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BATTLESPACE Exhibition News
sponsored by Northrop Grumman
DEFENCE SYSTEMS EQUIPMENT INTERNATIONAL
DEFENCE SYSTEMS EQUIPMENT INTERNATIONAL – CONFRONTING A CHANGING WORLD
By Julian Nettlefold
14 Sep 09. The 9/11 attacks which took place during DSEI in 2001 changed the manner by which Governments conduct procurements of defence and security items. Up to that point there was a clear dividing line between defence and security items as there was for Exhibitions and Conferences. The changing world was reflected in the content of the stands but not in the title of DSEi this year. The run up to the 2012 Olympics will see a huge demand by the UK Government to see and purchase the best equipment available to keep the UK’s citizens and visitors alike, safe from terrorist attack. The name could be changed to DEFENCE SYSTEMS (AND SECURITY) EQUIPMENT INTERNATIONAL to reflect this change. John Reed’s excellent piece run in our Day 1 Issue (See: BATTLESPACE DSEI SHOW NEWS Vol.9 ISSUE 1 PREVIEW, 04 September 2009, ROGUES, FAILURES, RESOURCES, TWITTER AND BLUE SKY) said it all and described the changing world of twitter and cyber warfare.
It is worth looking at the history of DSEI to explain the profile of the Exhibition. In the early 1980s a Lt. Col. Brian O’Bree was tasked by the MoD to look at the whole process of Defence Exhibitions and recommend changes. This was brought about partly due to the need to cut down the expense industry was paying for the existing MoD-run shows, BAEE and RNEE, brought about by a threatened industry boycott of BAEE by the top firms due to costs in 1986. The choice was either regional shows or one large show taking in the existing Spearhead-run Battlefield Systems Show (BSI) and IMDEX. After a process which included the SBAC and DMA-led proposal, the MoD chose the Spearhead bid of merging BAEE, RNEE, BSI and IMDEX to make DSEI, hence the ‘Systems’ inclusion, which would be run by Spearhead but supported by DESO and the MoD to provide security and inward missions from abroad. It was also around this time that BAE changed its name from British Aerospace to BAE Systems to reflect the growing systems trend in the industry. BATTLESPACE was also launched on this basis in 1998 to meet the ‘Purple’ requirements for C4I systems following the Editor’s experience as Press Officer for BSI and IMDEX.
Spearhead then sold out to Reed Exhibitions who formed their Defence Division of DSEI, IDEX, Helitech, ITECH and LAAD, which as we know, was then sold out to Clarion last year.
During this period there were upheavals in the Government and the arrival of Gordon Brown as Prime Minister changed the whole face of the old DESO which was changed to UK Trade & Investment run by Sir Andrew Cahn KCMG with Richard Paniguian running the new Defence & Security Organisation (UKTI DSO). At the same time General Sir Kevin O’Donoghue, KCB, CBE took over as Chief of Defence Materiel at the MoD and championed the enlargement of the fledgling SUV IPT-run DVD into a major MoD-run show mirroring the BAEE of the old days.
We interview Sir Andrew Cahn on the Cobham stand at this year’s DSEI, who gave a very comprehensive overview of the new look UKTI, bringing in the security industry in to the old DESO, forming UKTI DSO.
UKTI is a global organisation with its headquarters in London. The network employs around 2,300 staff and advisers in the UK and in 82 UK overseas embassies, high commissions, consulates and trade offices. There is a UKTI office in each of the nine English regions with over 200 international trade advisers (ITAs). In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, services are delivered in co-operation with the respective national development agencies. UKTI DSO works alongside the UK regional ITAs who advise and guide UK companies on their route to export and help them to use the full range of UKTI DSO services. UKTI DSO also engages closely with industry bodies and trade associations.
“There was a lot of controversy at the time of the announcement in late July 2007 that DESO was no more and UKTI would be the new organisation. Some saw that the announcement was not well handled and industry was not prepared for the change. In fact, contrary to these views, the move was made to make DESO more effective, carrying out the wishes of the Prime Minister. Security was added to reflect what was in the Prime Minister’s mind. The industry is not just about the Arms Trade but it deals right across the board with the security side expected to grow. It is not just airports and sporting events, we expect corporate security budgets to grow across the board to meet amongst cyber threats and industrial espionage; the looming Olympics will also spur this growth. Security exports will now be included in the defence export figures. The Private Sector needs a Government umbrella and the synergies of UKTI and DESO enable this in the security industry, thus we are now able to offer companies the coverage of 1400 people in 96 countries, with every Ambassador tasked to help exporters.”
“Do you see defence and security exports growing?” The Editor asked.
