*** *** THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2009 *** *** VII The Daily Telegraph JOBS ONLINE: The Daily Telegraph TECHNOLOGY CAREERS IN DEFENCE jobs.telegraph.co.uk/ca Technological services of different kinds play a vital role in modern warfare. Lisa Sewards looks at the latest developments Innovation saves lives A TROOP PROTECTION SYSTEMS of the information, which is used to provide fast and, crucially, timely operational information to the forces in order to help them avoid or operate in danger zones. The second rule is, dont be seen. Were using camouflage innovation to conceal troops, and technology such as thermal imaging cameras to help them spot enemy activity when theyre moving in darkness. The third rule is, dont be engaged by the enemy. Our developments include systems that jam radio signals to prevent enemy communication. The fourth rule is, dont be hit. The use of robotics to convey intelligence pictures of danger areas has been vital in the fight against IEDs. More than 2,500 of QinetiQs TALON robots remotely operated, tracked vehicles are currently deployed to disarm IEDs. Many robots have been damaged in their mission, some of them many times, but today they are rapidly repaired by military personnel at robot hospitals, Joint Robot Repair facilities located throughout the world. Finally, in the event of an enemy attack, we are constantly updating vehicle protection by adding things such as appliqué armour to deflect IED explosions, causing them to detonate further away. QinetiQ has also developed X-net, which is designed to puncture a vehicles tyres and wrap netting around them, enabling enemy vehicles to be arrested in a controlled and safer way. The types of IEDs and the different ways in which they are detonated is constantly evolving and for this reason its vital to develop continuing innovations against this serious threat. SATELLITE CYBER CHAT Lift off: Skynet 5 is part of a new generation of military satellites ROBOT TECHNOLOGY TALON The bomb disposal tank UK defence technology firm QinetiQ has designed TALON, an EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) robot that can dispose of suspect explosive devices in harsh and life-threatening environments. This mini tank, about three feet wide, has tracks that allow it to climb up stairs. It has a manipulator arm that can open doors, cut wires and manage the controlled explosion of IEDs. Every time a robot gets blown up, its saving someones life or stopping them from being seriously injured, says Simon Christoforato, QinetiQs business manager for robotic systems. major and growing threat to coalition forces fighting in Afghanistan are improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The statistics are bleak: 73 per cent of fatalities among allied troops in Afghanistan are caused by home-made bombs, and this figure has increased by 114 per cent compared with the same period last year. To counter the threat, equipment is being developed to protect troops, but the strategy involves much more than providing physical protection. QinetiQ is one of the UKs leading employers of scientists and engineers, recruiting around 100 graduates each year. Cameron Speirs, its technical business development manager, says: Countering the threat of IEDs is a challenge requiring in-depth technical expertise across a range of disciplines, often at second degree level. In addition to scientists with PhDs, we employ an increasing number of engineers, particularly those with a systems engineering background, to ensure that our technology is delivered to the frontline as efficiently as possible. We use a layered approach, called the survivability onion model, which sets out the philosophy of how to protect troops against attacks. The first rule is, dont be in a dangerous place. To achieve this we use improved Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) to pull together intelligence from many sources, such as unmanned air vehicles and unattended ground sensors. Sophisticated data analysis makes sense SHADOW HAND The artificial human hand UK firm Shadow Robot Company has engineered what it claims is the most advanced robotic hand in the world. The Shadow Hand (right), which can be attached to another larger robot and controlled remotely by computer, or with a glove controller worn by an operator, could allow soldiers to perform more delicate and sensitive operations than ever before, from a safe distance. Air muscles, which behave in a similar way to our own muscles, allow it to produce 24 different movements that simulate the actions and versatility of the human hand. TARANIS Pilotless flight T Clever manipulators: TALON robots disarm IEDs while being controlled at a safe distance o cope with terrorist security threats, the MoD, in partnership with industry, has developed a new generation of military satellites, Skynet 5, which allows the Army, Royal Navy and RAF to talk to each other simultaneously from different war zones. Skynet 5 satellites have increased the information capacity available to support the troops by more than four times that available from Skynet 4, the previous family