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GADGETS and gizmos that could equip our troops of the future have helped to launch the MOD's new Defence Technology Plan.

The Defence Technology Plan is the first time the MOD has unveiled its long-term research needs. It underlines the importance of science and technology in providing cutting-edge kit for the battlefield.

Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Quentin Davies, said:

"Innovation is at the heart of our success on the battlefield and by launching the Defence Technology Plan today, we are looking to embrace and encourage novel, cutting-edge ideas to provide our future forces with the latest technological advances so they can stay one step ahead of the enemy.

"It is more vital than ever that we exploit new and emerging technologies because the threats our troops face are always evolving. To do this, we need to make the best use of the Defence industrial base, as well as the wealth of ability and expertise found among small businesses, talented individuals and academia."

Underlining MOD's commitment to science and innovation, the Minister announced nearly £2M of funding to the following research contracts:

• Portsmouth-based company Mindsheet was awarded £28,000 for a month-long project to make their Unmanned Ground Vehicle robot, Testudo, more rugged and user-friendly
• Team Stellar has been awarded a £1.3M contract to take their integrated Saturn system to the next level of capability (see notes to editors)
• London-based Swarm Systems has been awarded a £115,000 contract to develop their idea of a co-operative swarm of micro-UAVs
• Blue Design Ltd, from Hove, has been awarded £96,000 to develop its D3O shock absorbing material for troops' helmet lining.
• Teledyne Defence Limited, based in Shipley, West Yorkshire, has been awarded £246,000 to research ways to help pilots operate in dust clouds caused by rotor blade downdraft

Also on show at the launch was the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory's (DSTL) Portable Integrated Battlespace Bio Detection Unit, which is capable of detecting the full biological warfare threat spectrum from a unit the size of a suitcase.

Science and Technology Director, Paul Stein, said:

"The Defence Technology Plan is the first time we have publicised most of our key our long-term defence challenges, where the development of new technology could lead to significant benefits for future combat forces. The evolving, web-based plan sets out to encourage fresh thinking and engagement with new and existing defence technology suppliers."

The Defence Technology Plan

http://www.science.mod.uk

It sets out objectives addressing the MOD's research needs across its future military systems. The plan also introduces five Capability Visions designed to stimulate new technologies and new uses of existing ones.

They are:

Reducing the burden on the dismounted soldier - challenging industry to lighten the load on a soldier to 25kg while maintaining and improving personal protection levels.

Future Protected Vehicle - lightweight vehicles to achieve the effectiveness and survivability of a main battle tank.

Reducing operational dependency on fossil fuels - finding options for alternative sources of energy supply, management and use in future operations.

Novel Air Concept - a cost effective, reusable uninhabited air system that operates within the urban landscape.

Electronics Defeat - understanding the threats of and to sophisticated electronic systems and information technology and how they can be protected against.

MOD will acquire solutions to the Department's research needs through a variety of procurement mechanisms. Proposals can be submitted to the MOD through the http://www.science.mod.uk website. The ideas will then be assessed by the Centre for Defence Enterprise.

Dr Helen Almey, Head of the Centre for Defence Enterprise, said:

"Our task is to anticipate, prepare for and meet the forthcoming challenges by being highly innovative, agile and flexible in our approach to defence science and technology. We can only do this by actively seeking novel and exciting ideas and contributions from across industry, academia and other enterprises."

The launch also marked the publication of the MOD's Innovation Procurement Plan, part of a pan-Government initiative to encourage and promote innovation.

Notes to Editors:

1. If you would like to speak to the companies or would like pictures of the exhibits that have been awarded contracts please contact the MOD press office on 0207 218 2165.

2. More pictures are available on http://www.defencenewsimagery.co.uk or by calling the Defence Picture Desk on 0207 218 6401.

3. Mindsheet originally unveiled their Testudo robot at the MOD's Grand Challenge last year. It could act as a reconnaissance scout for troops to give early threat warnings, clear hazardous ground or locate enemies. The contract is for further development and testing.

4. Team Stellar won the MOD's Grand Challenge with Saturn, an autonomous system of unmanned ground and aerial vehicles. It could be capable of detecting, locating and reporting a variety of complex threats. The contract is to consolidate and extend the system's capabilities.

5. Team Stellar is a conglomerate of companies based across the UK.:

a. Selex Galileo, based in Basildon. They are leading the system integration research and developing the robust, flexible communications and system architectures

b. Marshall SDG, based in Cambridge. The company will be developing the semi-autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicle

c. Blue Bear Systems Research, based in Clapham, Bedfordshire, will be researching the Unmanned Air Vehicle component

d. Cranfield University is researching autonomous threat detection and mission planning software with TRW Conekt

6. Swarm Systems won the 'Most Innovative Idea' in the Grand Challenge event. MOD is awarding £115,000 for a contract to develop the idea of a co-operative swarm of micro UAVs.

7. D30 is a shock absorbing material with Intelligent Molecules that flow during movement but lock together on impact to absorb impact energy.

8. Teledyne Defence Limited's research will focus on developing technology to help helicopter pilots operate in dust clouds generated by rotor downdraft, known as 'brownout.'

9. The Portable Battlespace Bio Detection is a prototype bio-warfare defence concept demonstrator from MOD's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL).

10. MOD's Innovation Procurement Plan is published at http://www.science.mod.uk.

http://www.defencenewsimagery.co.uk

1. Mindsheet originally unveiled their Testudo robot at the MOD's Grand Challenge last year. It could act as a reconnaissance scout for troops to give early threat warnings, clear hazardous ground or locate enemies. The contract is for further development and testing.

2. Team Stellar won the MOD's Grand Challenge with Saturn, an autonomous system of unmanned ground and aerial vehicles. It could be capable of detecting, locating and reporting a variety of complex threats. The contract is to consolidate and extend the system's capabilities.

3. Team Stellar is a conglomerate of companies based across the UK.:

Selex Galileo, based in Basildon. They are leading the system integration research and developing the robust, flexible communications and system architectures

Marshall SDG, based in Cambridge. The company will be developing the semi-autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicle

Blue Bear Systems Research, based in Clapham, Bedfordshire, will be researching the Unmanned Air Vehicle component

Cranfield University is researching autonomous threat detection and mission planning software with TRW Conekt

Swarm Systems won the 'Most Innovative Idea' in the Grand Challenge event. MOD is awarding £115,000 for a contract to develop the idea of a co-operative swarm of micro UAVs.

4. D30 is a shock absorbing material with Intelligent Molecules that flow during movement but lock together on impact to absorb impact energy.

5. Teledyne Defence Limited's research will focus on developing technology to help helicopter pilots operate in dust clouds generated by rotor downdraft, known as 'brownout.'

6. The Portable Battlespace Bio Detection is a prototype bio-warfare defence concept demonstrator from MOD's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL).

http://www.science.mod.uk.

Thursday 26 February 2009 11:11
Ministry Of Defence

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