Moving to our Defence business, under a contract awarded by the UK Ministry of Defence, Rolls-Royce will participate in a £124 million programme to develop a world-class UAV (Unmanned Air Vehicle) 'Technology Demonstrator' project called 'Taranis'. The project will provide the opportunity to demonstrate how emerging technologies and systems can deliver battle-winning capabilities for the UK armed forces. Ground testing of Taranis is expected to take place in early 2009 with the first flight trials taking place in 2010.

The challenge for our supply chain is significant, again around cost, manufacturability, and quality demands. However, we are confident that involving our suppliers early and adopting an integrated approach will ensure the programme's success.

John Fitchett - profile

John joined Rolls-Royce in 1985 as a graduate trainee in Purchasing having previously worked for Lloyds Bank for a period of four years. Over the past 21 years he has held a variety of positions in Purchasing both in production and indirect roles. In addition he has held roles in Supply Chain Planning, Programme Management and more recently in New Product Introduction.

In 2001 John moved to Rolls-Royce in Bristol as Purchasing Executive for Defence Aerospace where he acted as the purchasing point of contact for the Defence business, focusing on cost reduction and launching the Supply Chain for the Joint Strike Fighter, both in the UK and US.

In 2005 John returned to Derby to take up his current role in New Product Introduction, ensuring that purchasing strategies meet the needs of new programmes around the globe, and that the purchasing process is enacted in a timely manner to satisfy programme milestones.

John has a geography degree and is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Purchase and Supply.