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Aerospace and Defence
KDC Resource has been operating in the aerospace and defence sector since 2002. We work with the world’s leading defence and civil aerospace companies to source and place high quality permanent and contract talent. We understand organisations like these need the finest engineering talent in order to help them develop some of the most sophisticated technologies in the world. We are currently engaged in finding leading technical talent for projects – among others – that are linked to the national defence of the United Kingdom. Our specialist team have successfully supported our clients find leading talent for roles across: Part 21 J, Certification, Cabin Interiors, Design, Avionics Design, Structures, Electrical Design, Compliance Verification Engineer (CVE), Head of Design, Airworthiness and EASA. KDC Resource is actively working on similar roles requiring industry leading professionals to fulfil roles at all levels. Scroll down to learn more. Or if you’d like to partner with KDC to support your talent search then click here to learn more.
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Space
The private Space sector is relatively young. The decommissioning of the Space Shuttle Programme was an opportunity for private businesses to support NASA with its operations both in orbit and beyond. Elsewhere in the world organisations are pioneering new satellite technologies, unmanned probes and innovative new ways to combat space junk. KDC Resource are proud to be working with a number of these organisations providing highly skilled technical talent into Flight Dynamics, AOCS, Earth Observation, GNSS, Mission Operations, Ground Segment and Payload. Our specialist recruitment consultants are actively searching for industry leading professionals to fulfil roles at all levels including Systems Engineers, Payload Engineers, AOCS Engineers, Product Assurance Engineers, RF Engineers and Control Engineers. Or if you’d like to partner with KDC to support your talent search then click here to learn more.
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Emerging and Disruptive Technologies
The world is always changing and that brings new opportunities and new innovations. At KDC Resource, our emerging and disruptive technologies team works with organisations that upset the status quo. Whether that’s how we travel or how we use technology to revolutionise mundane tasks. We have recruited for roles across the eVTOL, Urban Mobility, Electric Vehicle, Drone, Energy, Battery Technology, Autonomous Systems and Composite Structure markets. Including roles such as Battery Systems Engineers, Flight Control Law Engineers, AI Software Developers, Prototype Engineers, Autonomous System Engineers, and Safety and Reliability Engineers. Our specialist recruitment consultants are actively searching for industry leading professionals to fulfil roles at all levels. Or if you’d like to partner with KDC to support your talent search then click here to learn more.
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Cyber Security
Cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. Cyberattacks are becoming increasingly common and businesses of all sizes are struggling to muster a meaningful defence. There are genuine concerns that critical infrastructure could be targeted by hackers or by enemy states in event of a conflict. Which is why finding the best cyber security and technology specialists takes experts. We are proud to work with some of the market leaders in this vital industry to find top tier candidates to fulfil cybersecurity roles at every level. Roles we recruit for include: Penetration Testers, Ethical Hackers, Security Analysts, Cyber Security Architects, Software Engineers, Technical Project Managers, AI Engineers, Sales Managers and Cyber Account Executives. Our specialist recruitment consultants are actively searching for industry leading professionals to fulfil roles at all levels. Or if you’d like to partner with KDC to support your talent search then click here to learn more.
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What we do
We work with industry leaders in aerospace, defence, space, emerging and disruptive technology and cyber security to source the best technical and engineering talent on the market.
We train our specialist recruitment consultants to find the right mix of skills, experience, and personality to ensure the perfect candidate and client placement.
Over 150,000 candidates trust us to manage and fulfil their career aspirations.
We’re committed to giving candidates and clients the best possible recruitment experience. That’s why KDC Resource is accredited by the REC & AUG and certified to BS EN ISO 9001 standard.
