Guidance

Past Innovation Focus Areas

Updated 19 February 2024

IFA004 - Assistive technology for rail staff

Unique Identifier: IFA004

In train stations, staff regularly check the public areas such as platforms, concourse and shops to detect threats to the public. This includes any unusual activity and items. Unusual activity is something that a normal train passenger or station user would not be doing, such as trying to avoid staff, staying at a station too long or collecting information about the station. Rail companies use the ‘See it, Say it, Sorted’ campaign to promote members of the public identifying and reporting any unusual behaviour or items. This has proved to be a huge success, encouraging already observant members of the public.

We sought innovative solutions to work in combination with existing railway security measures and the ‘See it, Say it, Sorted’ campaign to detect unusual behaviour. This could also be used to help identify and assist passengers who appear to be lost, those who are vulnerable or possibly considering self-harm. Assistance could be provided by a member of staff equipped with technology, a piece of technology itself, or a member of staff trained in a new procedure. For example, members of staff could be enabled with technology to readily answer questions or there may be a mobile artificial intelligence presence. Overall, this should help to facilitate good customer service and help staff feel confident and safe approaching members of the public. Any solution must be cost effective.

We sought:

• innovative technologies or solutions that help staff identify unusual activity and interact with members of the public, along with an understanding of how these fit into the current market landscape

• ideas to further encourage passengers to spot and report unusual behaviour

• ways to identify passengers who need assistance, as well as a deployable solution

• additional benefits in customer service for train station users, and confidence and security for station staff to understand the effectiveness of body-worn cameras at deterring unusual behaviour

IFA005 - Screening train carriages

Unique Identifier: IFA005

Trains require checking to identify whether items have been left unattended in carriages, especially while the train is in use, so that staff can be alerted quickly. Screening is a difficult process due to the complexity of the areas within trains that would need to be checked. These will include areas such as the spaces under seats, overhead luggage racks, and the junctions between carriages. In order to make the process more efficient, we would like to augment or automate this process. There is a need for a device that is able to scan train carriages and determine if any foreign objects have been left behind.

We were interested in proposals that:

• modify existing processes (e.g. CCTV) to meet the screening needs
• screen the whole carriage, including under the seats, overhead racks and junction between carriages. Screening needs to be carried out rapidly, whilst the train is in use and with passengers present

IFA010 - Regenerative medicine at the front line

Unique Identifier: IFA010

Recently a regenerative medicine research strategy was developed for Defence, based on the following scoping study. One of the research themes identified concerns understanding how the systemic response to severe traumatic injury affects later regenerative capacity, principally focusing on extremity soft tissue.

Regenerative responses are dependent on context. Regenerative medicine must not only be about providing injured tissues with a therapy but also with an environment conducive to regeneration.

The burden of tissue damage associated with severe traumatic injury can lead to a dysregulation of a variety of systems including immune, metabolic and haemostatic responses. A better understanding of this context and what happens to, for example, the viability, production, differentiation and migration of cells involved in repair and regeneration after severe trauma will be important for the development of novel early regenerative strategies.

We sought proposals to:

• look to understand the effect of the systemic milieu on regenerative processes, either endogenous or therapeutic

or

• investigate an approach to modulate the systemic environment after severe injury with subsequent assessment of an appropriate outcome variable associated with wound regeneration. Proposals should take into account the context in which medical care is likely to be delivered in the future as therapeutic concepts should be appropriate for use early after injury in austere environments.

IFA011 - Advancing less-lethal weapon capability

Unique Identifier IFA011

Once a metal detector or security scanner alarms on a passenger, they are subjected to a further search in order to resolve the alarm and determine whether this is a false positive or a genuine alarm. Currently this is carried out using a combination of hand searches and use of handheld metal detectors and explosive trace detection. Hand searches, particularly when performed on certain areas of the body, can be intrusive for the passenger and uncomfortable for the security officer conducting the search.

We were interested in receiving proposals for the development of hand-held solutions that will help detect both metallic and non-metallic threats on the body while reducing the need for person-person contact, particularly in harder-to-search areas of the body.

We were particularly interested in:

• Detection of metallic and non-metallic threats, for example, weapons, explosives and other dangerous goods. The solution needs to be portable, easy to operate, low cost and with the potential to complement (and not duplicate) existing screening processes, such as metal and explosive detection.

• Solutions that can be used for the whole-body, or for solutions focused on searching specific areas of the body would both be acceptable if offering new or enhanced capabilities.

• Ideally, solutions would be no slower than current hand search procedures; faster search times would be desirable.

• The solution must be safe to use on people (e.g. does not use ionising radiation).

IFA013 - Innovative security features for bank notes

Unique Identifier IFA013

Public confidence in currency is directly related to the ability of the user to accurately and quickly authenticate a banknote. Banknotes employ a range of visual and tactile features – such as holographic foils or optically variable coloured inks - to aid public or retailer authentication. The Bank of England is now looking ahead and inviting ideas to develop novel, overt, security features and print technologies for consideration for potential use in future generations of banknotes.

These technologies should be:

• an innovation that uses overt technologies
• difficult to counterfeit or easily simulate
• easy and intuitive to use for the public or retailer
• able to function without an additional tool, however technologies that use a simple, low cost tool may be considered
• easy to communicate
• durable
• compatible with high volume printing techniques; representing good value for money with a high production yield
• suitable for integration into a banknote design

We are not looking for covert technologies, or those that require a sophisticated device to authenticate or decode and we will not consider features that rely on mobile phones or mobile applications. Security technologies in the family of holographic foils, lenticular lens features or optically variable inks will not be considered in this call.

Further high level information on material requirements may be requested by submitting an Innovation Outline.

You should note that for this innovation focus area the DASA terms and conditions will not apply. Direct contracts with the Bank of England will be negotiated and ownership of intellectual property under such contract will be consistent with the position adopted in the DASA terms and conditions.

IFA014 - Understanding the psychological effect on the public of chemical regulation change

Unique Identifier: IFA014

Everyday commercially available products are at risk of misuse or exploitation for illegitimate purposes, for example, to conduct an explosive attack. Banning such products is typically undesirable due to anticipated impacts on prosperity, consumer freedoms and lack of alternatives for legitimate use.

We undertook research into safer alternatives to common household products at highest risk of terrorist misuse. To successfully introduce any alternative products to market we must ensure a level playing field for business is secured while supporting the freedom of consumer choice. One method to achieve the former is through regulation. However, we need to understand how the public would react should we make regulatory changes that require reformulation of their favourite consumer products and how to create a positive customer demand for safer alternatives to current at risk products.

Proposals needed to provide an understanding of the following:

1. psychological effect on members of the public of regulatory changes that alter the makeup of their favourite products (including price, efficacy etc.).

2. influences or drivers for the purchase of commercially available products at high-risk of misuse (for example, why do consumers choose such products?) – a list of high risk products will be offered to successful bidders.

3. key methods which could be used to encourage consumers to adopt safer alternatives.

IFA015 - Understanding the risk of chemical and explosives precursors found in household products and the opportunities to replace them

Unique Identifier: IFA015

Everyday household products serve a number of purposes, from cleaning and cooking to DIY and cosmetics, however while these products may be used for legitimate applications, a number of these common products are at significant risk of misuse by terrorist organisations. Products that contain chemical and explosives precursor substances can and have been used to create home-made explosives devices (HMEs) using alarmingly simple methods.

Market research, extensive industry engagement and supply chain studies tell us we could do more to prevent successful terrorist attacks by modifying the formulations of these products to make them much harder to misuse. We are seeking novel ideas to replace or reduce the potential harm of chemical and explosives precursors in household products.

This might include research into viable commercial alternatives, or experimental studies to understand additional risks of precursor substances and opportunities to make them more difficult to misuse.

We were particularly interested in proposals that look at:

• Hydrogen Peroxide (for instance, hair dyes and other cosmetic applications)
• Sulphur
• strong acids
• Potassium Chlorate
• Hexamine
• Sodium and Calcium Hypochlorites

IFA016 - Detecting firearms and ammunition through scent

Unique Identifier: IFA016

Firearms and their ammunition are currently detected through very effective existing screening and detection technologies. However, we are seeking solutions to increase the throughput of items screened through the detection of headspace compounds, thereby reducing the burden on staff without reducing security.

Any solution developed for this challenge needed to be capable of integration with detection equipment currently used for aviation security.

To help with development of ideas, we offered a representative data set detailing some of the compounds which may be present on firearms and spent ammunition (as a Government Furnished Asset (GFA)). This GFA will be made available to bidders funded in this competition who request it and demonstrate the value it would add to their proposals.

What we didn’t want:

• minor or incremental developments of current solutions
• solutions which are already commercial products
• literature reviews
• technologies that don’t use headspace compounds for detection

IFA017 - Next generation aviation security

Unique Identifier: IFA017

We sought innovators that could help shape the next generation of aviation security, specifically the ability to detect illegal, illicit or contraband items, such as explosives, chemicals or drugs.

We were looking for: * a novel idea that could completely change how aviation security is carried out * an innovative concept that could be added to existing aviation security measures * an innovation used within another sector that could be adapted for use in aviation security

We were looking for innovations that could address any aspect of aviation security, from vehicle screening to in-flight supplies, from passenger and bag search to cargo. We are looking for ideas that help to ensure we continue to have one of the safest aviation security ecosystems in the world.

What we wanted:

• innovative solutions that go beyond current solutions used in aviation security
• ideas that facilitate staff to carry out security checks
• solutions that enhance the passenger experience and help airports
• ideas from other sectors that could be moved into aviation security

What we didn’t want:

• minor or incremental developments of current solutions
• solutions which are already commercial products
• literature reviews or outputs which are just a report

IFA018 - Reduced-Burden Area Biosurveillance

Unique Identifier IFA018

Biosurveillance enables us to more rapidly detect Biological Warfare Agent (BWAs) incidents and helps to reduce the potential impact by enabling decision makers to develop the best course of action for deployment of medical countermeasures and other protective measures.

