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What does your role encompass at Babcock?
As a graduate in Engineering I move around the various departments and teams within the business to learn, expand my skills and gain a holistic overview of what we do. I participate in a wide variety of tasks depending on the placement, from pure Engineering to market research and even planning field trials. So far I have worked on a range of different projects including a project focussed on delivering Ground-based Air Defence systems and one on the design and build of the Royal Navy’s next generation Dreadnought Submarine. I am currently working with the international support team, primarily for our Canadian customer.
How did you join Babcock and what did you study?
I joined Babcock in September 2019 as part of the Engineering Graduate Scheme. I had studied Aerospace Engineering (Systems) at the University of the West of England (UWE) and graduated with my Masters only a couple of months before joining Babcock. In my time at UWE I had become involved with a number of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) projects and even ran the Aero Society there for a couple of years.
What opportunities have opened up to you in this area since joining Babcock?
Whilst my degree is in Aerospace I currently work in the marine sector so this has obviously allowed me to get stuck in learning about a whole new field, but most Engineering principles are multi-disciplinary so I am able to apply my previous knowledge as well.
At University I had worked on a number of UAV based projects for a range of customers including Leonardo and MBDA and this experience was quickly noticed at Babcock. I was included in a number of discussions around UAVs and I am currently working part-time on a couple of projects that came out of these discussions.
Why is working with UAS your passion?
I have always loved aircraft and with UAVs you can quickly and cheaply build your own aircraft and fly them. There is so much scope for innovation and novel thinking within this emerging sector that I find it very exciting. It’s extremely satisfying to come up with a new concept, work on it and see the fruits of your labour take off for the first time. UAVs have great potential in a wide range of industries and we have seen them used to great effect for humanitarian efforts in place like Africa.
How are you involved in UAS and ROV Technology?
I am currently working on two projects creating drones for the Army and the Royal Navy. Babcock is innovating in this space and I am happy to be along for the ride as we further develop this area of our business. In my free time I develop my own designs that I will hopefully be able to talk more about when they are a bit more mature. I am constantly trying to learn more and see what other people are doing.
How does UAS technology impact industry?
UAVs are so versatile that they can be used in a wide range of industries and for a myriad of purposes. Aside from the obvious military drones that we see in the media, UAVs have shown great promise in aerial photography, land surveying, crop spraying, building inspection and transporting medical supplies to remote regions to name just a few. We’re in a golden age of UAV development right now where companies are trying to apply them to just about every task imaginable. It can be a bit like throwing stuff at the wall to see what sticks sometimes, but it’s all incredibly exciting.
What advice would you give people taking part in the UAS challenge?
The Systems Engineer in me would advise them to stick to the requirements and try to avoid scope creep lest they make the challenge even more difficult for themselves. However, the UAV enthusiast in me thinks that they really should just have as much fun with this challenge as they can. Embrace novel ideas and different ways of thinking, try things out and see what works. Trust me, if you are going to crash at the event you might as well do it in style with a smile on your face.
For more information visit www.babcockinternational.com/careers