WIREDGOV

“Bringing the UK’s Networked Enabled Capability to life”

INVITATION TO ATTEND THE COALITION WARRIOR INTEROPERABILITY DEMONSTRATION (CWID) PRESS DAY Wednesday 13th June 2007

CWID is a unique event that brings the MOD and industry together. It demonstrates ground breaking technological solutions that could fill MOD capability gaps, whilst reducing risk in current procurement projects and supporting innovation.

The largest research event of its kind in the world, CWID connects 15 countries around the globe. Representatives from international industry and Armed Forces will take part in an on-line virtual battlefield exercise using real data and security constraints from a realistic military scenario.

A shining example of the Defence Industrial Strategy, with a proven track record in delivering capability to the front line, CWID is a high profile event within the MOD’s calendar. This year’s press day will include a preview of the following:

• Future NEC communications infrastructure including SKYNET 5, CORMORANT, FALCON, BOWMAN, long-haul High Frequency and Tactical Data Links.

• The tactical and technical issues surrounding the operation of the UK’s future carrier capability as well as support to littoral operations.

• ISTAR trials throughout the life cycle supporting the de-risking of the DABINETT programme.

• De-risking activity for air platform mission planning and mission management systems particularly the Joint Combat Aircraft, NIMROD, APACHE and MERLIN.

CWID will run between the 4th and the 22nd June 2007 at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) site at Portsdown West, Fareham and the Press Day will take place on Wednesday 13th June. Should you wish to attend the event, please reply to: press@dstl.gov.uk  and more details will be forwarded to you.

For further information visit www.cwid.org.uk.  If you would like to talk to a spokesperson or attend the CWID Press day on Wednesday 13 June, please contact the Communications Team at Dstl:

Annabel Mead
PR& Media Manager press@dstl.gov.uk  01980 614114 / 07766 134768

Hannah Fletcher
Communications Assistant press@dstl.gov.uk  01252 455994

Travel to the event
Arrive at Dstl Portsdown West, we can give you directions nearer the time and we can also arrange transport from the train station. Reception will sign you in and you will then be escorted to CWID. Remember to bring photo ID with you as you will not be able to enter the site without proof of identity. Names must be with Annabel or Hannah by Friday 8th June.

Itinerary for the day
10.00 Arrive at Dstl Portsdown West, coffee will be served
10.30 Central briefing by military staff on CWID and the technologies being demonstrated
12.00 Tour of CWID and chance to see demonstrations
13.00 Lunch and opportunity to discuss technologies and CWID with industry partners and MOD personnel alike. Further escorted photo opportunities could be arranged but we will need to work within the security constraints of the exercise.
1600 Depart

CWID
The Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration (CWID) is an annual US led event that includes Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom (UK), the United States of America (US), New Zealand and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). Online around the globe for three weeks each year, CWID utilises the Coalition Federated Battle Laboratory network. The UK participates in three levels of CWID; our own event, the US and the NATO events. Although the US and NATO provide coalition objectives for CWID, the UK also sets its own objectives to ensure it meets our own national requirements. For more information, please visit www.cwid.org.uk

Dstl
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is a centre of scientific excellence for the Ministry of Defence (MOD). Its 3,500 strong workforce includes some of the nation’s most talented and creative scientists with the brief to ensure that the UK Armed Forces and Government are supported in-house by the very best impartial scientific and technological advice. Dstl’s position at the heart of the MOD means that its advice is trusted by governments, academia, industry and international partners. It offers timely and accurate advice at all levels of military planning and operations, both overseas and on the home front. For more information please visit www.dstl.gov.uk  

Facilities provided by Dstl’s Battle Laboratory
The battle laboratory is located in the Mercury Building at Dstl’s Portsdown West site near Portsmouth within the Joint Command and Battlespace Management Applied Research Technology Demonstrator. The laboratory has the additional capability to represent the Land, Air, Maritime and Logistics Component Commanders. The Laboratory also has the potential to represent the Crisis Management Centre and other Government departments and to facilitate non-government departments, industry and academia in their research and development initiatives. Its flexible design means that the laboratory can be adapted to host Command, Control and Information Infrastructure experimentation in support of MoD projects. It is these facilities that allow CWID to create a network that can host a wide range of interoperability trials and demonstrations that are assessed within an exercise scenario.

Network Enabled Capability (NEC)
For more information see about NEC, please see: http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/WhatWeDo/ScienceandTechnology/NEC