BATTLESPACE Editor Julian Nettlefold visited the NP Aerospace Coventry facility to interview CEO James Kempston about NP’s exhibits at DSEI.
“It’s now nearly five years since your acquisition of NP Aerospace, the growth has certainly been exponential, driven in part by an increase in global defence spending. What will you be showing at this year’s DSEI?” Julian Nettlefold asked.
“The war in Ukraine has accelerated everyone’s defence spending, so we are seeing a slowdown from Ukraine but a large increase in orders from customers across Europe and beyond. Our helmets business has grown to 100,000 helmets a year, a level not seen since our Mk 6 contract in the 1990s for the UK MoD. As a global armour manufacturer and vehicle integrator with an expanding portfolio, DSEI is a flagship event for NP Aerospace. Since DSEI in 2021 the company has achieved significant revenue growth, has won numerous new contracts and continues to provide urgent protection for various militaries across the world. We have seen the biggest growth in vehicle contracts this year from new and existing customers. For example, we will have a logistic truck on display with an armoured cab built by NP as a result of a new OEM partnership,” James Kempston said.
“How has the business expanded this year to accommodate new contracts?”
“In April 2023 NP announced the formation of two new business units to accommodate growth across its armour and vehicle businesses. We are now operating as NP Aerospace Vehicle Systems, Services and Spares and NP Aerospace Composites and Armour Systems. The Vehicle Systems, Services and Spares business unit is located at the Red Lane Facility in Coventry, UK, and provides support for the global expansion of our vehicle engineering and support operation. It is led by David Petheram, Managing Director & Senior Vice President, who has extensive technical military and automotive experience having worked for General Dynamics and Alvis.”
“The Composites and Armour Systems business unit will continue to operate out of the Foleshill Road Facility in Coventry UK and will support further growth of our personal protection, platform armour and commercial composites product lines. It is led by Peter Hardisty, Managing Director & Senior Vice President, who has a wealth of experience in the military and commercial sectors and has held senior positions at Marshalls and Rheinmetall.”
“How do you see the future growth globally?”
“We have a very strong order book across both businesses. We have already supplied or are in the process of supplying over 180,000 body armour plates to Ukraine and see a growth of orders from new and existing customers, particularly in Europe. The new business units and promotions of David Petheram and Peter Hardisty are a significant step forward and will enable the company to provide even greater value to customers and introduce new technologies and capabilities.” James Kempston concluded.
James then gave the Editor a virtual tour of the NP Exhibit at DSEI
B5 Central Boulevard: Vehicle Integration Showcase.
NP Aerospace’s Vehicle Systems Services and Spares Business Unit will be delivering new contract announcements at DSEI as the business continues to grow its vehicle integration and engineering capabilities.
New Collaborations
A number of new collaborations with global vehicle OEMs will be communicated to the market including the launch of a new infantry squad vehicle and announcements in the areas of laser air defence integration and mortar systems integration designed to provide further protection for military personnel. This includes a new collaboration between Nurol Makina and NP Aerospace which was signed at the IDEF event.
UK MOD PMETS Projects
NP Aerospace continues to develop its role as engineering authority and prime contractor for the UK Ministry of Defence Protected Mobility Engineering & Technical Support contract (PMETS) which has run for more than four years. Recent innovations have included hybrid demonstrators and the Mastiff and Ridgback XC offroad suspension system which will be demonstrated at the Tyron Booth H4-450 in partnership with Texelis and Horstman. Another recent announcement is the design of new Supacat Lightweight Recovery vehicles which were handed over to British Army units having successfully reached Initial Operating Capability.
Images
UK MOD Protected Mobility Fleet
XC Offroad Suspension System
Mastiff XC
“The PMETS contracting model has proved very effective. It allows NP Aerospace to deliver essential engineering tasks for the UK MOD with a wide range of complexity and within restricted timeframes, and these have had a significant impact on vehicle safety, availability, mobility, and performance. The contract is delivered in a collaborative way with a variety of suppliers and has an impact on jobs across the supply chain. We are hugely proud of the PMETS contract and support we provide to the UK MOD and look forward to continuing this in future years to sustain and improve the equipment that UK MOD utilises now and in the future.” James Kempston said.
It is now over four years since NP Aerospace won the UK MOD PMETS contract and it has been extended up to 2026. There are over 1,650 vehicles within the PMETS fleet, ranging from light infantry vehicles to heavy armoured vehicles, from a range of vehicle manufacturers and integrators including NP Aerospace, General Dynamics, Navistar and Supacat. The PMETS contract was tendered with a value estimated at £63m and is a core capability of the NP Aerospace Vehicle Systems, Support & Spares business with it being delivered alongside a variety of other vehicle projects.
The volume of engineering activities has increased significantly through the life of the PMETS contract. Below are a few statistics:
* 148 – PMETS tasks completed, in progress or being bid.
* 112,600 – NP Aerospace man hours expended on PMETS tasks
* £46.2m – Value of PMETS non-core tasks.
* 50+ people within NP Aerospace dedicated to delivering PMETS activities
* 200+ supply chain jobs created via the PMETS contract
“Have you developed further UK spares contracts?”
“Yes, we have multiple spares contracts including the UK MoD VSCAPS (Vehicle Support Capital Spares) Framework Agreement which is a multi-year multi-award contract. We are also actively pursuing spares support contracts for other countries using the Mastiff range of vehicles.”
“Are you looking to develop other vehicle partnerships?”
