Tag: Dstl

Dstl Leads The Army’s Largest Ever Force Development War Game

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has led the Army’s largest ever force development war game and collaboration.

Army Wargame 23 (AWG23) tested a new UK Army approach to future operations. Known as the ‘Land Operating Concept’, it looked at redesigning combat power with an aim to protect and advance UK and international interests.

The 9-week war game involved more than 250 participants. It created a diverse team of experts including international partners, industry and academics, and was viewed by senior Ministry of Defence (MOD) officials.

4 fictitious mission scenarios were exercised which examined a variety of force structures in order to help the Army understand aspects critical to delivering a battle-winning operating concept.

Senior Army officials made a special visit to the event which included Major General James Bowder (Director Futures, Army HQ) who hosted Chief of the General Staff (CGS) General Sir Patrick Sanders.

General Bowder said:

This event shows evidence of the great work that has been going on ‘behind the scenes’ and the compelling insights and results achieved. I am very proud of the work and the relationship we have with Dstl.

Addressing attendees General Sir Patrick Sanders commented:

These are the most useful and evidenced insights I have ever seen from war gaming.

The collaboration with international partners has led to the success of AWG23. The UK armed forces very rarely go into operations entirely alone, and so international involvement and contribution has been crucial to understand how allies will operate together in the future.

Sarah Knight, a Senior Principal Operational Research analyst for Dstl, said:

International contribution enables us to use their areas of expertise which gives us a richer picture of how we can operate together in the future. Together we have looked at multi domain integration relating to different technologies we all share – and that has been extremely valuable.

The US provided a number of personnel which looked at deep shaping for a UK division involved in close combat.

Colonel Matthew Olson from US Army Futures Command said:

The ability to share new ideas with our UK colleagues is very valuable to us; the environment, techniques and the exchange of information has been second to none. Having the ability to overlay our concepts with UK concepts, specifically seeing how to conduct and improve joint operations and each other’s perspectives with our close allies is invaluable.

24th August 2023
Armed Forces Expo London – Meet The Exhibitors – Dstl

The 9th Armed Forces & Veterans Expo takes place on Wednesday March 29 at the G Tech Community Stadium, London.

The event takes place from 0930 to 1230 and is free to attend for anyone from the Armed Forces community – register here!

We continue our look at exhibitors present on the day with a focus on Dstl…

At Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) we work on unique projects that simply can’t be found anywhere else.

We are growing, which gives you the opportunity to find a new role with purpose and to work alongside some of the top minds in industry and academia. At the heart of our organisation are our values: collaboration, innovation and impact. These are embodied by all our employees in the pioneering science and technology work we do.

Some of the many areas of growth are engineers, project managers, scientists and analysts from all disciplines.

Discover a new way to serve and explore our opportunities.

24th March 2023
dstl: Are You Passionate About Engineering, Communications And Protecting Your Country? Then We Have Some Amazing Roles For You!

The Electronic Warfare & Communications Group is the lead for specialist Communications and Electronic Warfare aspects of Dstl’s Counter Terrorism and Security capability.

We provide science and engineering support for military and security operations and conduct research and development in areas including Electronic countermeasures (historically focused on countering improvised explosive devices); cellular and mobile protocols; wireless communications and electronic surveillance; electromagnetic compatibility; and radio-frequency directed energy weapons for the purpose of Homeland Security and Counter-Terrorism Systems of the UK.

The Group’s purpose is to provide Users with state of the art technological developments that confers operational advantage and freedom of action. The Group is one of the largest and most technically diverse groups within Dstl, and we have opportunities for a number of experienced Engineers & Scientists to join our growing capability.

We are looking for various roles between levels 3 – 6 including:

·        Electronic Systems Engineer Lvl 4/5

·        Electronics Engineer Lvl 3 / 4

·        Software Engineer Lvl 4/5/6

·        RF Test & Measurement Engineer Lvl 4/5/6

·        Research Scientist / Engineer Lvl 4/5/6

·        Senior RF Engineer Lvl 5

·        Principal, Senior & Electronics Engineers Lvl 4/5/6

Salary is dependent on experience and skills: Dstl Level 3 £20,639 – £23,491, Dstl Level 4 £25,052 – £29,228, Dstl Level 5 £32,626 – £38,066 & Dstl Level 6 £40,514 – £47,007

For more information on these roles, experience required, group and to apply please use the following link: https://bit.ly/dstl-electronic-warfare

2nd August 2022
£1 Million For Innovation To Enhance UK Space Capabilities
Five innovative organisations have won a share of £1 million to develop technologies that enhance the UK’s ability to safely operate in space.
- Innovative ideas receive funding to overcome major space hurdles as a result of an innovative campaign
- Space to Innovate also aims to promote space resilience and operational effectiveness
- Proposals focus on novel Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) and communications technologies
The funding – announced last week at the Farnborough International Airshow – has been allocated to projects that improve intelligence gathering, threat assessments, and enhance the monitoring of spacecraft.

