How Changing Technologies and Threats will Influence the Future Surface Fleet

With operational environments changing and many naval platforms now reaching end of life, nations now are looking to either update their fleets or to design and build new vessels to meet an ever-changing threat and to meet the new demands of the 21st century.

Future Surface Fleet 2018, chaired by Rear Admiral (Retd) Steve Brunton CBE, Former Director Ship Acquisition, UK MoD, DE&S, explores the wide range of programmes being conducted by nations and how new and changing technologies will influence the maritime environment over the next 25 years.

Due to a resurgence of the Russian Navy and an increase in the capabilities of China’s fleet, nations are now looking at modernising their Combat and Electronic Warfare systems.
The Offensive and Defensive focus day provides an in-depth analysis on how the modernisation and development of advanced Naval Combat Systems is further increasing the capability of existing and planned platforms.

With navies now looking to have an efficient and effective network in place to support vessels that are in service, coupled with the need for modernisation and updates the Through Life Support Focus day will look at how nations are now adopting new methodologies and frameworks to help manage through life support.

Due to the length of time required for shipbuilding programmes, issues can emerge that were not in the original design.

Managing the difficulties that are found during this phase requires skills and experience to control acquisition costs. Delays in the build phase can result in out of date technology being installed which can result in extended build times to replace these systems. Future Surface Fleet will address these challenges and sets out to look at solutions found to combat these issues.

The meeting will take place 5th-7th June 2018 in Portsmouth, UK. Free entry for serving military and government personnel.