BAE Systems and Microsoft have signed a strategic agreement aiming to support faster and easier development, deployment and management of digital defence capabilities in an increasingly data-centric world. 

According to an announcement made by BAE Systems, the collaboration brings together BAE Systems’ knowledge of building complex digital systems for militaries and governments with Microsoft’s approach to developing applications using its Azure Cloud platform. 

In addition to helping partners collaborate on large multinational defence projects, such as the Future Combat Air System, cloud technology could be used to more easily combine and analyze different sources of data during military operations.

Air, land and maritime platforms face constantly changing threats, so their digital systems need to be regularly updated to recognise and counter them. 

As part of this collaboration, BAE Systems and Microsoft have used the Azure Cloud approach to accelerate software design, development and testing of a system that can deploy new software onto an Uncrewed Air Vehicle during flight.

This approach to using the cloud could in the future speed up the deployment of software to operational military platforms.

Modern fighter jets, for example, can require up to 24 million lines of code to function effectively, so using the cloud to deploy updates could make the process quicker and help retain a competitive advantage over adversaries. 

Also read: Microsoft to supply US Army with IVAS System – VIDEO

The two companies have also explored how to reduce the time it takes for an innovative idea to move into production. 

Digital design and manufacturing have been at the heart of BAE Systems for decades, but given the growth in data volumes and complexity, using cloud technology can help perform data analysis and simulation. 

Azure Cloud also provides digital engineering capabilities that can help get the most out of data by digitally connecting the design, manufacture and operation of products throughout their life.  

The agreement is underpinned by a commitment from both organizations to develop technology using open architecture digital tools, enabling customers to more easily work with third parties. 

This could help BAE Systems collaborate with small businesses and partners without compromising security, by only allowing access to very specific areas of work. Using this approach makes it easier for smaller companies to meet rigorous defence security standards. 

In the following article, you can find information about the Cloud chosen by NATO.

Also read: Thales | Contractor for the Procurement of the First Defence Cloud for NATO Forces – VIDEO