18 Jun 10. Afghanistan came to Wiltshire last week as scientists take part in the world’s largest wargame. The Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration (CWID) will see the creation of a scenario based on the operation in 2008 which oversaw the safe journey of a convoy transporting new turbine equipment to the Kajaki Dam from Kandahar. The aim of the event is to support front-line operations by testing and improving defence systems on a network infrastructure designed around the system which is currently in operation in theatre.
Athos Ritsperis, Dstl CWID project manager, said: “For operational success, access to the right information at the right time at the right place is vital. CWID assists the Ministry of Defence (MOD) by identifying technological advancements that can be made, reducing risks through trialling new technology and concepts and by identifying opportunities presented through innovative solutions.”
The trials field itself consists of two separate tent complexes representing Kandahar and Helmand, each complex functions as mission control for its respective region communicating with each other through the simulated network and using ICT innovations on trial. In keeping with the precise nature of in theatre realistic operations, each of the potential technologies operated by members of the armed forces from coalition partners including the UK, America, New Zealand and Canada. This provides a forum for industry as they receive direct feedback by personnel who will ultimately operate the equipment in theatre.
Athos Ritsperis continued: “CWID is an excellent opportunity for collaboration between the MOD and industry. The fact that CWID is hosted on a representative, fully accredited, network enables industry to demonstrate solutions that are technically mature in addition to those that are more innovative and perhaps less well developed.”
CWID aims to build on the success of previous years in meeting a strategic requirement for Network Enabled Capability (NEC) – a vision which requires timely and relevant information to be available across the spectrum of command and operations. In particular, CWID is focused on identifying requirements for the capabilities MOD will need to meet the 2012 NEC milestone – ‘Inter-connection’ – and beyond. CWID is a truly global event with industry and participants from coalition nations including America, New Zealand and Canada, remotely in their home countries and on the Dstl site.

19 Jun 10. DSEi has created a powerful new marketing platform for electronics companies seeking to expand their customer base. DSEi 2011, which will be held at ExCeL in London from 13 -16 September, will for the first time feature a dedicated international electronics pavilion. Organised by NEW Events – organisers of National Electronics Week – and supported by Intellect, the pavilion will provide a valuable focus area for electronics companies of different types and sizes to present their products and technologies to the 25,000 plus visitors expected to attend the event. DSEi organisers, Clarion Events, in conjunction with NEW, will be mounting a tailored marketing campaign to support the new venture.
Tim Porter, Managing Director, Clarion Defence & Security, said, ‘Electronics is playing an increasingly important role in the defence and security sectors. We listen closely to what our visitors have to say and we are certain that gathering specialist suppliers together in a pavilion area will be hugely beneficial, not only to our visitors but to exhibitors as well. We shall be announcing further initiatives of this type in the coming weeks.’