of satellites, says Andrew Stanniland, the business development director for Paradigm Secure Communications (part of EADS Astrium), which designed, manufactured, owns and operates the Skynet family of military satellites on behalf of the MoD. The satellites provide a series of secure, high-quality, reliable communications services, such as voice and image data and videoconferencing services. This means the RAF, the Royal Navy and the Army can talk to each other easily, continues Stanniland. Just 10 years ago it was very complicated and time-consuming for the Army to talk to the Navy or the RAF. These new satellites also enable the forces to communicate in two war zones at once, for example, in Iraq and Afghanistan. Other technological innovations have helped too. The previous generation of satellites focused on a fixed location, but the Skynet 5 versions have a number of steerable and shapeable receive beams that can be manipulated to provide the most appropriate communications hotspots for troops. This is particularly useful in todays war against terrorism because we dont always know where enemies are based or where the next deployment will be needed. Satellite security has also been improved with Skynet 5s phased-array receiver, which cancels jamming signals and protects the overall system in space as well as on the ground against hacking and other information technology- based threats. Autonomous defence vehicles are by no means rooted to the ground. The BAE Systems-led Taranis test programme is developing a next-generation unmanned stealth combat aircraft to be used for both long-range reconnaissance and attack targets behind enemy lines. Designed in conjunction with Rolls-Royce, QinetiQ and GE Aviation, Taranis is largely autonomous, able to taxi, take off and land with no human input. Once airborne, it can search an area and respond to threats, although an operator will always authorise any weapons release. The first test flight is planned for 2010. TESTUDO The reconnaissance scout Testudo (left) is a lightweight robot for covert reconnaissance operations. Its a micro scout, says Raglan Tribe, managing director of Mindsheet Limited, the UK innovation and technology firm behind it. You can send it ahead to a vulnerable spot to check that its clear. Testudo weighs less than 18lb so it can be carried by a soldier who can operate it from up to 550 yards away. It has a high-resolution camera that can zoom in 42 times on a target and it can climb or descend small stairs and outrun a pursuer at speeds of up to 35mph. Designed for the games console generation, it is operated with an Xbox-style controller with touch-screen monitor. These robots are part of a trend of more sophisticated kit that means commanders dont have to put men in harms way, adds Tribe.
*** *** THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2009 *** *** CAREERS AT THE CUTTING EDGE FOR SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS PAGE 5 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DSEI EXHIBITION NOW ON AT LONDONS EXCEL CENTRE DEFENCE INDUSTRY SHOWCASE PAGE 6 IN THE FRONT LINE AGAINST WEAPONS OF MASS DISRUPT
*** II *** *** WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2009 THE DAILY TELEGRAPH *** CAREERS IN DEFENCE NEW MARKETS GETTY The Daily Telegraph JOBS ONLINE: jobs.telegraph.co.uk/ca SURVIVING he UK defence sector is one of Britains major employers, and a significant contributor to the economy more than 300,000 peopl
*** *** THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2009 *** *** III The Daily Telegraph JOBS ONLINE: MoD/CROWN COPYRIGHT The Daily Telegraph ROYAL LOGISTIC CORPS CAREERS IN DEFENCE jobs.telegraph.co.uk/ca W hen Brigadier Chris Murray joined the Army in 1974, he told himself hed do the job as long
*** IV *** *** WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2009 THE DAILY TELEGRAPH ***
*** *** THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2009 *** *** V The Daily Telegraph JOBS ONLINE: The Daily Telegraph CASE STUDIES CAREERS IN DEFENCE jobs.telegraph.co.uk/ca Solutions on demand The armed forces would be powerless without the MoDs Defence Engineering and Science Group the profes
*** VI *** *** WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2009 THE DAILY TELEGRAPH *** CAREERS IN DEFENCE DSEI EXHIBITION The Daily Telegraph JOBS ONLINE: jobs.telegraph.co.uk/ca M O D/CROWN COPYRIGHT Defence showcase KEY SPEAKERS IAN CARNELL Head of Learning Strategies at Semta Research shows that the net cost of t
*** *** THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2009 *** *** VII The Daily Telegraph JOBS ONLINE: The Daily Telegraph TECHNOLOGY CAREERS IN DEFENCE jobs.telegraph.co.uk/ca Technological services of different kinds play a vital role in modern warfare. Lisa Sewards looks at the latest developmen
*** VIII *** *** WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2009 THE DAILY TELEGRAPH *** CAREERS IN DEFENCE CYBER SECURITY The Daily Telegraph JOBS ONLINE: jobs.telegraph.co.uk/ca W e take cyber security for granted at our cost. If you have ever been the victim of a computer virus, or had your credit card data stol