We are looking to identify technologies to provide static detection at sentry points or to be deployed as a networked system that could be analogous to the size and function of the Man-portable Chemical Agent Detector (MCAD) or GID3. Solutions should be capable of providing biosurveillance capability to fixed bases with good infrastructure, e.g. Main Operating Bases (MOB) and Sea Port of Disembarkation (SPOD), as well as forward locations with lesser infrastructure e.g. Forward Operating Bases (FOB).

Our end goal is to create an automated all-in-one detection system with integrated aerosol collection, sample processing and identification in as small a system as possible. We are therefore looking for projects which will either develop components (e.g. aerosol collection, sample processing or identification) which could be eventually integrated into a system, or integrate pre-existing components into an all-in-one system. Because the final system needs to provide high confidence outputs in order to support rapid decision making, we are not interested in options based on generic detection technologies (e.g. fluorescence, LIDAR etc). We need the solution to be able to provide specific detection of individual threat agents.

When describing your idea, please use the key performance metrics for the technology options including burden (e.g. size, weight, power, and minimal consumable requirement), timeliness (speed of response), threat agent coverage (including different threat modes that could be tuned according to adversity or endemic threat), throughput, sensitivity, specificity and confidence level(s).

IFA020 - Integrate Information and Physical Activity Across all Domains

Unique Identifier IFA020

Our Armed Forces have a requirement to be better integrated: with each other, with other government departments and with new and existing international allies and partners. Integration will enable units to work together harmoniously to deliver winning impact across several domains; sea, land, air, space, and cyber.

Communication capabilities underpin all aspects of modern military operations as they allow multiple operators to coordinate in order to maximise their combined effectiveness. Ultimately, all communications are vulnerable to adversary disruption which introduces significant operational risk.

We are seeking proposals which provide field communication capabilities that are resistant to attack, but continue to perform if degraded and are secure. We seek novel ideas that could be used by the Armed Forces to do one, or several, of the below:

• Manage significant volumes of data from remote or autonomous systems

• Information services that integrate formatted or unformatted data

• Collaborative data sharing internationally with classified information

All proposals should be created with the aim of increasing our ability to orchestrate activity, provide protection to military personnel and their equipment and in doing so, deter hostile action by our adversaries.

IFA021 - Delivering Agile Command and Control

Unique Identifier IFA021

Mission Command is a style of command historically used by the UK Armed Forces to plan and orchestrate operations effectively to achieve desired outcomes. Mission Command is essential to achieving the adaptability required to respond quickly to the complexity in the modern environment, allows delegation and operational awareness across all levels of seniority, and enables personnel to carry out missions with the maximum freedom of action.

In order to achieve a more agile Command and Control process we are looking for proposals which promote a shift from more traditional chains of command to more dynamic, lateral networks, with greater delegation of authority and allow exploitation of relevant information at speed.

We seek novel ideas that could be used by the UK Armed Forces to do one, or several, of the below:

• Technology based data analysis e.g. use of machine learning

• Collaboration between human and technology based decision making processes

• Systems and processes to analyse and visualise real-time data

• Merging in-house and commercially available information services to establish situational awareness

All proposals should be created with the aim of transforming military capabilities to be information centric, which will enable future forces and platforms to be designed around an information architecture to enable widespread access to and sharing of information.

IFA022 - Operate and Deliver Effects in Contested Domains

Unique Identifier IFA022

UK Armed Forces currently face heavily contested environments across the air, land, sea, and particularly the space and cyber domains, which is of significant threat to the security of our information and could lead to disruption in the use of our space-based capabilities.

Freedom to use our information networks and the electromagnetic spectrum is essential as this is the medium for communication between forces during operations and for our most effective sensors. These mediums can be used by adversaries as a source of information and can also leave us at a tactical disadvantage were they to be disrupted or disabled.

Proposals should consider we need to be robust and resilient and have the ability to disrupt/degrade adversary capabilities. We seek novel ideas which could be used by the UK Armed Forces to do one, or several, of the below:

• Communicate and synchronise activities in contested environments

• Monitor contested environments

• Manufacture methods and design concepts to deliver alternate explosive/electromagnetic/chemical effects and protection from these effects

• Manage fleets of remote or autonomous systems and use these systems to undertake tasks normally completed by human operators

IFA023 - Defence People – Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Unique Identifier IFA023

In the current environment it is increasingly important to ensure we have access to people with the skills, knowledge and experience to exploit information and allow us to adopt cutting edge technologies. This will involve a collaborative approach where we work with other parties, be it other government departments, academia, industry or internationally to ensure we have Suitably Qualified and Experienced Personnel (SQEP) across science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

We are seeking proposals which exploit novel contracts and employment models and consider that individuals may need to learn new skills many times in their careers.

We seek novel ideas which could be used by UK Defence to do one, or several, of the below:

• Attract and retain SQEP with niche specialities and technical skills.

• Tracking and managing important skillsets across the workforce

• Provide technologies/services and other opportunities to improve welfare standards, workforce health and wellbeing

• Provide alternative approaches to contracting or seconding specialist staff

• Identify and collaborate with organisations with experience in the above areas

• Suggest novel approaches to improve the sharing and assimilation of knowledge across organisational boundaries, whilst respecting intellectual properties considerations

All proposals should consider the use of simulation to personalise training, maximise human potential and create realistic operational environments.

IFA024 - Simulating Future Battlespace Complexity

Unique Identifier IFA024

Current live exercises cannot represent many modern offensive and defensive systems and the anticipated complexity of the battlefield. Using live platforms also places a demand on scarce resources and implies a financial and environmental cost through the use of fuel and other consumables.

We must therefore endeavour to create more effective training environments through the use of simulation and synthetic environments which will enable more frequent training, greater challenge and greater availability. There is a requirement to work with civil partners to pursue technologies and approaches to training within a simulated environment that is compatible with the constraints of our budgets, training facilities and legislation.

We seek novel ideas that can be used by UK Defence to do one, or several, of the below:

• Apply procedures and solutions that provide effective training and evaluation capabilities

• Integration and fusion of data from, and between, distributed training and experimentation systems

• Provide training for operators to perform in complex or high stress environments

• Adoption of Virtual Reality or Augmented Reality into training

• Capture and exploitation of performance information collected during training

All proposals should be created with the aim of enabling faster insertion of new capability and must inform and be informed by wargames and simulations investigating emerging threats.

IFA025 - Reducing Reliance on Global Navigation Satellite Systems Quantum Augmented Position, Navigation and Timing Sensing Capability

Unique Identifier IFA025

The UK Defence and Security sector has demanding requirements for accurate and resilient Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT). When Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are either absent, denied, degraded or unreliable, a platform’s Inertial Navigation System (INS) will drift; PNT uncertainty will grow, and mission success may be compromised. As the future operational environment becomes increasingly congested, cluttered, contested, connected and constrained, advances in current navigation technologies will be required to avoid mission failure.

It is envisaged that a route to a robust and enduring PNT solution will involve advancements in complementary military PNT technology and/or augmentation of current INS with advanced next generation quantum sensing capability. Dstl is currently investigating the challenges posed when integrating and operating the next generation of PNT sensing technologies in harsh and restrictive environments.

Examples of sensor technologies are atomic clocks and high performance oscillators, enabling frequency combs, and quantum enabled accelerometers, gyroscopes, gravity sensors, and magnetic field sensors or gradiometers thereof.

We seek proposals on short term (≤6 months) feasibility studies that provide evidence for advancing technological sensing performance and/or enhanced environmental operational capability over a 5 year time frame. Individual proposals are expected to be in the range £100-£150K.

We are not seeking proposals that:

• provide solutions which are already commercial products
• literature reviews

Examples of desired low Technical Readiness Level (TRL 4 to 6) technology sensing performance and environmental operational capability advancements;

• greater sensitivity, bandwidth and data-rate
• reductions in dead-time, bias and drift
• functioning within greater SWaP constraints
• reliability within a harsher environment

This call is specifically focused on the development of quantum technology to provide enhanced PNT capabilities. Other, ‘non-quantum’ technologies are being looked at elsewhere under the Dstl S&T Programme. Feasibility studies will provide evidence to support assertions of advances of technological sensing performance and/or enhanced environmental operational capability via demonstration of a technology prototype, corroborated theoretical modelling and/or simulation. In support of the feasibility proposals a realistic technical comparison with current state-of-the-art commercially available solutions should be included.

Dstl has generated a set of engineering tools to support mapping next generation PNT technology capabilities across all military operations.

These tools are the Engineering Severity Level (ESL) Matrix and the Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) Matrix. The ESL and SWaP tools provide a mechanism for suppliers to communicate the current and future (≤5 year) operational capability of proposed technology in increasingly challenging operational conditions. All proposals submitted under IFA025 need to clearly state how they relate to the ESL and SWaP tools.

Suppliers are expected to submit feasibility proposals that utilise the engineering tools provided. This exercise is to assist discussions between Dstl and its suppliers and identify early exploitation opportunities noting that some information may be unknown or speculative at this stage. Note also that The ESL and SWaP tool figures do not represent mandatory technology development requirements. The inability to meet all or some demanding requirements does not immediately disqualify any technology proposal.

Suppliers must utilise the engineering tools provided to meet the minimum requirement for proposal submission. All proposals submitted under IFA025 need to clearly state how they apply to the ESL and SWaP tools.

