Dstl

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl)

Dstl has launched a new initiative to encourage small and medium sized enterprises to work with them.

The project, called SME Searchlight, aims to attract non-traditional Defence suppliers and SMEs to help deliver a projected £40 to £45million increase in Dstl research spending with external companies, in line with the Government’s intent to increase external spending with SMEs to 33% by 2022. As well as having access to this increased funding, companies could also benefit through working at the cutting edge of research and technology, with potential exploitation into new Defence and Security systems and applications.

The first industry innovation event launched under the “SME Searchlight” initiative is to be held on 3 May 2019 at Cranfield University in Bedfordshire. This event will focus on Radio Frequency (RF) systems. Specifically, frequency-agile RF hardware, machine learning applied to modern communications standards (including Internet of Things) and novel manufacturing solutions to reduce size, weight, power and/or cost.

The free event includes: industry insight by leading experts; how companies can enter the market and work with Dstl; case study success stories; sample technical challenges and workshops. Staff from across various Dstl departments will be available throughout the day to offer technical and commercial guidance. Places are limited and restricted to one person per company.

Register at Team Defence Information

Other opportunities can be found by registering for Dstl’s monthly newsletter Insight and by engaging with the Defence and Security Accelerator.

The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA)

Dasa is always looking for innovative ideas and runs two types of competition – the Open Call for Innovation and Themed competitions.

The Open Call is always open where you propose the ideas, and a Themed Competition is based around a specific technical challenge within defence and security.

DASA will soon be announcing competitions in the following areas – data advantage, space, autonomous underwater vehicles and future aviation security solutions.

Details will be announced on DASA’s website.