Profiles of Bristol based Arms Companies.

bristol | peace | news report Friday September 08, 2006 21:32 by Lola Rose - Bristol CAAT lola-rose at riseup dot net

“The South West England represents one of the world’s most significant aerospace and defence related clusters”. ( SW Regional Development Agency)

We are a group of residents who are angry that our local area plays such a significant part in an industry which profits from death, destruction and war mongering, and which ultimately sustains a system which benefits the few over the many.

We have conducted some research on a select number of arms companies based in the Bristol area, which we hope will be used by likeminded activists.

1. Advanced Technology Centre (part of BAE) Filton.
BAE SYSTEMS Advanced Technology Centre
PO Box 5
Filton
Bristol UK
BS34 7QW
Tel: +44 (0)117 302 8000
E-mail: atc.enquiries@baesystems.com

In general
The advanced technology centre is the “brains of the arms trade”.

In Filton
- ‘some of BAE Systems’ most important Research &Development work is undertaken at the ATC in Bristol’
- Researching and developing the C4ISR (Command & Control, Communications, Computing, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance)
[This is the centre of command for warfare.]

Other information:
http://www.baesystems.com/facts/operational/shared/advancedtech.htm

2. BAE systems Filton.

BAE Systems Ltd
New Filton House
Filton
Bristol
BS99 7AR
Avon
Tel: 0117 918 8000
Fax: 0117 9188452
Internet: www.baesystems.com

BAE Systems, Land Systems (Munitions and Ordnance) Ltd.
Building 20A-1,
Southmead Road,
Filton,
Bristol,
BS34 7RP
Telephone: 0117 317 3700
Fax: 0117 317 3727
e-mail: dave.cole@baesystems.com
Web site: www.baesystems.com
Managing Director: Clive Richardson
Commercial Director: Gary Hayes
Sales Director: Tony Lawrence

In general.
BAE Systems’ is the world’s fourth biggest arms company. Their products include aircraft, warships, submarines, armoured vehicles and tanks munitions and missiles, communication and electronic warfare systems. Their customers include the governments of the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Israel, Tanzania.

In Bristol.
- Working on Unmaned Aerial Vehicles, the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Joint Striker Fighter.
[These are the main war planes of the future. UAVs have been used by the US in Afghanistan and Iraq]
- Some Naval work is also being carried out. The prime contractor office for the Type 45 destroyer is based in Filton.

At BAE Systems, Land Systems (Munitions and Ordnance) Ltd:
Key Products: Ammunition design and manufacture, munitions management, rocket launchers, warheads, energetics, small-arms, artillery, mortars, naval guns, guided missiles and components and subsystems for guided missiles.

How many employees.
In 2004, BAE was the 22nd largest employer in Bristol, employing 600 people at Filton.

Other information
Complaints concerning BAE at Filton Airfield:
BAE can be contacted on 0117 9693831

3. MBDA missiles Filton (part owned by BAE).
FPC WG1
P O Box 5
Filton
BRISTOL
BS34 7QW
Tel:0117 969 3866
Fax:0117 931 8103
Web:www.mbda.net

In general
MBDA is one of the world’s leading prime contractors within global guided weapons systems. Key programmes include Meteor, the Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile, Storm Shadow and Aster PAAMS.

MBDA is able to arm all current European platforms (Eurofighter Typhoon, Mirage 2000, Rafale, Gripen, Tiger, Lynx, NH-90, new frigates, etc.) as well as other platforms, such as F-16, F/A18, frigates and combat helicopters.
[F-16s are the aircraft used by Israel in their occupation of Palestine, the Iraq wars by the US, employed by NATO against Serbia etc etc ]

In Filton.
MBDA’s Filton facility has a major involvement in each of the above key programmes - ranging from the aerodynamic design of Meteor and command and control subsystems of Aster PAAMS to designing Storm Shadow’s mission planning and navigation systems.

Importantly, Filton is the site of MBDA’s UK EMC (Electro- Magnetic Compatibility) test facility, used on a range of missile systems.

Number of employees in Filton.
In 2004 MBDA was the 17th largest employer in South Gloucestershire, employing 700 people at Filton.

4. Qinetiq Bristol
The Crescent
Bristol Business Park
Coldharbour Lane
Bristol, BS16 1EJ

tel: +44 117 317 3500
fax: +44 117 317 3501

In general
QinetiQ was formed by the part-privatisation of DERA (a government agency) in 2001. The current ownership of QinetiQ is split between the MoD (56%), Carlyle Group (31%) and staff (13%).

Memorandum of understanding
- BAE and QinetiQ and QinetiQ Inc. (US affiliate) share electronic surveillance and processing technologies

In Bristol.
There is no specific information on what the company does in Bristol but given its memorandum of understanding with BAE they are likely to be working on similar projects as BAE and BAE’s ATC.

5. Rolls Royce Patchway/Filton.
Address:
Rolls Royce Plc Defence Aerospace
Aircraft Engines; Aeronautical Engineers
James Wade EW1-1,
P O Box 3,
Filton,
BRISTOL,
BS34 7QE
Tel:0117 979 7149
Fax:0117 979 7208

In general
Rolls Royce has close links with the government, and its engines presently power around 25% of the world’s military aircraft fleet. Rolls Royce also provides follow-up technical services and support, so it still services aircraft that have been sold in the past.

In Filton
- Rolls Royce Filton has just invested £75m in 2 new factories which are being built on the old site. One of the new factories will be used for assembly operations, and one for manufacturing.

Combat engines
Including:
- The Adour- a training engine used in the Hawk, RB 199- used in the Tornado (the main aircraft of the UK, Germany and Italy), the EJ200 -used in the Eurofighter which is replacing the Tornado, a small engine for UAVs, engines for the Joint Striker Fighter (this is a worldwide project, replacing the Harrier and US jets)

Helicopter engines
- The RTM322 engine, which is produced in collaboration with Turbomeca in France. Used in the Merlin and some go into the British Apache

Marine gas turbines
- They recently won a U.S. contract for two Rolls MT30 gas turbines- the biggest of their type in the world- to power the next generation of US Navy warships (essentially fast response ships).

Number of employees.
In 2004 Rolls Royce was the 4th largest employer in South Gloucestershire, employing 3500 people in their plants in Patchway. However, Rolls Royce is streamlining its business, and a lot of their staff are moving to Bristol

Other information.
- Visits to Rolls-Royce Heritage Centre:

Historical Collection and Exhibits
Rolls Royce offer the opportunity to visit its historical collections and exhibits at its Filton site. Because of its position inside a secure Rolls-Royce Military Aero Engine facility, visits of small parties are welcomed on a prior arrangement only basis, via the following contacts:

Brian Whatley
Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust
Bristol Branch
EW6-18
PO Box 3
Filton
Bristol
BS34 7QE
brian.whatley@rolls-royce.com
Tel: +44 (0) 117 97 91234
Peter Pavey
Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust
23 Morley Avenue
Mangotsfield
Bristol
BS16 9JE
Tel: +44 (0) 117 956 4205

6. Defence Procurement Agency.
Ministry of Defence, Maple1c# 2120, Abbey Wood
Bristol
BS34 8JH
Tel: 0117 913 0434
Fax: 0117 913 0900
www.mod.uk/dpa
Email: cdp@dpa.mod.uk

Background
"Equipping the Armed Forces" is the Defence Procurement Agency (DPA)'s central mission. It procures new equipment for the Armed Forces and provides other procurement-related services to its customers.

Number of employees
The MoD (MoD HQ, Procurement Agency and Warships Support Agency) is the second largest employer in South Gloucestershire, employing around 7,000 people in 2004