IFA026 - Armoured Fighting Vehicle Short Gap Crossing Capability

Unique Identifier IFA026

The British Army currently has limited short gap crossing capability (up to 4m gaps) to meet future desired operational outputs. Analysis suggests an urgent need to energise research and development (R&D) in this critical area to provide a simple, ubiquitous, inexpensive and effective short gap crossing solution. This capability must provide the Army’s armoured fighting vehicles (up to 40 tonnes at 3.5m width of vehicle for both tracked and wheeled platforms) with an innate gap crossing system which significantly improves their freedom of action and allows users to rapidly disperse and concentrate on their own; thereby permitting Close Support Royal Engineer resources to be focused on supporting main effort combat taskings.

It is envisaged that the proposed short gap crossing system will be used and applicable for both wet (river) or dry gaps up to 4 metres wide and 1-2 meters deep. It must allow the selected gap to be executed by the first vehicles to arrive at the obstacle. The system must allow for operation under armour with minimum / no exposure of the crew to hostile fire and be deployed from the full range of British Army combat vehicle types. System deployment to vehicle crossing must be quick (i.e. no more than 7 minutes – as this timing is driven by an adversaries’ ability to acquire and target a friendly force element with indirect fire).

Ideally the system should be standalone, modular, light weight, compact, not draw on vehicle power systems or hydraulic take offs to function or deploy nor interfere with weapon arcs or armour protection. It need only fill a selected void enough to enable the safe entry and egress of the vehicle (i.e. enhance or enable a vehicle platform’s innate ability to ‘step’ over a gap). It should be able to be used for a minimum of two crossings before failure. The system must allow unhindered tactical movement of vehicle and must not inhibit the use of any crew served weapon systems (i.e. you can fight the vehicle whilst deploying / operating the gap crossing system).

We are seeking individual proposals in the range of £150-300k per annum that span 2 phases.

Proposals must:

• complete in full by March 2023

Phase 1:

• seek to develop, test and evaluate sub-system concepts to meet this challenge
• phase 1 will have a break clause to cease any further supplier participation if phase 1 deliverables do not realistically meet the criteria outlined above

Phase 2:

• design and produce a full scale integrated prototype concept demonstration. This demonstration must be presented to DSTL and the Royal Engineers Trials and Development Unit

• all phases must complete by March 2023

• successful bids must include provision of a suitable supplier provided test facilities and supplier provisioned test instrumentation, vehicles and all associated materials.
• no Government Furnished Equipment will be provided to Suppliers for either year

Examples of desired low Technical Readiness Level (TRL 4 to 6) gap crossing technology that is being sought include;

• novel solutions such as the use of rapidly expanding foam, inflatable bags, super lightweight fascine and short bridges which do not require expensive materials or specialists to deploy
• robust, reliable and durable modular systems that can be operated by non-specialist All Arms user with minimum training in harsh combat environments
• simple, robust, ubiquitous, low-cost and effective technologies that can be easily manufactured in the UK once developed

We are not seeking proposals that:

• provide solutions which are already commercial products
• literature reviews
• provide solutions on traditional bridging technologies as these are being looked at elsewhere with the DSTL S&T Programme

IFA028 - Autonomous Resilient Cyber Defence (ARCD) Intelligent Agents

Unique Identifier IFA028

In response to operational demands, military networks and systems are becoming more complex and interconnected, both internally and with allies, and with commercial and civilian infrastructure. In parallel, attacks are becoming more sophisticated, with potentially more impact on military operations. Identifying, selecting and carrying out cyber defence responses in a timely manner is essential.

Within this Emerging Innovation Competition DASA is expecting proposals with low Technical Readiness Level (TRLs 1- 4). We have two levels of funding:

• Less than 6 month contract: up to £150K
• 6 to 12 month contract: up to £300K

This Emerging Innovation IFA is open for submissions within the DASA Open Call until 02 March 2022. (See Para 9.1). Further competitions may be advertised

The Autonomous Resilient Cyber Defence (ARCD) project aims to research and develop self-defending, self-recovering concepts for military platforms and technologies. The goal is to deliver a new paradigm in Cyber Defence, reducing the time it takes to respond to incidents and ensuring freedom of action.

Key will be the development of autonomous agents which perceive their environment, take actions autonomously and improve its performance with learning. Such agents should respond to adversary / threat activity on networks and systems without human intervention. These agents will need to operate with incomplete or uncertain data, analyse a range of (potentially complex) response options, evaluate the risks and impact of selected approaches and continuously monitor for unintended consequences. These agents may need to operate in edge environments where computer capability is scarce and should be auditable by a human operator.

We require proposals to include Deliverables and where applicable to a specific deliverable, this must include source/object code.

We are not seeking proposals that:

• provide solutions, which are already commercial products (or are included as part of commercial products / cybersecurity platforms)
• focus on the detection of anomalous or malicious activity
• aim to solely develop training environments for autonomous agents
• aim to conduct literature reviews or outputs which are just a report.

Suppliers are strongly encouraged to submit a Innovation Outline prior to full proposal submission. To submit this outline, please visit the contact a DASA Innovation Partner page.

We will aim for the Innovation Partner to contact you within 10 working days of your Innovation Outline submission. Once the Innovation Partner has considered your outline, they will advise you whether your idea is suitable for DASA funding and provide you with guidance on the bidding process.

To increase the impact and likelihood of exploitation, the output of these proposals may be shared across UK government as appropriate. Furthermore, as deemed appropriate, proposal outputs may be shared with partner nation governments including Five Eyes (FVEYS) partners nations in accordance with the rights secured under DEFCON 705. However, DASA reserves the right to apply an alternative Intellectual Property contractual conditions if individual circumstances dictate, to be mutually agreed with you before a contract is awarded. Under the terms of DEFCON 705 any intellectual property generated under the contract belongs to the contractor. In return, the funding Authority obtains a set of rights to use the delivered technical information and associated intellectual property for specified purposes.

IFA029 - Reducing the Cyber Attack Surface (RCAS)

Unique Identifier IFA029

The Defence Enterprise is an expansive, diverse and continually changing construct with a large integrated network of cyber technologies, many of which are legacy. This presents a large and diverse surface for cyber enabled attack.

Within this Rapid Impact Competition DASA expects to fund proposals within Technical Readiness Level 4 – 7 (TRLs) up to £300K for a 9 month contract. Proposed technologies should demonstrate by providing a roadmap describing how they would achieve a technical demonstrator by end of Financial Year 2023 if further funding was made available.

The Defence Science and Technical Laboratory (DSTL) on behalf of the MOD is interested in identifying and accelerating next generation hardware and software technologies to ‘design-out’ the vulnerabilities prevalent within current and future computer networks and systems (with a particular focus on Operational Technologies), thereby dramatically reducing Defence exposure to Cyber effects.

Intelligently applying these technologies would significantly reduce the opportunity for manipulation of such vulnerabilities (i.e. reduce the “Attack Surface”) on MOD systems and platforms; effectively raising the barrier to entry for adversaries and providing greater confidence and a level of assurance against cyber-enabled attack. Proposed solutions could be for both future systems and /or could be retro-fitted to existing defence capabilities.

We are seeking proposals that are novel and applicable across a whole “class” of attack surface rather than solutions tailored to a specific threat. E.g. With respect to software, a solution may eliminate an entry in the Common Weakness Enumeration Top 25.

We are not seeking proposals that:

• offer demonstrations of off-the-shelf products requiring no experimental development (unless applied in a novel way to the challenge)
• offer no real prospect of integration into defence and security capabilities
• offer no real prospect of out-performing existing technological solutions

To increase the impact and likelihood of exploitation, the output of these proposals may be shared across UK government as appropriate. Furthermore, as deemed appropriate, proposal outputs may be shared with partner nation governments including Five Eyes (FVEYS) partners nations in accordance with the rights secured under DEFCON 705. However, DASA reserves the right to apply an alternative Intellectual Property contractual conditions if individual circumstances dictate, to be mutually agreed with you before a contract is awarded. Under the terms of DEFCON 705 any intellectual property generated under the contract belongs to the contractor. In return, the funding Authority obtains a set of rights to use the delivered technical information and associated intellectual property for specified purposes.

IFA030 - Military Systems Information Assurance (MSIA)

Unique Identifier IFA030

Military Systems Information Assurance (MSIA) is a project element within the Cyber Defence Enhancement through Life Project. Funded as part of the UK Government’s Integrated Review of security, defence, development and foreign policy (IR) to modernise UK forces across domains. The IR has highlighted the importance of Cyber defence for the UK Critical National Infrastructure and Defence.

The Defence Enterprise is an expansive, diverse and continually changing construct with a large element of Operational Technologies, many of which are legacy. This presents a large and varied attack surface. With the increasing cyber threat to UK, Information Security is essential. It is therefore critical that the UK understands and adapts to future ways of securing data in order to provide Information Advantage and safeguard critical data.

The purpose of this challenge is to identify, develop and accelerate new and/or novel technical solutions for Information Assurance. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Innovative ways to provide assured information flow across both high bandwidth, reliable, corporate/enterprise level networks, and low bandwidth, intermittent comms channels.
• Innovative ways of securing data at rest.
• Innovative methods for Authentication.
• Securing information in a Cloud environment, i.e. to secure data at rest and whilst being processed; this will focus on end user/system implementation as opposed to relying on the underlying cloud infrastructure.
• Novel cryptographic key management solutions.

Whilst, historically, these solutions have often involved cryptographic based approaches this challenge seeks alternative technologies and approaches that may not use cryptography.

We are seeking proposals that:

• Offer non-conventional technical approaches to Information Assurance solutions
• Will either involve novel uses of existing Cryptographic techniques or alternative, novel, non-cryptographic solutions
• Address either current or future security issues

Proposals will be assessed on the likelihood of successful adoption within a military arena, therefore proposals should address either current or future security issues. Proposals can apply to all types of MoD systems from ships, vehicles, aircraft, dismounted soldiers, Command and Control systems up to MOD Headquarters, and all associated networks and cloud-based environments. Proposals, surmounting the challenges of the end user operating environment, can focus on specific problems (for example the security of a vehicle platform) or general systems (for example, bearer networks).

