The Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE) is hosting an afternoon seminar on "Keeping the fleet at sea" on 26th June 2008 at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus.

The Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE) is the Ministry of Defence's new gateway for UK science and technology industry, academia and innovators to help ensure that the Armed Forces have access to the best equipment, science and technology, now and in the future. The Centre provides a quick first response to ideas with a range of advice, assistance and research funding.

To help us understand the complex requirements of the UK's Armed Forces, the Centre is hosting a programme of monthly Technology Seminars at its office at the Harwell Science & Innovation Campus. These seminars are an opportunity for industry, academia and innovators to meet with MOD experts and decision makers to understand the specific challenges and issues faced by the Armed Forces today and in the future. Following on from the inaugural "Increasing the effectiveness of the dismounted soldier" seminar, the next seminar will focus on maritime topics.

This event will take place at the Centre for Defence Enterprise, Start Electron, Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire.

The speakers will highlight the many and varied challenges, opportunities and issues that face the fleet today as they operate in various theatres around the world. This subject covers a wide range of topics and will be of interest to a large spectrum of SMEs, academia and industries.

The current maritime challenges include:

• Use of innovative technologies
• Reducing the cost of keeping the fleet at sea
• Refuelling at Sea (RAS) technology
• Boarding technologies
• Future maritime capability visions
• Military fire fighting at sea

The seminar will provide networking opportunities both over lunch and in the open discussion forum. There will also be the opportunity to learn more about the Centre for Defence Enterprise and the Ministry of Defence.

How to register

Registration for this seminar is FREE with lunch and refreshments provided. Spaces for this event are strictly limited, and reservations will be on a first come basis; early registration is advised. To reserve a place at this seminar please email Anne Norman, Operations Manager, Centre for Defence Enterprise at science-enterprise@mod.uk by Monday 23rd June 2008, or by phone 01235 438445. Joining instructions will be sent out on receipt of registration.

Subjects proposed for the future seminars include Energy and non fossil fuels (24 July), Logistics (25 September) and Air (23 October).