- The venture is built as a single integrated team rather than the usual multi-supplier setup
- The partners will lay out their approach at the Farnborough International Airshow on July 21
- Team ORION is planning to work with UK suppliers and open opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises
KBR has joined with Unipart and IBM to launch Team ORION, a combined venture offering defense, logistics and digital services to the UK Ministry of Defence. KBR announced the team Friday.
Team ORION is structured as a single integrated team rather than the traditional multi-supplier arrangement to deliver more consistently in complex defense settings. KBR contributes strategic program, procurement and operational delivery experience; Unipart brings manufacturing, sovereign supply chain and logistics capabilities; and IBM supplies digital, data and technology tools.
What Is Team ORION Designed to Deliver?
The venture aims to provide a coherent sovereign capability that supports mission-critical outcomes and strengthens UK defense resilience. Paul O’Shaughnessy, vice president of defense nuclear technology solutions at KBR, said aligning the three companies’ strengths from the outset reduces risk, improves performance and speeds decision-making to deliver long-term value for the ministry.
Jim Hartshorne, commercial director at Unipart, framed the effort as a shift from what individual businesses deliver to how they work together, pairing Unipart’s logistics capabilities with KBR’s defense track record and IBM’s digital capabilities to support UK supply chains.
When Will Team ORION Present Its Approach?
The partners will formally lay out the team’s approach at the Farnborough International Airshow on Tuesday, July 21. Team ORION will work with UK-based suppliers and create opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises to take part in defense delivery.