Successful proposals may provide a range of benefits including enhanced security, or increased efficiency and usability, whilst retaining existing security levels. Whilst this competition is not targeting specific issues, a successful proposal should be clear on how its novel solution or application could provide potential benefits.

We are not seeking proposals that:

• Offer demonstrations of off-the-shelf products requiring no experimental development (unless applied in a novel way to the challenge)
• Are Literature Reviews
• Offer no real long-term prospect of integration into defence and security capabilities
• Offer no real prospect of out-competing existing technological solutions
• Offer the current traditional approach to using Cryptography

Funding for this IFA will be split by Technical Readiness Level (TRL). Less mature, lower TRL (2 - 4) proposals will be considered an Emerging Innovations while more developed, higher TRL (4 - 6) proposals will be considered a Rapid Impact:

• Lower TRL, Emerging Innovations proposals should bid for funding up to £150K to provide a proof of concept within a 6 month contract.
• Higher TRL, Rapid Impact proposals should bid for funding up to £350K to provide a concept demonstrator within a 12 month contract. Government Furnished Assets (GFA) are not available for this IFA so bidders may need to simulate a network/data to develop and prove their technology.

IFA031 - Next Generation Wearable Technology

Unique Identifier IFA031

Technologies that can be used to collect physiological data (both physical and molecular parameters) from individuals in real-time, continue to develop rapidly. Such developments might be in terms of metrics measured, device functionality and/or form factor (site and style of measurement device). Conceptually, there are obvious drivers for the utility of data from such devices in defence capabilities. However, there remain gaps in the evidence base to support what metrics might be reliably measured by wearable technologies and how data from these platforms might be used to improve decision making in a defence context to protect human health and wellbeing.

Dstl has an aspiration to understand what metrics can be collected from wearable technology platforms that are of credible value to the defence user community (i.e. the metrics are sufficiently robust that they can reliably and confidently inform effective and timely decision making).

This IFA is therefore seeking propositions that demonstrate novel technology development and/ or data analytics tools that provide information to inform decision making pathways e.g. changes to health and wellbeing that could inform decision making pathways (i.e. as part of a system not a sole diagnostic device) or assist with assessing human performance.

Proposals should aim to demonstrate that data from wearable technologies have the potential to provide robust, reliable and actionable insight in either acute (minutes/hours – e.g. to intervene in acute injury) or chronic (days/months) timeframes.

Of particular interest to this IFA are technologies targeted towards the development of platforms and/or data analytical tools that provide predictive insight, into the effect of physical, psychological and environmental stressors on individuals.

Environmental stressors of interest will include, but are not limited to, thermal (hot or cold), altitude, infection and acute and chronic stress, relative to participant specific baselines.

This could include the development of novel sensor platforms that are capable of accessing novel metrics, development of innovative form factors that improve ergonomics; such as reduced size, weight, comfort and/or development of predictive data tools to better understand how to detect, prevent and treat illnesses caused by a range of occupational and environmental stressors.

This IFA focuses on two key challenges/themes:

1) Demonstration of new sensor technologies and of the data generated from these sensors against existing validated measures (where applicable). This should include proof of concept that measures are relevant to a particular state or condition of interest.

And/or

2) Innovative exploitation of signatures generated from current or novel wearable systems to provide prognostic insights into human health and wellbeing. Importantly, this would utilise human participant data (this does not necessarily need to be from a military population) and must provide key insights for preventative interventions.

Within this IFA, DASA expects to fund proposals within Technical Readiness Level 3 – 6 Technical Readiness Level (TRL) (Rapid Impact Category) up to £200k for a maximum of a 12 month contract (Projects will be funded across multiple Financial Years).

We are seeking proposals that encompass:

1) Developments in wearable technology platforms. This may include innovative form factors or methods for measurement, which permit the measurement of novel biosignatures from individuals (physical and/or biochemical parameters). This may include, but is not limited to:

• Introduction of novel measurements that currently cannot currently be made by wearable technologies. This might include sensors capable of measuring hydration status, a stress marker, cardiac measure or other pertinent metric.

• Improvements in quality, robustness and longevity of measurements that can be made using wearable devices e.g. reliability of data collection, data quality, and resolution and duration of data collection.

• Form factors that enable collection of data in a minimally intrusive format and thus may be more exploitable for defence customers, e.g. alternatives to wrist worn devices to include patches, arm worn or chest worn devices.

Proposals in this theme should include provision of evidence to support that the data generated from these sensors is credible and can be used to inform decision making. This could include demonstrable comparability of any measurement made to an existing validated measure where applicable and/or proof of concept that those measures are relevant to a particular human condition.

2) Exploitation of signatures generated from current or novel wearable systems to provide prognostic insights into human health and wellbeing.

• Proposals in this theme could for example focus on experimentation using wearable sensors in combination with data analysis to measure and monitor individuals to provide insight into the effects of environments or situations on those individuals.

• Of particular interest would be physical, psychological and environmental stressors such as heat or cold, altitude, infection and acute and chronic stress, relative to participant specific baselines.

• Where proposed models or computational tools are described, algorithms and all source code must be provided for future validation and verification purposes.

We are not seeking proposals that:

• Do not address the need for ethical review (MODREC). Proposals should include GDPR requirements and must include sufficient time to achieve appropriate approvals (currently c. 5 months.) For more information see here.

• Are literature reviews or literature summaries.

• Provide proof of concept data collection only. Proposals for novel sensors should aim to demonstrate that the measure is comparable to a credible/validated method to measure the same parameter/metric where appropriate.

• Demonstrate proof of concept of data collection only i.e. data architectures and software solutions are not acceptable unless part of a predictive system including the integration of novel data analytical tools.

• Do not provide prognostic information.

• Utilise existing commercially restricted algorithms.

• Do not provide source code and/or details on the models/algorithms developed sufficient for an independent reviewer to verify.

• Provide solutions which are already commercial products unless applied in a novel way to a defence specific human condition to provide new insight.

• Offer no real long-term prospect of integration into defence and security capabilities

• Offer no real prospect of out-competing existing technological solutions.

Proposals should aim to generate evidence that data from wearable technologies is meaningful in decision-making frameworks for monitoring and maintaining human health and wellbeing and offers demonstrable benefit over current solutions. There is potential for wide exploitation of options developed within this IFA to be exploited across defence, with successful projects being scoped for further use. The exploitation of technology will be leveraged through the Dstl Protecting Our People programme.

IFA032- Double Act: National Security Technologies

Unique Identifier IFA032

This Innovation Focus Area (IFA) is seeking evolving and state-of-the-art technologies that have the potential for integration into the NSTiX Operational Tech Co-Creation Centre (CCC) research programme. It is run on behalf of the NSTiX Operational Tech CCC, established by the National Security Technology and Innovation Exchange (NSTIx).

The IFA will focus on a specific challenge area for at least cycle 2 and 3 in FY2022-2023, before closing and moving on to another challenge when necessary. Over the course of the IFA, new challenges will be drawn from the National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF) areas of interest which can be found here. The next potential IFA challenge area is highlighted at the end of this document for awareness.

The first challenge area is to mature existing developments, beginning at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4/5 and completing at TRL 6/7. Successful suppliers will be offered the support of the NSTiX Operational Tech CCC who can provide access to a manufacturing facility, including rapid prototyping as well as support with testing and trialling. If you wish to access the Co-Creation Centre during your project, please detail what facilities or support are required in your proposal so it can be considered as Government Furnish Asset (GFX) during the assessment process. Whilst your proposal may include requests for GFX, DASA cannot guarantee its availability and you should include an alternative plan in your proposal.

Challenge area 1- Audio and Visual capture

Challenge area 1 of this IFA is focused on Audio and Visual capture. This includes hardware and software to capture, store, transfer and tag audio, visual and audio/visual evidence.

Proposed solutions need to produce high-quality data and need to process and analyse the natural language contained in the data.

Examples of particular interest include, but are not limited to:

• new durable storage methods utilising ultra-low power with a low bit error
• ultra low power^{[footnote 1]} edge analytics for both audio and visual data
• data analytics for low-resolution images, at scale, on a low bandwidth
• sensor technologies for imagery, i.e. sensors that can operate in low or very low light environment but still generate high-resolution images.

This is not an exhaustive list and we welcome ideas outside the scope of the above examples.

We are seeking proposals that:

• look to pivot technology from one sector to another
• are broadly mature in their development (TRL 4/5) or that require adjustment from the existing sector
• can be developed in approximately 3-6 months, ready for testing & trialling
• seek funding in the region of £75,000, with an upper limit £100,000

We are not seeking:

• literature reviews
• ideas that offer no real long-term prospect of integration into defence and security capabilities
• ideas that offer no real prospect of out-competing existing technological solutions
• demonstrations of off-the-shelf products requiring no experimental development (unless developed and applied in a novel way to the challenge)

There is potential for successful proposals to work within the NSTiX Operational Tech CCC during the contracts. This centre can provide access to a test space that is focussed on technology for non-visible/ covert use. The Co-Creation Centre space also offers an opportunity for successful suppliers to engage with the end users and there is potential for further progression and integration into the NSTiX Operational Tech CCC research programme.

We expect that the next IFA challenge to be released will focus on data analytics and artificial intelligence, such as autonomously processing data captured.

Please note, this IFA falls under the Security Rapid Impact competition. A submitted Innovation Outline is required prior to full proposal submission. To submit an Innovation outline, please follow guidance here. The additional Testing and Trialling phase of the Security Rapid Impact competition is not applicable to this IFA.

