In a first for the MOD, the Defence Hackathon has seen eight teams of people from across Defence design applications to support the development of response to issues such as sustainability and security for the MOD estate.
Divided into 10 mixed teams, the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, Reserve, and Civil Service personnel then had 48 hours to design a digital solution to an MOD-wide challenge. This included conducting user research, developing the user interface, and designing the background application that would enable it to work effectively. Two teams went through to the final.
Team 2 designed GeoSnap; an application that enables everyone in the MOD to report suspicious activity and potential security matters directly to the relevant MOD security services, quickly and accurately, using a mobile device. Team 7 designed GreenCloud; an application that enables everyone in the MOD to collaborate on solutions to sustainability issues while giving local commanders the information they need to make decisions on the effectiveness of their actions.
Highlighting the MOD’s commitment to achieving Net Zero targets, the winning team was GreenCloud. Their application will now be considered for full development by the Defence digital experts alongside the winning team of Sean (Royal Navy), Billy (British Army), Stuart (Civil Service), Kris (Royal Air Force), Luke (Civil Service), Benjamin (British Army), Phambahadur (British Army) and Liam (Royal Air Force).
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, announced the winning team after deliberations with his fellow judges from across the MOD.
We’ve had a taste of the journey we are all taking on the use of cutting-edge technology, and the challenges we face in turning this technology into usable solutions to operational problems. Both applications that made it to the final had undoubted utility and confronted the ongoing challenges we face in both security and achieving our Net Zero aims. Congratulations to everyone who has taken part this week – the skills that have been developed are incredibly important to the future success of the UK Armed Forces.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston
The Chief of the Air Staff
Enabled by Astra and delivered by Astra Appivate, RAF Digital Services, Digital Academy, and Navy Digital, the Hackathon also allowed Defence to identify talented individuals in any profession who can support Digital and Cyber activities.
