21 - 24 May, 2012
Earls Court Conference Centre, London, UK

Soldier Technology Focus Day

June 7th, 2011


Power, Energy and Connectivity
8:00 Registration and Coffee
Registration and Coffee
8:30 Chairman's Welcome Address
Chairman's Welcome Address
8:40 Moving Toward Common Connectivity to Resolve Crucial Challenges for the Dismounted Soldier
If there is one presentation you can’t afford to miss at Soldier Technology this year it’s this one. Mr Hadfield is one of the world’s well known experts on power and energy for the dismounted soldier as well as the key procurement lead for the UK MoD on all portable power for the soldier. As we deploy more equipment we need a power infrastructure to deliver the energy. So, if you want an official UK position on soldier power as well as time with the expert make sure you have your pass to this day booked in advance. You’ll learn about:
  • The connectivity imperative – where is power architecture heading?
  • Power recharge versus cost effective alternatives?
  • Portable power for the future UK infantryman when weight is already a challenge
  • How the UK focuses on interoperability through research and acquisition of power sources for the dismounted soldier
9:10 ABSL Power Solutions – Power Management to Reduce Burden on Soldier
The presentation will describe ABSL’s development of a new Li-ion pouch cell technology and how this coupled with the work the Company is undertaking on chargers and power management generally will all help to reduce the burden on the individual soldier. The presentation is aimed at serving soldiers as well as those involved in the procurement and logistics chain.
  • Li-ion Pouch Cell technology 
  • BB-XX90 Pouch cell battery Development 
  • Smaller lighter batteries and chargers 
  • How this helps the individual soldier
9:40 Assessing Energy Requirements for the Marine Squad and How they Are Met
During this briefing you will be given an exclusive perspective on the latest requirements for energy for a Marine operating in Afghanistan and insight into how this demand is supplied. You’ll learn about the weight, size and power of current power architecture and crucially how the Marine Corps is planning to address the associated challenges through new and effective solutions including:
  • Lighter power 
  • Smaller and distributed power 
  • Equipment that draws less energy without compromising on effect
10:10 Mid - Morning Coffee and Networking
Mid - Morning Coffee and Networking
10:40 Adaptive Power for the Canadian Future Soldier
Ed Andrukaitis has been with Defence R&D Canada, the S&T arm of the Canadian Department of National Defence since 1990. His background is primarily in electrochemistry and for the past twelve years he has been the S&T project manager of the Advanced Electrical Power Sources Project. The goal is to ensure mission effectiveness, maximize survivability and reduce O&M cost where possible by sponsoring and performing R&D in electrochemical power sources such as fuel cells, batteries, renewable energy sources and other promising electrical producing technologies that can be used as power sources for the Canadian Forces. Join Ed for this mustattend session to learn about:
  • How to increase mission effectiveness through adaptive power 
  • Advantages in survivability that can be easily gained 
  • How Canada has focused its Research and Development on core priorities for the soldier
11:10 Reducing the Burden of Power Sources
The in-depth presentation will discuss the burden issue associated with power sources for the UK dismounted infantry. MOD’s research efforts into improved and novel power sources will be described in detail, giving you fresh and valuable insight. Technologies to be discussed includes advanced batteries, fuel cells and energy scavenging. Some of the key focus areas you will gain knowledge and data in include:
  • Power sources for the soldier
  • Batteries for dismounted soldiers
  • Fuel Cells and other power formats
11:40 Man-Worn Power
Marcus Bruton, Team Leader, Integrated Soldier System Executive, Defence Equipment and Support, UK MoD
Make sure you join this session to find out how the UK MoD is developing lighter power sources for the future soldier including man worn power.
Marcus  Bruton

Marcus Bruton
Team Leader, Integrated Soldier System Executive, Defence Equipment and Support, UK MoD

