000 surveyed defence Full Time Equivalent (FTEs) employed across the UK, it is estimated that c. 54,000 were supported by defence domestic revenue in 2022 and c. 30,000 jobs by international revenue.

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The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) have launched a new Themed Competition called ‘Delivering operational advantage via improved self-sufficiency and operational energy innovation’. This competition is funded by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) Chief Scientific Advisor (CSA). We are seeking proposals for novel technologies that will enable defence to achieve greater self-sufficiency and operational endurance for a deployed force, allowing the force to be more resilient, agile and self-sustaining. The aim is to increase deployed self-sufficiency and endurance across the maritime, land and air domains whilst reducing logistical burden and optimising power and energy. Solutions to this competition’s challenges will need to be in the form of technologies e.g. machinery, equipment, items of subsistence etc. either singular or in a system. We will also consider novel technologies which could reduce the environmental risks and impact of defence’s activities.

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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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🗓️ Not long to go! Our next Defence Single Source Training Workshop will explore... 🗣️ what a Qualifying Defence Contract / Subcontract is, how it must be priced, costed and reported 🙋‍♀️ the risks within the regime and the commercial landscape ⚙️ the intent of changes proposed for October 2024 by UK Ministry of Defence The Defence Reform Act 2014 governs how contracts are costed, what profit is allowed, how pricing mechanisms work and gives MoD significant open book access to the contractor’s data. Understanding the rules is therefore vital to ensure a price is valid and will withstand scrutiny. Book now: https://lnkd.in/e68W3iWB #defence #industry #MOD #UKindustry

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🗞️ The newest edition of Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S)'s magazine 'Desider' is out now featuring Samira Braund MBA, our Defence Director!   This feature piece explains how the UK defence industry can secure strategic advantage by changing its current behaviours. Focussing on innovation and investment it discusses what the UK Ministry of Defence can do to help secure competitive advantage for the UK.   Read in full here: https://lnkd.in/ea_25zT   #defence #defenceindustry #investindefence

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Why is Systems Engineering documentation so important to the delivery and sustainment of defence projects? Rhiannon Stratford, Systems Engineering Capability Manager at Systematiq highlights how Systems Engineering processes and documentation contribute to the introduction and sustainment of defence capabilities. "I help steer clients in the direction they need to go by writing the necessary design and verification documentation that Defence requires when dealing with a project Prime Contractor.” #DefenceIndustry #DefenceCapability #DefenceConsulting #SystemsEngineering

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After the announcement of the UK Government's Defence plan review, we now expect it to have positive impact for the defence industry. I would foresee significant investments in modernising the military equipment and infrastructure but, this could create both challenges and opportunities for the defence industry as there will be a need to innovate and grow in alignment with the UK's defence objectives. https://lnkd.in/eZqdPsQS #DEFENCEIndustry #defenseinfustry

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If there isn’t consensus on the role of #data when it comes to mission readiness, then are defence assets being managed in an optimised way? Has defence completely embraced a Multi-Domain Integration mode of operating? Read our latest blog to find out: https://ow.ly/oz8830sEf1T

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Yesterday we launched a new report with MD One Ventures. UK Defence Tech 2024 analyses the innovative companies that make up the UK’s defence technology sector. The report looks at 384 high-growth companies in the UK that are developing technologies with defence applications or have received funding from organisations with a focus on the security and defence sectors. We won’t varnish the truth: investment in the sector fell a staggering 75%. But alongside the core defence tech companies, this report also delves into the “dual-use” aspects of defence technology. These are companies with offerings that can serve both military and civilian uses, operating across a range of sectors adjacent to traditional defence technology. Whilst private investment has fallen in the core industry of defence technology, our report shows the relative resilience of investment in these dual-use sectors. In the report you’ll also find profiles of companies leading the way in dual-use sectors: Materials Nexus, Greenjets, Labrys, Lab 1. As William McManners puts it, “the future of defence investment lies not as an exquisite sector, but in integrated, multifaceted strategies that leverage the strengths of dual-use markets and expertise." #BeauhurstInsights #DefenceTech #UKDefenceTech

