Richard Coupland Visits EDGE® UK

On 14 April 2009, General Dynamics UK welcomed Richard Coupland III, the architect behind the successful EDGE® Innovation Network originally launched in the US.

Richard has recently been appointed Head of Science, Technology and Products for the Battle Management Systems Division for General Dynamics.  Richard recently handed over the EDGE® Innovation Network to Pete Palmer, a retired American 1* General, who will be visiting General Dynamics UK in June 2009.

The meeting gave Richard the chance to update General Dynamics UK on the progress and changes the EDGE® Innovation Network have made and the challenges overcome with regards to US DoD behaviours. General Dynamics UK showed the progress made since the opening last October, and gave Richard and his team an in-sight into the nuances of operating the EDGE® concept in the UK.

Feedback from EDGE partners has been very positive across all countries, with members having gained unique access to user feedback and have been able to respond to user requirements.

By sharing the information gathered from the EDGE Innovation Network, many novel ideas and concepts have been transformed into usable products and has allowed for networking between companies.

The EDGE® Innovation Network is helping to identify technical answers to defence capability gaps, and showing the benefits that companies can realise when working with General Dynamics.  In the current economic conditions, getting value for money is a resonating theme and the EDGE Innovation Network  proves that collaborative working