Stuart Lyle

Stuart lyle, is the urban operations lead for the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), which is part of the UK Ministry of Defence. Over his 12+ years in Dstl he has lead numerous urban operations projects covering such topics as the role of airpower in modern sieges, urban Explosive Ordnance Disposal, urban wargaming, adversary doctrine and numerous conflict studies. His main focus areas are the use of data to better assess and understand conflict, and the employment of new technologies to enhance urban warfare capabilities.

Stuart led the writing of the Future Cities: Trends and Implications report, exploring global trends in urbanisation and the likely implications for future military operations. He was the designer of the Urban Phalanx platoon and Block Buster brigade concepts for the British Army, which are currently being used as the foundation for the future of the British Army. He teaches urban operations across the UK Armed Forces, including on professional military education courses at the Defence Academy. Stuart also teaches urban operations and shares his research with partners and allies around the world, most notably the US Army where he was an instructor alongside other members of the Urban Warfare Institute.

Stuart achieved a Bachelor degree in War Studies and a Masters degree in Strategy and International Security (with Distinction), both from the University of Hull (UK). A military career was cut short very early on due to injury, but Stuart has continued his service in a civilian capacity through Dstl. 

Stuart has been a regular on the Urban Warfare Project podcast and can be found on X at @Stu_Lyle where he comments on urban operations and wargaming.