From feeding Nelson’s navy to defeating U‑boats, from semaphore towers to radar, and from battlefield bridges to modern directed‑energy weapons — science has always been at the heart of military logistics.
In this illustrated talk, Professor Ed Rochead explores how scientific thinking, data, and systems engineering have shaped warfare not through grand inventions alone, but through the often‑hidden logistic systems that make operations possible — and sustainable.
Drawing on vivid historical examples and modern Defence experience, this talk shows why wars are not won by platforms in isolation, but by the alignment of people, supply, information, infrastructure, and decision‑making.
Accessible, insightful, and rooted in real operations, Science in Warfare: A Logistician’s Perspective reveals why logistics is not just support — it is strategy.
Professor Edward Rochead
Professor Edward Rochead is a leading authority on the intersection of science, technology, and defence. With a distinguished career spanning almost three decades at the Ministry of Defence, Edward has held a range of senior roles. He has contributed to major defence reviews, led innovation initiatives, and championed the application of mathematics and data science to complex military challenges.
Currently Deputy Head of Science Profession for MOD, Edward is also a Visiting Professor at Loughborough University and an Honorary Professor at the University of Birmingham. A Chartered Mathematician and Fellow of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, he is a prolific writer and an enthusiastic speaker on STEM, history, and defence issues.
Edward’s unique perspective—combining deep technical expertise with a passion for practical impact—makes him an engaging guide to the evolving role of science and logistics in warfare.
