The Future Soldier Vision (FSV) is part of the MOD’s plan to give British soldiers’ high-quality, cutting-edge equipment.

The Royal College of Art’s (RCA) researchers and designers worked on the clothing to ensure prototypes were fitted to the body, easy to run in and comfortable to wear. The RCA supplied a number of sets of prototype combat clothing which were assessed at the Specialist Weapons School, Warminster, to examine future uniform concepts.

Minister for Defence Procurement Harriett Baldwin said:

From new materials to high-tech helmets, innovation is all about giving our personnel the kit they need by working with world famous partners like the Royal College of Art. You might not expect the MOD to work with an art and design university, but it is this kind of non-traditional partnership which will keep our Armed Forces equipped with cutting edge technology.

So far, kit being designed for FSV includes advanced combat clothing, with new materials like four-way stretch ‘phase-change material’ and silent hook-and-loop pockets. The enhanced body armour will be stronger, as well as having a new high-tech helmet with state-of-the- art, built-in communication systems.

FSV aims to give industry an example of an integrated soldier system that balances military need with cutting-edge technology. This includes technology that delivers distributed power and data, scalable and integrated protection, augmented surveillance and target acquisition, and a range of functional fabrics incorporated into the clothing.

Head of Programme for Textiles and Reader in Smart Textiles at the RCA Anne Toomey said:

The RCA was pleased to have this opportunity to demonstrate how our innovative design approaches can enhance value and impact across sectors through optimising existing materials performance and fabrication.

As the RCA grows its research activities to embrace new materials and fabrication technologies, we will be able to further extend this reach upstream. We plan to become the world’s first STEAM institution, operating a design-led approach to future innovation with materials through the development of our new Materials Science Research Centre.

Defence Science & Technology Laboratory has worked with a number of small and non-traditional suppliers, such as the RCA, to develop options for improved soldier system components.

The grave of Lance Corporal (LCpl) William Loney, a soldier who fought with the Parachute Regiment, Army Air Corps, has been rededicated after almost 3 quarters of a century. A new headstone was dedicated to the 26 year old at a moving service today at Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, the Netherlands. The service, arranged by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), was led by the Reverend Dr Brutus Green, Regimental Chaplain, 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment.

LCpl Loney was born in Westtown, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire on 25 July 1918 and was the son of William and Mary Loney. William and his family were devoted Catholics and attended St. Pauline Church regularly. William was a keen footballer and worked as a labourer in Adams Mill, Dewsbury.

Reverend Dr Brutus Green said:

It was an honour to be here in Arnhem during the commemoration week to lead the service for Lance Corporal William Loney. Although his family weren’t able to be here today, he was well represented by his regimental family. It is incredibly important for the regiment to remember brave men like William, and the sacrifices they made for us.

William was called up for national service and received his training as a gunner. He was initially posted to 17 Field Regiment Royal Artillery. William volunteered to join the Army Air Corps on 2 November 1942, where he was enlisted in C-Coy, 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment. William saw action in North Africa and Italy before being promoted to Lance Corporal in June 1944.

As part of Operation Market Garden, C-Coy, 2nd Battalion was dropped on 17 September 1944 on DZ-X at Heelsum. In the evening while entering Arnhem via the Utrechtsestraat as 1 of the leaf scouts for his Platoon, LCpl Loney was killed together with his comrades, Private Norman Shipley and Private Thomas Pratt. All 3 were subsequently reported missing.

William’s burial place had remained unknown, until the grave of an unknown soldier buried in Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery was brought to the attention of the JCCC by the Royal Netherlands Army’s Recovery and Identification Unit. After extensive historical research into this unknown grave and the circumstances surrounding William’s death, it has been confirmed by the JCCC that this grave is that of Lance Corporal William Loney.

Nicola Nash, JCCC said:

It has been a very emotional day for everyone involved in this case. It was fantastic to see so many members of the Parachute Regiment in attendance. It was a fitting tribute to the bravery of William Loney and recognition for the sacrifice he made for our freedom.

A new headstone bearing LCpl Loney’s name has been provided by the CWGC, who will now care for his final resting place in perpetuity.

Aaron, T/Sergeant in Operations, based in Berkshire, has successfully completed marathons in Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York.

He said:

It started in 2008 when my New Year’s resolution was to run a marathon having never run any long distance before. I ended up choosing a cross country marathon, which I completed in 3:49:00, vowing afterwards never to do a marathon again!

For the next couple of years I ran a couple of 10k races and half marathons, before gaining entry into the London Marathon in 2011. My aim was to go sub 3 hours for the first time and I achieved this with a time of 2:56:15.

