MASS Secures £17.5 Million Extension for Key UK Defence Training Contract
MASS, a leading defence and training support company and subsidiary of Cohort plc, has been awarded a significant two-year extension to its Joint Command and Staff Training (JCAST) contract with the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) Strategic Command. The £17.5 million agreement, set to commence in July 2025, underscores MASS’s continued role in delivering critical operational-level training for the UK armed forces.
The contract extension tasks MASS with the design, delivery, and analysis of complex exercises for the Integrated Warfare Centre and MOD Headquarters. This crucial work ensures that UK military personnel are thoroughly prepared for the challenges of modern warfare. A key component of MASS’s approach is the integration of advanced simulation systems, creating realistic and immersive training environments. This innovative methodology allows for the replication of dynamic, real-world conditions, providing invaluable experience for trainees.
Keith Norton, Managing Director at MASS, highlighted the significance of this work, stating, “Training in dynamic, real-world conditions is paramount for maintaining operational readiness. By integrating cutting-edge technology and synthetic environments, we are ensuring that UK forces are equipped to face the complexities of contemporary defence.”
The value of MASS’s contributions has been recognised by senior MOD officials. Air Vice-Marshal Simon Strasdin CBE, Director of the Integrated Warfare Centre, commended MASS’s dedication to innovation, emphasizing its role in maintaining the UK’s defence capabilities. “MASS’s commitment to innovation is vital in ensuring that our forces remain prepared for the evolving threats we face,” stated Air Vice-Marshal Strasdin.
The extension of the JCAST contract reinforces MASS’s position as a trusted partner to the UK MOD, providing essential training support that directly contributes to the nation’s defence posture. The continued integration of advanced simulation and synthetic environments demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to military training, ensuring that UK forces are ready for the challenges of the future.
Thales Delivers Autonomous Minehunter to Royal Navy
The Royal Navy has received its first cutting-edge Maritime Mine Counter Measure (MMCM) system, enhanced security and boosting UK defence jobs. The system includes the 12m Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) RNMB ARIADNE, advanced sonar technology, and a Remote Command Centre (RCC).
Using Thales’ Towed Synthetic Aperture Multiview’s (TSAM) sonar and AI-powered automatic target recognition, the vessel can autonomously detect and neutralize mines, increasing safety and operational efficiency.
The UK has invested £184 million in the programme, supporting over 200 jobs across the country. Managed by OCCAR, the MMCM project also benefits the French Navy.
Royal Navy personnel will now undergo training before deploying the system for operational duties.
MOD Awards £10.2M Army Training Deal to TQ
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has awarded a £10.2 million contract to TQ Education and Training Ltd to provide apprenticeship training for soldiers in the Royal Armoured Corps (RAC) and the Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC).
The six-year contract, starting on 1 August 2025, is part of the Army Apprenticeship Programme (AAP) and is subject to continued funding from the Apprenticeship Levy or the Education & Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).
The AAP equips soldiers with specialist vocational training, enhancing their military careers and future employment prospects. The MOD is also seeking providers for apprenticeship training in the Adjutant General’s Corps (AGC) and the Royal Military Police (RMP) as part of the broader programme.
Following an open procurement process with four bids, London-based TQ Education and Training Ltd was selected. Evaluations focused on curriculum planning, apprentice support, quality assurance, and leadership, with a 60% weighting on technical expertise and 30% on commercial factors.
The contract supports the British Army’s commitment to vocational training, with thousands of soldiers undertaking apprenticeships each year. TQ Education and Training Ltd will deliver industry-recognised qualifications to develop a highly skilled military workforce.
MOD Awards £3.5M Radome Contract to Brody Forbes Ltd
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has awarded Brody Forbes Ltd a £3.5 million contract for the maintenance and safety assurance of 23 radomes used in Air Traffic Management (ATM) and Air Defence (AD) radar systems. The five-year contract, which includes an initial three-year term and two possible one-year extensions, covers radomes located across the UK, Scottish Islands, Falkland Islands, and Cyprus.
The contract, managed by the Air Defence & Windfarm Mitigation Systems (ADWiMS) Delivery Team at Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), aims to keep vital radar enclosures operational and compliant with industry standards. Brody Forbes Ltd, headquartered in Plymouth, will carry out inspections, maintenance, and support to ensure the radomes function reliably in extreme environments. These enclosures are critical for national security, air traffic control, and early warning air defence systems.
The radomes vary in materials, including composite sandwich and Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP), with plans to introduce air-supported versions in the future.
Royal Navy’s £3.3M UUV Deal with Teledyne
The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) will award a £3.3 million contract to Teledyne Instruments Inc. for six Slocum G3 Gliders and associated spares for the Royal Navy. The deal, set to begin on March 21, 2025, and run until March 31, 2027, was awarded without competition due to technical compatibility requirements.
