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In light of the results coming out of the Estonian 2025 exercise I thought this thread on Task Force Rapstone might be appropriate
Taskforce RAPSTONE is a Ministry of Defence initiative designed to accelerate the procurement and fielding of emerging, disruptive technologies to enhance the British Army's lethality. It focuses on integrating advanced systems—including counter-UAS, AI, and drones—to modernize battlefield capabilities within a 24-month engagement-to-fielding timeframe.
Key details about Project Rapstone include:
Some links that are related
www.gov.uk
A pioneering digital targeting web, called ASGARD, has been showcased this week, following successful trials by British soldiers deployed on NATO’s eastern flank. The project will enable soldiers to rapidly find and strike enemy targets at greater distances than ever before.
And this list resulting from a question in the House
Some details have come out about Hedgehog 2025 held last May in Estonia.
“We are f—”: 10 Ukrainians with drones wipe out two NATO battalions in war game - Euromaidan Press
Ukrainian drone team wiped out two NATO battalions in a day during Estonia's Hedgehog 2025 exercise, exposing the alliance's drone warfare gap.euromaidanpress.com
Taskforce RAPSTONE is a Ministry of Defence initiative designed to accelerate the procurement and fielding of emerging, disruptive technologies to enhance the British Army's lethality. It focuses on integrating advanced systems—including counter-UAS, AI, and drones—to modernize battlefield capabilities within a 24-month engagement-to-fielding timeframe.
Key details about Project Rapstone include:
- Purpose: To directly support the Chief of the General Staff's goal of doubling fighting power by 2027.
- Focus Areas: Key priorities include Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-UAS), ASGARD (digital targeting), Data & Digital, Unmanned Ground Manoeuvre, and Effectors.
- Key Personnel: The initiative is led by Anthony McGee CBE as Director.
- Operational Integration: Rapstone works with the Experimentation and Trials Group to test technologies in realistic, high-pressure environments.
- Industry Collaboration: The project involves tight partnerships with industry to fast-track, for example, FPV drone training and equipment.
Some links that are related
Fundamental lethality shift for British Army spearheaded by novel targeting tech 'ASGARD'
British Army showcase new technology that improves the accuracy of targeting enemies and reduces decision-making time for strikes.
A pioneering digital targeting web, called ASGARD, has been showcased this week, following successful trials by British soldiers deployed on NATO’s eastern flank. The project will enable soldiers to rapidly find and strike enemy targets at greater distances than ever before.
And this list resulting from a question in the House
- “Tactical uncrewed airborne systems (UAS) – short and medium range tactical drones.”
- “Systems to detect, track and counter UAS at the tactical level.”
- “Medium range loitering munitions.”
- “Uncrewed ground vehicles for last-mile resupply of tactical units.”
- “Electronic warfare (EW) systems for specialist and generalist users.”
- “Dispersed digital sensor systems to enhance the intelligence capability of tactical units.”
- “Enhanced counter UAS protection for vehicles.”
- “Utility vehicles for tactical units (4×4 pick-ups and vans).”
- “Hybrid power supplies for tactical headquarters and deployed teams.”
- “Personal individual power packs.”
- “Digital tools for tactical logistic planning and enhanced deployed maintenance.”
- “Enhanced digital tools for fire control.”
- “Increased satellite communications capabilities for mobile tactical units.”
- “Develop dried blood plasma technology into a deployable medical capability.”
Meanwhile, on a more productive British front - Project Rapstone
"the programme is focused on rapidly fielding systems designed to improve the Army’s ability to fight in a more contested environment, with particular emphasis on drones, counter-drone measures, electronic warfare and improved digital command-and-control tools."
“RAPSTONE is an Army initiative to accelerate the fielding of new capabilities into the British Army,” Pollard said.
He added that these include:
- “Tactical uncrewed airborne systems (UAS) – short and medium range tactical drones.”
- “Systems to detect, track and counter UAS at the tactical level.”
- “Medium range loitering munitions.”
- “Uncrewed ground vehicles for last-mile resupply of tactical units.”
- “Electronic warfare (EW) systems for specialist and generalist users.”
- “Dispersed digital sensor systems to enhance the intelligence capability of tactical units.”
- “Enhanced counter UAS protection for vehicles.”
- “Utility vehicles for tactical units (4×4 pick-ups and vans).”
- “Hybrid power supplies for tactical headquarters and deployed teams.”
- “Personal individual power packs.”
- “Digital tools for tactical logistic planning and enhanced deployed maintenance.”
- “Enhanced digital tools for fire control.”
- “Increased satellite communications capabilities for mobile tactical units.”
- “Develop dried blood plasma technology into a deployable medical capability.”
Army fast-tracks drones and loitering munitions via Rapstone
The Ministry of Defence has outlined a broad package of new battlefield capabilities being accelerated into service through Task Force Rapstone.ukdefencejournal.org.uk
...
Maybe the real value of a war is that the lack of time, and the lack of money, forces you to look at doing the other thing.
Instead of completing those battleships that have been building for the last fifteen years perhaps it is just as well the money is spent on Sea Spitfires instead.
