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The Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) will align national security and economic growth with the ambition of making the UK a defence industrial superpower by 2035, delivering world-leading capability and forging new partnerships with industry and the armed forces. UK aerospace will also be boosted by more than £250m of funding ahead of the Industrial Strategy. The combined funding from government and industry will drive forward the development of cutting-edge technologies that will help to secure the future of the UK’s aerospace sector. Engineers will play a crucial role in the advanced manufacturing that goes into the development of these cutting-edge technologies, boosting the defence industrial base, and modernising the armed forces. Against this backdrop, join the IMechE Focus: Aerospace and Defence webinar series to explore technology trends in these industries, multiphysics simulation, 3D printing, distributed and on-demand manufacturing, industrial assets adaptation planning, and career insights from engineers on frontline military deployment.
We will be joined by IMechE professionally registered engineers from the RAF, REME, and the Royal Navy for an insightful panel discussion with engineers currently serving in the armed forces. Together, we will explore the challenges and rewards of life on deployment, hearing first-hand how these experienced engineers solve engineering problems in some of the world’s most demanding environments. From maintaining critical infrastructure to supporting military operations, our panel will share what a typical day looks like on the frontlines, how they adapt to unpredictable conditions, and the ways they stay connected with loved ones while away from home. The conversation will also delve into the emotional realities of deployment, the vital role of teamwork, and the cutting-edge technologies shaping the future of military engineering. Whether you are interested in the technical aspects of defence operations or the personal stories behind them, this discussion offers a rare and compelling glimpse into the life of skilled engineers in the UK Armed Forces.
Details 12.00 - 13.00 BST Monday, 13 October 2025
Speakers Nick Coleing, Officer Commanding the Light Aid Detachment Regiment - 26 Armoured Engineer Regiment, British Army Flight Sergeant Chris Hollis, Typhoon Crew Systems DT Desk Officer, Royal Air Force Commander Chris Fletcher, Fleet Marine Engineer Officer (Submarines), Royal Navy
Moderator Lara Mallett, Senior Membership Development Manager – Defence Liaison, Institution of Mechanical Engineers
Aerospace and defence industries operate at the cutting edge of scientific research and development; they must meet strict performance requirements, while maintaining rigorous safety standards. Applications span a broad spectrum of different scientific disciplines, and can include; developing novel materials that are strong, lightweight, and resistant, designing aircraft and vessels that can operate covertly, and developing systems that can detect and identify targets, to name a few. Multiphysics simulations can play an important role in accelerating the development of complex systems. COMSOL Multiphysics® offers unparalleled physics coupling capabilities while also enabling the creation of simulation apps, making simulation insights accessible to anyone for faster, more informed decision making.
Details 14.00 - 15.00 BST Monday, 13 October 2025
Speaker Robbie Balcombe, Technical Director, COMSOL UK
Moderator To be confirmed
The strategic deployment of distributed HP Multi Jet Fusion Technology (MJF) to produce attritable, high-performance drones at low cost near frontlines or national borders offers a transformative approach to security. While centralised manufacturing boosts efficiency, it has become increasingly vulnerable to UAVs. In contrast, a network of distributed production facilities presents a resilient alternative.
This presentation explores the recent advancements of MJF, highlighting critical advancements to scale up production in decentralised settings. By integrating centralised and distributed manufacturing, organisations can establish a robust supply chain strategy - essential for survival in modern warfare. This topic demonstrates the pivotal role of MJF in enhancing national and European security.
Details 15.00 - 16.00 BST Tuesday, 14 October 2025
Speakers Dan Magy, CEO & Co-Founder, Firestorm Labs Gino Balistreri, Unmanned Systems Leader, HP Additive Manufacturing
Unlock the future of aerospace and defence manufacturing with this webinar hosted by Xometry. In an era where customisation and rapid iteration are paramount, traditional supply chains often fall short. This session will explore how on-demand manufacturing is revolutionising the aerospace and defence industry, enabling unprecedented levels of flexibility, speed, and cost-efficiency.
Discover how leading aerospace and defence companies are leveraging a wide range of technologies like additive manufacturing and CNC machining to produce highly customised parts, prototypes, and even low-volume production runs with unmatched agility. We'll delve into real-world case studies, showcasing how this paradigm shift is optimising inventory, accelerating product development cycles, and enhancing overall operational resilience.
Join us to learn how to harness the power of on-demand manufacturing to meet evolving industrial demands for customisation. Whether you're involved in design or engineering, this webinar hosted by Xometry will provide actionable insights to help you navigate the complexities of modern aerospace and defence manufacturing.
Details 11.00 - 12.00 BST Wednesday, 15 October 2025
Speakers Dorien Sarsby, Senior Key Account Manager, Xometry Nikolaus Mroncz, Head of Sales Engineering, Xometry
The hydrogen economy is unlike almost any other, presenting a unique set of challenges to skills development. It is evident there is significant market failure, meaning that if the development of hydrogen skills is left to market forces, critical training will not be available when and where it is most needed.
This webinar will outline some of the challenges faced in developing hydrogen skills, and introduce the work the Hydrogen Skills Alliance and others are doing to accelerate the progress of hydrogen skills development, and support high quality, collaborative efforts to develop the skills needed for the hydrogen industry.
Details 14.00 - 15.00 BST Wednesday, 15 October 2025
Speaker Tasos Pantelis, European Project Engineer, Protolabs
The National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) is driving the future of manufacturing through innovation. From their growing network of world-class manufacturing R&D facilities, they work with businesses of all sizes and sectors across Scotland, the UK, and beyond to find technology solutions to help them succeed. Turning brilliant ideas into reality, and they do it at industry speed. The webinar will cover:
Details 12.00 - 13.00 BST Thursday, 16 October 2025
Speaker Coreen McCubbin, Chief Technical Officer, National Manufacturing Institute Scotland
For well over a decade, manufacturers have been accelerating their digital transformation to gain an edge in the market. Research from Protolabs has uncovered that a set of core technologies powers this transformation. Join the webinar to discover which technological developments are most influential in the Aerospace and Defence industries, and how they will impact processes across the various stages of the production process.
Details 14.00 - 15.00 BST Thursday, 16 October 2025
Speakers Alex Edwards, European Head of Communications, Protolabs Jake Caulfield, Project Consultant and Industry Sector Specialist - Space and Aerospace, Protolabs
As climate risks intensify, resilience has become vital for business continuity in aviation and across other industries, influencing all aspects of business, from strategy to product development.
Airbus Protect is working with the aviation industry to provide strategic support for the definition of methodologies for airport resilience, industrial assets adaptation planning and a deeper understanding of the energy transition to enable hydrogen propulsion.
This presentation will share key elements for planning a more resilient aviation future and detail our approach to assessing current and future airport vulnerabilities, as well as the potential impacts on certification requirements.
However, resilience is paramount for all industries: ultimately, a business must proactively build resilience by anticipating threats, assessing risks, and investing in climate-proof infrastructure. We will show what approach can be taken to future-proof the aviation sector.
Details 10.00 - 11.00 BST Friday, 17 October 2025
Speaker Dr. Alessandra Treviso, CEng MIMechE, AMISEP