Industry News

MoDMaritime Constabulary Operations and Maritime Security Operations already use the full spectrum of tools available to the Royal Navy, but some hostile activity can be difficult to detect in busy & congested waters where it is hard to identify & stop the few illegal operations out of the vast number of legitimate civilian activities.
More effective tools are now needed to strengthen the UK’s response & reduce the risks to trade and shipping.
 
The MOD’s Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE), which is part of the Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (Dstl), is seeking proof-of-concept research proposals from industry & academia to improve the security of maritime operations.  This latest call for proposals will close on Monday 25 February 2013 at 5:00pm.  You can also register for an online ‘webinar’ on 5 February to participate in a summary of the call and a Q&A session.
Press release & links
 
MoD: The British Army is conducting its largest ever virtual simulation experiment in order to better understand its future equipment & training needs. Exercise Urban Warrior 5 uses advanced science & computer technology as part of a cutting-edge experiment designed to help the Army better understand the battlefield of the future.
 
Using virtual computer simulation technology at the Land Warfare Centre in Warminster, more than 200 soldiers have been playing out battlefield scenarios in a virtual environment based on the real-world Urban Warfare Training Centre in France.
Press release & links ~ MOD reveals £160bn plan to equip Armed Forces ~ CBI comments on MOD Defence Equipment Plan
 
STFCUK leaders in micro & nano-technology will provide businesses with unrivalled access to expertise & facilities through a new business alliance announced recently.  This new partnership will support innovation across a wide variety of industrial sectors that impact on our lives from medical diagnostics to defence & security, and from space exploration, to consumer electronics.
 
The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), the University of Glasgow and Kelvin Nanotechnology Ltd (KNT) have formed Kelvin-Rutherford, a new venture combining their extensive resources to provide a ‘complete nanotechnology service; delivering seamless support from device design through computer simulations to fabrication & evaluation in preparation for mass-production’.  
Press release & links
 
Ofcom: Ofcom has recently awarded the licence to operate the new local TV ‘multiplex’ on digital terrestrial TV (DTT). The multiplex operator Comux will be responsible for building & maintaining the technical infrastructure required to broadcast the 19 local TV services currently being licensed by Ofcom.
Press release & links
 
GPS: The Government Procurement Service are pleased to announce the award of a new Legal Services framework which replaces the existing Legal Services and LitCat frameworks. The new framework provides access to high quality professional legal services, whilst delivering best value for the taxpayer.
Press release & links
 
DfTRail franchising future programme  - The government is announcing its plans for the 3 live competitions which were put on hold in October 2012. In a written statement to the House of Commons, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin outlined how the Great Western, Essex Thameside and Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise competitions would be handled following the findings of an independent investigation into rail franchising.
Press release & links ~ Committee publishes report into the cancellation of the InterCity West Coast franchise competition
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