17 Jan 06. Three additional MoD purchasing teams have chosen DVD as their official annual event, confirming it as Europe’s leading service vehicle and field support exhibition. Battlefield Support, Battlefield Infrastructure and Battlefield Plant, all part of the ESS IPT (Engineering Systems Support Integrated Project Team), will join event founder and organiser the SUV IPT (Specialist & Utility Vehicle Integrated Project Team), helping to ensure that DVD 2006 (June 28th and 29th) will be even bigger and even more comprehensive than last year’s record-breaking event.
Held at Millbrook’s exceptional all-terrain test and demonstration facility near Bedford, DVD is designed to bring industry and users closer together. It provides an opportunity for senior IPT personnel to discuss requirements with army personnel, system specifiers and suppliers, to experience vehicles, systems and equipment in simulated field conditions and to brief the industry on the latest MoD purchasing strategy.
“A real strength of DVD is that it brings together a vast spectrum of specialists involved in delivering mobility to the field,” explains SUV IPT team leader Nigel Gillhead. “The integration of three ESS sections is a very exciting development. With their support, there can be no question that DVD is now Europe’s leading field mobility event.”
ESS Battlefield Support covers many areas of expeditionary campaign infrastructure such as operational accommodation, camouflage and concealment and environmental control. ESS Battlefield Infrastructure provides essential consumables such as electricity, water, fuel and surface expedients. ESS Battlefield Plant provides rough terrain mechanical handling equipment, earth moving equipment and construction plant.
There are many synergies between SUV IPT and ESS IPT. Both groups are part of the same Combat Services Support cluster within the Defence Logistics Organisation (DLO) and both play an important role in ensuring mobility of military forces. There are also many interfacing activities. “SUV’s vehicles must contain, protect and transport our equipment, they often dock within our accommodation, we camouflage them and provide the mobile workshops that support them in the field,” explains ESS IPT Battlefield Support section manager Wayne Evans.
“DVD will help increase our understanding of these interfaces so that we can deliver even more effective solutions,” continues Evans. “It is a fantastic forum that will help us to continue developing our expertise and help our suppliers to understand how they can deliver even greater performance and value.”
Russell Smith, head of Battlefield Infrastructure, emphasises the importance of reviewing all areas together. “Current defence requirements place great emphasis on efficient expeditionary operations, which means an integrated approach,” he says. “We are keen to explore new opportunities in all areas and welcome approaches from innovative suppliers that can help us reduce inventory and other costs whilst continuing to enhance the support we provide for our operational forces.”
“It’s invaluable to look outside our own areas and see the solutions being applied by other groups,” says head of Battlefield Plant Mark Warren. “Millbrook is the ideal venue to achieve this and assess equipment in a realistic context.”
“I would like to personally welcome these three ESS sections,” concludes SUV IPT team leader Nigel Gillhead. “With their support, DVD2006 is going to take a big step forward. I urge everyone that is involved with both our groups, both internally and externally, to consider attending or exhibiting.”