Teledyne’s Slocum G3 Gliders are long endurance unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) used for oceanographic surveying and environmental monitoring. The contract ensures seamless integration with the Navy’s existing systems, maintaining operational efficiency.
The initial procurement is valued at £1.8 million, with options to expand to £3.3 million, covering additional goods, training, and integration services.
MOD Awards £1.2M ROV Training Contract to Oceaneering
The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has awarded a £1.2 million contract to Oceaneering International Services Limited for operational training of SALMO Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) pilots. Signed on 21 September 2024, the contract ensures pilots meet International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) standards.
Managed by the MOD’s Defence Equipment and Support agency, the training will enhance pilot proficiency for the Salvage and Marine Operations (SALMO) team, which supports the Royal Navy’s underwater capabilities. Oceaneering, based in Aberdeen, secured the contract through a competitive bidding process and will deliver training in line with industry standards.
Overwatch and Milrem Robotics Partner on Defence Tech
Overwatch, a UK-based aerospace and defence company specializing in UAVs, has partnered with Milrem Robotics, a leader in autonomous ground systems, to develop advanced unmanned defence solutions. The collaboration will integrate Overwatch’s UAV technology with Milrem’s UGVs to create interoperable systems aimed at enhancing military operations.
Both companies will conduct joint R&D and testing to improve system performance in real-world conditions. The partnership will also focus on global marketing efforts to expand business opportunities in the defence sector. Overwatch’s UAVs, like the APEX coaxial model, and Milrem’s THeMIS UGV are already in use worldwide, and this collaboration is set to address evolving global security needs.
Sora Aviation Secures 20 S-1 Pre-Orders
Sora Aviation, a UK-based eVTOL developer, has secured a pre-order for 20 of its 30-seat S-1 aircraft from South Korean helicopter operator Moviation. The two companies have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore S-1 deployment in South Korea, focusing on key routes including Jamsil Heliport to Incheon Airport and Sejong City.
Moviation, which operates Jamsil Heliport in Seoul, sees the S-1 as a cost-effective, high-capacity solution for urban air mobility. CEO Min Shin highlighted its potential to improve accessibility and affordability in South Korea’s growing air mobility market.
Sora Aviation CEO Furqan emphasized the importance of scalable, efficient eVTOL solutions, stating that the S-1 will make air mobility more inclusive. The partnership aligns with South Korea’s urban air mobility roadmap, advancing sustainable and efficient transport options.
Space Forge Secures UK Licence for In-Orbit Manufacturing
Space Forge has received the first UK licence from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to launch its innovative ForgeStar1 satellite, marking a significant milestone in the space industry. Scheduled for launch later this year, the mission will demonstrate in-orbit manufacturing capabilities, focusing on producing advanced semiconductor materials in space.
The ForgeStar-1 mission will explore the use of space conditions like microgravity and extreme temperatures to manufacture materials impossible to create on Earth. These breakthroughs have applications in semiconductors, quantum computing, clean energy, and defence, with potential environmental benefits, such as reducing CO2 emissions in high-value infrastructure.
In addition, the mission will test Space Forge’s reusable Pridwen heat shield for satellite re-entry. This is part of the company’s goal to develop a scalable, returnable platform for in-orbit manufacturing, further establishing the UK as a leader in advanced space technology and sustainability.
Colin Macleod, Head of the UK Space Regulator at CAA, praised the licence as a major step for UK space innovation. The UK government, through its commitment to space sustainability and investment in the sector, aims to support future advancements in space technology.
Space Forge CEO, Joshua Western, highlighted the significance of the licence, marking the company as the first UK firm to achieve licensing for in-orbit manufacturing.
Hadean Partners with Google Cloud on AI Spatial Computing
Hadean, a UK-based spatial computing startup, has teamed up with Google Cloud to integrate Gemini, Google’s advanced AI models, into Hadean’s spatial platform. This collaboration aims to improve real-time decision-making and virtual simulations for organizations across various sectors, including government and business.
By incorporating Gemini’s AI into Hadean’s platform, users will benefit from more realistic simulations to predict and respond to events such as natural disasters, traffic patterns, and public health scenarios. The enhanced technology will enable organizations to engage with complex virtual environments using text and voice, facilitating quicker, data-driven decisions.
Applications include disaster relief simulations, urban planning, and epidemic modeling, with potential to transform sectors by offering more efficient and intelligent solutions.
Chris Arthurs, VP Innovation at Hadean, said, “This collaboration pushes the boundaries of simulation technology, bridging physical and virtual worlds.” Adrian Poole, Director at Google Cloud, added, “Together, we can transform how governments and organizations approach complex spatial modeling challenges.”
Hadean’s platform is already utilized by the UK Ministry of Defence, BAE Systems, and other industry leaders.
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