Latest News
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The Applications of eVTOL Aircraft Beyond Passenger Transport
While the most widely-known use of eVTOLs is in passenger transport, this is not the only application in development. Using eVTOLs for roles in agriculture, logistics, and emergency medical services will involve the same fundamental concepts as passenger aircraft, but are arguably more realistic and achievable visions based on current regulations and technology. Focusing on these areas will not only provide companies with revenue to fund passenger projects but will also provide them with valuable test scenarios and data to make their other aircraft safer and more efficient. eVTOL in Agriculture Generally speaking, industrial agriculture has remained unchanged for too long. Most farmers still use manual (albeit technologically-aided) planting and harvesting methods, although this is shifting to a more autonomous and tech-based model. Robotic systems and GPS technology allow for more precise crop monitoring and less reliance on blanket fertilisation methods. But this is also where eVTOL technology comes in. Guardian Agriculture is one such company that is focusing on the relevance of eVTOLs in crop farming. Its eVTOLs are fully autonomous and use data collected during routine checks to protect crops from various threats. This includes everything from moisture and fertilizer monitoring to crop dusting and has the potential to vastly increase overall farm efficiency. Guardian Agriculture’s business model is simple: it plans to shift many of the time-consuming and error-prone procedures to a fully autonomous, drone-based process. For example, crop dusting typically involves dumping pesticides across a whole field, which is both time- and resource-intensive. By using eVTOL technology, farmers can specifically target crop areas suffering from pest problems, while leaving the rest of the field untouched. The VoloDrone will be able to offer similar applications, although Volocopter plans to make it flexible across different industries. It can carry payloads of up to 200kg at a range of 40km, which is suitable for logistics, construction, and agriculture purposes, to name but a few. eVTOL in Logistics The application of eVTOL technology in logistics should be immediately obvious. We have discussed this in more detail in a previous post, but eVTOL technology is currently being trialled by companies including UPS, the Royal Mail, and Amazon. While it might not completely replace land-based logistics, it will help with deliveries to remote locations in much less time than a van or lorry. Google’s Swift drone is perhaps worth mentioning due to its slightly different business model. It is specifically designed for short-range, light-payload deliveries, and will likely see applications in food and convenience industries. In April 2020, the Swift drone delivered packages of food and medicine to residents in lockdown in Virginia, USA. The test period saw more than 1,000 flights in two weeks and highlights the benefit of eVTOL technology in aiding vulnerable people. In the future, we might also see this model adopted in disaster relief situations. Another notable logistics eVTOL is the Nuuva V300 from Pipistrel. Rather than a small, short-range drone, the Nuuva V300 can carry payloads of up to 300kg with a range of up to 300km. The company plans to offer a solution to traditional cargo aircraft that is simpler and more energy efficient. The Nuuva V300 is a hybrid-electric eVTOL, and part of its appeal is that it uses existing technology. While not the most optimal technology for this purpose, the benefit is that it is lower risk than novel technology, which means it is already certified and Pipistrel is aware of its failings. This helps to reduce overall production and operating costs and means it can get its aircraft on the market sooner. Using eVTOL technology in logistics has numerous benefits. It allows for cheap and lightweight cargo to be shipped more quickly and efficiently and will reduce road traffic. Bobby Healy, of Irish-based Mana.aero, claims that in five years his company plans to replace half of road-based deliveries in a city of 20 million people. The Future of Aerial Logistics eVTOL technology will have an impact beyond passenger transport; that much is obvious. However, to successfully carve out a market share, eVTOL companies will have to offer something different from land-based models. After all, much of the technology behind eVTOLs (better battery technology, autonomy, and clean engines) is finding its way into land-based vehicles, too. But eVTOLs do have some advantages over land-based vehicles. They can reach more remote destinations, do not have to worry about traffic, and have the potential to be faster. Providing regulation moves ahead and companies can appropriately scale to meet demand, aerial logistics promises to be a game-changing phenomenon.
