Radical cost reduction: commercial systems for low-cost battlefield solutions

Background and requirement 

The evolving landscape of modern battlefields led a defence prime to re-evaluate the range of systems they were offering. Renowned for high performance, high value systems, they saw an opportunity for solutions that sacrifice a small amount of functionality in exchange for significant cost reductions. They had identified a set of sub-systems that had potential for radical cost reduction and asked Sagentia Defence to provide their cross-sector expertise to investigate this potential.  

Approach 

We took a targeted approach to address the sub-systems with greatest cost reduction potential first. The best targets were those that would: 

• Be likely to give the best returns over short timescales, reflecting the aggressive timescales required for novel battlefield solutions. 

• Be most likely to have commercial solutions available. Some defence functions have potentially surprising commercial analogues, whereas others are highly specific to defence. 

• Have a low barrier to implementation, requiring relatively minor system-wide adaptations. 

We selected four key sub-systems for detailed investigation. Our client provided us with key functional requirements for sub-system solutions in order to allow a deep dive; with the client team working alongside us to ensure that recommendations were aligned to their needs. 

For each of the deep dives we took a three-pronged approach: 

• We investigated commercial of the shelf (CotS) options as drop-in replacements. This involved using a Pugh matrix technique to compare costs and performance, allowing trade-offs to be understood. We analysed market sizes, growth, and drivers as well as evaluating the underlying technologies— this allowed us to assess whether costs are likely to come down, and if performance shortfalls are likely to be addressed. 
• We distilled sub-systems down to underlying functionalities. Structured ideation sessions were then conducted with our expert scientists and engineers to identify alternative technology options for providing these functionalities. 
• We looked at the commercial sector for alternative solutions to the underlying function.  This allowed us to put forward radical, but readily available, solutions. 

Outcome 

Our multi-sector, expertise across defence and non-defence markets allowed us to provide the prime with a full picture of available solutions, from drop in replacement parts, to alternative commercial solutions, to emerging novel technologies, while still maintaining a focus on defence suitability.  We highlighted market areas most likely to provide suitable systems and provided insights into market drivers, giving our client “sectors to watch”. 

Our focus on listening to the client’s needs and blending this with our cost reduction expertise ensured well targeted reports and favourable feedback from delivery workshops- the prime is in the process of evaluating how they would like Sagentia Defence to undertake the next phase of this work.