Defence Online

While often invisible to frontline operations, FM plays a critical role in ensuring infrastructure is resilient, ready, and responsive to the needs of the Armed Forces whenever and wherever required.

May 29, 2026

Land - Strengthening the MOD’s defence infrastructure with enterprise asset management

Article submitted by Peter Lemon, MACS’ sales director UK & Ireland. The Ministry of Defence’s estate is one of the largest

The UK has crossed a significant threshold in defence communications capability, with Dstl and Oxford-based SME Archangel Lightworks completing the country's first successful download of data from space using a deployable laser communications ground station. During a 90-second satellite pass over the Mediterranean, many gigabits of data were transmitted from a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite to a ground station - a demonstration described by Dstl as the equivalent of moving from very slow internet to superfast fibre broadband. What the Technology Does Free space optical communications - laser comms - transmit data using narrow, low-power beams of non-visible light rather than radio waves. The shorter wavelength allows far greater volumes of data to be sent per second. Critically for military applications, the beams are extremely difficult to detect or intercept, and the narrow transmission reduces the risk of interference with other systems in an increasingly contested electromagnetic environment. The capability is directly relevant to Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, where large volumes of data must be moved quickly to give UK forces an operational advantage. It could also form part of the UK's digital targeting web and is designed to be interoperable with the US Space Development Agency standard. An SME at the Centre of a Sovereign Capability Archangel Lightworks, the Oxford SME that developed and delivered the TERRA-M optical ground station used in the trial, is a notable example of the kind of specialist, sovereign industrial capability the Defence Industrial Strategy is seeking to grow and sustain. The company recently completed a Series A funding round that included investment from the National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF), and manufactures its systems at a facility in Oxford — positioned to scale production for UK deployment, sale or export. Dstl Chief Executive Dr Paul Hollinshead was clear on the wider significance:

May 29, 2026

Air - UK Achieves First Optical Data Downlink from Space

The UK has crossed a significant threshold in defence communications capability, with Dstl and Oxford-based SME Archangel Lightworks completing the

Defence innovations have been recognised in 31st sustainability and conservation awards.

May 28, 2026

Land - RAF Awards GeoPura Flagship Contract for Off-Grid Green Energy Infrastructure

The Royal Air Force has awarded a landmark contract to clean energy specialist GeoPura to deliver a network of off-grid,

INNOVATION MARKETPLACE

Homeland - New £1 Million Themed Competition Launched

Do you have an innovation that could support the development of deployable Testing and Evaluation capability and regulatory solutions? Following the
INNOVATION MARKETPLACE

DASA drives adoption of PYRAMID

The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is launching a new Themed Competition called PYRAMID for avionics and mission systems Phase 2,
INNOVATION MARKETPLACE

Understanding Injury: DASA seeks innovations in Conflict Wound research

The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is pleased to launch a new Market Exploration called Modelling and Monitoring Conflict Wounds. Run on behalf

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SPONSORED CONTENT

A recent pilot delivered by Mears for the Ministry of Defence (MOD) demonstrates how a data‑led approach can provide the clarity needed to manage complex estates more effectively.

May 29, 2026

Mears & MOD pilot shows how data-led insight can transform estate management and retrofit planning

Housing providers and public‑sector asset owners are under increasing pressure to improve energy performance, ensure regulatory compliance and make better

May 28, 2026

Social Value in Action - Tedworth House, Wiltshire

Ministry of Defense – Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) £8000 Support for local community projects through donations Tedworth House supports wounded,

Understanding and defending against cyber threats

May 28, 2026

The vulnerable human

How organised crime targets your people by using “human nature” against them – by Nick Smallman CEO of Working Voices Employees

The $40bn cyber threat to businesses

Cybercrime exploits a weakness common to all companies: their people. Criminals don’t need tech skills to hack through a firewall,
Coordinating the transport of High-Value frigate engine amid multiple challenges

A leading UK defence engineering organisation required specialist logistics support to transport a 57-tonne frigate engine from Germany to the
Designing Defence Air Systems for Long-Term Operation

High‑pressure air systems used in defence applications are rarely static assets. Once installed, they are expected to operate across long
Urgent delivery of High-Value plate steel sheets supporting defence manufacturing

When a primary logistics provider failed to deliver, a defence manufacturing programme faced potential disruption due to delayed raw materials. An
How Veolia can create a more efficient water management system for the defence sector

As global resources become increasingly scarce due to climate change, the defence sector must develop resilient, sustainable supply chains and

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Cyber Essentials explained

As of 1 January 2016, all suppliers bidding for new MOD contracts which include the transfer of ‘MOD identifiable information’ should achieve a Cyber Essentials Scheme (CES) certificate by the contract start date… Read More >

CONNECTING THE DEFENCE COMMUNITY WITH INSIGHT, INTELLIGENCE & OPPORTUNITIES

UK and Poland Sign Landmark Defence Treaty