Security cleared jobs news roundup: May 2024

Keep up-to-date with some of the biggest stories in the world of security cleared jobs in our monthly roundup.

We’re rounding up some of the biggest security cleared stories of the past few weeks. In May, the Army used 3D printing in the field for the first time, it was announced that 28 warships and submarines are in the pipeline to be built in the UK, HMS Anson completed rigorous testing and a competition was launched to find deception innovations for the British Army.

Army uses 3D printing in the field

The British Army has removed the means for metal manufacturing out of the confines of a laboratory and put it onto the back of a truck for use in the field. Project Brokkr allows for greater access to component parts in hostile environments where supply chains can be challenging.

Using additive manufacturing, the Army has developed 3D cold metal printing techniques that fire metal powder through a nozzle at mach-3 speeds. This has then been ‘ruggedised’ so it can be deployed tactically outside of sterile lab conditions.

Lieutenant Colonel John Anthistle, commanding officer of 9 REME, said: “The manufacture of a component part starts with the design of the object and moves through to the manufacture before going through the post manufacture processes such as heat treating, milling and finishing that uses many of the more traditional trades and skills that can be found within the Corps.”

28 UK-built warships and submarines in the pipeline

Britain has declared a new golden age of shipbuilding, with 28 warships and submarines to be built in the UK. Backed by defence spending rising to 2.5 per cent of GDP, the vessels will include up to six new amphibious warships for the Royal Marines.

Defence secretary Grant Shapps announced the plans at the annual Sea Power Conference in central London. He explained the move as a measure to help deliver a secure future for families across the country.

Mr Shapps said: “With up to 28 ships and submarines being built or in the pipeline, this is a new golden age for British shipbuilding. The new vessels for the Royal Marines will help our brave Commandos fight the conflicts of the future.

Royal Navy’s most advanced submarine completes rigorous tests

HMS Anson, the Royal Navy’s newest and most advanced submarine, is getting closer to being ready for deployment after a number of rigorous tests. The Astute-class nuclear-powered submarine conducted trials off the east coast of the US and in the Caribbean Sea, to check her state-of-the-art systems and weaponry are fully functional.

She is armed with long-range Tomahawk missiles to accurately hit land targets and lethal Spearfish torpedoes to defeat enemy submarines. HMS Anson is able to circumnavigate the globe while submerged, due to her ability to produce her own oxygen and drinking water for the crew on lengthy deployments.

One submariner commented on the chance to get ashore to Andros Island during a break from the sea trials. He said: “The opportunity for the majority of the ship's company to get to spend a few days on Andros was fantastic. This afforded us a few days of rest from the sea trials we were conducting and allowed us to spend time on the beach in the sun relaxing and playing volleyball with base personnel.”

Competition seeks deception innovations for the Army

A new competition has been launched by Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) that seeks proposals that can identify and develop novel deception technologies. The Contemporary Deception for the British Army contest aims to help the Army to gain operational advantage and improve the survivability of deployed UK land forces.

Funded by Army Headquarters, up to £900,000 has been made available to develop the winning ideas. All submissions must be completed by midday on July 9th in order to be considered for the prize.

A government spokesperson said: “The practice of deception remains engrained in doctrine, the driving need is to identify and exploit technological solutions that can deceive tactical intelligence collection assets and munitions that are also able to track their targets.”