Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Dstl’s Dr Norman Govan receives OBE

Defence

Dstl’s Dr Norman Govan receives OBE

Dr Norman Govan, of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), has been recognised in Her Majesty The Queen’s New Year Honours 2020.

Above: Dstl’s Dr Norman Govan.
Courtesy Dstl

Dr Govan, who has worked at Dstl and its predecessors for more than 20 years, has been made an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE). He receives his OBE for his many years of expertise in the decontamination of chemical weapons, including the development of methodologies and specialist skills to safely and effectively manage the hazards arising from these agents. His contribution was vital in the recovery process following the Salisbury and Amesbury incidents in 2018.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle

Dr Govan, who is a fellow – a technical expert – within the Chemical Biological and Radiological Division at Dstl said: “I am truly humbled by this award. I was immensely proud of what the recovery team achieved getting Salisbury and Amesbury back to normal. I had the privilege to work alongside some really incredible people during the operation and I am delighted to accept this on their behalf.”

Gary Aitkenhead, Chief Executive at Dstl added: “I offer my sincere congratulations to Dr Govan. It gives me great pride to see our people recognised in this prestigious way. The award is a deserved recognition of his dedication, professionalism and technical excellence.”

Advertisement
ODU RT

 

Advertisement
Gulfstream banner
ARTEC awarded £53m contract for British Army artillery weapon systems

Defence

ARTEC awarded £53m contract for British Army artillery weapon systems

13 March 2026

Increased lethality for the British Army has moved a step closer after a £53 million contract was awarded by OCCAR on behalf of the British Army to ARTEC GmbH for the long-lead production of 37 weapon systems for the Remote Controlled Howitzer (RCH) 155.

BAE Systems completes preliminary design review of USSF missile tracking system

Defence Space

BAE Systems completes preliminary design review of USSF missile tracking system

12 March 2026

BAE Systems has completed the Preliminary Design Review for the $1.2 billion US Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) Resilient Missile Warning & Tracking (RMWT) – Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) Epoch 2 programme to provide missile warning and tracking of advanced missile threats.

Torus alliance launched

Defence Events

Torus alliance launched

12 March 2026

Amentum, GXO, Accenture and Maersk have entered into an alliance to support the next generation of supply chain solutions to the UK Defence Sector, called Torus Defence Supply Chain.

Rolls-Royce strengthens PGZ partnership

Defence

Rolls-Royce strengthens PGZ partnership

12 March 2026

Rolls-Royce and the Polish defence technology group Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa S.A. (PGZ) intend to intensify their cooperation in the field of propulsion technologies for military vehicles.

Advertisement
ODU RT
UK-first achieved in advanced materials

Aerospace Defence Space

UK-first achieved in advanced materials

11 March 2026

The UK has established its first sovereign manufacturing capability for ultrahigh temperature materials - vital for space, hypersonic and propulsion systems.

Thales launches SkyDefender

Defence

Thales launches SkyDefender

11 March 2026

Thales has today announced the launch of SkyDefender, a system providing an integral air and missile defence dome with artificial intelligence.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle
Advertisement
Gulfstream banner