Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Industry and academic alliance aims at transforming Royal Navy training

Defence

Industry and academic alliance aims at transforming Royal Navy training

The iMAST Alliance - a collaboration of three UK Maritime defence companies Babcock, QinetiQ and Thales, together with technology partners Centerprise International, Learning Technologies Group and academic Institutions, University of Portsmouth and University of Strathclyde - has recently signed an Alliance Agreement, bringing together their collective capabilities, to modernise and transform Royal Navy training.

Image courtesy Babcock

The Alliance is further boosted by an Ecosystem of more than 50 niche enterprises, who will seek and explore innovation in learning technologies, delivering opportunities and benefits across the UK supply chain.

The contract will be awarded following a competitive tendering process run by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and will see the successful bidder partner with their customer to transform Royal Navy training. Down selected to bid in 2019, the iMAST team is finalising its approach with final tender submissions due in summer 2020.

Advertisement
ODU RT

The iMAST vision involves working in partnership with the MoD to transform and modernise Royal Navy training in innovative ways that will deliver more, better trained Royal Navy people to the frontline quicker.

The iMAST lead contractor, Babcock, is currently responsible for around 70% of the outsourced Royal Navy training programme and this new collaborative Alliance squarely underpins its ongoing commitment to the Strategic Partner Programme with the MOD and Cabinet Office, which means iMAST is in an excellent position to provide a solid surety of delivery throughout the transformation period.

Mark Graves Managing Director of iMAST Alliance: “iMAST’s approach is focussed on building on our unique and deep affinity with Royal Navy Training and consolidates the capabilities of a game-changing Alliance that can deliver cutting-edge, flexible and accessible technology to truly modernise the training experience of RN people and ensure they reach the front line quicker and equipped with the skills and competence they need.

Advertisement
ODU RT

“Across our joint team we have strong and collaborative relationships with the armed forces, built over decades and share many of the same values and behaviours, often working as one team to a single joint plan. Therefore, iMAST represents the lowest risk, high reward solution to transition – delivered at pace.”

In addition to the provision of training, the winning bidder will also be responsible for designing, procuring and managing the maintenance and repair of all associated training equipment. This includes support for the delivery and procurement of the interior design, fit out and relocation to a new purpose built facility for submarine training based on the Clyde, helping to create a submarine centre of excellence.

 

Advertisement
Babcock LB
Northrop Grumman

Defence

Northrop Grumman's first MESA sensor installed on RAF Wedgetail

7 November 2024

Northrop Grumman’s first Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) sensor was successfully installed on an E-7 Wedgetail Mk1 Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft for the UK’s Royal Air Force (RAF).

Galvion delivers 400 MAX-8s to AeroVironment

Defence

Galvion delivers 400 MAX-8s to AeroVironment

7 November 2024

Galvion has delivered the first order of its Nerv Centr MAX-8 Mission Adaptive Charging Station to the US defence tech company, AeroVironment (AV).

Spectra Group opens new Australia office

Defence Events

Spectra Group opens new Australia office

7 November 2024

Spectra Group is announcing the launch of Spectra Group (Australia), at MilCIS 2024 (12th-14th November) in the National Convention Centre, Canberra, marking a significant expansion as it enhances services across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.

Saab’s Autonomous Swarm tech used in AUKUS trial

Defence

Saab’s Autonomous Swarm tech used in AUKUS trial

7 November 2024

A large UK team, comprising 40 employees from Saab-owned BlueBear and UK MoD Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) personnel, demonstrated the ability to deploy interoperable AI within Autonomous Swarms of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) in AUKUS' recent Project Convergence 2024 trials.

Advertisement
ODU RT 2
Work begins to extend HMS Scott

Defence

Work begins to extend HMS Scott's operational life

7 November 2024

Work has started on HMS Scott to extend the vessel’s operational life into the early 2030s.

Babcock awards milestone UK submarine recycling contract

Defence

Babcock awards milestone UK submarine recycling contract

6 November 2024

Babcock, working with the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE), has reached the next significant milestone to fully dismantle a nuclear-powered submarine, Swiftsure, at its facility in Rosyth.

Advertisement
ODU RT 2