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In his latest blog, Digital Defence Business Development Director Chris Cook discusses the practicalities and requirements of digital #innovation within the context of #defence: https://ow.ly/CIET30sCMpW #DigitalTransformation

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Earlier this year, Alistair Garfoot presented on the challenges of operationalising AI at the Undersea Defence Technology conference, exploring these key themes… - AI is not an innovation opportunity - The realities of working in defence - Procurement and process challenges Read more about how to accelerate AI's impact ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/ehPRDedY

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Missed our live webinar on doing more with less with the UK Ministry of Defence? No worries! Catch the recording here 📹 https://bit.ly/49WLsbn As we celebrate our fifth anniversary of delivering transformative training solutions at the Ministry of Defence, we invite you to explore the highlights of our journey. In this session, we explore: 📌 The extensive deployment of over 100,000 seats with Microsoft 365 📌 Our pivotal contributions to developing The Learning Hub 📌 The impact of services like MODNET Made Easy and the Microsoft Teams Adoption service, supporting 40 individual projects 📌 The crucial role of training and upskilling in creating an agile workforce Discover how these initiatives have empowered the Ministry of Defence to maximise efficiency and how your organisation can benefit too. 👉 Watch now and see how we’re making a difference https://bit.ly/49WLsbn #Training #Upskilling #Microsoft365 #RemoteWorking #MinistryOfDefence #MicrosoftTeams Natasha Bradley

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“The multiplier effect matters in every area of the UK Ministry of Defence” explained Sector Director for Defence James Dimmock, in an article for the UK Defence Journal just over a year ago. With defence hitting the headlines, James’s piece on the impact the force multiplier - technology, equipment, strategy or formation - has on a military unit or individual remains an important discussion point on the national agenda. While our expertise does not include the development of battle winning technologies, we have a role in building the physical infrastructure that supports living, working, and training that ultimately impacts operational effectiveness. There are well over 100,000 single living bed spaces for service personnel across the UK, many being renewed or upgraded. 🗨️ “The opportunity to bring learnings from related sectors, for instance, in contemporary student accommodation, to then tweak and enhance single living accommodation (SLA) designs, will deliver increased customer experience. Leveraging private and public sector expertise has been and will be a key focus of our work with the MOD,” adds James. Read more ➡️ https://ow.ly/t7st50S88yR #Defence #Construction #MOD

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🚨Call to industry and economic operators 🚨 - Enablers for Safe Integration of Military Air Capabilities in the #European Sky  European Defence Agency intends to launch a tender with four lots to support the progress of safe #airspace integration of #UAS, from low level to high altitude operations. UAS Single European Sky Experimental Integration -max.est budget 1.5M Eur Risk Assessment for UAS operations -max. est budget 400 k Eur Higher Airspace Operations study -max. est budget 800 k Eur Consultancy services for needs assessment, market research and consultation, analysis of the state-of-the-art -max. est budget 200 k Eur An #information session will be held on 04 July 2024 from 10:00 am until 12:00 CET. To register & more info - https://lnkd.in/ehQx9SPV #EUdefence #defence #EU #Europeanunion #airspace #aviation #aviationindustry #UAS #UAV #air #HOA Link - https://lnkd.in/ehQx9SPV

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Defence spending has been on a steady climb since 2016, but we've seen the biggest jump so far from 2022 to 2023 📈 And with another turbulent year ahead, we could see even more impact on the UK's defence industry. Alongside MD One Ventures, we've put together this report on the UK's defence tech landscape — giving you an insight on what's going on behind the scenes. Read the report: https://lnkd.in/ePPFhXnb #BeauhurstInsights #DefenceTech #UKDefenceTech

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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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