23 Aug 2007
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Network Integration Test & Experimentation works
Overview
A unique collaborative partnership between UK MOD and industry, NITEworks was created in July 2003 by MOD and lead industry partner BAE Systems to address the requirement to improve the integration of military capabilities and allow more rapid and controlled delivery of precise military effects, through the enhanced exploitation of network and information technologies. In December 2007 NITEworks was awarded a new, five-year, GBP 43million contract.
NITEworks provides an experimental environment enabling the rapid evaluation of innovative and practical solutions to requirement, coherence and interoperability challenges. Using a range of experimentation tools NITEworks delivers advice and recommendations with sound supporting evidence that will improve operational capability across the Defence Lines of Development.
Key Facts
The NITEworks partnership directly engages the full spectrum of UK defence industrial capability. Ten major UK companies (BAE Systems, EADS, EDS, Finmeccanica, General Dynamics, LogicaCMG, MBDA, QinetiQ, Raytheon and Thales) are joined by MOD and Dstl as Partners, together with a further 33 Associate organisations representing UK small and medium sized companies. In this way NITEworks decision support activity is underpinned by direct and immediate access to the full breadth of UK defence capability and emerging technology, as well as UK-based subsidiaries of the major US primes.
NITEworks conducts individual but often interlinked experimentation projects, known as 'Themes' to create and evaluate solution options which support real interventions into ongoing UK MOD programmes. These Themes address challenges in the areas of concept, capability and warfare development. NITEworks' customer base includes MOD central staff, project teams, warfare centres and warfighters.
NITEworks experimentation outputs have delivered value to MOD across all the Defence Lines of Development. Additionally NITEworks has significantly assisted UK forces on current deployments, enhancing front-line effectiveness through improved processes, doctrine and interoperability.
Performance
NITEworks is cited within the Defence Industrial Strategy as "one of the key means of carrying Network Enabled Capablity (NEC) from ideas to delivery" and directly supports the "challenges for change" articulated in the Defence White Paper. It provides a means to assess the opportunities offered by technological innovation and developments in the commercial market in a rigorous manner that includes participation and critical input from the end user. This enables the identification of innovative and pragmatic ways of further developing NEC. In addition NITEworks offers a business environment in which MOD and industry can work together for mutual benefit in an atmosphere where competitive advantage is not a driving force. NITEworks' independence and neutrality promote the sharing of information in a spirit of openness and transparency within a truly collaborative and inclusive partnership.
