DIARY DATE
Event: Engine as a Weapon II
Venue: City Conference Centre, London
Dates: 5-6 December 2006
Further information: www.imarest.org
Identifying and exploring the challenges for integration of future high energy combat equipment into maritime platforms forms the basis of discussion at the Engine as a Weapon II, the two-day London-based international symposium being held in early December. Papers will be presented from industry, academia and government departments, covering platform engineering, marine system enablers, integration and future combat systems.
With integrated full electric propulsion becoming well established in warship design, there are enormous opportunities for future high-power electric weapon and sensor systems. The theme for this year's symposium is "Platform Engineering for Future Electric Weapons" and provides the only international forum that will raise awareness and understanding in both the weapon and marine systems communities. This aspect is essential if the integration challenges are to be overcome and the huge potential of the marine power system is to be exploited.
As Advisory Committee Chairman, Lieutenant Commander Matt Bolton MIMarEST Royal Navy asserts: "Engine as a Weapon II provides an unrivalled opportunity for professionals from both marine engineering and combat system specialisms to come together and grapple with the challenges and opportunities for future naval platforms. We are lucky to have strong and widespread support for this unique symposium which will build upon the outstanding success of the first symposium."
To be held at 5-6 December at the City Conference Centre, London, Engine as a Weapon II is organised by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST); sponsored by the Office of Naval Research Global (ONRG); and supported by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE), and will build on the success of the first event in the series held in Bristol in 2004, which attracted speakers and delegates from Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, The Netherlands, Sweden, UK, and USA.
Looking back to the first Engine as a Weapon symposium, Lt Cdr Bolton recalls that one enthusiastic delegate - amongst many - described it as: "excellent value raising significant integration issues and the ideal forum to take forward All-Electric Ship work into the wider community". Capt C H Goddard, US Navy, USA - then DD(X) Program Manager - delivered the keynote opening address and sessions over the two days covered requirement and context; future weapon systems; marine system enablers; and integration.
This year's two-day Engine as a Weapon II will cover such topics as advanced weapon system technologies, electromagnetic launch, energy storage, thermal management, intelligent systems and quality of power supplies - there has been a highly encouraging response to the call for papers published earlier in the year. The full programme will be available in the early Autumn and will include a keynote address by a prominent speaker from the USA and papers from across Europe and the US. "Lively debate and discussion is anticipated" explains Lt Cdr Bolton. "There will be excellent opportunities for networking; space will be available for exhibitors and a social event will be held to enable contact and discussion to continue."
Further information on all aspects of the event are available from:
Megan McKinstry, Event Organiser, IMarEST, 80 Coleman Street, London EC2R 5BJ, UK. Tel: +44 (0)20 7382 2655; Fax: +44 (0)20 7382 2667; email: megan.mckinstry@imarest.org