Born in 1968 and educated at Bedford Modern School, Marcus Bruton joined the Ministry of Defence as a graduate engineer in 1990 after completing a four year Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Brighton Polytechnic. Initially working for the Directorate of Air Armament in the Procurement Executive where he spent six years in various HPTO and SPTO posts before being [read more]
12:10 Assessing the Imperative of Common Connectivity to Resolve the Power Challenge for the Soldier
Marcus Bruton, Team Leader, Integrated Soldier System Executive, Defence Equipment and Support, UK MoD
Make sure you attend this interactive discussion with the speakers from the power and energy sessions, there’s no better way to find out what industry and military and government decision makers are going to do about the biggest challenge today: how to provide enough energy to the soldier without overburdening him or her? Some of the key questions that will be addressed include:
  • Why is connectivity the answer to the power challenge? 
  • How can we move closer to a coherence policy on power? 
  • Can material advantages be gained from using different, available power sources? 
  • Is current government investment in power aligned with the urgency of the challenge? 
  • Where could industry play a bigger role in rapidly delivering a soluition?
Marcus  Bruton

Marcus Bruton
Team Leader, Integrated Soldier System Executive, Defence Equipment and Support, UK MoD

Born in 1968 and educated at Bedford Modern School, Marcus Bruton joined the Ministry of Defence as a graduate engineer in 1990 after completing a four year Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Brighton Polytechnic. Initially working for the Directorate of Air Armament in the Procurement Executive where he spent six years in various HPTO and SPTO posts before being [read more]
13:00 Lunch And Networking
Lunch And Networking
Weight, Size and Integration
13:00 Registration and Coffee
Registration and Coffee
13:30 Chairman’s Welcome Address
Col (ret'd) Richard Hansen, Former Project Manager, Soldier Warrior, PEO Soldier, US Army Defence Acquisition University
Chairman’s Welcome Address
Col (retd) Richard  Hansen

Col (ret'd) Richard Hansen
Former Project Manager, Soldier Warrior, PEO Soldier, US Army Defence Acquisition University

COL (R) Richard Hansen, recently retired as Project Manager Soldioer Warrior from PEO SOldier offers a candid assessment and perspective of the ""Big A"" Acquisition process (Requirements, Resourcing, Technology, and Materiel Development) through the eyes (...and Helmet Mounted Display) of Land Warrior and other similar Military Soldier Systems that support the Air, Ground, and Mounted Warfighter. [read more]
13:45 Reducing the Burden for the Dismounted Soldier: A UK Perspective
Marcus Bruton, Team Leader, Integrated Soldier System Executive, Defence Equipment and Support, UK MoD
To get an up-to-date perspective on how the UK is planning to reduce weight for the British soldier from a senior leader in the British Army make sure you join Colonel Rafferty for this in-depth presentation. He will give you facts and plans on:
  • Current UK approaches to reducing weight 
  • Plans to augment protection while balancing the need for lighter more mobile soldiers 
  • The roadmap for weight and burden management in the UK
Marcus  Bruton

Marcus Bruton
Team Leader, Integrated Soldier System Executive, Defence Equipment and Support, UK MoD

Born in 1968 and educated at Bedford Modern School, Marcus Bruton joined the Ministry of Defence as a graduate engineer in 1990 after completing a four year Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Brighton Polytechnic. Initially working for the Directorate of Air Armament in the Procurement Executive where he spent six years in various HPTO and SPTO posts before being [read more]
14:15 US Army Approaches to Weight and Integration
Col (ret'd) Richard Hansen, Former Project Manager, Soldier Warrior, PEO Soldier, US Army Defence Acquisition University
Make sure you take part in this new session with Col Hansen who will enlighten you as to the priorities and focus areas for US Army Programme Managers when they lighten the load for the soldier. Don't miss this session!
Col (retd) Richard  Hansen

Col (ret'd) Richard Hansen
Former Project Manager, Soldier Warrior, PEO Soldier, US Army Defence Acquisition University