I then found out about the World Marathon Majors, with my aim being to complete each marathon in under three hours. I completed Berlin in 2012 in 2:56:30, which got me a qualifying time for Boston in 2013.

After running Boston in 2:57:55 I had mixed emotions due to the bombings that took place there that year. Thankfully I was at my hotel with my wife, Micayla, when it all unfolded.

In 2014 I went to Chicago, where I managed to knock 10 minutes off my best time, completing it in 2:46:59. The following year was New York, in which I ran 2:47:44, deciding after that to run London again in 2016 to try to better my previous time. I crossed the line in 2:36:55, knocking ten minutes off my personal best, set in Chicago, and 20 minutes off my first London time.

The final race of the majors challenge was Tokyo in February 2017. I qualified as a semi-elite athlete, thanks to the time I set in London. I ran a personal best in 2:33:47 which I was very happy with, considering I didn’t adjust to the time difference and had very little sleep.

Going forward I am representing the MDP at the Police Sport UK 10 mile race this month (September) as part of my training for the Frankfurt marathon in October.

Aaron thanked Assistant Chief Constable Operations, Paul McLaughlin, for his support and the help of the MDP Sports Fund with entry fees, as well as the support he has received from his wife, family and work colleagues.

Congratulating Aaron, Mr McLaughlin commented:

I’m absolutely delighted with his fantastic and overwhelming achievement, which is clearly down to his dedication and the support he has had from family, friends and colleagues.

At a time when the force is driving through the necessary fitness level requirement to meet our role profiles in MDP, what Aaron has demonstrated is where officers could possibly take their personal health and fitness through sheer dedication.

T/CC Andy Adams commented:

Wow, what a fantastic achievement! We take officer fitness very seriously in MDP, striving continually to raise fitness standards to fulfil our vital role in guarding the nation’s defences: Aaron’s commitment and determination is an example to us all.

The Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson visited the Caribbean to see the impact of the UK’s relief effort following Hurricane Irma. He also met the governors and others leading the recovery work, and visited communities working to repair major damage.

Arriving in the Caribbean

Arriving at Bridgetown airport in Barbados yesterday, 12 September, the Foreign Secretary said:

We’re in Bridgetown in Barbados which is absolutely crucial for the operation of British armed forces in getting in huge numbers of men and supplies and police officers into areas affected by Hurricane Irma, in Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands and the Turks and Caicos.

It’s an extraordinary effort, the biggest military effort by British services since Libya, and I really think it’s starting to work, I think they’ve been very well received. You’re seeing confidence starting to rise on those islands, making some more announcements tomorrow about some of the funding that’s coming through.

But the key message that we’re making, we’re giving is that we’re not just here to support these islands to get back up on their feet, we’re here for the long term. These are British people, and we’re here to help.

Foreign Secretary speaking in Barbados

Visiting Anguilla

Visiting the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Anguilla today, the Foreign Secretary said:

I’m here outside the hospital in Anguilla where they’ve had huge amount of storm damage, about 60% of the facility is damaged, but the Royal Marines, the Royal Engineers are here and they’ve been putting it back on its feet and steadily repairing it. A dozen or more have just arrived with their tools and getting on with the job of putting Anguilla back on its feet.

It’s incredible to see the resilience of the people here, I’ve seen tree’s stripped of every leaf, telephone poles snapped in 2, electricity poles torn down, roofs blown off. Quite unbelievable destruction but you can’t destroy the spirit of the these people.

Foreign Secretary speaking in Anguilla

Visiting the British Virgin Islands

After meeting the authorities and local communities, the Foreign Secretary said:

I’m in Tortola in the British Virgin Islands and this is the East End Area and we’re looking at, as you can see, incredible devastation but it is starting to come back on its feet and the UK is helping. £25 million announced today by our government in addition to the £32 million we’ve already pledged. We are getting on with the work of sending our Armed Services around, with the police helping to build up confidence on the streets.

Yes there are difficulties distributing some of the aid, getting water and food to the places we want it to get to but slowly it’s happening and you’ve got the UK government working very, very closely with the authorities here in the British Virgin Islands.

What’s so incredible is the spirit of these Islands. The hurricane can come in, it can knock down absolutely everything in its path but it can’t bow or bend the spirit of the British Virgin Islands.

Foreign Secretary speaking in BVI

Military

Naval

• RFA Mounts Bay, pre-stationed in the region, provided initial assistance to Anguilla to clear the runway. It then continued to British Virgin Islands to establish security of supplies, and fix basic infrastructure and shelter to people. After travelling to US Virgin Islands to resupply, she returned to Anguilla to deliver reconstruction materials and arrived in the British Virgin Islands on Tuesday with further supplies and will be delivering humanitarian aid and disaster relief on Wednesday.
• HMS Ocean is being deployed to the region after being loaded with 5,000 hygiene kits, 10,000 buckets and 500,000 aquatabs in Gibraltar.