IFA033 - Human Augmentation

Unique Identifier: IFA033

Human Augmentation (HA) is the use of Science and Technology (S&T) to temporarily or permanently modify human performance. It includes optimisation, enhancement, degradation (reducing the impact of stresses, such as working in extreme climates) and restoration of individuals. HA encompasses a range of technologies, these include exoskeletons, implantables, genetics, brain interfaces, pharmaceuticals, and bioinformatics^{[footnote 2]}. Recent advances in S&T have led to a considerable variety of technologies (at various levels of technical maturity and readiness) that could be considered to directly or indirectly augment the human. As the battlefield becomes more complex, and more advanced technologies become available, the operational demands and technical challenges on our defence and security personnel will increase. If HA technologies can be harnessed safely, legally and ethically to develop enhanced levels of operator (and system) performance it is possible they could afford improvements in military and security capability.

This IFA is seeking proposals which present Generation-After-Next (GAN)^{[footnote 3]} solutions to operational challenges for UK Defence and Security where the human performance is the limiting factor for delivering operational effect. This IFA aims to facilitate the generation of new, innovative or radical approaches that will enable appropriate application of Human Augmentation as a solution to an operational challenge or as a means to achieve a competitive advantage in the defence and security environment.

We are interested in GAN technologies that deliver a competitive advantage to UK Defence and Security by:

• Optimising physical and/or psychological performance

• Enhancing physical and/or psychological performance

• Enabling an individual to work for longer at a desired level (baseline)of performance

• Supporting performance restoration^{[footnote 4]}

Examples of candidate HA technologies include, but are not limited to:

• Wearable assistive devices^{[footnote 5]} (e.g. exoskeletons and technologies to enhance senses)

• Sensory enhancement technologies

• Nutritional supplements

• Pharmacological interventions

• Manipulation of the microbiomes

• Neurotechnologies

• Novel materials

• Implantable devices

• Synthetic biology

• Cross reality

• Robotics

• Artificial Intelligence

This IFA is open for submissions within the DASA Open Call. See Para 9.1. Further cycles may be advertised. This IFA expects proposals to deliver a proof of concept at around Technical Readiness Level (TRL) 3 by the end of their projects. DASA expects to fund proposals to a value around £70K which provide a proof of concept within a 6 month contract.

We are not seeking proposals that:

• Provide existing, commercially available products

• Offer demonstrations of commercial-off-the-shelf products requiring no experimental development (unless applied in a novel way to this IFA)

• Offer no real long-term prospect of integration into defence or security capabilities

• Technologies that are not focussed on GAN

• Provide no improvements or benefits to existing systems

Within the proposal you should consider the following:

• All proposals must consider research ethics, specifically JSP536. For more information, please click here

• An indication of how the technology can be integrated into future defence or security capabilities

• What gaps/challenges there are in the types of technology (or the science that is needed to support them)

• Detail a long-term vision (readiness now, and its future direction) of the technology/ idea and how it can be applied within a system to achieve competitive advantage

• Demonstrate how it will provide the human with advanced capability and/or greater performance reach (focusing on the outcome and what defence or security may achieve through application of the innovation). This must demonstrate an advantage to defence that is attributed to the human component

Exploitation of successful proposals will be leveraged through the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) HA Science and Technology (S&T) project to support a long-term vision for understanding the application of HA technologies in defence and security. There is potential for wider exploitation of options developed within this IFA to support future capability requirements across the MOD and wider government.

IFA034 - Countering IEDs by Novel Technology and Techniques

Unique Identifier: IFA034

This DASA IFA is seeking proposals that can rapidly accelerate and enhance electronic capabilities which can counter Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). We are looking for novel methods which either use the Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum or provide an understanding of the RF spectrum in order to detect and disrupt the functionality of IEDs.

An important part of countering an IED threat is the detection of devices along with understanding the electromagnetic environment to inform situational awareness, to decide threat from non-threat and to inform the configuration of other countermeasures.

The innovations generated through this call will support a crucial capability for UK military and security users, protecting our service personnel, emergency services and the public using RF techniques to counter IEDs and outpace threat evolution.

An IED is an explosive device fabricated in an improvised manner, but with varying degrees of professionalism. An IED typically comprises of the following component types:

• a power source
• wires
• electronic circuitry
• an explosive initiator
• an explosives charge
• shrapnel products to increase fragmentation
• a trigger mechanism
• various enclosures

The trigger mechanisms used to initiate IEDs are often adapted from commercial products. Examples could include modified Radio Controlled (RC) toys or the use of communication networks. These RF links, and associated components, are considered the primary objective for this call. Other initiation methods could include command wires, timers and victim operated mechanisms, but these are outside the scope of this call unless there is an RF element used in the denial or detection of them.

We are interested in innovative ways to develop and expand the variety of capabilities used for UK Defence and Security. The aim of the IFA is to provide a range of successful solutions that can be developed for front line use.

Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) and Electronic Support Measures (ESM) systems need to counter an evolving range of electromagnetic technologies operating across the RF Spectrum, using an ever growing and diverse range of signalling schemes. As possible threat technology types in this area are constantly changing, front line operators need to have a wide variety of options at their disposal to mitigate emerging problems quickly and effectively.

Examples of ECM and ESM use cases include those that:

• can be carried by a service person on long patrols to deliver an immediate effect against IEDs.
• can be attached to a vehicle in a static and/or moving scenario to deliver an immediate effect against unknown IEDs.
• can be used to provide protection at a fixed location while delivering an immediate effect against an unknown IED.
• can provide targeted protection without being co-located with the protected element.
• are suitable for use in an urban, suburban and/or rural context with the associated variety of environmental conditions and spectrum conditions.

Your proposal must meet at least one of the three challenges, but we welcome bids that address more than one.

Challenge 1 - To capture and analyse RF signals using novel spectrum survey techniques, which may include, but is not limited to:

• signal analysis techniques and classification algorithms, which identify and distinguish between multiple technology standards and protocols, while being able to operate across a wide spectrum in real time.
• generating methods or data analysis techniques to provide an understanding of the RF environment, which can be used to inform tactical decisions; for instance, the ability to identify abnormal changes in the environment.

Challenge 2 - Approaches to permanently or temporarily disable commercial communications links and/or the electronics within a Remote Controlled Explosive Device. Examples include techniques that:

• disable communications links to prevent a trigger signal being received. Examples of communication links of interest include those used by push-to-talk radios, wireless doorbells, cellular devices, Wi-Fi and any other readily available communication devices. This may include approaches against the RF signal or the wireless transceivers themselves.
• disable multiple communication types simultaneously across a wide spectrum, preventing devices from switching to alternative RF bearers that they may have access to.
• disable the electronics within a Remote Controlled Explosive Device, preventing its detonation. Examples include RF techniques to affect the operation of microcontrollers or cause permanent damage.

Challenge 3 - New or novel hardware and ancillaries (system components), which may include but is not limited to:

• novel antenna concepts to improve performance and lower the RF and visual signature of the service person or vehicle with respect to the ECM system and its ancillaries.
• advancements in hardware design, such as tuneable filters, efficient ultra-wide band amplifier designs.
• optimisations in size, weight, or power, or efficiency optimisations in wideband RF signal generation technologies (in the order of several GHz).
• novel signal and data processing hardware technologies and techniques, that offer advancements in efficiency, parallelism or dynamic configurability.

We are seeking proposals that:

• show an innovative or a creative approach
• clearly demonstrate how the proposed work applies to the challenges outlined
• have been proven or matured for another application or domain, and need adaptation to develop as a viable counter IED solution
• will demonstrate solutions at a minimum of Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) 5/6
• are short to medium-term, nominally between 6 to 18 months, with a funding amount between circa £150k and £400k per project
• include a potential delivery roadmap indicating how the technology could be developed over a 2 to 3 year timeframe (beyond the scope of this IFA)

We are not seeking proposals that:

• are an identical resubmission of a previous bid to DASA or MOD without modification
• are off-the-shelf products with no additional innovation/adaptation to the applications mentioned above
• have no long-term prospect of providing a counter IED effect under real world conditions
• simply focus on a discussion of current capability gaps, whether perceived or actual
• offer detailed prediction of effects/benefits that are likely to be seen under a given scenario - this information can be built up over the period of the proposed work

Successful proposals may be exploited and developed further through the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) Future Land Force Protection and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) ECM Capability projects. These projects provide technical support and guidance to personnel in UK Strategic Command, the British Army, and Defence Equipment & Support. There is potential for wider exploitation of options developed within this IFA to support future capability requirements across the MOD and wider government.

IFA036 - Beyond Line of Sight Communications

Unique Identifier: IFA036

This Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) IFA, run on behalf of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) Communication and Networks programme, is seeking Generation-After-Next (GAN)^{[footnote 3]} proposals, which explore and develop new / novel beyond line of sight (BLOS) communication options.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD)/Front Line Commands (FLCs) relies heavily on the same mature BLOS communication technologies, such as military High Frequency (HF), troposcatter or satellite communications. These technologies have existed within the military for many years, so developing novel and more efficient BLOS communication options is a continuous aim. It is crucial to build a pipeline of future technologies and have a diverse repertoire of communication approaches to overcome any threat and ensure that if one form of bearer is denied, there are alternatives available and communications remain robust.

This IFA is seeking GAN proposals that explore and develop new / novel BLOS communication options. Alternatives to traditional methods of military communications are sought to gain and maintain communication advantage in highly disruptive threat environments. This IFA is looking for suppliers with novel ideas, for Future Beyond Line Of Sight (FBLOS) capability. This IFA should focus on BLOS techniques that are not currently employed, although it will also consider alternative applications of current BLOS technologies.

