QinetiQ coordinated team to provide independent 'client adviser' support to the MOD's Future Submarines IPT

A QinetiQ coordinated team has been awarded an enabling contract through to September 2009 by the MOD's Future Submarines IPT to provide independent support, resource and assurance for the concept phase of the future SSBN submarine programme. In addition to QinetiQ, other team members includes BMT, Jacobs and Frazer Nash, with access to a wider pool of expert advisors that includes Atkins, SVGC, Thales, Imes, Turner & Townsend, Weir Strachan-Henshaw, SEA and Sula.

In providing ‘best athlete' support, the Client Adviser seeks to deliver constructive test and will challenge the programme, to help the IPT establish and deliver the minimum deterrent capability for the future. A key to the success of this initiative will be in developing new ways to work that will help the provider companies (BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce and Babcock) deliver the concept phase, while continuing to provide independent advice to the MOD.

"The Client Adviser service is an important way of delivering independent assurance to the programme," explained Andy Mackinder, Defence Equipment & Support's Future Submarines IPT Leader. "They will help drive the process and provide some of the necessary evidence behind the decisions that we have to make over the next two years in support of delivering a value for money minimum deterrent for the UK."

"Our team is committed to an open approach to delivering support to this strategically important defence programme,� added Neville Salkeld, MD for QinetiQ's MOD Consulting business. "With finite resources in the UK to tackle this task, it is important that the right people are deployed where they are best needed in order to deliver the programme."