Aircraft

• Over 200 personnel arrived on Tuesday 12 September, including stabilisation advisers, medical support and military.
• Over 200 military personnel will arrive in Barbados on Wednesday 13 September
• We have one Wildcat Helicopter with Mounts Bay and two RAF Puma aircraft currently operating in the region. Another RAF Puma helicopter and Chinook will arrive tomorrow.
• A C-130J and A400M has been making shuttles from Barbados to required destinations across the region to deliver key support, including BVI, Turks and Caicos and Anguilla.
• One Antonov cargo plane with supplies arrived on Tuesday 12 September.

Personnel

• There are now 1,000 UK military troops in the region helping with the relief effort with 200 more arriving in the next few days

Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) staff and consular expertise  

• An FCO Rapid Deployment Team (including Red Cross support) is in the region, with a team already deployed to BVI.
• Consular staff have been deployed to assist British nationals being evacuated from Curacao and Guadeloupe.
• Consular teams in Cuba and the US are working closely with tour operators and local authorities to ensure British nationals are getting the support they need.
• The dedicated crisis hotline has so far taken over 2,500 calls.

Police

• Over 60 UK police deployed to the region, in addition to 16 Caymanian police and 6 Bermudian Police  

Aid

• £32 million already announced for disaster relief with a further £25million committed.  
  • The government has made £2.5 million available to the Pan American Health Organisation to ensure critical health services are provided in the region, and to reduce the risk of disease spreading. This is part of the £32 million it has so far pledged.
• UK Government will aid match public donations to the Red Cross appeal up to £3 million.
• Department for International Development (DFID) Field Teams have been sent to the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Turks and Caicos, Antigua, Barbados and the Dominican Republic.
• Over 40 metric tonnes of DFID aid has now arrived and is being distributed across the region, including 2,896 shelter kits, which can provide shelter for over 14,000 people and 4,990 solar lanterns (which can provide light and power for over 20,000 people).

• HMS Ocean has been loaded 5,000 hygiene kits, 10,000 buckets and 500,000 aquatabs, all UK aid funded.

• nine tonnes of food and water procured locally on Monday 11 September for onward delivery. Thousands more shelter kits and buckets are on the way from UK shortly.

• The UK has helped to distribute water bottles to 700 of the most vulnerable households affected by Hurricane Irma on the British Virgin Islands.
• The UK government is being supported by companies in the private sector, including:
  • Thomson and Thomas Cook who have delivered over 8,000 buckets on commercial flights
  • Virgin, who offered free transport to dispatch relief items including 1776 shelter kits, to Antigua yesterday. Today (Tuesday), we expect another 288 kits to fly the same route with them.

Breakdown by Islands

British Virgin Islands (BVI)

Military

• Royal Marines from RFA Mounts Bay have got the airfield operating so we can get more aid and personnel in.
• Over 200 troops are on the ground – including engineers, medics and marines are working with the local police to provide security

Police

• 16 Caymanian police and 6 Bermudian deployed to assist with security.
• There are currently 47 UK police officers on BVI to support law and order. They arrived Monday 11 September. 7 are planned to go.

Aid

• 5 tonnes of food and water has been transferred to the BVI.
• 640 shelter kits are in transit via the RAF.

FCO and consular support

• The UK has now taken responsibility for providing support to affected people – of all nationalities – in BVI.
  FCO media officer on the ground to support the Governor’s office. Additional 4 consular officers and 1 IT Support officer on standby

Anguilla

Military

• RFA Mounts Bay delivered 6 tonnes of emergency aid; rebuilt and secured the Emergency Operations Centre; restored power to the hospital. Over 70 military personnel are on the ground.

Aid

• 9 tonnes of food and water will arrive over the next 48 hours.
• DFID has deployed a team that includes two humanitarian advisors to support relief efforts.

Consular support

• Anguilla has not requested UK consular support.  The local government is leading on this. One IT Support officer on the ground.
• Cayman Islands Government is arranging a 736-100 aircraft to deliver personnel and equipment (including medical equipment) to Anguilla.

Turks and Caicos

Military

• Over 70 military personnel are on the ground.

Aid

• DFID has deployed a field team to support relief efforts. Two humanitarian advisors are already on the island.

Consular support

• The UK has now taken responsibility for providing support to affected people of all nationalities.
• FCO media officer, consular officer and IT support officer on route to support the Governor’s office.

USA

Consular support

• We are regularly updating our travel advice.
• The Foreign Secretary has spoken to Governor of Florida Rick Scott.