£670k shared by two innovators in first round of DTEP funding
The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) announces grant funding for two innovative small companies to develop cutting-edge projects with higher-tier partners under the Defence Technology Exploitation Programme (DTEP)
- The innovators selected in Cycle 1 of DTEP are Filtronic Broadband and ISS Aerospace
- DTEP is a £16m programme that aims to boost Small and Medium-Sized enterprises (SMEs) defence innovation
- More innovative SME projects will be selected in future DTEP Cycles
The first two innovative SMEs to receive funding through the Defence Technology Exploitation Programme (DTEP) have been announced.
Through DTEP, the SMEs - Filtronic Broadband and ISS Aerospace - will each receive a government grant, worth 50 per cent of the project value, to partner with a larger supplier to develop innovative new solutions that meet defence challenges.
DTEP, which seeks to improve the competitiveness of the UK Defence supply chain, is sponsored by the MOD’s Directorate of Industrial Strategy and Exports (DISE) and delivered through the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), Innovate UK, and ADS.
A key element of DTEP is collaboration between an SME supplier and a higher-tier partner that already has experience of working with defence. The sponsoring higher-tier partner will contribute time, effort and resources to work with the SMEs in these collaborative innovation projects.
The £16 million programme aims to inspire companies to win new business, develop industrial capabilities and provide new and cutting-edge answers to defence problems. The two funded SMEs in Cycle 1 will be followed by more projects selected through further Cycles during 2023-24.
DTEP offers grant funding of up to 50 per cent of total project expenditure for projects up to 18 months in duration – up to a £500,000 grant for a project up to £1 million.
Applications to DTEP can be made by UK-registered SMEs looking to form a collaboration with a UK-registered higher-tier supplier to help integrate and take the novel solution to market. The key areas of interest for proposals are set out in detail on the DTEP portal and are aligned with the Defence Capability Framework. DTEP guidance can be accessed here.
Anita Friend, Head of DASA, said: “Congratulations to these first two SMEs on receiving DTEP funding. Working with their higher-tier partners, their projects will deliver new innovations into the UK defence supply chain, helping to meet the MOD’s enduring capability challenges while developing their businesses.
“Through DTEP, the value to the larger partner companies is that they will have early access to new and exciting technologies, material or processes that they can to help commercialise.”
Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge said: “DTEP is lighting a fire under pioneering defence technology being developed by the UK’s small and medium-sized enterprises. Backing these innovations to help enter the defence supply chain can be crucial to modernising the battlefield and making personnel safer, better equipped and more integrated.”
For further background see the article DASA launches DTEP.
Congratulations to the successful Cycle 1 SMEs
Filtronic Broadband (grant funding £169,604; total project cost £339,209) is collaborating with a major aerospace company to manufacture and test plastic encapsulated Transmit Receive Modules (TRMs) for electronically scanned radar systems. The TRMs use the latest high power density compound semiconductor materials. Plastic encapsulation is much lighter and significantly cheaper compared to ceramic alternatives. Initially to be used in airborne radars, it is applicable to other detector, sensor and communication systems for defence and commercial applications.
“This opportunity not only demonstrates our technological expertise but also strengthens our commitment to supporting the UK’s defence industry, its sovereign supply chain and future radar programmes. We are excited to be part of this programme,” said Tudor Williams, director of technology at Filtronic.
ISS Aerospace (grant funding £499,992; total project cost £999,984) is working with higher tier partner Marshall Futureworx, to develop a heavy-lift Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) – a drone – that will use an aviation-fuelled hybrid electric turbine generator power plant instead of rechargeable battery packs. This does not require complex electrical infrastructure for re-charging batteries in the field. The UAS will provide a payload of 250kg – more than two fully-equipped soldiers – and have a potential range approaching 100km.
ISS Aerospace CEO Ryan Kempley said: “We are excited to have been selected for funding in DTEP Cycle 1. Our Heavy Lift UAS will be capable of carrying a range of payloads and therefore able to fulfil numerous potential roles for both military and commercial security operators. We have worked with DASA on several occasions – this time through DTEP – and it continues to be a positive and helpful experience.”