UK Defence News Round–up: Week 37

Kromek Lands ￡2M MoD Contract

Kromek, a leading developer in radiation and bio-detection technology, has announced a significant contract with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), valued at ￡2 million. This deal, secured through a competitive tender process, involves the supply of Kromek’s advanced nuclear radiation detectors and related products.

The contract focuses on Kromek’s D5 RIID, a handheld gamma and neutron detector renowned for its high sensitivity. This device, launched in November 2023, will be enhanced by the addition of the Alpha Beta probe, a new attachment designed to detect alpha and beta radiation. The Alpha Beta probe integrates seamlessly with the D5 RIID, transforming it into a comprehensive tool capable of identifying all types of radioactive materials within a compact, user-friendly format.

Arnab Basu, CEO of Kromek, expressed enthusiasm about the contract, highlighting its significance: “We are thrilled to have secured this important contract from the UK MoD, a key strategic client for us. The award following a rigorous tender process underscores the robustness of our technology.” Basu also noted the rapid endorsement of the Alpha Beta probe, emphasizing its role in making the D5 RIID one of the most versatile handheld radiation detectors available today.

The contract not only reinforces Kromek’s position in the defence sector but also marks a milestone in their ongoing relationship with the UK MoD. The company is eager to deliver on this contract and contribute to national defense efforts.

ISTEC Delivers 65 MLRS A2 Mounts via NSPA

ISTEC Services Limited, a leading British firm renowned for its expertise in weapon integration solutions, has successfully delivered 65 weapon mounts for the British Army’s new MLRS A2. This achievement follows a competitive tender process, and the contract was awarded through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA).

With a legacy of 35 years in designing, manufacturing, and supplying complex weapon systems, ISTEC has a well-established track record in integrating crew-served weapons such as GPMG, HMG, and MMG across various military domains. The company’s history includes providing Universal Gun Mounts (UGMs) for essential military vehicles like WMIK, Mastiff, Viking, and Jackal, used extensively in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The delivered mounts are part of the double swing arm Medium Machine Gun (MMG) solution, crucial for enhancing the MLRS A2’s defensive capabilities. This addition boosts the vehicle’s battlefield resilience, providing the crew with improved protection in hostile environments. Furthermore, the MMG mounts procured by NSPA are available for purchase by other NATO member countries.

ISTEC's weapon integration solutions are engineered for durability and ease of use, offering optimal arcs of fire and operational range based on the vehicle’s configuration. The company’s commitment extends beyond product delivery, offering comprehensive end-to-end support to minimize maintenance needs, standardize parts to ease logistics, and ensure robust customer service.

Adrian Webster, Operations Manager at ISTEC, expressed his satisfaction with the project: “We are thrilled to have been awarded this significant contract to upgrade the UK’s MLRS platform with our advanced crew-served weapon mounts. Our extensive experience in delivering such capabilities stands us in good stead, and we look forward to announcing additional work in support of the MLRS programme soon.”

Astroscale UK Wins ￡1.95M Contract for COSMIC

Astroscale UK has been awarded a significant ￡1.95 million (excluding tax) contract by the UK Space Agency to advance its Cleaning Outer Space Mission through Innovative Capture (COSMIC) spacecraft. This funding will support the next phase of development for COSMIC, designed to address the growing issue of space debris by targeting two inactive British satellites for removal.

The new phase of the mission will concentrate on refining and mitigating risks associated with critical technologies identified in earlier stages of the UK Active Debris Removal (ADR) project. Key areas of focus include enhancing the robotic capture system and improving debris detumbling capabilities.

Nick Shave, Managing Director of Astroscale UK, expressed enthusiasm about the contract, stating, “We’re delighted to have been awarded this UK Space Agency contract to progress the further development of a UK ADR mission towards implementation. Our UK ADR mission design ensures a low-risk approach because it is based on flight-proven heritage from Astroscale missions currently in orbit, such as ELSA-d and ADRAS-J. It also incorporates numerous mission elements from our UK-focused industrial supply chain with proven flight experience.”

Astroscale UK will continue to collaborate with a diverse network of companies across England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. This collaboration will leverage the growing Astroscale UK supply chain, which includes nearly 100 companies. The COSMIC spacecraft will be developed, built, and operated from Astroscale’s Zeus facility in the UK. The project is expected to create and sustain highly skilled jobs and foster enhanced collaboration within the UK’s space sector.

?The contract also highlights the involvement of experienced UK and European industrial leaders in advanced space systems, underscoring the project’s commitment to leveraging regional expertise and driving innovation in space debris management.

DMC and NP Aerospace Partner on Project TAMPA

DMC has joined forces with NP Aerospace under the UK Strategic Command's Project TAMPA, a pivotal initiative aimed at exploring the advantages of additive manufacturing (3D printing) in the defence sector. This project is designed to leverage the speed, quality, and flexibility of additive manufacturing to enhance the UK's defence supply chain.

DMC, known for its expertise across sectors including space, aerospace, motorsport, and medical, is at the forefront of this rapidly advancing technology. The company is collaborating with leading defence prime contractors engaged in Project TAMPA to address the UK Ministry of Defence's requirements. With a commitment to creative engineering and excellence, DMC integrates a holistic approach to additive manufacturing, supported by AS9100 certification and robust quality assurance practices such as PPAP (Part Production Approval Process) and NPI (New Product Introduction).

The partnership with NP Aerospace is focused on rapidly innovating using additive manufacturing techniques for both metal and polymer parts. This collaboration aims to resolve longstanding challenges, meet operational demands, and address issues related to supply chain security and obsolescence.

David Wilson, Director of Engineering at NP Aerospace Vehicle Systems, Services, and Spares highlighted the value of the project: “Project TAMPA has allowed us to explore the remarkable benefits of additive manufacturing. Working with DMC, a leader in this field, has been rewarding. Their engineering expertise and certification ensure the quality assurance critical to our defence needs.”

Kieron Salter, CEO of DMC, expressed pride in the partnership: “We are excited to support NP Aerospace and others in the UK defence industry by applying our extensive experience from demanding sectors like Formula 1 and aerospace. At DMC, we go beyond traditional manufacturing by providing innovative and holistic additive manufacturing solutions, delivering pioneering results for industry leaders.”

That's a wrap, Until next week.