Today’s defence in the media includes coverage of yesterday’s testing of the Bladerunner Speedboat and a private member’s bill that would mean that conmen who lie about having won military medals could face jail.
Bladerunner Speedboat
There is widespread coverage, including in Daily Mail, Scotsman, Daily Telegraph and the Times, following yesterday’s testing of a new remote operated speedboat.
The Daily Mail reports that the drone speedboat could be the future of naval warfare while the Telegraph hails the Navy’s new drone speedboat as a ‘breakthrough’ that could lead to fleets of high speed unmanned vessels.
Admiral Sir Philip Jones said:
The growing scale of Unmanned Warrior is a clear demonstration of the Royal Navy’s ambition to lead and win through technological innovation. Unmanned maritime systems will change how we operate, but they’re just the start. Our pursuit of new technologies and ideas – from big data to 3D-printing – will ensure we remain one of the most capable and successful navies in the world
Soldier Security
The Times has reported on the security of service personnel.
An MOD Spokesman said:
The security of our people is our foremost concern and we keep the range of measures we have to address the threats to them under constant review. Last November, our policy was changed to restrict publications of such lists to senior officers, already considered in the public eye
Medal Conmen
The Times and the Daily Telegraph report that conmen who lie about having won military medals could face jail under a private member’s bill that will be discussed in Parliament today. MPs will hear allegations that the phenomenon of ‘Walter Mitty’ fraudsters who feign military careers, or exaggerate their service and suffering is out of control.
