Engineering specialist, Sheffield Forgemasters, has published financial results for the period to 31 March 2022 following its acquisition by the Ministry of Defence in August 2021. The financial statements cover the 15-month period ended 31 March 2022 and report revenue of £130.6m, up from £71.9m for the 12 months ended 31 December 2020, and operating profit (pre-exceptionals) of £0.6m. The accounts highlight significant headwinds which affected the company’s performance, including the effects of Covid-19, high energy costs and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/yorkshire/news/2100563-manufacturers-performance-impacted-by-pandemic-war-and-energy-costs?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Yorkshire_13th_Oct_2022_Daily Read more

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is seeking to establish a network of suppliers capable of 3D printing military-grade spare parts on-demand. As part of ‘Project TAMPA,’ the MoD aims to create a multi-supplier framework with the capacity to 3D print lighter, stronger metal parts as and when they’re needed. If this can be achieved, the UK government department anticipates being able to drive down military equipment and weaponry lead times, while improving the availability of difficult-to-source obsolete components. https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/uk-mod-to-flex-up-supply-chain-by-3d-printing-military-spares-in-5m-tampa-project-215086/ Read more

A £16m programme to boost SME defence innovation has been launched by the government. With the innovation of SMEs, the resources of big suppliers and initial funding from government, the Defence Technology Exploitation Programme (DTEP) is designed to bring the key components together to allow pioneering projects to flourish. https://www.pesmedia.com/uk-defence-manufacturing-industry-02082022  ____________________ WFEL and Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) have each selected Rolls Royce Solutions UK to supply their MTU engine for the British Army’s new Boxer Armoured vehicles. The MTU 8v 199 TS21 engines are proven ... Read more

The UK Ministry of Defence's Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) Future Capability Group (FCG) has awarded a four-year contract valued at £60m to Leonardo to deliver the Rotary Wing Uncrewed Air System (RWUAS) Technology Demonstration Programme (TDP), "RWUAS CCD Phase 3 TDP”. This programme funded through Defence Innovation, will include the flight of an advanced uncrewed VTOL prototype referred to by the UK MOD as “Proteus”. Proteus is a key element of the Royal Navy Future Maritime Aviation Force (FMAF) vision for ... Read more

An order for 100 more military vehicles, worth several hundred million pounds, will create 120 more jobs at Stockport engineering group WFEL. More recruitment in the associated supply chain is also expected. The extension of the manufacturing contract was announced at WFEL’s site during a visit by the British Army’s Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Lt Gen Sir Christopher Tickell, together with Chris Bushell, Director General Land, Defence Equipment and Support and other senior industry colleagues. https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2096411-extension-to-armoured-vehicle-contract-will-create-at-least-120-jobs/ Read more

A global missile manufacturer is planning to hire hundreds of people across its UK operations in the coming year. MBDA, which has UK bases in Bristol, Bolton and Stevenage, is a joint venture between Airbus (37.5%), BAE Systems (37.5%) and Leonardo (25%). It has more than 12,000 employees working across France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the US and UK. https://www.business-live.co.uk/manufacturing/missile-manufacturer-owned-bae-systems-23182622 Read more

The UK and Japan have announced plans to develop a future fighter aircraft engine demonstrator and agree to explore further combat air technologies. Work on the joint engine demonstrator will kickstart early next year, with the UK investing an initial £30 million in planning, digital designs and innovative manufacturing developments. A further £200 million of UK funding is expected to go towards developing a full-scale demonstrator power system, supporting hundreds of highly skilled jobs, including many at Rolls-Royce’s Filton facility in Bristol. Over ... Read more

QinetiQ has entered into a strategic collaboration agreement with automotive manufacturer AM General to accelerate the development of electrification technologies for military vehicles. The partnership has begun with the development of a hybrid concept of the globally iconic HMMWV (High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle often referred to as ‘HUMVEE’) – demonstrating the viability of electrifying military land vehicles to deliver enhanced performance while decarbonising military operations. The collaboration was initiated and its development facilitated by the JV & Partnering (JV&P) Advisory team at Lincoln ... Read more