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How Creating a GNSS Will Grow the UK’s Space Sector
Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are any satellite network that provides global coverage. They are useful for everything from civilian GPS to military purposes. The UK government announced in the middle of 2020 that it was buying a company called OneWeb out of administration to make use of its GNSS. But why did the government do this and why are GNSS so useful? What is GNSS? GNSS (also known as Space-Based Positioning and Timing Programme) are constellations of satellites that provide positioning and timing data to on-Earth receivers. The receivers then use this information to determine location. Perhaps the most obvious example is GPS systems used in sat navs. GNSS performance involves four main criteria: 1. Accuracy: The measurable difference between the receiver’s measured and real position and speed. 2. Continuity: The system’s ability to function uninterrupted. 3. Integrity: The user’s confidence in the system and the system’s ability to declare anomalies. 4. Availability: The percentage of time that the system fulfils its other criteria. Previously, the UK used the EU’s Galileo GNSS, an encrypted military positioning system. This is one of the most commonly used systems in the world, and the UK was instrumental in its development. Of course, due to Brexit, the UK is no longer allowed to use the network. While there was no real need in the past for the UK to have its own GNSS, it is not an unreasonable form of technology for a nuclear power to have. The UK currently uses an M-code GPS network for its military purposes. This provides greater encryption and anti-jamming than civilian networks but is not as accurate as the Galileo system. The UK government has founded the Space-Based Positioning Navigation and Timing Programme to explore avenues for building and integrating a self-owned GNSS into its military and energy networks, its mobile communications, and its transport systems. While there is no officially announced budget, the early government funding totalled £90m. Companies Involved in SBPNTP There are several other companies involved in the programme along with OneWeb. OneWeb’s planned network is 650 satellites, although it only launched 74 before entering administration. It is a Low Earth Orbit constellation, which offers greater accuracy and stronger signals than Medium Earth Orbit networks. This not only provides better indoor coverage but also makes the signal less prone to jamming. However, the OneWeb network does come with some downsides. Currently, the network is not able to provide an accurate enough signal for GNSS, although this can be adjusted in the future. Similarly, the network will require significant upgrades to make it suitable for military operations, including better encryption. In short, it could be viewed as the wrong network for the UK government, but it does offer an acceptable starting point on which the government can build its GNSS. Another company involved in the programme is DDK Positioning. It uses the American Iridium Satellite Constellation for its GNSS, although it operates independently from Iridium. DDK’s network is significantly more accurate than standard networks; it provides accuracy of less than 5cm compared to the typical 10m. Its input will likely involve sharing its technology to make the government’s network as accurate as possible. Telespazio, owned in part by Leonardo, is a Rome-based spaceflight services company that helps to support and operate GNSS. Its input will likely focus on providing infrastructure and satellite implementation for the UK’s network. The government announced it would leverage technologies from Airbus as part of its network. Airbus manufactures GNSS receivers; its LEOPARD receiver is specifically designed for LOE satellites, so we will likely see some form of this technology in the UK’s network. The LEOPARD unit utilises technology from Airbus’s standard design, the LION 1000, but with different signal capabilities for LOE. Finally, Spain-based GMV is involved in a production capacity. It manufactures a range of components for GNSS networks, from receiving and monitoring technology to testing and validation facilities. GMV will likely be integral to the UK’s GNSS network due to its vast experience in production and design. Little information exists on the full setup of the UK’s network and how OneWeb will integrate into it. Specifically, as mentioned, OneWeb’s satellites are not designed with GNSS functionality in mind, meaning the project will involve a significant overhaul of their hardware. A probable scenario is that the OneWeb network will not be a GNSS in itself. Instead, it will receive and relay signals from MEO satellites back to Earth. Building a network in this way will reduce cost and development time while also providing greater resilience. Impact on the UK Space Sector Building a UK-based GNSS will have various benefits for the country. Rather than relying on foreign networks, the UK will have full control over its own satellites, even if it does utilise a secondary MEO constellation. Perhaps more importantly, it will create a new segment in the space sector, adding more jobs and specialisations. Similarly, it will improve the UK’s position in the global space industry. The push towards space has certainly ramped up in recent years, and along with the construction of our first spaceports and our investment in microsat technology, creating a UK-based GNSS seems like the next logical step. How this network pans out, though, remains to be seen. The government has kept the details relatively quiet for now, although it is possible to extrapolate some information based on the companies and technology involved. As the UK was instrumental in the EU’s Galileo network, it at least has some existing information and experience to fall back on.
