August 21, 2023 | International, Aerospace
February 22, 2024 | International, Aerospace
The country aspires to own the entire value chain for making advanced combat aircraft.
August 21, 2023 | International, Aerospace
May 7, 2020 | International, Naval, Land
Industry, government, and academia established consensus in several areas regarding NORAD, Overland and Maritime ISR capabilities. There is room in the present for intermediate technological solutions and for adapting existing equipment for near-term impact. While it has been agreed that the technological solutions required to meet future challenges do exist, it is unclear how to best address the security, organizational, and financial implications that come with proposed technical solutions. There are still many unanswered questions regarding continental defense, however individuals from various backgrounds have come together and can continue doing so to determine a path forward. Looking ahead, this document should serve as a basis of insight and discussion that can be elaborated upon for future force development exchange events. This event successfully helped bridge the gap between industry and DND and illustrated what the RCAF and CFD are doing in preparing for a radically different approach to NORAD and the defence of North America. Establishing academic, government, and industry consensus on several key points has been an important first step, constructive collaboration like this will allow more creative visioning for solutions going forward, hopefully with eventual implementation by DND/CAF. Brainstorming how to overcome security, organizational, and financial constraints on implementing technical solutions will be a key area to explore as this discussion progresses.
March 6, 2019 | International, Aerospace, Land
The Defence Secretary has committed £66m of defence's new multi-million-pound Transformation Fund to fast-track military robotic projects onto the battlefield this year. It was announced today at the Autonomous Warrior Exploitation Conference at the Science Museum, Kensington that the British Army will benefit from: New mini-drones, providing troops with an eye-in-the-sky to give them greater awareness to outmanoeuvre enemies on the battlefield. Systems to fit Army fighting vehicles with remote-control capability, so they can be pushed ahead of manned vehicles and used to test the strength of enemy defences. New autonomous logistics vehicles which will deliver vital supplies to troops in warzones, helping remove soldiers from dangerous resupply tasks so they can focus on combat roles. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: This announcement is a clear demonstration of how our Armed Forces are reaping the benefits from our new multi-million Transformation Fund. Each of these new technologies will enhance our Army's capabilities whilst reducing the risk to our personnel and I'm delighted we will be revolutionising frontline technology by the end of the year. The MOD has always embraced pioneering technology and this fund will ensure the UK stays at the forefront of global military capabilities and ahead of our adversaries. The injection of funding from the new £160m Transformation Fund will see some of this equipment set to deploy to the likes of Estonia, Afghanistan and Iraq before the end of the year. The Defence Secretary will also look to make a further £340m available as part of the Spending Review. The investment comes after the Army tested a range of projects as part of the biggest military robot exercise in British history at the end of last year, Exercise Autonomous Warrior. Yesterday, the Defence Secretary visited 16 Air Assault Brigade in Colchester which will be among the recipients of the new battlefield technologies. He discussed how the new equipment will benefit troops on the ground to help increase their safety and combat effectiveness. The Brigade is specially trained and equipped to deploy by parachute, helicopter and air-landing. Its core role is to maintain the Air Assault Task Force, a battlegroup held at high readiness to deploy worldwide for a full spectrum of missions. Chief of the General Staff Sir Mark Carleton-Smith said: Rapid adaptation is an essential ingredient for success on the battlefield. The fielding of the next generation of armoured fighting vehicles and ground-breaking robotic and autonomous systems will keep the British Army at the cutting edge of battlefield technology, improving our lethality, survivability and competitive advantage. Assistant Head of Capability Strategy and Force Development, Colonel Peter Rowell said: Robotic and autonomous systems make our troops more effective; seeing more, understanding more, covering a greater area and being more lethal. They unshackle them from the resupply loop. These are game-changing capabilities; and not just for combat operations. They are equally useful in humanitarian and disaster relief operations. After securing an extra £1.8bn for defence and overseeing the Modernising Defence Programme, the Defence Secretary has dedicated millions of pounds to transforming defence, arming the British military with innovative technology through fast-tracking new projects. The MOD is embracing transformation at an ever-faster rate and the Transformation Fund is focused on investments in truly high-tech innovation that will create the armed forces of the future. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/army-robotics-receive-66m-boost