In Brief

New Minister for Defence Equipment and Support

Quentin Davies MP has been appointed Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, with the Rt Hon Baroness Taylor of Bolton PC taking on the new appointment of Minister for International Defence and Security.

Other new appointments include John Hutton MP who was recently appointed MOD Secretary of State, succeeding Des Browne who had been in the role for two and half years.

Quentin Davies said: "Our Armed Forces are doing an amazing job in difficult circumstances and my priority will be to do all I can to ensure they get the best possible equipment and logistic support."

Bloodhound on trail of Land Speed Record

A four year programme has been launched aiming to push the World Land Speed Record (LSR) beyond the present 763mph (M1.0) record to 1000mph.

The project which is called Bloodhound will be trying to produce a vehicle that can travel at a significantly higher speed (M1.4) than its predecessor entering unexplored territory in aerodynamics and mechanical research for land based vehicles. It will be propelled by an EJ 200 Typhoon engine and a 25,000lb thrust hybrid rocket motor producing some major technical challenges.

The programme will provide research output in the fields of hybrid rocket propulsion and high strength materials for the MOD with partial funding by MOD's Defence Innovation Technology Centre (DTIC) and supported by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl). Dstl is overseeing all research and technology capture between Project Bloodhound and the MOD.

www.bloodhoundssc.com

Zephyr soars over Arizona to new world record for solar flight

Flying high over Arizona, QinetiQ's Zephyr flew for an unofficial record-breaking 82 hours 37 minutes, reinforcing its reputation as the world's leading solar powered high-altitude (HALE) Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV).

The ultra-lightweight carbon fibre aircraft is launched by hand and uses solar power generated by amorphous silicon solar arrays covering its wings. At night it uses lithium-sulphur batteries which are recharged in daylight using solar power.

Zephyr flew on autopilot and via satellite communication up to 60,000ft, in temperatures up to 45ºC (113ºF) over the US Army's Proving Ground in Arizona.

Potential applications for the UAV include earth observation and communications relay which can be applied to a range of defence, security or civil requirements.

Defence Technology and Innovation Centre (DTIC) Director, Professor Andrew Baird said: "MOD is very pleased with the success of the recent trial which demonstrated the potential capability of the technologies in Zephyr. This success also reinforced the close working relationship between the UK and US on these key technologies."

Technology development to date has been funded by the MOD and partnered with the US Department of Defense (DoD) for the demonstration flight that was funded under the US Joint Capability Technology Programme (JCTD).