SEA experts to outline Future Soldier Technology at London conference

Published 8th March 2017

Experts from Cohort company SEA will explain how the soldier of the future can be more effective when they present at the Future Soldier Technology conference in London on March 13-14.

The focus on soldier modernisation will include a presentation by SEA’s Laurence Bedford, Senior Principal Consultant Ground Close Combat, and Giles Verwey, Senior Principal Consultant, that will outline some of the technology developed in SEA’s recent Delivering Dismounted Effect Programme (DDE) carried out for the UK Ministry of Defence. In particular, they will look at how to develop the research from technology into capability.

SEA was prime contractor to the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) on the DDE Research project and headed a team from industry and academia delivering integrated dismounted soldier systems research to the UK MoD.

The new systems considered included technologies for the weapon, helmet, torso and night vision systems using each element to develop an integrated soldier system.

In particular, the DDE research investigated the technical feasibility, benefits and costs associated with integrating power and data onto the weapon and helmet. All the systems were designed to meet the challenges required by an adaptable and flexible force dealing with evolving threats and it is envisaged will be part of the equipment and design of the future soldier.

Laurence Bedford has spent the past five years working on soldier systems research and was DDE programme manager. This was preceded by 20 years military experience as an Infantry Officer with significant operational and training experience.

Giles Verwey has considerable experience in defence research. Before DDE, this included work on a range of projects including soldier systems, radar, Electronic Warfare and sonar systems and ranged from concept modelling through development to trials and assessment. He was SEA’s technical lead for DDE.

The presentation will be at 1130 on day one of the conference, March 13.