UK AOC Newsletter - December 2004

EW Tower of Excellence

Having jumped the gun in April, it was pleasing to be able to announce the launch of the EW Tower of Excellence at the AOC sponsored conference EW/IO Support for the Warfighter at MCC Northwood on 18 November.

Below is a copy of the formal MoD press release:

MoD Launches New Electronic Warfare Collaborative Group

A collaborative electronic warfare research group was launched today by the MoD. The group, one of the MoD’s “Towers of Excellence”, brings together the MoD, UK industry and UK academia.

The group aims to develop a programme of applied research into the field of electronic warfare, whilst also emphasising the commercial opportunities for the technology.

Electronic warfare is primarily about defensive, rather than offensive, capability. Electronic warfare includes radar- and missile-jamming, electronic detection and communications jamming, as well as electronic protective measures.

Lord Bach, Minister for Defence Procurement, said:

“Electronic warfare is becoming increasingly more important in the battlespace, and British Armed Forces must remain at the forefront of new technological advances in this field.

“The Towers of Excellence have proved themselves to be excellent vehicles for collaborative research. I have no doubt that this group will reap results for the MoD, UK industry and British academia.”

Electronic warfare is a key element of the MoD’s Network Enabled Capabilities drive to make Britain’s Armed Forces more flexible and adaptable to meet the threats of the 21st century.

Notes to editors:

1. The Electronic Warfare Tower of Excellence was launched at the Warfighter Conference held at Allied Military Component Command Headquarters, Northwood, on 17-18^th November 2004, organised by the Association of Old Crows (AOC).

2. The EW ToE will be the fifth Tower to be launched. The first ToE, for Guided Weapons, was launched by Lord Bach, the Minister for Defence Procurement, at the Farnborough Air Show in July 2002. Since then, Towers have been launched on Radar, Underwater Sensors and Synthetic Environments.

3. Towers of Excellence complement the MoD’s programme of Defence Technology Centres (DTC), which are aimed at more basic – further from market – research. Together ToEs and DTCs provide the principal vehicles for implementing the MoD’s policy of partnering with industry and academia.

4. For more information about the EW ToE, please call Miguel Head at MoD Press Office: 020 7218 7931.

5. More information about DTCs is available at www.mod.uk/dtc.

6. More information about ToEs is available at www.mod.uk/toe.

More on the TOE next month and yet another job to do.

Symposia

Seventy two people from seven countries attended the AOC sponsored conference “EW/IO Support to the Warfighter” which was be held at MCC HQ Northwood on 17-18 November.  CINC Fleet and Commander Allied Maritime Component Command, Admiral Sir Jonathon Brand KCB, gave the keynote speech at this classified conference.  He was very open in his views and the changes and challenges facing NATO.  Thanks also go to FR Aviation for sponsoring the evening reception in the wardroom.

It is unlikely that we will be able to hold a classified symposium in 2006, because we will be hosting the European Convention, but this will be dependent on the venue selected by AOC HQ.

Christmas Dinner 

Fifty members attended the Chapter’s Annual Christmas Dinner at the RAF Club on 3 December.  Although Peter Hill will not be retiring as Chapter President until the AGM in February, it was deemed appropriate to make a small presentation to him, in recognition of his service to the Chapter, at the dinner. We hope that you enjoy the books Peter, especially Fillipo Neri’s; he doesn’t mention cross-eye too much.  Thanks also, to Dave Kitching for organising a splendid evening, yet again.  Why not join us next year at the same venue on 9 December 2005.

Visits 

We are still struggling with visits and regret to announce that the proposed visit to the EWTF BAE Systems Warton is now likely to take place in April 2005 and the visit to RAF Waddington in March 2005. 

Websites

Website of the month: It has to be www.mod.uk/toe. Why not visit it, we’ll try to get EW included soon; that is if their webmaster will answer our e-mails.

There are now a few additional links to our website, so please view the What's new page.

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