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The Evolution of Radar Systems: A Cornerstone of Modern Technology
Radar systems have a wide range of military and civilian applications; everything from early warning systems to meteorology has found a use for this technology. As radar accuracy improves and technology becomes more compact, we will likely see even greater applications than we currently have. We thought we would take this opportunity to look back over the history of radar to see how far it has come and to see what the future holds for this fundamental branch of technology. A Brief History of Radar We can trace the origin of radar back to the late 19th century when German physicist Heinrich Hertz proved the existence of electromagnetic waves. In these experiments, he found that electromagnetic waves could be reflected off and transmitted through different materials, a phenomenon utilised by Guglielmo Marconi and Charles Samuel Franklin in their experiments on short-wave radio. In 1904, German physicist Christian Hulsmeyer demonstrated the application of radio waves for detecting objects. He used it to help avoid collisions between ships and, while not technically radar, his experiments were fundamental to the development of later technology. During the interwar years, radar found a home in meteorology. British meteorologist Robert Watson Watt used it to detect thunderstorms and pioneered the use of oscilloscopes to show radio signals. By 1935, Watt was involved (along with Arnold Wilkins) in developing radio technology to detect the distance of aircraft. On June 17th, 1935, the first use of radio detection and ranging was officially recorded in Britain. The five years leading up to the start of WW2 saw eight nations creating their own versions of radar technology. It was widely believed that the ability to detect enemy planes and ships would soon be useful, as the major world powers at the time were aware of the looming threat of war. It is not unreasonable to say that radar was one of the most important forms of technology during WW2. The Battle of the Beams - early competitive espionage and research between the UK and Germany - led to a swift and significant jump in the precision, range, and accuracy of radar technology. The UK, with financial backing from the USA, produced a magnetron that was a thousand times more powerful than the USA’s current technology and gave the Allies a significant advantage over Axis powers. The immediate post-war years saw the invention of more sophisticated radar systems, including the Pulse-Doppler radar and phased-array, which allowed for more accurate readings and quicker repositioning of systems. The Cold War era saw further advances in systems, particularly in the USA and USSR due to the threat of nuclear war. Alongside military applications, radar saw increasing use in the civilian world. In 1952, the US Civil Aeronautics Administration introduced radar for plane departure and arrival. By 1960, all planes needed to carry a transponder with its specific identification information. Similarly, meteorology saw a boost from military radar technology. Beginning in 1980, Doppler radars became standard for weather pattern prediction. Combined with modern computer algorithms, these radar networks can predict weather occurrences with surprising accuracy. In the last 60 years or so, radar technology has boomed. It can now be found in police speed guns, astronomy, healthcare, security, construction, and more. While physical technology has improved, its increasing range of applications is also thanks to improvements in computer technology that allow us to do more with the basic radio signals. The Present - Hensoldt Radars While Hensoldt is not the only contemporary manufacturer of radar technology, it is certainly a good example of where we currently stand. Originally part of the Airbus defence division, it is now part-owned by the German Federal Ministry of Defence. Hensoldt produces a range of different radar technologies, including military and civilian air traffic control, IFF secondary radar, and passive radar. Its air traffic control radar produces 3D images of detected aircraft across short-, medium-, and long-range frequencies. Its IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) radar can differentiate between friendly and enemy signals with extreme accuracy, which improves the overall combat effectiveness of both aircraft and detection platforms. In 2018, Hensoldt was able to detect two F-35 jets (known to be invisible to radar) for 150km using its TwInvis technology. This development only serves to highlight the rapid development in radar technology; when the F-35 first flew in 2006, it was officially undetectable by radar. Hensoldt also develops airborne radars that are in use on a range of manned and unmanned aircraft. Its Detect and Avoid system is designed for collision avoidance on drones, and will likely be scaled up into other unmanned projects in the future. But its technology has both offensive and defensive applications. The company developed the SPEXER radar family specifically for security applications. It uses pulsed radar and Active Electronically Scanned Array technology to detect air, ground, and sea targets, and is primarily used for perimeter and border security. The Future - Leonardo UK and the Tempest As we discussed in a previous article, the Tempest promises to be the UK’s answer to next-generation warfare. Of course, this requires next-generation technology, particularly radar. Leonardo UK is part of Team Tempest and is tasked with developing radar detection systems suitable for such an advanced aircraft. Specifically, Leonardo’s detection systems are four times as accurate as current technology and only 1/10th of the size. Its smaller size means less energy consumption, but, more importantly, that it can be integrated into a wider array of applications. To detect and identify enemy signals, the Tempest’s sensors will need counter evasion measures along with the ability to be updated as these threats change. This is one of the most fundamental advances in radar technology found on the project, as it will require a level of flexibility and sophistication we currently do not have. As the Tempest will have both manned and unmanned options along with drone swarming technology, its radar setup will be a crucial aspect of its overall functionality. While this is arguably true of any aircraft, it will be vitally important when flying such a large (and expensive) aircraft without human intervention. Leonardo recently bought a 25% stake in Hensoldt, making it the second-largest stakeholder in the company. It is very likely, then, that we will see adapted forms of Hensoldt’s technology integrated into the Tempest’s array. The companies collaborated on the Eurofighter Typhoon project, so this is not necessarily a new relationship. The Fundamental Uses of Radar The influence of radar on modern technology cannot be overstated. Its use in detection platforms, whether for planes, weather, or planets, provides us with incredible accuracy and the ability to manage everything from military threats to freak weather patterns. As a result, its benefit to human civilization should be obvious. While we can probably make accurate predictions about the next 10 years of radar technology, it is likely we will see advances that currently seem almost impossible. Radar’s use in eVTOL technology and other UAV applications will likely see another major advance in technology that will change its use in other areas too.