We are interested in GAN technologies that include:

• system development

• approaches to understand the “Channel”

• signal processing for new approaches to BLOS communications

• waveforms

• solution hardware development

We are not interested in:

• Solutions which are already commercial products

• Literature reviews

• Offer demonstrations of off-the-shelf products requiring no experimental development (unless applied in a novel way to the challenge)

• Offer no real long-term prospect of integration into defence and security capabilities

• Offer no real prospect of out-competing existing technological solutions

• BLOS methods, which are already utilised by the military or are mature (i.e. HF (High Frequency), SATCOM, Troposcatter).

This IFA expects proposals to deliver a proof of concept at around Technical Readiness Level(TRL) 3/4 by the end of the project. DASA expects to fund proposals around £100K, (although this is not a hard limit) which provides a proof of concept within a maximum contract duration of 2 years.

This IFA is open for submissions within the DASA Open Call. See Para 8. This IFA is expected to continue over multiple cycles, however, we will give sufficient notice for the final cycle.

Exploitation of successful proposals from this competition will feed into other Dstl Systems Science and Technology (S&T) programmes, which focus on technological solutions at higher TRL (6>). A research exploitation-working group (REWG) will also engage and aid exploitation. The REWG is composed of stakeholders across StratCom C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers (C4), Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance), Defence Digital, FLC Digital/C4 capability, Systems S&T programmes, Chief Scientific Advisor (CSA).

IFA038 - Advanced Materials for Defence

Unique Identifier: IFA038

Background

Advanced Materials is identified in the Defence Technology Framework as a critical technology family to drive innovation across defence. It is one of the seven technology families where the UK has globally competitive R&D and industrial strength as identified in the UK Innovation Strategy.

This IFA aims to harness the strengths of the UK innovation landscape to provide Advanced Materials solutions in support of defence’s generation-after-next capabilities.

The Advanced Materials Programme (AMP) is one of 25 S&T Programmes in the current MOD S&T portfolio. AMP is the successor to the Materials for Strategic Advantage (MSA) Programme and is the focal point for defence’s S&T investment in materials science and engineering. It exists to exploit global developments and innovation in materials science and engineering to enable UK defence and security to maintain strategic and operational technological advantage. This IFA will enable new opportunities under the Advanced Materials Programme to be addressed against specific challenges.

DASA competitions for Advanced Materials have a strong pedigree, for example ‘Take Cover!’, ‘A Joint Effort’ and ‘Metasurfaces for Defence and Security’ under the MSA Programme.

The Advanced Materials Programme has a strong level of engagement with International Allies. As such, for the specific purposes of considering additional funding for a competition and onward exploitation opportunities, DASA also reserves the right to share information in your proposal in-confidence with any UK and Five-Eyes (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK, US) Defence Department. In providing your information, you consent to such disclosure. Provision of such information is protected under extant memoranda of understanding between the respective defence departments of each nation.

This Innovation Focus Area will run for at least two funding cycles of the Open Call (closure dates midday 22 February 2023 and midday 25 April 2023) and is seeking to fund multiple projects across a range of operating domains. Specific project duration and funding will depend on the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) to be achieved and are likely to range from 9 to 24 months and from £100K to £300K (dependent on domain and duration). Projects submitted into the second cycle are required to be a maximum of 18 months in duration owing to funding profiling. These constraints are summarised in Section 2.3 (Clarification).

DASA reserves the right to disclose on a confidential basis any information it receives from you during the procurement process to any Governmental third-party engaged by DASA for the specific purpose of evaluating or assisting DASA in the evaluation of your proposal.

Scope

This IFA is seeking innovative solutions against the following challenges:

• Challenge 1: Intelligent materials and structures

• Challenge 2: Materials for enhanced thermal management

Further details of each of these challenges, with specific links to problems in different operating domains, are provided in the following sections.

Challenge 1: Intelligent materials and structures

Background Information

This challenge is focused on materials and structures that can either sense changes in their environment, actuate a change under extreme environmental conditions, or a combination of both. This challenge is also concerned with assessing the aging and degradation of deployable and morphing structures and its impact on long-term performance.

Innovation is required to address the unique considerations associated with various operating environments as follows:

Complex weapons

Countering low cost/multiple/swarming threats and engaging targets with sufficient mass to overwhelm countermeasures will require affordable weapons. Operational demands will require modularity and prosecution of multiple target types with the same weapon. Affordability will be enhanced by the ability to rapidly adapt/reconfigure to provide flexibility in mission type.

Air

Through-life support of military air platforms continues to provide a significant maintenance and cost burden impacting platform availability. In order to realise a ‘paradigm shift in platform availability’ and minimise through-life support, a move towards condition based maintenance is required alongside the development and exploitation of advanced repair/manufacturing capabilities and materials/approaches that reduces the maintenance burden and resource use.

Space

Spacecraft materials have to withstand the unique, harsh and highly variable environment of space. The natural space environment consists of ultrahigh vacuum, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, ionising radiation, thermal cycling, atomic oxygen (AO), orbital debris and abnormalities in space weather. Synergistic or separate interactions of these effects cause spacecraft materials to suffer corrosion, erosion, structural modification and surface roughening; which can degrade optical, thermal, electrical and mechanical properties. The lack of accessibility of space and variable launch costs, means that there are limited opportunities for maintenance and repair. Defence needs confidence and assurance that the materials used within space assets can maintain their performance and durability over a mission’s life.

Deployable satellite antennas are of interest to defence space applications owing to their ability to provide lighter and more cost-competitive alternatives than those currently available commercially. They will be compact when folded for easy portability but unfurl to several metres when in space, providing an opportunity to increase the antenna aperture size and performance. This call focuses on the aging and degradation of materials used in next generation deployable satellite antennas.

Land

Army has the strategic objectives of operating a distributed, more self-sustaining force, whilst minimising the logistical burden. This will require maintaining and repairing the fleet further forward and taking advantage of manufacturing technologies that enable maintenance to be carried out at the point of need. Sustainment will also be achieved by ensuring that the fleet, and its constituent components, have maximum availability, terrain accessibility and range at the lightest mass to ensure that the required system level effect can be achieved.

Maritime

The role of the Royal Navy necessitates a widening global reach and persistence of naval vessels across a range of roles. This objective will be increasingly achieved by a mix of multi-role crewed, uncrewed and autonomous vessels which need to be adapted to fulfil different missions. They will be rapidly deployable and able to endure a range of operating environments.

Naval vessels and platforms will require the ability for rapid modification and adaptation depending on the needs of operations. This will include changes in equipment and systems deployed on a vessel, and may be necessary in a forward-deployed setting.

The requirement for persistent global reach means that vessels may have to undertake extended deployments in varied environments. Vessel availability, reliability and durability will be essential and necessitate advances in how the Royal Navy carry out monitoring and maintenance. Areas such as autonomy and data analytics will be important. The ability to carry out monitoring and inspection tasks, including in areas infrequently accessed by crew, will support an increase in the quality and breadth of data available for platforms. If these technologies can be effectively utilised, they will greatly improve understanding of the current health of capabilities, preventing unexpected failures and supporting an effective navy.

Functional, Animate and Metamaterials Exploration (FAME)

The FAME project sits within the Advanced Materials Programme. It focuses on the development of vital enabling materials knowledge, concepts and technologies for later exploitation into systems. FAME is a cross-cutting project that encompasses all operating environments.

Key challenges include the development of materials to aid:

• improvements in communications security, such as increased bandwidths, adaptability, agility, reduction of detection and identification

• platform self-sufficiency and autonomy

• global improvements in sensing capabilities beyond traditional approaches

• capability to deliver a range of electromagnetic effects

• exploration of the possible fabrication and application of morphing materials in multiple operating environments/scenarios

Miniaturisation and reduction in size, mass, power and cost (SWAP-C) are highly desirable across all of these.

Specific areas of interest

Challenge 1: is seeking innovative solutions covering:

Complex weapons:

Smart / functional structural materials, including:

• folding or morphing structures for new weapons concepts

• light mass, low inertia control surfaces

• miniaturisation of actuators, affordable actuators

For each Complex weapons proposal, a demonstration is required at TRL 3-4 together with a white paper proposing a route to scale up and exploitation

Air:

Materials to reduce maintenance requirements including:

• materials that provide condition based maintenance

• damage indicating, monitoring and self-repairing materials

• materials tolerant to damage and extreme Air environments

For each Air proposal, the output is required to be a demonstration at TRL 2-4 together with a white paper proposing a route to scale-up and exploitation.

Space:

Techniques to assess the aging and degradation of materials used in deployable antenna systems in the LEO environment. This should include consideration of:

• origami folding / the impact of high strain deformation on a material during stowage, e.g. initiation of damage, tangling

• material creep during long-term storage and over mission life

• thermal cycling, e.g. thermoelastic deformation of large structural members

• atomic oxygen, e.g. oxidation and erosion

• ultraviolet radiation (UV) e.g. discolouration and embrittlement

• vacuum, e.g. outgassing and mass loss

We are looking for proposals that use modelling approaches (including validation) and / or experimental techniques to assess and predict the long-term behaviour of materials used in deployable space assets.

The proposal should include consideration of a range of materials typically used in the construct of deployable satellite antennas, e.g. carbon-fibre composites, coatings, adhesives, materials used for mechanical deployment, antenna materials. Projects will finish at TRL 3-4.

Land:

New technologies for material condition self-diagnosis and repair and novel multi-functional materials to support survivability through improved concealment, including:

• material self-repair

• materials that provide Condition Based Maintenance (such as structural health monitoring) & predictive sustainment

• adaptive structures such as morphing applique systems

• adding new functionality to “known” materials

• materials that promote Camouflage Concealment and Deception

• adaptive (tuneable) structures for Active Protection Systems

• adaptive (tuneable) structures for drive – chain components

Within the Land domain, the output of these projects should be at TRL 2-3 through either (or a mixture of) physical or in-silico demonstration. The proposals should consider an adequate comparison to baseline materials and combinations thereof in order to determine the overall benefit to defence.

