The MOD has trialled a series of projects designed to improve the
UK's ability to outload munitions quickly and at scale during
high-intensity conflict.
Trials hosted at Defence Munitions Kineton, the largest munitions
depot in Western Europe, show how low cost, innovative solutions
can strengthen defence's warfighting readiness and resilience.
The work focused on modernising processes to ensure the rapid and
efficient movement of munitions.
Project details
Programme OUTLOAD includes 3 pioneering projects:
-
SAGE: tests the use of satellite communications, 4G, and
Wi-Fi in places where digital signals are normally
restricted, such as explosives warehouses - by enabling
real‑time stock visibility, it could change how defence
records, manages and moves munitions
-
PAXO: looks at ways to pack munitions more efficiently - it
tests new tools and methods to speed up loading munitions
into shipping containers (‘stuffing'), making the process
faster, safer and less labour-intensive
-
ONION: reviews how munitions are currently handled and
stored, and the policies governing this - it identifies the
barriers to innovation within Defence Munitions sites, both
during routine operations and when defence needs to scale up
during conflict
By addressing bottlenecks in the munitions supply chain, these
projects will help ensure the Armed Forces can increase the speed
and scale at which they operate.
The findings show that defence can make significant improvements
to munitions outload processes without major investment.
Recommendations have been shared with senior leaders and work is
underway to consider expanding the projects across Defence
Munitions sites.
Significance of these trials
Vice Admiral Andy Kyte, Chief of Defence Logistics and Support,
said:
These trials demonstrate that with innovative thinking and
collaboration, we can achieve rapid improvements to support our
Armed Forces in times of need. By adopting these solutions, we
are not only enhancing our warfighting readiness but also
building a more resilient and flexible defence capability.
Colonel Martin Windsor, programme sponsor, Defence Support, said:
There is a clear need to enable defence to have the capability to
surge munitions, outloading at pace and scale when the situation
dictates.
This programme has been led from the bottom up, the experts on
the ground informing technical experts to help modernise our
approach. Changes to policy, inclusion of digitisation and
introducing modern commercial equipment has made significant
improvements that put defence in a better place. A truly Whole
Force approach.
Harry Riedl, programme lead, Cyber & Specialist Operations
Command jHub, said:
Delivering this innovative programme was challenging but highly
rewarding. The approach taken provides a real opportunity to
transform how Defence Munitions operates in the future.
This has been high-impact work in a part of defence that does not
always attract significant innovation focus, and I am pleased
with the success of the projects as they are handed over to
Defence Munitions.
Stuart McCormack, Defence Munitions said:
These concept demonstrators show game-changing improvements that
are feasible, faster and simpler. We look forward to the next
steps, where exploitation provides Defence Munitions the
capability to support defence more efficiently and effectively.
