Cutting Edge Military Kit Put To The Test

British forces personnel - including troops from Bulford’s 1 Mercian Regiment, the RAF, and members of the US Armed Forces - have been putting the latest military equipment to the test.

For the last four weeks on Salisbury Plain, the Army's annual Warfighting Experiment has been underway, aiming to seek out the best technology and inventions that will shape fighting in the future. Major Mike Lavelle, Requirement Manager DE&S, believes this is a vital step in developing new equipment;

"The people who are testing the kit are actually the ones who are going to be using it, rather than just scientists or engineers. It stops us making the assumptions of how we’re going to use it and actually the guys get to feel they have a real input into the future kit they are going to get."

The Defence Equipment and Support organisation is a branch of the MOD which works closely with defence companies to develop technology that works for the military.

After extensive road testing, soldiers can then feedback on how the various systems could be improved before they are rolled out on the frontline. Lt Col Nick Serle,  Commanding Infantry Trials and Development Unit (ITDU) says;

"We want to understand what technology is available within the industry, and how we can help them develop it. So if we want to buy it, it’s good to go."