Maritime:

Development of technologies to support the rapid build, modification and deployment of naval vessels across different operating environments.

• integration of sensors for environmental and structural monitoring, including smart materials and structures where the functionalities are included as part of build

• novel approaches to integrating wiring and connectors into materials and structures (including during build)

• morphing materials allowing the rapid deployment of structures and equipment in marine environments (including temporary structures)

• novel approaches to integrating functionalities such as self-healing, anti-fouling, self-assembling and self-dismantling

The output of these projects will be a demonstration that provides a proof-of-concept for the desired functionalities (TRL 3)

FAME:

Exploring the art of the possible in novel materials technologies including, but not limited to:

• materials to facilitate body-worn and integrated communications and sensing

• reconfigurable metamaterials and meta-surfaces to enhance performance and capability

• meta atoms for the control and enhancement of scattering of electromagnetic radiation

• morphing and actuation materials that have one or more of the following properties: are robust to extended use, able to maintain their morphing properties in extreme environments, can facilitate pop-up/temporary structures, able to detect aspects of themselves and their performance e.g. ability to know its shape or if it has successfully grasped an object without visual confirmation

The output will be a demonstration that illustrates the functionality/functionalities of the technology at TRL 3 along with a report detailing the properties of material.

Challenge 2: Materials for enhanced thermal management

Background information

This challenge is focused on materials and structures that can withstand extremes of temperatures, including structural materials for high temperatures in oxidative, corrosive or/and erosive environments and materials to support the protection of people and equipment operating in extreme (high or low) temperatures. This challenge is also concerned with either limiting heat transfer to or providing effective routes to transfer heat rapidly away from critical components.

Innovation is required to address the unique considerations associated with various operating environments as follows:

Complex weapons

To improve survivability of platforms through greater standoff and increase weapon lethality, greater speed and range are required. To achieve these higher speeds for extended duration (range), materials must withstand the extreme high temperature oxidative and erosive environment. In addition, these materials must limit heat transfer to other parts of the weapon structure.

To prosecute dynamic moving targets, effectors must have even greater manoeuvrability. This is typically achieved through control surfaces and actuators. Owing to packaging constraints, these actuators are typically located close to the propulsion system, meaning they can be exposed to extremes of temperatures.

Air

Thermal management of military air platforms remains an important challenge to ensure operation in increasingly extreme environments and provide enhanced military air platform capability. Advanced materials S&T is required to provide more capable materials for thermal management systems with improved capability/capacity, efficiency and reliability, whilst reducing mass, volume and whole life cost.

Land

Management of thermal load and distribution is fundamental to how equipment operates in the Land environment across both mounted, dismounted and uncrewed systems. People and equipment operate less effectively at the highest and lowest extremes of temperatures. Hostile action and sudden environmental effects may also expose defence platforms to temperatures beyond the original design limits. Materials S&T could transform these effects through materials design, modelling and validation for adaptive thermal control via bulk materials or combinations of materials.

Maritime

The growing complexity of sensor systems has greatly increased the computing power on-board naval vessels. The area available for the computers and associated thermal management system has not increased, leading to a need to increase the efficiency of both the electronics and the associated cooling systems.

Specific areas of interest

Challenge 2 is therefore seeking innovative solutions covering:

Complex weapons:

Materials to enable increased endurance, range or operating temperatures:

• robust insulating materials able to transfer load

• joining and sealing of dissimilar materials with differing thermal expansions. Novel approaches to joining may include transient liquids, flash sintering and additive manufacturing of graded structures.

• affordable ceramic matrix composite materials.

• actuators able to operate at higher temperatures.

• topological materials not dependant on bulk material properties to manage temperature

For each Complex weapons project, a demonstration is required at TRL 3-4 for laboratory assessment together with a white paper proposing a route to scale up and exploitation.

Air:

Materials to help reduce mass, volume and cost of thermal management systems and enhance other areas of performance such as range or survivability, whilst enabling higher temperature performance to be achieved:

• additive manufacturing of high temperature materials

• light mass thermal insulation

• materials for reduced mass/volume and improved heat exchanger effectiveness

• affordable materials for hypersonic (non-weapon) platforms

• reduced mass/volume thermal storage (e.g. improved capability/capacity of phase change materials)

For each Air technology project, a laboratory proof of concept and/or laboratory assessment (TRL 3-4) is required together with a white paper proposing a route to scale-up and exploitation.

Land:

Materials to enhance the survivability and sustainment of platforms and Users through:

• materials to manage the frictional effects on external components

• materials to manage localised thermal loading of structures and people

• materials to manage heat dissipation within combat clothing

• materials to manage heat dissipation around structural components of land platforms

• materials to provide thermal management of external drive chain components

Within the Land domain, the output of these projects should be TRL 2-3 through either (or a mixture of) physical or in-silico demonstration. The proposals should consider adequate comparison to baseline materials and combinations thereof in order to determine the overall benefit to defence.

Maritime:

Materials to improve the effectiveness of thermal management systems for computing, allowing more heat transfer to take place in the same space.

Demonstrators are required at TRL 3-4, assessing the technologies in a laboratory environment.

Clarification

We are seeking proposals to meet the following requirements; recognising that low TRL (<TRL4) developments may be applicable to more than one area:

Domain	Technical areas of interest	TRL level to be achieved for each area of interest	Form of Output for each successful project	Typical project duration & funding level (per project)
Weapons	Folding or morphing structures for new weapon concepts. Miniaturisation of actuators, affordable actuators. Actuators able to operate at higher temperatures. Topological materials.	TRL 3	Characteristic proof of concept together with a white paper proposing a route to scale up and exploitation.	9-18 months, £100K-£150K
	Light mass, low inertia control surfaces. Joining and sealing of dissimilar materials with differing thermal expansions. Affordable ceramic matrix composite materials.	TRL 4	Laboratory assessment (technology basic validation) together with a white paper proposing a route to scale up and exploitation.	9-18 months, £100K-£250K
	Robust insulating materials able to transfer load.	TRL 3-4	Characteristic proof of concept and/or laboratory assessment (technology basic validation) together with a white paper proposing a route to scale up and exploitation.	9-18 months, £100K-£150K
Air	Materials that provide condition based maintenance. Damage indicating, monitoring and self-repairing materials. Materials tolerant to damage and extreme Air environments.	TRL 2-4	Laboratory proof of concept and/or laboratory assessment together with a white paper proposing a route to scale up and exploitation.	9-18 months, £100-250k
	Materials/ Manufacturing for Thermal Management.	TRL 3-4	Characteristic proof of concept and/or laboratory assessment (technology basic validation) together with a white paper proposing a route to scale up and exploitation.	9-18 months, £100K-£250K
Space	Degradation of deployable space assets.	TRL 3-4	Validated simulation or experimental techniques on a range of materials (CFRP, adhesives, coatings, antenna materials).	12-24 months, £100K-£250K
Land	Material options that contribute to enhancing platform durability and mission survivability via enhanced damage detection, tuneable failure mechanisms in order to provide better sustainment of effect.	TRL 2-3	Laboratory scale proof of principal/concept compared with baseline materials; an assessment of a technology via validated in-silico methods; or a combination of the above. A final report documenting the findings of the project.	12 months, £100K
	Material options that enable the management of thermal loads of structures and components to enable enhanced platform performance and survivability.	TRL 2-3	Laboratory scale proof of principal / concept compared with baseline materials; an assessment of a technology via validated in-silico methods; or a combination of the above. A final report documenting the findings of the project.	12 months, £100K
Maritime	Develop materials technologies to support the rapid build, modification and deployment of naval vessels across different operating environments.	TRL 3	Characteristic proof of concept at TRL 3 assessing the technologies in a laboratory environment against baseline technology options.	12-18 months, £100K-£300K
	Materials to improve the effectiveness of thermal management systems allowing more heat transfer to take place in the same space.	TRL 3-4	Proof of concept or technology validation required at TRL 3-4, assessing the technologies in a laboratory environment against baseline technology options.	12-18 months, £100K-£300K

FAME

The total available funding for FAME is £100K-£250K for 9–18 month projects.

Domain	Technical areas of interest	TRL level to be achieved for each area of interest	Form of Output for each successful project
FAME	Robust morphing materials for high and/or low temperature extremes.	TRL 3-4	Validated simulation of the concept. Report detailing materials and methods identified for lab demonstration and the testing that will be required.
	Self-sensing morphing materials with active control.	TRL 3-4	Validated simulation of the concept and proof of concept required. Report detailing how the material could be incorporated into an intelligent feedback loop.
	High speed, torsion and/or displacement solid state actuators.	TRL 4	Technology basic validation of actuation meeting one or more of the high performance requirements. Assessment of materials durability to repeated use and proposal for scale up.
	Use of meta atoms for the control of EM radiation.	TRL 2-3	Technology concept - analytical and experimental critical function proof of concept. Report detailing next steps and applicability.
	Reconfigurable metamaterials and metasurfaces to enhance performance.	TRL 4	Recognising previous DASA work in this area, the requirements are to push this technology up an additional TRL. Thus, technology validation with tangible links to applications are expected.
	Multifunctional materials that can be integrated as body worn sensors and communications	TRL 2-4	Technology concept - validation in laboratory environment and report.

• this IFA is open to both ‘conventional’ materials processing routes and bio-based approaches (e.g. engineering biology approaches to producing materials but excluding ‘living’ materials or solutions)

• the IFA may take a portfolio-based approach to deciding which projects to fund to ensure a balance across all requirements

• where small-scale (<30cm x 30cm x 30cm) artefacts are produced Dstl would like to retain a sample to assist with project exploitation and communication to key stakeholders

We are not seeking proposals that:

• provide solutions which are already commercial products

• literature reviews

• offer demonstrations of off-the-shelf products requiring no experimental development (unless applied in a novel way to the challenge)

• offer no real long-term prospect of integration into defence and security capabilities

• offer no real prospect of out-competing existing technological solutions (this would not include e.g. performance equivalent where a significant enhancement in other benefits could be achieved such as sustainability, reduced training burden etc.)

