Constellia and DIU Win £400M Deal
In a major development for the UK’s defence sector, Constellia has been awarded a £400 million contract by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to lead the Neutral Vendor Framework for Innovation (NVFi). This innovative commercial vehicle, developed in collaboration between Commercial X and the Defence Innovation Unit, is designed to expedite the integration of cutting-edge technological solutions into government operations.
Rob Levene, CEO of Constellia, expressed enthusiasm about the contract, highlighting its significance for advancing technological capabilities within the MoD. “Driving technological advantage and innovation is central to the MoD’s digital strategy,” Levene stated. “We are excited to act as the conduit for innovative technology, enhancing operational deployment and providing His Majesty’s Government with a strategic edge. Our commitment to supporting SMEs aligns with the MoD’s SME Action Plan, facilitating greater opportunities for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, as well as new and adjacent sectors.”
Dina Kakaras, head of Commercial X, emphasized the benefits of the NVFi framework for government commercial officers. “The NVFi will serve as a crucial resource for sourcing and scaling new technological solutions in defence,” Kakaras noted. “We are thrilled to partner with the Defence Innovation Unit on this initiative, which will enable us to discover and integrate innovative ideas and suppliers rapidly.”
John Ridge, Director of the Defence Innovation Unit, described the NVFi as a transformative approach to contracting. “The Neutral Vendor Framework for Innovation represents a novel and potentially game-changing strategy that will benefit both Defence and the broader national security community,” Ridge said. “Its development required a commitment to challenging conventional methods, and once operational, it will accelerate the acquisition of innovative capabilities, sustaining our strategic advantage.”
This landmark contract signifies a new era of collaboration and innovation in the UK’s defence sector, promising to drive forward technological advancements and support the integration of novel solutions into national security operations.
SPX Unveils Evenlode Lite
SPX Communication Technologies has introduced Evenlode Lite, a new entry-level video downlink system aimed at enhancing Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities in regions new to airborne surveillance or seeking to upgrade their existing systems. As global geopolitical tensions increase, the need for real-time situational awareness has never been more critical. Evenlode Lite addresses this demand with a cost-effective solution tailored for defence, security, border control, and search and rescue operations.
Evenlode Lite is a streamlined version of SPX’s proven Evenlode system, which has been successfully deployed across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East. The new system includes an air data terminal and a ground data terminal, designed to provide reliable and secure real-time transmission of up to 4K video, audio, GPS, and telemetry data from airborne platforms to ground teams.
Key features of Evenlode Lite include:
End-to-End Solution: Seamlessly integrates with existing video systems to deliver live intelligence directly to ground teams.
Cost-Effective: Significantly lowers entry-level costs, making airborne data transmission accessible to a wider range of users.
ITAR Exempt: Fully exportable to most regions worldwide, facilitating quick deployment with minimal regulatory constraints.
Fully Secure: Equipped with AES256 or substitution cipher encryption to protect sensitive data during transmission, ideal for domestic security and search and rescue operations.
Scalable and Upgradeable: Can be enhanced with additional features like dual video channels, onward IP video streaming, and range extensions as operational needs evolve.
Jackson White, Business Development Director of Tactical Data Links at SPX Communication Technologies, emphasized the system’s value, stating, “Many defence and security teams lack the real-time intelligence needed to respond swiftly to incidents or mitigate risk. Evenlode Lite bridges this gap by offering an affordable and scalable solution that delivers critical intelligence, enabling faster, more informed decisions. It reduces the overall cost of ownership, making it an attractive option for regions with limited budgets while still providing the flexibility to upgrade as needs evolve.”
Evenlode Lite represents a significant advancement for organizations aiming to bolster their ISR capabilities, providing a practical and budget-friendly option for enhancing real-time situational awareness and operational efficiency.
Celestia UK’s eScan Tracks Eutelsat’s JoeySat
Celestia UK has announced a significant milestone for its eScan technology, developed under ESA’s ARTES Core Competitiveness and Sunrise Partnership Project programmes. The cutting-edge eScan system has successfully tracked and processed a downlink signal from the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite JoeySat, operated by Eutelsat OneWeb.
The breakthrough was achieved using the Proto-1 Gateway, which leverages advanced beam steering capabilities to track JoeySat’s signals during multiple passes over the Dundee Satellite Station. The test, observed by ESA and Eutelsat OneWeb, demonstrated consistent signal reception with no drops in signal-to-noise ratio, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted data transmission.
The trial showcased the eScan technology’s ability to maintain signal integrity as JoeySat moved across different phased arrays, confirming the system’s proficiency in seamless phased array handovers without signal degradation.
This successful test marks the end of the prototyping phase and paves the way for the pre-production stage. The upcoming multi-beam phased array gateway will be the first of its kind globally, designed to address the challenges of tracking an increasing number of satellites within the rapidly expanding LEO constellation. The technology promises enhanced reliability, minimal footprint, and the capability to connect with multiple satellites, offering 2.5 GHz instantaneous bandwidth in the Ka-band, with high EIRP and G/T.
Celestia UK CEO Dr. Malachy Devlin praised the achievement, stating, “Our successful tracking and processing of JoeySat’s signal demonstrates that our eScan technology is not only operational but performs exceptionally well.”
Looking ahead, Celestia UK will advance to the next development phase, which includes transmit testing to JoeySat and further bi-directional testing at higher satellite altitudes before transitioning to full production.
Heart Aerospace, Loganair to Boost Hybrid Aviation
Swedish aircraft manufacturer Heart Aerospace and UK regional airline Loganair have formed an exclusive partnership to drive the future of hybrid-electric aviation in the UK. This collaboration aims to decarbonize regional air travel by integrating Heart Aerospace’s hybrid-electric aircraft into Loganair’s extensive network.
Under the agreement, Loganair and Heart Aerospace will work together to explore use cases for the ES-30, a hybrid-electric aircraft developed by Heart Aerospace. The ES-30, capable of carrying up to 30 passengers, promises to reduce carbon emissions and offer a cost-effective alternative for regional flights. Loganair, headquartered at Glasgow Airport and the largest regional airline in the UK by passenger numbers and fleet size, will be at the forefront of testing and implementing this innovative technology within its Scottish and UK routes.
The partnership also includes efforts to engage with the Scottish and UK Governments, as well as airports, to promote the benefits of hybrid-electric aviation. Loganair will join Heart Aerospace’s Industry Advisory Board, which includes global stakeholders committed to supporting the electrification of air travel.
Loganair CEO Luke Farajallah expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “This partnership with Heart Aerospace represents a significant step towards reducing aviation emissions in a meaningful way. The ES-30 is a strong contender in the pursuit of greener regional aviation, and we are proud to advance our environmental goals with this innovative technology.”
This strategic partnership marks a pivotal move towards more sustainable regional air travel, showcasing the commitment of both Heart Aerospace and Loganair to advancing eco-friendly aviation solutions.
That’s all for this week folks, Enjoy the weather.