MOD Awards £30M Contract to IBM for GUARDIAN Air C2 System Deployment
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has awarded a £30 million contract to IBM for the delivery, integration, and initial support of the Air Command and Control (Air C2) system, known as “GUARDIAN.” The contract encompasses the system’s deployment in both the UK and the Falkland Islands, with the first year focused on achieving full operational capability (FOC) and an additional two years allocated for in-service support.
GUARDIAN is integral to UK air defense, providing command and control capabilities essential for protecting the airspace of the UK and the Falkland Islands. The system is designed to enhance coordination and response times, particularly in high-threat scenarios. IBM’s role as the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) was a critical factor in the direct contract award, ensuring technical compatibility and safety.
The MOD stated that competition for this contract was not feasible due to IBM’s specialized expertise with the system. Once GUARDIAN reaches FOC, the MOD plans to review its contracting approach, considering future support contracts for competitive bidding, thereby allowing other companies to participate in maintaining and supporting the system.
The contract falls under the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011, amended post-Brexit, which permits the MOD to bypass the requirement for prior notice publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
SSDL Supplies NATO with Data Drives for AWACS
Solid State Disks Limited (SSDL) has secured a contract to provide the NATO Airborne Early Warning & Control Force (NAEW&CF) in Geilenkirchen, Germany, with 40 solid-state data storage drives for Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) aircraft. The contract was issued by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) and features SSDL’s innovative SCSIFlash™ technology, now modified to utilize CFast cards instead of traditional Compact Flash cards.
These new drives will replace the outdated removable media assemblies (RMAs) that have relied on Seagate hard disk drives (HDDs) for over 20 years. Importantly, the SSDL drives will replicate the exact behavior of the original HDDs, ensuring no modifications are necessary for the aircraft during the upgrade process.
The updated SCSIFlash-based RMAs bring enhanced functionality, including the ability to eject CFast cards, a feature that addresses the previous risk of damage when removing the entire HDD-based units. Additionally, the new drives are equipped with an Emergency Erase button on the front panel, allowing crews to securely delete data from the CFast cards in case of potential capture by enemy forces.
Unlike the original RMAs, which included heaters for operation in extremely low temperatures, SSDL’s solid-state solution does not require heating, meeting all environmental test standards from MIL-STD-810G for AWACS equipment. These new RMAs are designed for a service life of 13 years, during which SSDL will provide technical support and manage component obsolescence.
SSDL is also offering the NAEW&CF an option to purchase customized CFast health monitoring software, which is based on the industry-standard self-monitoring, analysis, and reporting technology (SMART) found in most HDDs and SSDs. This PC-based software will help assess the remaining lifespan of the CFast cards.
Additionally, SSDL has developed specialized test frames for the new RMAs, facilitating easier access to the rear connectors and simplifying maintenance operations. NAEW&CF may also opt to acquire these test frames for ground station connectivity.
Sheffield Forgemasters Contracts NCS for New Furnaces
Sheffield Forgemasters has signed a multi-million GBP contract with Dewsbury-based Northern Combustion Systems (NCS) to supply two bespoke Top-Hat Furnaces as part of a significant recapitalization programme. These furnaces will enhance the company’s capabilities to manufacture critical components for the UK/SSN-AUKUS submarine programmes and other key defense initiatives.
After a thorough tender process evaluating cost, delivery, and capabilities, NCS was selected to deliver furnaces featuring a distinctive lift-off cover design. Both units will include hydraulically operated lifts and traverse covers, specifically tailored for the heat treatment of long, forged components.
Craig Fisher, Programmes Director at Sheffield Forgemasters, highlighted NCS’s extensive experience in industrial furnace manufacturing, stating, “They are providing us with two high-efficient recuperative and modulating Top Hat furnaces that will support our forging programme. The larger furnace will feature an integral quench tank designed for longer forgings, while the smaller unit will cater to ingot and bar heat treatments.”
The installation of the new furnaces is slated for October 2025 and April 2027, forming part of an investment initiative aimed at creating unmatched facilities for defense-specific forgings and castings. These new furnaces will operate alongside seven larger units already in place.
The Top Hat Furnaces will measure 11m long by 10m wide by 6m tall for the smaller unit, and 30m long by 11m wide by 6m tall for the larger one. With their fixed hearth design and removable covers containing gas burners and refractory material, these furnaces represent a significant advancement in Sheffield Forgemasters’ production capabilities.
Raytheon UK Extends CyberFirst Partnership with NCSC
The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has awarded Raytheon UK, along with its consortium partners, a contract extension to continue delivering the ‘CyberFirst Schools’ programme in the south-west of England through March 2025. This initiative aims to enhance cyber security education for young people across the region.
Raytheon UK collaborates closely with the NCSC and numerous schools to manage CyberFirst school applications, expand the CyberFirst community, and organize events and activities related to cyber security for students. The consortium utilizes its “CyberFirst Schools in a Box” toolkit, which provides schools with a tailored cyber security curriculum, connects them with industry partners, and offers a variety of extracurricular activities.
Tobiah Findlater, a project manager in Raytheon UK’s cyber team and a STEM ambassador, has been involved with CyberFirst since joining the company’s graduate programme in 2022. His role has progressed from providing event support to managing the programme’s delivery.
“When we attend events and visit schools, we’re educating young people about the diverse career paths within cyber security,” said Findlater. “It’s not just about software development; there are also opportunities in business and finance.” He highlighted the impressive growth of the CyberFirst Schools programme, which has expanded from 19 schools two years ago to 39 today, noting that this rapid development reflects the commitment of the Raytheon UK CyberFirst team.
That’s a wrap, Until next week.