“Very much so, we are establishing various partnerships with overseas companies wishing to enter new markets. One particular agreement is with the Turkish company Nurol.
Canadian DND Support Contract
The news of imminent new vehicle collaborations follows on from NP Aerospace Canada’s recent award from the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) for the Land Equipment Program – Engineering Technical Support Services Contract (LEP-ETSS). Won via competitive tender, the contract will run for up to five years with NP Aerospace as prime contractor, forming a strategic alliance with Marshall Land Systems Canada and specialist suppliers and testing facilities. These include Militex Coatings Inc., Valcom Consulting Group Inc., Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI), Ontario Tech University, Motor Vehicle Test Centre (MVTC), managed by PMG Technologies, and the National Research Council Canada (NRC) – Automotive and Surface Transportation. Members of the team will be at DSEI engaging with Government and associated parties.
“The Land Equipment Program contract is a significant capability enabling contract for Canada’s DND. It will allow the Canadian fleet of land equipment to be incrementally and continually improved, at pace, to keep up with technology and demanding user requirements. The contract further strengthens NP Aerospace’s strategic position in the North American market utilising enhanced land equipment capabilities working in partnership with proven industry partners,” James Kempston said.
NP Aerospace was selected due to the company’s expertise supporting large military fleets including the UK MOD PMETS contract. NP Aerospace Canada has also supplied significant contracts to the Canadian DND over the past ten years including the CAD$33m CM735 combat helmet contract as well as various body armour contracts.
The LEP-ETSS contract covers research, testing and evaluation, engineering and prototyping, fabrication, technical investigations, the provision of Field Support Representatives and equipment management and documentation services for military equipment.
Image – Canadian DND Vehicles
3D Printing Live Demonstration
Having been selected by the UK MOD and Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) as one of the key industry partners on its new Framework for additive manufacturing, the NP Aerospace vehicle business unit will be demonstrating its ability to 3D print metallic parts at scale live at the show. The development pushes the boundaries of technology and improve logistics by increasing the speed at which parts can be delivered on operation.
NP will be conducting live 3-D printing demonstrations at Booth B5.
H4-468: Composites and Armour Systems Showcase
NP’s Composites & Armour Systems Business will be showing a range of platform armour and personal protection solutions at booth H4-468, opposite the British Army stand in the land zone.
Vehicle Armour Contracts
NP Aerospace has won a number of significant vehicle armour contracts in Europe and North America in 2023 and will be highlighting new NATO AEP-55 STANAG level 3 armour for a major provider of militarised trucks. The Engineering Team are also busy working on armour for light utility vehicles, panoramic sight armour, buoyant armour and complex shaped spall liner, reinforcing the company’s position as leading survivability partner for vehicles in all categories and at all protection levels.
EOD & Demining Suits
NP Aerospace EOD and demining suits continue to evolve in response to customer demand. “We are seeing growth in demining, particularly in Ukraine and will be presenting our 3020 ELITE suit which can be used for lightweight search, breaching, CBRN and increased protection lightweight EOD. The NIJ certified 4030 ELITE Bomb Suit will be worn by a serving female EOD operator to highlight women in EOD and the importance of ergonomics. We are also showing a next generation helmet and suit configuration targeting new markets.” James Kempston said.
Image – NP Aerospace 4030 ELITE Bomb Suit
Soldier Systems Innovation
One of the key growth areas for the business is helmet shell development for third party manufacturers looking for proven protection and volume manufacturing capability. We are currently delivering 3,500 plus helmets per month with capacity for over 8,500 per month which takes us to the 100,000 per annum mark which is significant for us. We are also working on next generation soldier systems with high threat plates, integration with new carrier systems to improve wearability and ultra-light helmet variants. A new rifle shield prototype for tactical operations will be showcased, along with a leg protection system in conjunction with partner Human Protective. On the law enforcement side of the business NP Aerospace has won a significant UK contract which will soon be announced.
Ukraine Frontline Support
To date NP Aerospace has delivered or is in the process of delivering over 180,000 lifesaving ballistic armour plates into Ukraine and more than 40 EOD suits. 84,000 helmets have been delivered by UK Government and 2,800 helmets via third parties and many Mastiff vehicles have been used on the frontline. Further deliveries are scheduled for the coming months. The company is supporting ArtArmor, a Ukraine Embassy backed initiative set up by Ukraine MP Oleksandr Kovalchuk which sees shot ballistic plates that have saved the lives of Ukrainian soldiers painted by talented Ukrainian artists to raise money to support the frontline. One of the plates due to be auctioned will be available to view at the show.
Meet The Team
With over 40 years in the defence and security industries, NP Aerospace continues to be at the forefront of technology and innovation, developing solutions that protect and improve lives and meet the needs of diverse users. To find out more meet with James Kempston, NP Aerospace CEO and members of the team including David Petheram, MD & SVP of the Vehicle Systems, Services and Spares Business Unit and Peter Hardisty, MD & SVP of the Composites and Armour Systems Division.
“It is ironic that when I ran my PR Company Skynet I represented NP in its former iteration Courtaulds Aerospace at DSEI in 1992 with the launch of the SNATCH Land Rover. This line up for DSEI 2023 is certainly impressive and shows the breadth and international growth of NP under your new management,” Julian Nettlefold said.
“Watch this space, is all I can say,” James Kempston concluded.
NP Aerospace is on Stand H4-468 Land Zone & B5 Central Boulevard
DSEI London, UK, 12-15 September