“The defence and security sectors are an important part of the UK economy, contributing billions of pounds in exports each year, and providing tens of thousands of jobs in the United Kingdom. Defence and security companies are a very significant part of the UK’s high value manufacturing sector and our R&D base. These companies offer solutions to the legitimate defence and security needs of countries around the world, allowing these countries to protect their citizens, and building capacity to tackle insecurity around the world. Defence exports provide an important contribution to Ministry of Defence objectives in maintaining key sovereign capabilities in production capacity and engineering skills which are vital for the UK defence industrial base. In recent years the UK has consistently achieved around a 20 per cent market share of the global export market and surpassed even this in 2007, when the UK was top global defence exporter, winning an unprecedented £10 billion of new business and achieving a 33 per cent global market share. “
UKTI DSO focuses on building and maintaining relationships with overseas governments. Defence and security is a growth market with potential for many UK companies to utilise their technologies, skills and knowledge to export successfully. UKTI DSO works with industry and overseas governments to ensure UK equipment, products and services are promoted in the best possible way and that the overseas customer’s requirements are appropriately met and supported by industry throughout the life of the equipment. UKTI DSO staff provide specialist export advice and practical assistance to the two sectors, working closely with both industry and the Ministry of Defence to provide the essential government-to government dimension to company-led marketing campaigns. There is also a Security Directorate to provide specialist support to companies within the security sector and a Business Development Directorate which deals with events, exhibitions, provides market analysis and specific support for SME companies.
Launch of ADS
This change to a defence/security mix was also reflected in the launch of a new trade association formed from APPSS, DMA & SBAC. A|D|S, the UK’s AeroSpace, Defence and Security trade body was unveiled at DSEi as the new identity of the organisation to be formed from the merger of the Association of Police and Public Security Suppliers (APPSS), the Defence Manufacturers Association (DMA) and the Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC). Farnborough International Limited (FIL) will remain a distinct brand as a wholly-owned subsidiary of A|D|S. Further details about the structure, aims, approach and strategy of A|D|S will be made public in due course. The organisation is established formally on 1 October 2009.
Ian Godden, Chairman of A|D|S, said, “The formation of A|D|S on the first of October heralds the emergence of a new power advancing the UK’s AeroSpace, Defence and Security industries. A|D|S will begin to deliver enhanced benefits for its 800 member companies from October the first through its constituent parts starting to operate as a single entity. In many ways, however, October the first represents the start of the process of creating an organisation that will become much more than the sum of its parts. The A|D|S leadership team is clear that this process will be member-driven, and over the coming months we will be turning that intent into action through direct involvement of our members in the development of A|D|S.”
Rees Ward, Chief Executive of A|D|S, said, “The process of merging these linked organisations into a single, powerful trade body will be an evolutionary rather than revolutionary process. Over the course of the coming weeks around October the first we will make public more details about A|D|S as the organisation formally begins business for our members.”
Interview with Stefan Zoller at EADS
This view was reinforced at our next stop at the EADS to talk to the CEO of EADS Defense & Security (DS), Dr Stefan Zoller. “There is a current convergence of paramilitary and defence capability across the board. We see our role at EADS of providing security across the board for everyone in countries around the world. We take what is available and see where it fits best. We will work with all the EADS segments of Defence, Security and Space to find the best solution as we did to win the huge Saudi Arabian border contract. EADS DS has built up a proven record in this area over the last ten years and by indigenous growth and key acquisitions such as Nokia Defence and CML we are now a €6 billion segment with 23000 employees within EADS, the most profitable part of EADS. This provides the European benchmark to the industry, limited only by a lack of key engineers, I would like some more to develop the next generation radars, UAVs and sensors to enable a Global Security organisation. We are world leaders in Tetra systems, particularly in the Middle East. We have 100 systems in 80 countries.”
His point was proved by the announcement on September 11th of the selection of EADS DS to deploy a modern TETRA radio network to secure the Indian Parliament. EADS Defence & Security through its line of business Security & Communication Solutions has teamed up with its local partner Sanchar Telesystems Limited to provide the Indian Parliament with a state-of–the–art digital, encrypted communication system based on TETRA technology. The new system will ensure voice and data communication, automatic vehicle and personal location and the capacity to connect to high speed data applications.
Launch of LifeLink
The EADS strategy was reinforced by the next stop. EADS Paradigm Secure Communications Ltd, a subsidiary of EADS Astrium Ltd, invited the Editor to the launch of its new product/service offering LifeLink to military and government users worldwide, utilising the newly developed FRED (FIND and REPORT EMERGENCY DEVICE) product. In hostile areas there are frequent dangers to individuals and teams as well as to high value goods. This is a concern to organisations who have a duty of care to personnel operating in these environments. The primary use for FRED is as a personal safety device so that users can activate an alert mechanism to notify their position and the possible need for action.
LifeLink is a fully managed end-to-end global alert and tracking service making use of proven rugged solutions such as Paradigm’s latest FRED device. LifeLink enables the user to request a rapid response to personal emergencies in remote locations through a network of responders. The service includes a two way communication capability to provide assurance to the user that their alert or message has been received. Responders can be alerted and make use of a secure portal to view the position and exchange messages with the remote user. FRED is a light-weight hand-held device utilising Iridium Short Burst Data (SBD) communications and GPS for positioning. FRED has a full colour display and allows users to exchange pre-set messages and monitor their status, mark waypoints/store geo-referenced data points all via a simple menu system. GPS data together with Global Iridium’s truly global satellite coverage has been selected by Paradigm as the most appropriate method for alerting responders to where assistance is required.
