Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • DE&S awards Aurora EDP £13m maritime combat systems contract

Defence

DE&S awards Aurora EDP £13m maritime combat systems contract

The Aurora Engineering Partnership (Aurora EDP) - a partnership between QinetiQ, AtkinsRéalis and BMT - has been awarded a new £13 million contract by Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S).

Image courtesy QinetiQ

Aurora EDP is the UK Ministry of Defence’s primary route for procuring engineering services. This new four-year contract award will provide the combat systems teams in DE&S Ship Acquisition Naval Ship Delivery Group (NSDG) with essential engineering outputs.

QinetiQ will lead this work, which includes expertise from BMT and the wider Aurora Provider Network.

Advertisement
Siemens rectangle

The new contract will provide a renewal of subject matter expert (SME) support across all aspects of the combat system acquisition and integration in Type 26 and Type 31 new build Frigate ship programmes. Building on the signing of the first joint Type 26 & Type 31 contract with Aurora EDP in early 2020, the Warship Combat System Support Service (WC3S) has been working alongside these new build Frigate ship programmes since 2014.

The announcement came as the ship build programmes progress through manufacture phases, with Royal Navy (RN) entry into service planned from 2026 onwards.

The provision of this SME expertise includes sourcing combat systems related Government Furnished Information (GFI) and supporting dockyard delivery of combat systems Government Furnished Equipment (GFE). Working closely with DE&S to ensure equipment meets current environmental, legal and shock specifications, Aurora EDP will also be responsible for liaising and managing the delivery of the GFE into Portsdown Technology Park. This will enable the de-risking of integration of combat systems equipment and in-service capability growth.

The service delivers recognised benefits to the customer, including flexibility to allow rapid re-prioritisation of outputs across the acquisition portfolio and significantly reduced cost through opportunity mapping across the two complex warship programmes. Furthermore, this enterprise approach sustains a dedicated allocation of scarce SQEP to manage delivery risk dynamically across outputs, as the platforms approach the technical hurdles of acceptance and service entry.

Advertisement
Siemens rectangle

Capt Shaun Riordan RN, T26 Combat Systems Team Leader and WC3S Phase 3 lead said: “The success of the programme to date is predicated on promoting the best outcome focussed behaviours. This is not a transactional programme. NSDG very much considers the Warship Combat System Support Service (WC3S) as part of the core MoD team critical to delivering these capable platforms into service with the Royal Navy. It is a significant achievement for DE&S to secure these QinetiQ-led combat systems expertise forged from the across the Enterprise for a further four years.”

Stu Hider, QinetiQ Programme Director Maritime commented: “We are extremely pleased to be continuing our support to the DE&S Ships and wider Royal Navy through the EDP Warship Combat System Support Service. Recognising the importance of a smooth and timely Frigates Transition, the team is working collaboratively and finding increasingly efficient and effective ways to support T26, T31 and future acquisition programmes in de-risking entry into service with the required capability at the right time.”

Engineering Delivery Partnership (EDP)
EDP is the default route for the procurement of engineering services for DE&S and is available to other MoD departments and agencies. EDP is a collaboration between Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) and the Aurora Engineering Partnership: QinetiQ, AtkinsRéalis and BMT, supported by a network of specialist providers.

 

Advertisement
Nokia leaderboard
BAE Systems delivers BvS10s to UK, Sweden and Germany

Defence

BAE Systems delivers BvS10s to UK, Sweden and Germany

18 September 2025

BAE Systems presented three BvS10 Armoured Personnel Carriers for Sweden, Germany and the United Kingdom during a ceremonial delivery – providing their Armies with unrivalled mobility through the BvS10 Collaborative All-Terrain Vehicle (CATV) programme.

ACUA Ocean to build second Pioneer-class USV

Defence Security

ACUA Ocean to build second Pioneer-class USV

18 September 2025

ACUA Ocean has announced an agreement with Aluminium Marine Consultants on the Isle of Wight for the build of the second in the Pioneer-class of uncrewed surface vessels, with an intention for a third vessel in the class to follow in 2026.

Intelliconnect strengthens management team

Aerospace Defence

Intelliconnect strengthens management team

17 September 2025

RF and Cryogenic interconnect solutions specialist Intelliconnect (Europe), has strengthened its senior leadership team with the appointment of Yiannis Metallinos as Managing Director and Gary Langridge as Engineering Manager.

Teledyne FLIR Defense and AimLock collaborate on autonomous kinetic capabilities

Defence

Teledyne FLIR Defense and AimLock collaborate on autonomous kinetic capabilities

17 September 2025

AimLock is collaborating with Teledyne FLIR Defense to provide autonomous kinetic capabilities for the company’s SUGV 325 and Kobra 725 ground robots.

Advertisement
Amentum rectangle
Captec expands surface treatment facility to meet BR 3939 standards

Defence

Captec expands surface treatment facility to meet BR 3939 standards

17 September 2025

Captec has made a major investment in its specialist surface treatment infrastructure, positioning it among a select few in the UK with the capability to meet the most stringent levels of the latest 2025 BR 3939 Warpaint standards.

Getac launches UX10 and UX10-IP rugged tablets

Aerospace Defence Security

Getac launches UX10 and UX10-IP rugged tablets

17 September 2025

Getac has announced the launch of its next generation UX10 and UX10-IP fully rugged tablets.

Advertisement
Siemens rectangle