The UK Ministry of Defence has tapped a defense consortium to provide innovative digital protection against remote and radio-controlled Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
The 45-million-pound ($52 million) contract was awarded to Team Protect, comprising Leonardo, Leidos, PA Consulting, and Marshall Land Systems.
The consortium will develop a digital platform to protect military bases by detecting and disrupting IEDs through advanced technologies across the electromagnetic spectrum.
The technology must be small enough to be carried by soldiers and mobile enough to be fitted into military vehicles.
Team Protect will collaborate with small and medium-sized businesses within the next five years to work on the contract.
‘Staying Ahead of the Challenge’
British Defence Procurement Minister Alex Chalk said the new digital protection system would employ a common set of hardware and software open technology standards equivalent to desktop computers and cellular phone software.
The open technology would allow the UK military to modify the solutions in the future for other uses and allow for greater collaboration with allies.
“Our Armed Forces dedicate their lives to protecting and securing our nation. As the technology used by our adversaries to threaten our people and operations evolves, we are innovating to stay ahead of the challenge,” Chalk remarked.
“This project brings together pioneering UK technology and industry to create a world leading protection system for our Armed Forces.”
In addition to the IED protection system, Team Protect will build a cutting-edge integration laboratory facility to support innovation and experimentation as the system evolves against emerging threats.
Deliveries of the innovative system are scheduled to begin in 2026, with the equipment “incrementally deployed” by the British Army, Royal Marines, and Royal Air Force.