Capability Visions – speedy innovation
Science and Technology Capability Visions (CVs) were launched in February 2009 with the aim of encouraging innovators and industry to work with MOD to develop revolutionary ideas and address five long-term defence challenges.
- Reducing the Burden on the Dismounted Soldier
- Future Protected Vehicle
- Reducing Operational Dependency on Fossil Fuels
- Novel Air Concept
- Electronics Defeat
As part of the Defence Technology Plan (DTP) the CVs have successfully stimulated new activity in the wider R&D community and challenged existing and new suppliers to apply their science and technology in new and innovative ways.
Over 50 contracts have now been placed with a wide range of organisations across industry and academia. Around 35 of the contracts are a direct result of a series of Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE) calls which were supported by briefing events which included background information, networking opportunities and meetings with defence and military personnel.
Working alongside MOD's mainstream research programme, CVs add to the drive for the best innovation to deliver a major step change in key military capabilities.
Future Protected Vehicle
This aims to deliver within four years a demonstrator with the capability, agility and logistic footprint of a lightweight vehicle, combined with the effectiveness and survivability associated with a heavyweight force.
The CDE call has resulted in four contracts with other proposals under consideration. BAES/MIRA and Innov8 (Thales, Fraser Nash, Supacat, Prodrive, QinetiQ, MillBrook, Lotus) are also conducting concept studies in this area. The best technologies will then be chosen and integrated into a demonstrator for further development in conjunction with users and DE&S.
Novel Air Concept
This Capability Vision will consider new concepts and demonstrate technologies for unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs) in order to provide a more cost-effective means to achieve the effects currently provided by manned aircraft and cruise missiles. The concepts will have to be capable of operating within an urban landscape, up to 1,000km inside defended airspace.
Reducing Operational Dependency on Fossil Fuels
MOD currently has an annual fuel bill of around £1 billion. Armed Forces depend on a secure source of fossil fuels; for tankers that supply power to bases in Afghanistan; flying troops and supplies between the UK and Afghanistan; and for the Royal Navy patrolling the ocean’s trouble spots.
This CV is investigating the impact of and the opportunity to exploit alternative energy sources and technologies that are under development across the military and, more importantly, the civilian markets.
Nine contracts have been placed covering areas including: Formula One KERS energy systems, robust solar technology; portable wind generators and other power technologies. MOD will also be working with the Research Councils and the Technology Strategy Board on issues such as 'green shipping' and Hydrogen fuels. Biofuels, the impact of using simulators for training and ways of extracting power from waste are also being considered.
A further CDE call is being considered for 2010 with the aim of bringing together some of the best technologies. This will examine how Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) can drastically reduce or eliminate their dependence on diesel fuel.
Reducing the Burden on the Dismounted Soldier
This is a two year £10 million programme which aims to identify ways to reduce the physical and logistical burden on the dismounted soldier to improve agility, endurance and tactical effectiveness. The main tasks are:
- Lightweight Personal Protection
- Weapon system
- Energy Efficient Soldier
- Assisted Carriage
- Soldier System Architect.
Over 30 contracts have now been placed with the majority coming through CDE calls. These include looking at new materials or designs for ammunition and armour; high efficiency batteries and novel power sources (including micro turbines and energy scavenging); as well as technologies for automated unmanned 'mules' that can follow and support soldiers, carrying some of their burden.
The soldier system architect will bring these technologies together during the two year programme. It will then be possible to assess whether the ambitious weight saving target has been achieved. Work to date has already identified a possible 25 percent reduction in overall weight, with work continuing to find more savings.
Electronics Defeat
Understanding how sophisticated electronic systems and information technology can be attacked, and the protective measures which can be adopted is vital to the future of UK defence. This CV is looking at developing a deeper understanding of the threats to systems and how these can be minimised, improving system protection and vulnerability.