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12th August 2008
Defence equipment event is most comprehensive to date
DVD, a major event in the Defence calendar, expanded its
reach this year to encompass clothing, medical and general
supplies, food, fuels and test equipment as well as vehicles.
This year’s DVD industry day was the most popular to date, with
more than 5000 visitors attending the event to learn about the
latest developments in the provision of vehicles, equipment and
supplies to frontline troops. DVD 2008, hosted by the Specialist
Utility Vehicles Integrated Project Team (SUV IPT) of Defence
Equipment and Support at the MOD, was the most comprehensive so
far, with eight teams, including Defence Food Services, Medical
and General Supplies, Defence Fuels Group, Defence Clothing,
Deployable Support and Test Equipment and General Support
Vehicles and Battlefield Infrastructure, there to interact with
industry and do business.
“The tremendous success of this year’s event shows just how
valuable the exchange of knowledge and ideas is to our suppliers
and their customers,” said Nigel Gilhead, SUV IPT Team Leader.
“Almost every aspect of using, maintaining and loading vehicles
was covered, alongside a vast range of transportable supplies.
It’s a unique opportunity for the defence community and will
certainly lead to more effective frontline operations.”
Specialist and Utility Vehicles IPT
Specialist and Utility Vehicles (SUV) is the through-life IPT
responsible for light military vehicles and protected mobility
vehicles. Many of the vehicles displayed at the SUV stand are
supplied to those on the frontline in Iraq and Afghanistan, such
as Jackal, Mastiff and Vector.
Minister for Defence Equipment and Supplies, Baroness Ann
Taylor, unveiled Ridgback, a new heavily armoured patrol
vehicle, announcing that soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan will
soon have access to 157 Ridgback vehicles. The new vehicles will
help to protect troops from roadside bombs and landmines, and
represent a further £150m MoD investment in the provision of
protected patrol vehicles to UK forces.
"There is no such thing as absolute protection, but we have got
to provide the best range of equipment,” said Baroness Taylor.
"I am always looking for the newest technology to address the
ever-changing threats, and offer the greatest protection,
mobility and firepower while giving our commanders the choice of
vehicles they need to carry out the tasks they face."
The new Ridgback is based on the proven Cougar 4x4, a smaller,
more agile version of the Mastiff, which currently operates in
urban fringe and rural environments. The similarity between the
vehicles will allow troops to benefit from the support and
training already in place for Mastiff, ensuring a smooth
integration with patrol vehicles currently in the field.
The MoD has agreed to purchase 157 Cougar 4X4 vehicles from
American company Force Protection Inc. The first vehicles to
arrive in the UK are now being fitted with additional
protection, weapons, communications systems and specialist
electronic counter-measures equipment.
It was also announced at DVD that the MoD is purchasing 14 more
Vikings and a further 72 Jackals. Visitors had the opportunity
to go for test rides in both vehicles at the event.
Battlefield Infrastructure and Engineer Group
Two of the three IPTs that make up the Battlefield
Infrastructure and Engineer Group exhibited at DVD this year:
Expeditionary Campaign Infrastructure (ECI) IPT and Battlefield
Utilities (BFU) IPT. The main focus of these IPTs is providing
power, fuel, water and shelter to the armed forces, specifically
within the land environment.
ECI IPT provides temporary deployable accommodation, covering
everything from a one-man tent to a 600-man camp, while BFU IPT
provides the equipment that distributes fuel and water around
the camps, together with all sizes of generators. A selection of
these items was on show at DVD, with demonstrations available
for visitors.
“DVD provides us with a wonderful stage to demonstrate how vital
the equipment we supply is to those on the frontline,” said
group leader Brigadier Andy Cowling. “Having good accommodation,
efficient utilities and sanitation is essential to the welfare
of those operating in often harsh and dangerous conditions.”
General Support Vehicles IPT
General Support Vehicles (GSV) is the through-life IPT
responsible for the provision of heavy logistic vehicles with a
payload of four tonnes or above.
This year, GSV IPT displayed a Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET)
tractor unit, a Wheeled Tanker and a Support Vehicle. The latter
forms part of a £1.3bn procurement of 7,285 support vehicles.
Visitors were able to see first-hand the engineering solutions
currently developed to protect the Armed Forces in both Iraq and
Afghanistan.
IPT leader Alison Henry said “We have to be 100% responsive to
the changing requirements in the field, which means working in
close partnership with other IPTs and contractors to manage the
design and implementation of vehicle upgrades in a timely
manner.”
Defence Clothing IPT
The Defence Clothing IPT is responsible for providing clothing
for the armed forces on operations, as well as MoD civilian
organisations such as the MoD Police, Military Guard Service and
the MoD Fire Service. The IPT demonstrated the work it is doing
in supporting current operations, and the read across this is
having on the next generation of combat clothing for the armed
forces – Project PECOC due to start entering service in 2011.
Also on display was the potential new online clothing ordering
system which could be part of the New Clothing Solution
initiative to modernise the clothing supply chain. This would
enable personnel not deployed on operations to order clothing
through any internet terminal and have it delivered by post or
courier to an address of their choice. It would enable the Armed
Forces to obtain their clothing in the correct size quickly and
reliably without a trip to the clothing stores. There are
obvious benefits for small detached units and stations. It would
also allow Defence Clothing to better capture data and forecast
demand more accurately, tightening up the clothing supply chain.
A 15-month pilot scheme is currently running with 3,000
customers in the Army and it is to be expanded to include the
Navy and RAF.
