Contemporary Engineering Challenge 2021

Attention all  budding authors

Here are the details of, The Contemporary Engineering Challenge 2021, together with the new categories of submission for the RE journal and the value of the cash prizes.

Submissions must be from a member of the Institution (i.e., serving Regular/Reserve or a retired member) or an apprentice technician member, if a sapper. Please ensure that the article includes a covering email stating the category being entered. All submissions should be written in Microsoft Word with pictures (with appropriate captions) both embedded and attached separately in order to aid formatting. Articles should be no more than 3,000 words in length (this is a limit not a target!)

Once again members can write on any engineering subject that deserves attention and will be of interest to others. However, the Corps would really welcome your help on the following topics:

•  ‘Understand, live, move, fight’ are often used to describe what the RE does for defence. Will this still be relevant in 2040? And what core capabilities are required to deliver these – or the re-framed contributions of the RE?
•  How can the Corps inspire and reward innovation within the army and defence systems for change?
•  The last 100 yards are the preserve of the infantry. Does this still hold true in subterranean environments where the enemy may not be the greatest threat?[1].
•  Warfare is, by its very nature, a human endeavour; what is the human impact of robotic and autonomous systems and the notion of prosecuting a war by remote control?[2]
•  Recent times have seen the British Army increasingly drawn into the ‘operate space’. How can the Corps retain its core warfighting skills as military engineers who need to be ready for major combat operations?[3]
•  How does the Corps contribute to reaching net carbon zero by 2050?

Alternatively, you might decide to write on another areas/topics worth of study such as the impact of environmental factors on military engineering operations, how the Corps might adjust to climate change, etc, it is entirely up to you!

Most importantly, all entries will be judged blind, i.e. without knowledge of rank or experience to ensure a level playing field and on their merit by the judging panel. The Institution is particularly keen to acknowledge the contribution of junior members, who are more than capable of winning the main prize.

In addition to the main prize categories there will also be a number of discretionary smaller cash prizes of £25-£50 for articles that the judging panel consider to be worthy of reward, e.g. a good article of general interest to members, a subject that comes up with a new idea, a submission that highlights an area for further study, a particularly well written article by a junior member, etc.

Please submit your entry for the Contemporary Engineering Challenge 2021 to the Editor RE journal (journal@instre.org) by 31 Aug 21 to allow the prize for respective categories to be selected. The best submission will then be presented at the Corps of Royal Engineers awards for Engineering Excellence 2021 being held on Thursday 25th November 2021 at One Great George Street, London SW1P 3AA.

[1] This title requires the author to dissect the subterranean battlespace, highlight the omnipresent dangers of operating there, identify what an optimised fighting force might consist of, and most importantly what sapper support would be required to enable it?

[2] This title addresses the ethical aspects of AI and autonomy in military capability, particularly where platforms are weaponised. In the continuum of conflict, is it more or less appropriate when existential threats are present? Autonomy is big business in plant and farm machinery where programmed designs are followed within binary parameters. How could this be mapped across to military plant or mine breaching/EOD assets where the enemy’s action will almost certainly not conform to design. How do we build in fallibility and still expect success on the battlefield?

[3] The title requires the author to consider the demands of peacetime, which are being compounded by a reduction in training opportunities, against the requirement to maintain a greater focus, physically and conceptually in order to remain a credible warfighting Army and Corps.