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UPS Purchase Highlights the Viability of Drone Delivery
At the beginning of April, UPS announced it was buying its first eVTOL delivery vehicles from Beta Technologies. While this is not a new idea, it marks the first real effort by a delivery company to make this theoretical practice a viable reality. But what does the deal look like and how are other delivery companies leveraging the same technology? The UPS Deal UPS announced it would buy 10 aircraft from Beta Technologies, and that the first delivery is expected by 2024. By the end of the order, UPS may have up to 150 eVTOL vehicles in its fleet along with Beta Technologies’ charging platform. However, no information has been released about the latter part of the deal. From a logistics perspective, utilising drone technology has the potential to create a much more efficient delivery model. While a single eVTOL aircraft may carry fewer parcels than a single delivery van, it will be able to serve more remote locations at a faster rate. Current electric UPS vans have a cargo capacity of 23 metres cubed, while Beta’s ALIA-250 has a cargo capacity of 640kg. The ALIA-250 has a range of 250 nautical miles, a wingspan of 15 metres and is powered by a direct-drive electric motor. It uses a multicopter design for its vertical lift and a rear propellor for its horizontal movement. Importantly for UPS, the aircraft has zero operating emissions, meaning it will be much better for the environment than their current fleet of delivery vehicles. As part of the deal, UPS plans to embed a member of staff in the Beta team, which will theoretically help shift the eVTOL’s design specifically to a logistics market. While Beta may continue to develop other forms of its ALIA-250 design, this implies there will be a specific model for UPS. eVTOL in Delivery Services UPS is not the only delivery company to leverage eVTOL technology to its advantage. It will come as no surprise that Amazon, the world’s most valuable brand, has its own drone delivery service. Known as Amazon Prime Air, it registered its first autonomous package delivery flight back in 2016. In August 2020, the service received FAA certification, putting it a step closer to commercial rollout. The company will soon begin more wide-scale commercial testing with its recently-announced drone model. It will be able to deliver parcels weighing 5 pounds or less within 30 minutes. Similarly, drone delivery company Wing, owned by Google’s parent company Alphabet, also recently received FAA approval. Its model is a short-range one, claiming to deliver packages such as coffee and medication within a 6-mile radius in 6 minutes. Wing will essentially operate as a drone delivery outsourcing company for local businesses and residents, whereas Amazon’s PrimeAir is specifically for Amazon. On this side of the Atlantic, the Royal Mail is also testing a drone delivery service. Rather than speeding up delivery across the country, it is focusing on improving delivery to remote locations across the UK. At the end of 2020, it pioneered its first test flight to a lighthouse on the remote Isle of Mull. The Royal Mail has partnered with DronePrep and what3words to ensure speedy and efficient delivery to remote locations. The recipient uses the DronePrep app to scan their property for the best landing location and then uses the integrated what4words function to label this site. Currently, the drone will be released from the local Royal Mail delivery van and will fly autonomously, although this may change in the future. The Future of Drone Logistics Currently, drone delivery systems will be something of a gimmick for most users. For something like Amazon, the ability to receive a package within 30 minutes is a matter of convenience, not necessity. However, Wing’s plan to outsource their services to businesses such as pharmacies has a more obvious and real-world application. However, the overall benefits for the logistics industry are already obvious and will be game-changing. Even something as simple as delivering parcels to remote locations more efficiently will revolutionise the mail service and will allow postal workers to overhaul their routes. Similarly, the environmental benefits will be positive. Providing drones are charged using renewable energy, it has the potential to take a large number of delivery vans off the road. While services will need more aircraft than delivery vehicles, services will become faster and more efficient. This is only the start of the eVTOL revolution in the logistics industry. With big names like UPS and Royal Mail getting on board, it is clear that drone technology will enable a much-needed shift in logistics.