TruePosition Inc.
The next day, we were introduced to what the Editor saw as the jewel in the crown of security offerings at DSEI 2009 – TruePosition Inc.
TruePosition have developed technology that can help to identify the mobile phones of criminals and terrorists to deliver invaluable intelligence about who they are, where they are, what they are doing and what they might do next. At its core, the TruePosition solution provides mobile network intelligence, real-time surveillance, and geofencing (invisible tripwires of wireless energy that can be placed around critical infrastructure). The TruePosition Location Platform is a wireless location determination system, which can be tailored to meet the performance needs of the customer or application. For this national security solution, the location technology being deployed is Uplink Time Difference of Arrival(U-TDOA). Renowned for its ability to accurately and reliably locate any mobile phone in any environment, including indoors, U-TDOA is currently used across the United States to locate emergency 9-1-1 phone calls dialled by mobile subscribers. Today, U-TDOA protects more than 100 million citizens and locates more than five million wireless 9-1-1 phone calls each month.
TruePosition can fire-up the mobile phone, locate it, and put it back to sleep, and the target - in this case a criminal or terrorist – is unaware that they have just been located.
The Company has been awarded a multimillion Dollar contract for its high-accuracy U-TDOA location technology with an overseas government for national security purposes.
Dominic Li, Marketing Director of TruePosition told the Editor that the Company had 95% of the 9-1-1 market for locating any mobile phone in the USA. They hadn’t even scratched the surface in the rest of the world but announced a new multimillion dollar order at the show for its TruePosition Location Platform to be used for national security purposes.
Operation Vision
On Day 3 of the show we saw the excellent anti-pirate display by Systematic and its team mates ITT, Ultra and Tactronics at the waterside area.
At a meeting with Michael Holm, CEO of Systematic, he told BATTLESPACE that the Company was looking at new areas of business including new products such as the SitaWare C2 sever which enables connectivity across the whole Battle Management System. Systematic was recently down-selected with GDUK for the Brunei requirement against Northrop Grumman.
“We can help the customer develop our customer’s old legacy systems which are not MIP-compliant using our server. This helps transfer systems from bespoke to new, without spending money to replace the whole system. The next step is to tailor complete packages using COTS-based solutions which lessen the risk for customers in open architecture. This also allows input from local companies including writing the systems in their own language. We intend to build a three pronged approach using products linked on one side to new technology and on the other side to consultancy providing information to update and enhance existing customer systems.”
Systematic’s boarding solution is a high-tech system which provides crews on patrolling vessels with a real-time overview of the patrolling waters. Furthermore, the solution gives a new dimension of security to the boarding team which leaves the mothership to inspect civilian vessels. With Systematic’s solution, the boarding team never loses contact with the mothership and can always get instant notification of new dangers in the operation area.
ITT’s SpearNet radio provided crucial connectivity for the system. SpearNet is the smallest wideband data radio providing advanced wireless, ad-hoc networking. SpearNet is the newest of the ITT family tactical communications systems, operating in the 1.2-1.4GhZ UHF range. The radio is an ideal communications tool as it provides seamless self-healing ad hoc voice and data networking and multi-hop routing capability, giving the Boarding party the unique capability to use the radios in the bowls of the ship on multiple decks, providing voice and data connectivity to the mother ship.
The Boarding Party used the Tactronics TacCAT B2, a twin-hulled, multi-role craft with modular deck fitting equipped with TAC-SINe, an integrated monitoring, video, communications and navigation system. Each boarding operative was equipped with the Tactronics C-BASS lightweight Combat Ballistic Amphibious Shield System and a SpearNet radio which was providing connectivity to the ruggedized laptop equipped with the Systematic SitaWare Maritime Boarding system.
BAE Systems and BCB also announced anti-piracy systems at the Show.
Conclusion
We reported the plethora of new vehicle announcements for the LPPV Requirement in our Daily News. But, there were obvious concerns from Clarion, the DSEi organisers of the growing strength and breadth of the DVD Show at Millbrook, where these vehicles can be shown in situ with live driving.
DSEi 2011 will coincide with the build-up to the 2012 Olympics, a mere stone throw from the Excel Centre. Rather than see a head-to-head battle with DVD, perhaps we may see a change to the ‘S’ in DSEi to reflect the growing importance of Security in the U.K. and the aspirations of not only the key sponsor UKTI but also key Exhibitors such as EADS, Thales and BAE Systems. There were plenty of the Boys in Blue guarding DSEi, expect to see more of these touring the stands with flat caps and more brocade! There were fewer green suits at the show which reflects the growing importance of DVD to the Army, particularly in a time of UORs. One observer said, 3 days of DVD, 3 of DSEI?
 Exhibitions News Index
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