Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide

Defence

Digitising Land ISTAR

A contract worth £6.7 million has been awarded to Roke, the delivery partner for ZODIAC, which will act as the central nervous system for Land ISTAR, as the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) embraces far-reaching benefits of digitisation for its Land ISTAR programme, to transform how the British Army operates, integrates and sustains a persistent and decisive global presence.

Above: (left to right) Paul MacGregor, Roke Managing Director and Brigadier John Collyer.
Courtesy Roke

It marks the start of an Alpha development phase to de-risk the delivery of the Land ISTAR programme. Land ISTAR will deliver an integrated and distributed system of sensors, applications and underlying system architecture that will enable the Army to act with greater precision and speed. Enhancing FIND to UNDERSTAND and FIND to EFFECT is critical to the generation of a competitive advantage in the modern operating environment across the continuum of competition.

Advertisement
ODU RT

As the core project for the Land ISTAR programme, ZODIAC must provide the systems required to ingest data from all battlefield sensors and CJIIM* intelligence feeds. It will need to fuse, analyse and distribute the resulting intelligence to battlefield users, integrating across Land, Sea, Air, Space and Cyber and with Allies.

During the Alpha phase of ZODIAC, Roke will be responsible for capturing requirements, initial design, solution architecture, risk reduction and market assessment for further development.

Paul MacGregor, Managing Director of Roke said: “Roke is proud to contribute to this important and bold transformation in support of the defence of our nation. ZODIAC will pioneer the use of next generation technologies, empowering and better protecting the British Army to think and act faster than our adversaries.

“Innovation will be the catalyst for everything we do. From harnessing our significant knowledge in physical sensors and communication systems to embedding new architectures and processing at the edge, drawing on the expertise of our Cubica colleagues who specialise in data fusion, machine learning and autonomy."

Roke will also work closely with a trusted consortia of industry partners to refine the model of ZODIAC development further, ensuring the customer takes advantage of world-beating technical capabilities on a continuous and enduring basis.

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle

 
*CJIIM (Combined, Joint, Inter-Agency, Intra-Governmental and Multinational)
 

 

 

Advertisement
Babcock LB Babcock LB
Robosys expands OEM propulsion control capabilities with Sleipner

Defence Security

Robosys expands OEM propulsion control capabilities with Sleipner

17 February 2026

Robosys Automation has announced the expansion of its multi-OEM propulsion control capabilities with the integration of Sleipner (Side-Power) Thruster Systems into its flagship VOYAGER AI autonomy and remote vessel control software suite.

UK pioneers 3D printing of aircraft parts using recycled titanium

Aerospace Defence

UK pioneers 3D printing of aircraft parts using recycled titanium

17 February 2026

QinetiQ, in partnership with Additive Manufacturing Solutions Limited (AMS Ltd.), has completed the maiden flight of an aircraft containing a 3D printed structural component, made from recycled titanium.

Amentum selected to advance UK hypersonic strike capabilities

Defence

Amentum selected to advance UK hypersonic strike capabilities

17 February 2026

Amentum has been selected to provide missile design engineering and program management expertise to advance the UK’s ambition for hypersonic strike capabilities.

AtkinsRéalis partners with Anduril UK on autonomous systems

Defence

AtkinsRéalis partners with Anduril UK on autonomous systems

17 February 2026

AtkinsRéalis has entered into a teaming agreement with Anduril UK towards advancing development and deployment of autonomous aircraft for UK defence programmes.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle
Cohort appoints Chris Axcell as its first COO

Defence

Cohort appoints Chris Axcell as its first COO

16 February 2026

Cohort plc has appointed former Leonardo UK senior executive Chris Axcell as its first chief operating officer (COO) as it looks to accelerate the growth of its seven subsidiaries, pursue strategic acquisitions and strengthen operational delivery amid rising UK and allied nation defence spending.

Indian Air Force instructors to train RAF pilots

Defence

Indian Air Force instructors to train RAF pilots

13 February 2026

The UK and India have agreed to further enhance military training engagements following the conclusion of the 19th UK-India Air Staff Talks in New Delhi yesterday.

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle
Advertisement
ECS leaderboard banner