Technology and systems integration
Babcock develops and integrates technology and systems across defence and civil assets, integrating the latest and best capability and equipment into life-extensions, revalidation, and new build to modernise assets and de-risk new build programmes for our customers, delivered through our Mission Systems business.
We understand the increasingly digital environment we and our customers operate in. We adapt and integrate other people’s technology, allowing us to plan, design and work in partnership with our customers to reach the best answer, using the right technology and harnessing it for greatest impact for our customers and the vital work they undertake.
Capability for the future
Technology is embedded in everything we do. Geopolitical shifts and emerging technologies are changing the nature of the defence and energy security landscape, and highlighting the importance of critical sovereign capabilities and resilience. Babcock’s intimate knowledge of our customers’ requirements and their assets enables us to select the right technologies to support current and future mission needs.
To deliver the best capabilities at the point of need for our customers and support our growth ambitions, technology underpins our aim to be the leading provider of integrated solutions. Our approach is to identify and collaborate with innovative SMEs and apply our expertise to integrate the technology into an effective solution, often enabling SMEs an easier route to engage with the defence and energy sectors.
1. Autonomy
Providing, integrating, manufacturing and supporting effective autonomy solutions.
Project example:
Autonomous and Remote Maritime Operational Response (ARMOR) Force architecture to control a network of uncrewed systems from an Arrowhead Common Command Vessel.
2. Advanced manufacturing
Developing flexible manufacturing capability to deliver and scale high integrity engineering.
Project example:
Deploying advanced technologies and robotics to deliver the US-UK common missile compartment assemblies for US Columbia Class and UK Dreadnought Class submarine programmes.
3. C5ISR
Developing comprehensive capabilities in Command and Control, Computers, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance.
Project example:
NOMAD AI-powered real-time military intelligence system for the battlefield.
4. Sustainable energy
Providing sustainable, resilient power solutions.
Project example:
Development of small and micro modular nuclear reactor propositions to provide resilient power at the point of need.
5. Digital through-life support
Providing optimised, data-driven, through-life asset management, maintenance, repair and overhaul, and digital engineering services.
Project example:
METIS, an AI-enabled digital asset management platform.
6. Effectors and countermeasures
Integrating modular capability to tackle large numbers of varying threats.
Project example:
Modular launcher, a containerised platform for launching low-cost missiles to defend against one-way attack drones.
7. Human performance augmentation
Optimising training, predicting performance and enabling human machine teaming.
Project example:
Babcock Immersive Training Environment (BITE), using technology to layer effects and simulate modern operational environments to optimise training.
Leveraging assured Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI is a foundational technology that underpins all seven technology themes. Babcock’s global AI and Data Centre of Excellence (AIDEX) centralises expertise to deliver assured AI solutions that optimise our existing lifetime engineering capability, unlock new opportunities and achieve operational advantage for our customers.
The three key growth areas being disrupted by technology that have significant upside potential for Babcock:
Underwater battlespace
Protecting the undersea battlespace against emerging surface and subsea threats, including hybrid warfare.
Capability at scale
Creating, delivering, supporting, connecting and countering increasingly large masses of attritable and consumable capabilities at scale.
Sustainable power
Providing resilient power at the point of need to meet increasing demands in both military and civilian contexts.
To deliver growth in the three key areas and enhance existing capability, seven strategic technology themes are defined. The themes are governed under a global approach that protects our intellectual property and that ensures that we develop once, do it well and use it many times.