Join techUK’s Defence Research and Technology Forum for a private briefing and Q+A with Air Commodore Chris Melville, Head of the Royal Air Force’s Rapid Capabilities Office.

The purpose of the Rapid Capabilities Office is to enhance capability delivered to the front line, explore opportunities presented by emerging technologies, and leverage diversity in thought with novel and innovative ways of working. Air Cdre Melville will explain more about the Office's work, the role for industry, and provide an update on current programmes.

Air Commodore Chris Melville joined the RAF in October 1997. Staff appointments have included the Air Warfare Centre as a tactics instructor, desk officer roles in the Directorate of Defence Communications and Finance and Military Capability in the Ministry of Defence, and Deputy Head, ISTAR Capability at UK Strategic Command. Operational deployments out of the aircraft have included a tour as a Royal Marines Air Advisor in 2009 and as the Senior Air Advisor in the UK Defence Advisory and Training Team, Libya, in 2014. In May 2021 he was selected to stand up the UK’s ISTAR Air Wing, headquartered at RAF Waddington. He was appointed Head of the RCO in July 2023.


Fred Sugden

Fred Sugden

Associate Director, Defence and National Security, techUK

Raya Tsolova

Programme Manager, techUK

Jeremy Wimble

Programme Manager, techUK

Tracy Modha

Team Assistant - Markets, techUK


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