Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide

Defence

Dstl trials future of invisible war

The future of ‘invisible war’ has been trialled by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) using emerging and next generation electromagnetic (EM) concepts.

Courtesy Dstl

Supremacy in the EM environment is as crucial to warfighting as any of the traditional domains. Overwhelming the adversary through degrading and defeating their command and control systems provides commanders with significant strategic advantage.

Dstl’s ‘Spectral Prophet’ trial was an ambitious demonstration of prototype EM activities that combined previously separate disciplines. It also demonstrated other emerging EM technology that could be integrated in future work, including deception and countermeasures, in both offensive and defensive capacities.

Advertisement
ODU RT

By sharing data, status and tasking across a distributed command and control (C2) infrastructure, existing and new radio frequency (RF) transceivers can be employed to better effect and allow new ways of working that are currently not possible.

Combining the data from multiple sensors and effectors provide a more automated process to give commanders greater strategic awareness and operational advantage.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025

Dstl technology lead, Chris, said: “We are building the technology that allows information to get to where it needs to in near real time whilst filtering out information that isn’t needed.”

Dstl Spectral Prophet technical lead, Jon, said: “The trial and supporting programme draws on years of Ministry of Defence Chief Scientific Adviser funded research. We have funded a lot of work, for example, our university-based EM Hub. We’re building UK skills which supports the government’s growth agenda.”

Spectral Prophet was supported by a range of suppliers from prime contractors, small and medium sized enterprises and academia. Defence funding in EM research helps develop and maintain highly skilled jobs across the UK.

The results of the trial will help inform decisions around the Strategic Defence and Security Review and demonstrate how new capability can be integrated more rapidly and better value for money achieved. Conceptual architectures and specific technologies have been developed to experiment with and de-risk this integration, as well as to identify lessons and requirements for subsequent procurements.

Advertisement
PTC PTC
Construction begins on SLA accommodation at RAF Cosford

Defence

Construction begins on SLA accommodation at RAF Cosford

8 July 2025

Construction has started on a new 50-bedroom Single Living Accommodation (SLA) block at RAF Cosford in Shropshire.

Homes England acquires Ripon Barracks from MoD

Defence

Homes England acquires Ripon Barracks from MoD

7 July 2025

Homes England and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) have agreed that land at Ripon Barracks, a military site scheduled for closure, will be developed into 1,300 new homes following a sale between the two public sector organisations.

Royal Navy establishes autonomous minesweeping capability

Defence

Royal Navy establishes autonomous minesweeping capability

4 July 2025

The Royal Navy has - for the first time - established an autonomous minesweeping capability, after new systems were delivered to help combat the rapidly evolving threat of naval mines.

Serco appoints Keith Williams as Chair

Aerospace Defence Security Space

Serco appoints Keith Williams as Chair

4 July 2025

Serco has appointed Keith Williams to the Board as a Non-Executive Director and Chair designate.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025
BAE Systems to continue developing AFRL

Defence

BAE Systems to continue developing AFRL's BATDOK

4 July 2025

The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has selected BAE Systems to continue development and support deployment of the Battlefield Assisted Trauma Distributed Operations Kit (BATDOK) via the new Force Optimization through Rapid-prototyping, Gear Enhancements & Innovative Technology (FORGE-IT) programme.

Boeing appoints Stephen Parker as CEO of BDS

Defence Security Space

Boeing appoints Stephen Parker as CEO of BDS

3 July 2025

Boeing has appointed Stephen (Steve) Parker as president and chief executive officer of its Defense, Space & Security (BDS) business, effective immediately.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT