Dynamic. Intelligent. Autonomous.
Dynamic systems engineering that accelerates optical target tracking, fire control and threat defeat.
OpenWorks is internationally and operationally proven across C-UAS, Air Defence and Surveillance.
OpenWorks is a leader in C-UAS, Air Defence and Surveillance. Our products include modular autonomous vision systems that deliver ultra-high performance real-time detection, identification and tracking of highly dynamic threats at long range. We also provide physical drone capture devices for low collateral damage mitigation.
Our specialist capability lies in our dynamic positioners, EO/IR optical units, approach to sensor fusion – including with radar – and common interface that enables the integration of third party detectors, classifiers, interceptors and effectors.
Artificial intelligence modules embedded in both EO and IR cameras work seamlessly with primary detectors and C2 to provide comprehensive detection, tracking and slewing-to-cue against complex backgrounds and foregrounds.
Products are designed for high levels of integration and fusion with other air and missile defence systems. They offer highly specialised, ultra-high-performance capability, balanced with an architecture that allows for co-ordinated integration with other sensing, decision making, kinetic and non-kinetic effectors both and as part of a kill chain.
We understand that the quality of our people is key to delivering the exceptional products and services that our customers expect. We thrive on delivering challenging projects in improbable timescales, and that takes skill, commitment and knowledge of leading-edge solutions.
We work closely with a broad range of strategic partners across the world to ensure that our products are appropriately supported throughout their life. Our Customer Service team provides wrap around hands-on support throughout.
10 Years of Innovation.
Founded in 2015 by five friends with complementary skills and a passion for furthering engineering excellence, OpenWorks has emerged as a leading innovator in C-UAS, air defence, surveillance and kinetic targeting.
Inspired by the North East’s rich defence sector legacy, and each with experience in providing equipment to defence customers, our founders have committed to applying the skills and resources at OpenWorks to solving real-world security challenges.
You can see the evolution of our products below
02
SkyWall Auto
Autonomous Drone Capture
03
Vision Flex
Modular Camera Systems
04
Vision Pace
Stabilised Targeting and Tracking
05
Vision Guard
Deployable, Configurable Surveillance
Our Leadership Team
Meet the Team
Chris
Down
Chief Executive Officer
Chris Down is our Chief Executive Officer and a co-founder of OpenWorks.
With over 25 years of experience across the defence, rail, and offshore sectors, he brings his wide-ranging mechanical, electrical, and software engineering expertise to the forefront of his leadership of the company.
His primary focus at OpenWorks is rooted in ongoing product development, ensuring the company’s proven drone net capture devices and autonomous vision systems are constantly refined by company-funded research, special projects, and a belief that mission-critical solutions should never stand still.
Under his leadership, OpenWorks has protected countless Heads of State, including three sitting US Presidents, is actively supporting Allied military and security capability development, and recently launched in the United States with a regional headquarters in Ashburn, Virginia. Prior to founding OpenWorks, Chris held senior design and engineering roles at Pearson Engineering, Abtus, and Pilot Drilling Control.
James
Cross
Chief Commercial Officer
James Cross is our Chief Commercial Officer and a co-founder of OpenWorks.
With over 20 years of experience in the defence sector, James has spent his career committed to achieving engineering excellence across product and system development.
At OpenWorks, he is focused on expanding the company’s presence across NATO and Allied countries looking to incorporate ultra-high-performance autonomous vision systems and drone net capture devices into their defence and surveillance operations. Prior to founding OpenWorks, James was a Senior Engineer at Pearson Engineering.
Neil
Armstrong
Chief Operations Officer
Neil Armstrong brings more than 25 years of extensive experience within the defence industry, with a strong technical and operational background spanning mechanical systems design, engineering, prototyping and production. Throughout his career, Neil has developed deep expertise in the design and delivery of complex mechanical and armoured vehicle systems, working across the full product lifecycle from concept and development through to production and delivery.
With a combination of extensive defence-sector knowledge, hands-on engineering expertise and proven programme and operational experience, Neil provides strong technical leadership and a practical understanding of the challenges involved in delivering complex defence systems at scale.
Alex
Wilkinson
Chief Innovation Officer
Alex Wilkinson is our Chief Information Officer. As a co-founder of the company, Alex brought software and system design experience from the Defence and Oil & Gas industries. His work ensures that OpenWorks is built on foundations of cutting-edge technology, an agile development mindset, and world-class cyber security.
Alex works closely with the software development team to exploit the latest advances in AI and neural architectures, built directly into OpenWorks’ products.
Roland
Wilkinson
Chief Finance Officer
With 13 years’ experience in the engineering sector, Roland Wilkinson brings a strategic, commercially focused approach to finance at OpenWorks. As our Chief Finance Officer and a co-founder, he is responsible for shaping financial strategy and ensuring the business has the resources and financial resources to capitalise the significant market opportunities presented by its technology and products.
A key focus for Roland is securing and managing growth capital to support OpenWorks’ ambitions, enabling the company to scale globally and build a world-class autonomous optics business.
Graham
Beall
Chief BD Officer
Following 30 successful years as founder and CEO of the Chess Technologies Group, Graham joined OpenWorks in 2022, bringing his extensive expertise in strategic business development, innovation, and implementation.
As our Chief Business Development Officer, Graham is responsible for expanding OpenWorks’ global strategic business by delivering world-class, next-generation equipment, solutions and services.
He brings extensive naval and ground-based air defence expertise to the management team, strengthening leadership across OpenWorks. He is committed to advancing world-class technology development to the highest standards and is focused on delivering exceptional state-of-the-art defence equipment for NATO and its allies.
Andrew
Teasdale
Chief Technology Officer
Andrew Teasdale is our Chief Technology Officer. With extensive multidisciplinary engineering leadership across defence, medical test & measurement, and edtech, he directs OpenWorks’ overarching technology strategy, system architectures, and forward-looking product roadmap.
Andrew works at the forefront of the company’s engineering organisation, ensuring that OpenWorks’ systems achieve the highest benchmarks in reliability, precision, and field performance. His approach pairs rigorous systems engineering with rapid innovation, translating complex operational requirements into mission-ready, deployable capabilities.
Andrew previously served as Chief Engineer and Principal Electronics Engineer at OpenWorks, where he helped to establish the technical foundations underpinning the company’s international expansion.
Nicola
Irving
Chief People and Brand Officer
Nicola Irving is our Chief People and Brand Officer. She carries responsibility for protecting and developing the company’s culture and market-facing identity as powerful differentiators.
Having spent 15 years in the defence and security sector working on armoured vehicle and air defence programmes, Nicola brings international experience in brand strategy, marketing, communications and culture.
In that time, Nicola has supported significant growth agendas with a focus on aligning strategy to the needs of the end-user and guiding internal engagement and transformation.
Nicola uses her experience to lead our marketing & communications and people & talent teams with a focus on business growth and international market development.