From frontline equipment to Antarctic expeditions

Excelitas’ Qioptiq is recognised as a leading supplier to many of the defence and aerospace sector’s leading companies and the worlds militaries, with a product range that includes some of the most advanced optical technologies ranging from Night Vision Sights – to Head Up Display Optical modules – through to Space Components, all of which will be on display at DSEI London, in September.

Earlier this year UK Minister Harriett Baldwin made the announcement that an £82 million contract had been awarded to Qioptiq, an Excelitas technologies company. The award will see Qioptiq in St Asaph, North Wales provide support for surveillance and targeting equipment to the UK Armed Forces over the next six years. This will ensure vital equipment is available to UK personnel around the globe.

The contract covers equipment used right across the UK Armed Forces delivering capability to all three front line commands. Chief Executive Officer of the MOD’s Defence Equipment and Support organisation, Tony Douglas said: “Crucially, the STAS contract, will deliver improved support to Her Majesty’s Armed Forces.”

But it’s not just about support of equipment, we also look to support our service men and women. Qioptiq is a Gold member of Team Army. Sport is critical to the welfare and morale of our forces, yet taking part in sport is often expensive and in some cases, beyond the means of our personnel. Team Army helps to make sport more accessible by reducing the cost of participation as well as increasing the opportunity for our injured troops to take part in competitive sport. Our association with Team Army gives us the opportunity to support such events as Army golf, Sailing, skiing etc as well as other activities such as the Ice Maiden expedition.

Ice Maiden – Five British women (all serving in the British Army or Army Reserve) are aiming to become the first all-female team to ski coast-to-coast across Antarctica in November 2017. No team of women, from any nation, has completed this formidable challenge. It is the ultimate opportunity to show that women have the mental strength and physical endurance to operate in the most hostile environment on earth.

The Ice Maiden team will cover 1,700km using muscle-power alone, pulling sledges and battling temperatures of -50°C and wind speeds of over 60mph during their three-month journey. Unsupported, and with only two resupply points along the route, they will carry all the supplies and equipment needed to survive for up to600km at a time.600km at a time.

The Aims

• To inspire a new era of female expeditionary spirit, encouraging women and girls of all ages to take up a challenge, get active and get outdoors.
• To promote an active lifestyle, female teamwork and leadership to companies, schools and youth groups throughout the UK.
• To provide winter survival skills and qualifications to a number of women throughout the training process, inspiring them to lead their own expeditions in future.
• To collect medical data that shows how the female body copes with extreme endurance in polar environments.