Dim Jones

Thales Watchkeeper UAV over Parc Aberporth, Wales.

Tactical and Capable

April 21, 2020

The Thales Watchkeeper is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and is the latest, and most capable and sophisticated, unmanned aerial system (UAS) in the British Army. MS&T’s Dim Jones visited the UK’s Watchkeeper Force and 47th Regiment, Royal Artillery.

The Valence detachment, with NH-90TTH, ETPS tutors and French hosts.

Transformation of the UK Empire Test Pilots’ School

March 17, 2020

Dim Jones

Throughout the year, MS&T’s Dim Jones has been following the Course of 2019 through the Empire Test Pilots’ School (ETPS) at MoD Boscombe Down, the first involving both a new syllabus and a new aircraft fleet.

The Airbus H125B3e, workhorse of the ETPS rotary wing fleet.

Autorotation, EOL, and Gunsight Tracking

March 9, 2020

Dim Jones

MS&T’s Europe Editor, Dim Jones, visited the Empire Test Pilots’ School (ETPS) at MoD Boscombe Down to track the progress of the members of the Class of 2019; by the time of this instalment, they were approaching the halfway mark, undertaking more complex and demanding tasks.

An open immersive infantry trainer was on display at the Epic Games’ booth, which has been developed in conjunction with Offworld Industries and Aperium.

Xtreme Reality – A Look Back at I/ITSEC 2019

January 6, 2020

Rick Adams, Andy Fawkes, Rona Gindin, Dim Jones, and Marty Kauchak

Before vIITSEC takes place virtually this year, we are taking a look back at last year's conference. From life-size virtual helicopters to a haptic suit that lets soldiers feel faux gunshot wounds, I/ITSEC 2019 demonstrated the rapid evolution of high-tech training aides. Rick Adams, Andy Fawkes, Rona Gindin, Dim Jones, and Marty Kauchak report.

The Swedish Navy Visby-class stealth corvettes, built by Kockums, are designed to minimise optical, infrared, acoustic, electrical, magnetic, pressure and radar signatures.

Baltic Gatekeepers: Swedish Naval Warfare Centre

December 17, 2019

Dim Jones

As with many European military services, the Swedish Navy is under-funded, making do with aging equipment and personnel shortages. MS&T’s Dim Jones visited Karlskrona to view how the Naval Warfare Training System is helping get the most from their resources.

T-X - At Last, a Decision

December 16, 2019

Dim Jones

In the 1st article he wrote for MS&T (nearly nine years ago), Dim Jones covered the developing competition for the T-X trainer.

Defence Animal Training, UK Style

December 9, 2019

Dim Jones

Working animals – almost exclusively dogs and horses – play indispensable roles in the activities of the UK Armed Forces, the former operational and the latter ceremonial. Dim Jones details the DATR approach.

A Sea Lynx on the approach to the frigate Rheinland-Pfalz (F225).

Training Germany’s Naval Aircrew

December 1, 2019

Dim Jones

MS&T’s Dim Jones visited the Deutsche Marine Air Base at Nordholz on the German North Sea coast.

Learn to Test, Test to Learn

September 9, 2019

Dim Jones

The transformation of the UK Empire Test Pilots’ School (EPTS). Part 1 of an in-depth series by MS&T Europe Editor Dim Jones.

RAF Police guard the main entry point of Camp Bastion during Op Herrick, Afghanistan.

Multinational Force Protection, EAG-Style

September 8, 2019

Dim Jones

VOLCANEX 19 - a Command Post Exercise designed to train a multinational C2 element formed by the EAG nations’ Force Protection forces, took place at the UK’s Synthetic Complex Air-Ground Environment (S-CAGE) facility at RAF Honington from 5-17 May. MS&T’s Dim Jones went along for an inside look.