UK Defence News Round-up: Week 48

Aquila Learning, Ascent Sign Nine-Year Flight Training Deal

Aquila Learning has been awarded a prestigious nine-year contract by Ascent for the supply of its industry-leading Alarms Training Management System (TMS) software, marking a significant milestone in the company's continued expansion within the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) sector. This contract, which includes software, services, training, and ongoing support, is set to play a pivotal role in Ascent's Digital Transformation efforts.

The Alarm’s system, which will be rebranded as the Ascent Training & Operations Management System (ATOMS) for users of the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS), will streamline and optimize the management, delivery, and assurance of flight training for pilots and mission aircrew across the UK MOD. The software was selected after a rigorous competitive tender process, underscoring its ability to meet the complex needs of military flight training.

Alarm’s advanced features, including a modern user interface, high configurability, and robust functionality, will help Ascent create a new gold standard for contracted military flight training services, not just within the UK, but globally. It will be implemented across five locations, supporting over 2,000 staff and trainees operating a combination of live and synthetic training assets as part of UKMFTS. The system's innovative technology roadmap is expected to revolutionize the way flight training is managed and delivered.

Mark Radbourne, CEO of Aquila Learning, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “Military flying training is complex and demanding, requiring a precise balance of people, processes, and technology to succeed. We are delighted to support Ascent and the UKMFTS with our innovative training management solutions and look forward to helping shape the future of military training systems worldwide."

Andy Baker, Commercial and ICT Director at Ascent, highlighted the strategic importance of the collaboration: “Aquila’s expertise in training management software, combined with their vision for the future of military training, makes them the ideal partner. We are confident that this partnership will not only enhance operational efficiency but also improve the experience for both our employees and customers.”

This new contract further solidifies Aquila Learning’s position as a key player in the defence and aerospace sectors, delivering cutting-edge solutions to meet the evolving needs of military training worldwide. The implementation phase of the project is set to begin shortly, bringing the ATOMS system to life and supporting the next generation of military pilots and aircrew.

Vikela Expands with New Bangor HQ

Vikela, the Northern Ireland-based body armour specialist, has officially opened a new 20,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Bangor, marking a significant milestone in the company’s expansion. The move follows a £1.3 million investment and will enable the company to increase production, expand its market reach, and continue its innovation in the personal protective equipment (PPE) sector. The new facility, located at Balloo Link, was launched with an event on November 14th, where key stakeholders, including investors, customers, and suppliers, gathered to celebrate the occasion.

Founded by mechanical engineer Peter Gilleece, Vikela has become known for its revolutionary body armour designs, particularly its APIS range of stab protection gear. The APIS range is notable for addressing gender disparities in PPE by equally testing armour for both male and female users. Vikela’s focus on sustainable, flexible, and fully recyclable products has positioned the company as a leader in advanced protective technology, combining innovation with environmental responsibility.

Peter Gilleece, CEO of Vikela, highlighted the importance of the new facility in supporting the company's international growth. “This new space allows us to scale up production to meet rising global demand while staying committed to our values of sustainability and innovation,” he said. The new headquarters will accommodate production, warehousing, and head office functions, and plans are in place to increase the workforce to 15 employees by 2025, with a target of 50 staff members within five years.

The move to Bangor is a crucial part of Vikela’s growth strategy and reflects the company’s expanding presence on the international stage. In addition to the new headquarters, Vikela has made notable advancements in the US and Japan, including attending the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Annual Conference in Boston and forming a strategic partnership with Robotic Centre Japan. These steps have solidified Vikela’s presence in key global markets and enhanced its reputation within the security industry.

Vikela’s innovative approach to body armour extends beyond product design. The company’s commitment to a circular production model ensures that materials from unused products are recycled and repurposed for future use, contributing to a more sustainable manufacturing process. With distribution channels already established in the UK, US, and Japan, and plans to ramp up production to 2,400 units per week, Vikela is poised to become a global leader in body armour, addressing the rising need for protective gear in high-risk environments.

DASA and IoT Tribe Team Up for Defence Innovation

In a major move to accelerate defence innovation, the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) has announced its partnership with IoT Tribe to deliver business acceleration services from its London hub. This collaboration will support NATO's Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) initiative, strengthening the UK's position within the Alliance.

IoT Tribe, a leading technology acceleration firm, will lead a group of specialist organisations, collectively known as the Janus Consortium, to provide world-class expertise in defence innovation. The consortium includes Atmos VC, a deeptech investor, The setsquare Partnership, the UK's top-ranked start-up hub, and Arrow, a £30 billion electronics firm specializing in defence and security supply chains.

The Janus Consortium will operate from DASA's London hub, offering a UK defence Accelerator that will support innovative companies in developing dual-use emerging technologies that address both military requirements and civilian applications. This partnership will enhance DASA's capabilities, supporting companies working on pressing defence and security challenges and helping them grow into robust suppliers for the defence sector.

The programme, set to launch on 13th January 2025, will provide companies with a range of benefits, including dual-use innovations, expert technical support, access to investment opportunities, connections within the pan-NATO ecosystem, and tailored business acceleration support through a three-month programme at the White City facility.

This partnership marks a significant step forward in supporting defence innovation and strengthening the UK's position within NATO's DIANA initiative. By bringing together the expertise of IoT Tribe, the Janus Consortium, and DASA, this collaboration will drive the development of innovative solutions that address pressing defence and security challenges, while also supporting the growth of new suppliers for the defence sector.

Wavefront Sentinel IDS for MARSS Naval Operations

Wavefront Systems Ltd. a leading provider of sonar technology, has been awarded a significant contract by MARSS Group, a global defence company, to supply its Sentinel IDS (Intruder Detection Sonar) for integration into MARSS's NiDAR surveillance system. This contract marks a major milestone for both companies, as it will be the first time NiDAR is operational on combat-facing vessels. The NiDAR system will fuse multiple sensors, including Wavefront's Sentinel IDS sonar, navigational radars, and infrared cameras, into a single user interface, providing a highly accurate and rapid means of detecting and classifying underwater and surface threats.

The Sentinel IDS sonar plays a key role in this system by automatically detecting, classifying, and tracking underwater threats such as divers, swimmer delivery vehicles, or underwater drones. The latest generation, Sentinel 2, enhances this capability with advanced Simultaneous In-band Active and Passive Sonar technology (SInAPS), which allows the system to detect threats at ranges of up to 1,500 meters for mini-subs and 1,000 meters for diver detection. This integrated system will be crucial for safeguarding the vessels when in transit, at anchor, or in port.

Frederik Giepmans, Managing Director of MARSS Maritime, emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating, "By bringing our NiDAR technology to the front lines of naval defence, we're not just expanding our market reach but actively contributing to the security of those who serve and the nations they represent." Ioseba Tena, Managing Director of Forcys Ltd. Wavefront's sister company, added, "This partnership is a testament to the power of collaboration, combining MARSS C2 with Wavefront's Sentinel to protect critical assets worldwide from underwater threats."

The project is expected to run until 2029, with the first vessel set for delivery in 2026. This contract represents a significant step forward in the use of advanced sonar technology to protect naval assets and personnel from underwater threats, further solidifying the relationship between MARSS and Wavefront as they continue to enhance maritime security.

That's a wrap folks, hope you're all starting to look forward to the holidays!