A sound aim

"Innovating for a safer world" - a high ideal for any business to aspire to. This most idealistic of mottos can be found on the website of BAE Systems, which invests about £6 million a year in research at British universities. As well as making military aircraft, ships and submarines, the group ranks "guided-weapon systems" among its strengths. Perhaps its slogan is in need of a qualification: The Diary suggests "Innovating for a safer world - but not for the target".