Neil Clelland

Neil Clelland is a Senior Principal Scientist/Engineer with more than 30 years of experience in electromagnetic warfare (EW), missile systems, defence capability development, and international collaboration. Since joining the Defence Research Agency in 1992, following an early career in telecommunications RF engineering and software development, Neil has worked across research, technology development, operational analysis, acquisition support, and future capability planning. Throughout his career, he has held senior technical and leadership roles including Lead Engineer, Project Manager, Team Leader, Senior Analyst, Project Technical Authority, and Lead Technical Reviewer. His expertise spans EW, missile technologies, command and control systems, systems engineering, threat assessment, requirements management, and capability development. Neil has played key roles in multinational defence programmes, including a secondment to Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) supporting the UK, French, and Italian Project Horizon programme, and a research secondment to Washington, D.C., supporting UK-US defence collaboration. He has led weapon system and threat analysis activities, informed major EW procurement decisions, and contributed to future Royal Navy anti-ship weapon programmes. For the past seven years, Neil has been the lead Science and Technology representative for the Royal Navy's Maritime Electromagnetic Warfare Programme, shaping future maritime defence capabilities through collaboration, technology assessment, applied openness, systems integration, and long-term strategic planning.