Chief of Defence Materiel General Sir Kevin O’Donoghue, said: “I
have recently tried the ordering system for myself; I was very
impressed by the ease and efficiency of the service. Men and
women in the Armed Forces are used to the 24/7 self-service
economy and often require the flexibility and speed offered by
internet shopping. The project is an excellent initiative with
great potential.”
Defence Fuels Group
The Defence Fuels Group provides fuels, gases and lubricants for
the Armed Forces’ vehicles, ships and aircraft. Visitors to DVD
were able to see practical demonstrations of the portable
testing kits currently used in Iraq and Afghanistan on a daily
basis to confirm fuel quality. Visitors also had the opportunity
to view the work of the Group’s Fuels Science and Technology
Group, in alliance with Qinetiq, on development of fuels and
lubricants ‘road maps’, setting out the Group’s long-term plans
(to 2050 and beyond) for sustainable sourcing.
Deployable Support and Test Equipment IPT
The Deployable Support and Test Equipment IPT is responsible for
the deployable repair capability of the three Services, as well
as the provision of all test and measurement equipment, and
Defence railway equipment. At DVD this year the group exhibited
many fundamental pieces of equipment from its vast inventory of
8,500 items, including the equipment used for testing pylons on
aircraft, which ensure that payloads remain secure and in place
until the time of deployment.
The group exhibited alongside some of its key suppliers, who
were available to discuss the strong focus on building
partnerships with the IPT in order to best meet the requirements
of troops in the field.
Medical and General Supplies IPT
The Medical and General Supplies IPT (M&GS IPT) provides
general, medical, dental and veterinary material and equipment
to the Armed Forces. M&GS IPT contracts a number of key
suppliers to provide value added services, such as
rationalisation, supply chain improvements and customer and
technical support.
“We provide a fundamental support to the Armed Forces Medical
Services,” said Colonel Derek McAvoy. “Response time and close
monitoring of inventory are paramount to our operation.”
At DVD visitors had a chance to view treatments provided to
soldiers on operations, such as quick clotting treatments and
emergency bandages, and speak to doctors and surgeons who had
served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Visitors were also able to see
the new apheresis machine, a technology that allows blood to be
taken from troops within 45 minutes with no ill effects,
increasing the quantity of blood available in the field for
medical treatments. Apheresis separates whole blood into its
component parts, retaining the platelets and returning the red
blood cells and plasma to the donor. The machines are already in
use and saving lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Unveiling the hi-tech machine at DVD, DE&S Chief of Defence
Materiel Land, Lt General Dick Applegate said: "Medical care on
operations is rightly recognised as being second to none. Blood
is an essential part of the military supply chain and the demand
for platelets has increased as we are using a more aggressive
approach in the treatment of massive blood loss. Using the new
Apheresis machine will give our medics increased flexibility for
urgent requirements."
the demand for platelets has increased as we are using a more
aggressive approach in the treatment of massive blood loss.
Using the new machine will give our medics increased flexibility
for urgent requirements."
Defence Food Services IPT
The Defence Food Services IPT (DFS IPT) provides catering
support to the Armed Forces on operations, exercises or in
barracks. The IPT manages the MoD food supply contract with
Purple Foodservice Solutions. DFS IPT manages the procurement,
production and quality of Operational Ration Packs (ORPs) and
issues guidance on ORP distribution and storage.
This year, 20 new 24 hour ration pack menus were unveiled by DFS
IPT. The new Multi-Climate Ration Packs have been developed
following feedback from troops on operations, with the aim of
providing a greater variety of food for troops before a
permanent camp is established. Six extra menus have been created
for Halal, Vegetarian and Sikh/Hindu diners.
The project manager for the development of the new packs,
Lieutenant Commander Neil Horwood Royal Navy, explained: "The
current general purpose ration pack is perfectly fine but troops
are eating rations now for up to four months so menu fatigue is
a real issue. The key is variety and we are now introducing much
more variety than we've historically had. I think the troops
will be really pleased with it."
The new menus are currently being trialled in Afghanistan with a
view to an official launch next summer.
In addition to the exhibiting IPTs, DE&S also took the
opportunity to unveil Panther a new seven-tonne command and
liaison vehicle in the form of a press briefing with the Light
Armour Systems IPT which is responsible for the through life
support of the FV430 family of vehicles, including Bulldog,
Viking, BV206, Saxon, CVR (T) and, most recently, Panther.
Panther can operate 24 hours a day in any climate, and is
equipped with thermal imaging equipment for night vision. The
vehicles are protected against a range of threats including
small arms, blast and anti-personnel mines, and the majority are
fitted with a sophisticated weapon system that allows the user
to operate machine guns with a camera and joystick from inside
the vehicle.
More than 400 Panthers are now being assembled by BAE Systems
under a £160 million contract. The first Panthers have been
delivered to 1 Mechanised Brigade and a small number are
undergoing hot weather trials in Afghanistan.
Speaking at the unveiling of the Panther at DVD, Major General
Tim Tyler, Director General Land Equipment at DE&S, said:
"Panther is certainly an apt name for this new vehicle – it's
tough but also very agile and responsive. Its powerful engine
generates a lot of torque, making it an ideal vehicle for
off-road conditions, and although carrying enough armour to
protect occupants from small arms fire and mines, can still be
easily transported by air. Having the right balance of armour
and manoeuvrability makes it extremely effective in all sorts of
situations."
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