Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • SNC to upgrade Royal Navy's digital tech

Defence

SNC to upgrade Royal Navy's digital tech

Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) have awarded Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) – Mission Systems UK, a two-year contract (with an optional further two years) to upgrade the Royal Navy's current digital technology systems, used on high-risk operations around the globe.

Above: Royal Marines.
Courtesy DE&S

The Ministry of Defence own the current design of the technology but in an innovative new approach, has brought in an industry partner to help further enhance its capability. SNC Mission systems UK will work closely with the Future Capability Innovation (FCI) team in DE&S. It will see the new innovative digital technology be supported, scaled and enhanced at pace.

Advertisement
ODU RT

A key focus of the new Integrated Procurement Model, this collaborative team will enable the delivery, support and spiral development of digital technology to front-line users across the Royal Navy, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and the Royal Marines whether operating at home or deployed on operations abroad.

Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge said: “Establishing closer partnerships between industry and defence is a key part of my drive to integrate and procure equipment, capabilities and services better in the future.  

“It will see our highly trained personnel maintain capability whilst keeping pace with technology innovation.”

The new contract is expected to create up to 13 new highly-skilled jobs and support the sustainment of a further 25 roles across a range of Small to Medium Enterprises in Wales and the South-West of England.

Advertisement
ODU RT

The contract was placed by the FCI team who has recently stood up as part of the DE&S Gateway with the support of the MoD’s Commercial X. The ‘Mission Partner’ is an example of Defence’s new approach to delivering procurement faster and more efficiently under the recently released Integrated Procurement Model.

James Gavin, FCI Head at DE&S, said: “The Royal Navy, DES FCI and MoDs Commercial X worked collaboratively to bring the innovative ‘Mission Partner’ concept into being. We are looking forward to working with SNC Group UK to not just bring innovative digital technology to the front line, but to prove the value of the Mission Partner concept for other parts of the MoD.”    

Rear Admiral Ivan Finn, Director Navy Acquisition, said: “This partnership will further accelerate Royal Navy in-house developed technology to the warfighters on the front line whether they be at sea, on land or in the air. The support enabled through the Mission Partner will have a significant positive effect on our people, delivering a better capability.”

Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner
Anotec achieves AS9100 certification

Aerospace Defence

Anotec achieves AS9100 certification

20 April 2026

Surface coating specialist Anotec has enhanced its position in the aerospace and defence sectors by achieving the AS9100 certification.

Securitas appoints Alan Rae as Area Director for UK North and BAE Systems

Defence Security

Securitas appoints Alan Rae as Area Director for UK North and BAE Systems

20 April 2026

Securitas UK has announced the appointment of Alan Rae to the newly created and expanded role of Area Director for UK North and BAE Systems.

Vision Engineering appoints Harry Curtis as Technical Director

Aerospace Defence

Vision Engineering appoints Harry Curtis as Technical Director

17 April 2026

Woking headquartered Vision Engineering Group, provider of ergonomic microscopy and metrology solutions, has announced the appointment of Harry Curtis to the position of Technical Director, effective 1st April 2026.

Drone swarms central to AWE26

Defence Events

Drone swarms central to AWE26

17 April 2026

Drones have been at the centre of this year's Army Warfighting Experiment 2026, which each year brings together soldiers, scientists, industry and universities, to test new military technology.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Dstl assesses robotic systems in hazardous incident recovery trial

Defence

Dstl assesses robotic systems in hazardous incident recovery trial

17 April 2026

In a ‘real life’ scenario played out in an empty shopping unit, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has tested the ability of robotic and autonomous systems to navigate through a building and detect, sample and remediate (clean) a contaminated environment.

QinetiQ pays aerial tribute to iconic Spitfire

Defence Events

QinetiQ pays aerial tribute to iconic Spitfire

17 April 2026

The QinetiQ operated ETPS test pilot school based at MoD Boscombe Down has taken part in the historic Spitfire90 commemorative tour, as the only civilian-registered participants in the nine-day national flight schedule.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner