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
Gulfstream banner
Anduril UK to use Kahootz platform to strengthen supply chain resilience

Defence Security

Anduril UK to use Kahootz platform to strengthen supply chain resilience

23 April 2026

British provider of secure cloud collaboration platforms, Kahootz, has today announced that Anduril UK will use Kahootz’s platform to strengthen supply chain resilience.

Ramboll appoints Darren Carlile as Director in Buildings

Defence Security

Ramboll appoints Darren Carlile as Director in Buildings

22 April 2026

Global architecture, engineering and sustainability consultancy, Ramboll, has appointed Darren Carlile as a Director in its Buildings business, with responsibility for growth and sales across Transformation and Public Services leading on the National Security and Government, Research and Polar sectors, supporting continued Government ...

Rolls-Royce MT30 to power Australia’s Mogami-class frigates

Defence

Rolls-Royce MT30 to power Australia’s Mogami-class frigates

22 April 2026

The Rolls-Royce MT30 marine gas turbine has been selected to power Australia’s new upgraded naval fleet of Mogami-class general-purpose frigates.

Tiberius Aerospace achieves world-first with howitzer launched liquid-fuelled ramjet

Defence

Tiberius Aerospace achieves world-first with howitzer launched liquid-fuelled ramjet

22 April 2026

Tiberius Aerospace has successfully demonstrated, for the first time, that a liquid-fuelled ramjet projectile can be launched from a NATO standard 155mm howitzer, achieve ramjet ignition and perform as intended in flight.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Babcock returns HMS Queen Elizabeth to operational readiness

Defence

Babcock returns HMS Queen Elizabeth to operational readiness

22 April 2026

Babcock International Group has returned the Royal Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, to operational readiness following completion of a planned maintenance programme at Rosyth.

Roke introduces CORTEXA GUARDIAN

Defence Events

Roke introduces CORTEXA GUARDIAN

21 April 2026

Roke has introduced its new, advanced Counter UAS (C-UAS), CORTEXA GUARDIAN to the market, following the system's development with armed forces and mission partners across the UK and Northern Europe.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
Gulfstream banner