COL (R) Richard Hansen, recently retired as Project Manager Soldioer Warrior from PEO SOldier offers a candid assessment and perspective of the ""Big A"" Acquisition process (Requirements, Resourcing, Technology, and Materiel Development) through the eyes (...and Helmet Mounted Display) of Land Warrior and other similar Military Soldier Systems that support the Air, Ground, and Mounted Warfighter. [read more]
14:45 How the US Marine Corps Approaches Experimental Modernization to Generate Game Changing Results
We are delighted to welcome Lt Colonel Christopher Woodburn to Soldier Technology for the first time. As the requirements writer for two of the biggest programmes for the individual Marine - Infantry Combat Equipment and Marine Expeditionary Rifle Squad, you will benefit from this session. Join to find out: 
  • How US Marine Corps make decisions about weight
  • Integration at requirements stage
  • New programmes to reduce the weight for the Marine
15:15 Mid - Afternoon Coffee and Networking
Mid - Afternoon Coffee and Networking
16:00 Reducing the Weight of the Soldier System
Major Matti Honkela, Programme Manager, Warrior 2020, Finnish Army
Participate in this session to find out how Finland is reducing the burden for the soldier with Programme Manager Matti Honkela. During this briefing you will discover:Finland's approach to reducing the burdenHow protection is ensured at lighter weightKey focus areas to reduce weight in future programmes
Major Matti  Honkela

Major Matti Honkela
Programme Manager, Warrior 2020, Finnish Army

Major Matti Honkela graduated from Finnish Military Academy 1987. He has been working on different development programs and procurement projects since 1996, when he started as a test officer in FDF Armoured Brigade Trials and Development Division. He was transferred to FDFHQ 1999. The programs he has been involved in are:Medium Range AT Programme XA-203 development Programme, CV9030 Programme ,MBT [read more]
17:00 What NATO Nations are Doing to Reduce Size and Weight to Disencumber the Future Soldier
Mark Richter, Program Manager, Marine Expeditionary Rifle Squad, US Marine Corps Systems Command
Col (ret'd) Richard Hansen, Former Project Manager, Soldier Warrior, PEO Soldier, US Army Defence Acquisition University
Marcus Bruton, Team Leader, Integrated Soldier System Executive, Defence Equipment and Support, UK MoD
Finish the sessions today by asking your questions, commenting on the discussion and getting involved in a dialogue with the speakers during this panel session. With the emphasis firmly on accountability and responsibility of national governments to reduce the weight of soldier systems you’ll be sure to have your own opinions, join this crucial end-phase to express it! Topics for discussion will include:
  • Balancing the need for lighter equipment with requirements for new and greater capability 
  • Where is the most responsible area to invest time and money in R&D to continue to drive down weight and reduce size? 
  • What is industry doing to promote and design lighter systems for the soldier?
Mark  Richter

Mark Richter
Program Manager, Marine Expeditionary Rifle Squad, US Marine Corps Systems Command

Mark currenty the Program Manager for the Marina Expeditionary Riffle e Squad Program. Retired from the Marine Corps he continues to work on the integration and modernization of the Marine Riffle e Squad focusing on the squad as the system and the Marine as the war fighter. The Marine Corps continues to rapidly equip the squad with new capabilities in the current conflict but must integrate these [read more]
Col (retd) Richard  Hansen

Col (ret'd) Richard Hansen
Former Project Manager, Soldier Warrior, PEO Soldier, US Army Defence Acquisition University

COL (R) Richard Hansen, recently retired as Project Manager Soldioer Warrior from PEO SOldier offers a candid assessment and perspective of the ""Big A"" Acquisition process (Requirements, Resourcing, Technology, and Materiel Development) through the eyes (...and Helmet Mounted Display) of Land Warrior and other similar Military Soldier Systems that support the Air, Ground, and Mounted Warfighter. [read more]
Marcus  Bruton

Marcus Bruton
Team Leader, Integrated Soldier System Executive, Defence Equipment and Support, UK MoD

Born in 1968 and educated at Bedford Modern School, Marcus Bruton joined the Ministry of Defence as a graduate engineer in 1990 after completing a four year Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Brighton Polytechnic. Initially working for the Directorate of Air Armament in the Procurement Executive where he spent six years in various HPTO and SPTO posts before being [read more]
17:30 End of Conference Day
End of Conference Day
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