Our Defence Academy delivers world-class training and education to defence and security personnel.
Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) apprentices Becky and Jolie are currently completing a five-year Weapons, Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives (WOME) engineering degree apprenticeship.
As part of this apprenticeship, they are on a six-month placement at the Defence College for Military Capability Integration (DCMCI), part of the Defence Academy.
Becky and Jolie are applying science and technology skills in defence, rotating through departments where they combine academic learning with hands-on experience. Their work explores practical applications of new technology that could solve real military challenges in the field.
So, what brings these apprentices to the Defence Academy?
"We're here to better understand the customers' point of view" Becky explains.
"We have come across from DE&S which is responsible for defence equipment procurement. Working within DCMCI in the Light Weapons Wing (LWW), we have a goal to improve our decision making for our future roles once we are qualified."
Becky further expands; "Working directly with military personnel within DCMCI enables us to understand their requirements, motivations and constraints when it comes to equipment procurement."
So, what is it they're working on now?
For their current placement in the Light Weapons Wing, the work Becky and Jolie do day-to-day involves working on a series of mini projects. Learning not only technical skills, but teamwork too. Their current project involves 3D printing components for weapons and associated equipment.
"Using 3D printing and Computer Aided Design (CAD) in defence is something we're really focusing on." says Jolie. "We've 3D printed a scope mount, for a gun, that has been successfully trialed and tested on site at the Small Arms Experimental Range (SAER). Currently, we're testing which parts of guns we can and can't swap out for 3D printed ones. Some substitutes work, others shatter or melt. We need to know what's possible."
The long-term goal is adapting to changing needs by exploring whether troops in the field could use 3D printers to make replacement parts themselves. This could speed up repairs and reduce the logistical challenge of delivering new components to remote locations.
As part of their ongoing work, the apprentices are also assisting with the set up and running of the 25m small arms range where they have been working with other Ministry of Defence and industry partners.
"So far we have participated in firing a variety of small arms ourselves” Becky says.
Becky and Jolie are doing more than exploring technology and capabilities, they are building their skills through their Bachelor of Engineering in Electro-mechanical Engineering at the University ofthe West of England, alongside NVQ qualifications that build their technical expertise and practical skills.
Becky and Jolie are learning to adapt to different challenges every day. Through hands-on problem solving with 3D printing and working alongside military personnel, they are discovering that being flexible and ready to adapt is what makes great engineers - and what helps bring new ideas from blueprint to battlefield.
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