06 August 2020

New team lines up for UK mission data challenge

by Charles Forrester

Leonardo announced on 6 August that it was part of a new team launched to support the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD’s) Mission Data for Information Advantage (MD4IA) programme.

Known as Team NOVUS, the group includes Leonardo, Thales, BAE Systems, Sigma, Meta Mission Data, and MASS.

The company said in a statement that “the founding members are committed to a transformative MD4IA enterprise approach that is built on outcome-based relationships and an agile delivery culture. Discussions are continuing with like-minded companies to enhance the Team NOVUS response to the MD4IA challenge.”

The new Team NOVUS will help to deliver mission data for electronic warfare support as part of efforts to improve the UK’s Information Advantage programme. (Crown Copyright/Corporal Alex Scott)

The aim of the MD4IA requirement is to help ensure that electronic warfare data services and support are delivered effectively to the UK armed forces, with the mission data helping to identify and classify threats and guide appropriate responses.

Speaking on the subject of information advantage at the Air and Space Power Conference on 15 July, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Mike Wigston, said, “Future conflicts will require us to integrate more closely with the other services and Strategic Command, the MoD, other Government departments, and international partners. Success will require rapid understanding and swift, joint, fully integrated action across all warfighting domains, land, sea, air, space, and of course cyber.

“Our aircraft, spacecraft, and systems must integrate seamlessly to allow the transfer and exploitation of information, rapid decision-making, and timely delivery of effects,” he said. “And that, to my mind, is why information advantage matters.

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