• replicate work already funded under relevant MOD S&T programmes, including but not limited to, Hypersonics, Future Kinetic Effects and Weapons (FKEWS), Air Systems, Maritime Systems, Space Systems, Future Sensing

Project ideas, limited to 500 word EOI may be submitted to an innovator’s Innovation Partner to determine whether the proposal is in scope for this competition.

Exploitation

The outcomes of your proposal may be exploited through one or more of the following, depending on the nature of the advance in S&T made and the challenge and domain to which the work is directed:

• furthering advances in fundamental S&T through the Advanced Materials Programme

• maturation of the S&T through one of Dstl’s applied research programmes

• incorporation into future technology demonstration activities

• exploitation through a focused MOD unit or Front Line Command

Additional funding beyond the IFA phase is not guaranteed.

IFA039 - AI for Defence

Unique Identifier: IFA039

This IFA has now closed and will not re-open. The information here is for reference only.

Background

The Defence AI Strategy (DAIS) sets out the UK’s vision to adapt and exploit Artificial Intelligence (AI) at pace and scale for Defence advantage. This innovation focus area (IFA) aims to generate the best ideas from a diverse range of innovators, and offers the opportunity for innovators to suggest AI projects to Defence.

The Defence AI Centre (DAIC) seeks to exploit innovative AI research at pace. DAIC works closely with partners across Defence, including the Commands, and these partners will be involved in selecting and exploiting projects funded by this IFA.

The primary benefit that Defence seeks from the application of AI is improved military capability, allowing the UK and its allies to maintain advantage in defence and security. Defence also wants to harness the efficiency benefits that AI is bringing to a wide range of other sectors. Examples of desired outcomes from AI include transformational changes in: 

• the quality and timeliness of intelligence data available to military commanders

• the effectiveness in planning and conducting operations

• reducing the risk to life of armed forces personnel through the use of uncrewed, autonomous platforms

• automating routine tasks to free Defence personnel up to do higher value activities

• achieving better value for the taxpayer by making the business of Defence more efficient

Scope

We are interested in funding proposals that harness all types of AI to deliver significant benefits to Defence. Proposals with additional application to Security are welcomed but this is not essential. Specific application areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

• autonomous logistics and any research with the potential to significantly improve the efficiency of the logistics chain or increase availability

• exploiting operational data, e.g. to support intelligence analysis, or to protect the force. This could require using open source data or classified data from any source including sensors; if the exploitation of the innovation is likely to use classified data, your proposal would benefit from considering how this could be achieved (please note that no classified data will be provided)

• human-machine teaming for military effect (including the use of autonomous systems  within the force, and the coordination of multiple crewed / autonomous systems)

• machine-speed decision making (e.g. to support operational planning and command and control)

• increasing efficiency, or how defence manages and supports its people and its systems

We are also interested in proposals directed towards overcoming common barriers to implementing AI within Defence. These include, but are not limited to:

• innovations in curating and managing data

• sharing AI models across multiple systems

• deploying AI at the edge assuring systems  containing AI

• ensuring our AI is robust and resilient

• secure ways to develop AI at low classifications for use at high classification^{[footnote 1]}

Clarification:

We are seeking proposals that:

• are innovative

• represent either innovator push or defence user pull;  the idea needs to align with a defence application, but specific user pull is not essential to a successful bid

• comply with the MOD’s position on ethics for AI: ‘Ambitious, Safe, Responsible’

• specify the technology readiness level TRL for the innovation at the start and the end of the project; we are aiming for innovations to reach in the region of TRL 4 to 6 at project completion

• specify the timescale for exploitation and how Defence might exploit the work

• consider whether working with classified data would be required to deliver benefits to the military user, and if so how this could be achieved; please note that no classified data will be provided for your project

• specify any background or third party IPR or data that the proposal is dependent on, and any limitations that imposes on MOD’s user rights

• deliverables should include code and a demonstration; where data is required to use the code or train others to use it, this data should be provided and any restrictions on its use should be highlighted

• focus on the AI element of the capability (rather than the hardware of an autonomous system)

• clearly justify the need for Defence funding

• bid for no more than £150k

• have a maximum project duration of 9 months

We are not seeking proposals that:

• provide solutions which are already commercial products

• provide solutions which would benefit Defence but are likely to be funded and / or developed through other means

• are solely literature reviews

• offer demonstrations of off-the-shelf products requiring no experimental development (unless applied in a novel way to the challenge)

• offer no real long-term prospect of integration into defence and security capabilities

• offer no real prospect of out-competing existing technological solutions

Exploitation:

The DAIC eXperimentation hub, has established an agile development pipeline to mature and de-risk innovative AI concepts encompassing either innovator push or defence user pull. When concepts reach sufficient maturity they may be taken on by DAIC Ops (Digital), DAIC Ops (Robotic and Autonomous Systems) or Front Line Commands as appropriate, and brought into service by integration into existing IT systems or platforms. The Defence Technology Exploitation Programme (DTEP) might be one possible method of exploitation^{[footnote 2]}.

Funded projects will be allocated a Project Manager (to run the project) and a Technical Partner (as a technical point of contact). In addition, the DASA team will work with you to support delivery and exploitation including, when appropriate, introductions to end-users and business support to help develop their business.

A Bridge To Fall

Unique Identifier: IFA040

Background

Recent world events show that large scale manoeuvre of troops and armour remains a serious threat to the territorial integrity of our allies and partners. Having a credible and adaptable means to limit a hostile force’s ability to perform such manoeuvres is as important today as it has ever been.

Bridges are a particularly important aspect of this. While the defending force has a strong incentive to deny their adversary use of bridges, the attacker has an equally strong motivation to preserve key bridges and disrupt attempts at sabotage. Thus preventing an adversary from using a bridge is an important but dangerous mission.

Though other, stand-off or rapid methods can be used, carefully selecting the placement of charges on a structure is logistically more efficient and entails the least collateral damage. Preparing a structure for demolition this way is resource intensive both in terms of the number of personnel used and the time required.

This innovation focus area seeks ideas which ultimately minimise the human participation in the process and reduce the demands on any remaining personnel. Ideally, only human decision making in terms of timing, balancing of risk and legal responsibility would remain.

Scope

Presently, demolishing a bridge to limit an opposing military force’s freedom of manoeuvre requires skilled engineering personnel to undertake complex tasks in a potentially hazardous environment, including:

• surveying the structure of the bridge

• analysing the structure

• establishing the weakest points on the bridge

• identifying the size and type of explosive charges to be used to deny use of or destroy the bridge

• delivering and fixing explosive charges to crucial points on the bridge

• establishing at least two methods of passing the command to detonate to the charge

• detonating the explosives in a manner conducive to render the bridge crossing impassable

The steps above require: specialist skills in the form of the British Army Royal Engineers (typically a troop of around 30 led by an engineering officer); significant detail on bridge construction; and a considerable period of time.

The value of bridges to the opposing force means they will likely dedicate their own resources to disrupt these steps. This has the potential to expose individuals conducting the activities described above to a hazardous situation.

This IFA aims to support the development of capability that will satisfy the above tasks whilst reducing the reliance on, and risk taken by, Army personnel. We seek innovative approaches which could help our people spend less time exposed to threats.

There are three topics of interest in this IFA. Proposals should address one or more of the following challenge areas:

1) How to identify and diagnose structural weaknesses of bridges

2) How to optimise the placement and effect of explosive charges on the bridge

3) Designing an unmanned device to place the charge(s) in the appropriate point(s)

For this IFA please make the assumption that the target bridge is of ferrocement construction (i.e. steel reinforced concrete). This assumption will be valid for Cycles 1 and 2 of FY23/24.

Clarification:

We are interested in ideas that could modernise the British Army’s bridge demolition capability . Proposed innovations should help perform this role while minimising the exposure of Royal Engineers to the potential hazards posed by an adversary. It is anticipated that successful proposals will harness the potential of advanced technologies to achieve this, including but not limited to:

• Autonomy

• Machine learning

• Uncrewed Cross-domain Vehicles (UxVs)

We are seeking proposals that:

• Show evidence of an innovative and unique approach
• Have the potential to reduce the number of Royal Engineers needed to perform a bridge demolition
• Could help make Royal Engineers safer by reducing the time they are exposed to hazards while completing their duties (listed in section 1.2)
• Exploit diverse sources of data from various sensors
• Will deliver a prototype at Technology Readiness Level 6
• Will have a duration of no more than 5 months
• Cost no more than £400k

We are not seeking proposals that:

• provide solutions which are already commercial products
• literature reviews
• offer demonstrations of off-the-shelf products requiring no experimental development (unless applied in a novel way to the challenge)
• offer no real long-term prospect of integration into defence and security capabilities
• offer no real prospect of out-competing existing technological solutions

Exploitation:

We anticipate successful proposals will lead to concept development, more directed research, and eventually an achievable System Requirement.

1. High classification work would require security clearance for the supplier and its workers, and the use of less powerful computing systems that are not connected to the internet. ↩ ↩²

2. DTEP is open to UK-registered small to medium enterprises. ↩ ↩²

3. Generation-After-Next definition: A capability that does not presently exist and contributing technology is not fully understood. Concepts will be ‘leap ahead’ and world-leading to challenge the boundaries of current knowledge and emerging understanding ↩ ↩²

4. When the level of performance drops below the baseline, performance restoration concerns returning performance to its baseline. ↩

5. Wearable technologies that simply monitor the individual are out of scope, as these technologies are being considered through a different IFA. The analysis of data from wearable technologies is also out of scope. ↩