Space to Innovate Campaign – Bravo was launched in September 2021, and sought to find innovations that maintain the UK’s freedom to operate in the space domain by developing future space technologies that enhance and protect military and civilian activity.

The winning organisations include:
- AltaRange Ltd (Scotland)
- Fraunhofer UK Research Ltd and Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics (Scotland)
- Slipstream Engineering Design Ltd (Yorkshire and the Humber)
- AVoptics (South west)
- Astroscale (South east)
Space-based services and satellites are vital to modern life, enabling a range of civilian and military activities such as global communications, secure navigation, banking transactions and transport. Any form of disturbance to UK space capabilities, whether natural or intentional, can have a huge effect on these critical services and the UK economy as a result.

Air-Vice Marshal Paul Godfrey, Commander of UK Space Command, said:

This is an exciting time for the UK’s space sector. It’s great to see companies across the union continuously challenging the norms and improving the UK’s ability to operate effectively and safely in space through innovative technologies.

Bravo Drop is the next part in the collaboration between Government, Defence, and industry and is crucial to our mission to make space safe, secure, and sustainable for all generations.

The Space to Innovate Campaign aims to find and fund solutions to major space hurdles to promote space resilience and operational effectiveness. Funded through Space to Innovate Campaign – Bravo Drop, the campaign is a joint collaboration between the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) UK Space Agency and Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA).

Dr Mike O’Callaghan, Dstl Space Programme Manager, said:

This is a hugely exciting time for Dstl with the launch of two satellite missions from the UK later this year. Accelerating the development of these technologies could enhance future space operations and contribute to improved space domain awareness, as well as more secure communications. We look forward to working with all the winners.

Organisations were invited to submit their innovative technologies and solutions to help overcome two key challenges:
- Novel sensing and Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) technologies.
- Novel approaches to improve signal-to-noise performance of space-related communications, sensing, identification or tracking capabilities.
The winners now have up to 20 months to complete their projects and deliver the results.

The Space to Innovate Campaign – Alpha Drop aimed to identify visualisation tools to enable space operators to exploit information gathered from multiple data sources, and novel methods for characterising objects in space and their intent.
25th July 2022
Future Of UK Defence Artificial Intelligence Launched
Plans for the future of cutting-edge UK Artificial Intelligence (AI) defence technology have been unveiled in a new strategy published today.
New Defence AI Strategy launched at London Tech Week AI Summit to drive forwards innovation

New approach to the Ambitious, Sustainable and Responsible use of AI.

New jobs, research, development, and experimentation to modernise the UK Armed Forces

Plans for the future of cutting-edge UK Artificial Intelligence (AI) defence technology have been unveiled in a new strategy published today at London Tech Week AI Summit. The strategy and accompanying policy on the ‘Ambitious, Safe and Responsible’ use of AI underpin a new Defence AI Centre (DAIC), which will offer a visionary hub to champion, enable and innovate these technologies across the UK Armed Forces with pace and ambition.

In the face of ever-evolving threats to global security, the Defence AI Strategy outlines how the UK will prioritise research, development, and experimentation to revolutionise our Armed Forces capabilities through new concepts and cutting-edge technology to deliver the latest equipment to the battlefield through effective, efficient, trusted pathways. Concepts include AI-enabled autonomous combat vehicles and resupply systems to deliver supplies without putting people in danger, or soldiers on the front-line guided by smart systems drawing on hours of detailed footage captured by a series of small drones.

We also publish today our policy on the ‘Ambitious, Safe and Responsible’ use of AI, developed through partnership with the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation (CDEI), including new ethical principles for the use of AI in Defence. These will make sure that Defence makes the best and responsible use of the technology, both to retain the confidence of the public and our partners and to hold others to account for irresponsible behaviours.

Defence Procurement Minister, Jeremy Quin, said:

Future conflicts may be won or lost on the speed and efficacy of AI technology, and our approach to AI must be rapid, ambitious and comprehensive.

Our new Defence AI Centre (DAIC) and AI strategy will create a focused hub to champion these technologies, working ethically hand in hand with human judgements to maintain the UK’s position at the forefront of global security and responsible innovation.

Further to this, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) have awarded a £7 million contract to Northern Ireland based company Kainos, partnering with AI specialist Faculty Science Ltd and defence experts Actica, to deliver world-class artificial intelligence experimentation. The contract will support up to 20 highly skilled data science jobs across the UK as well as developing new specialist roles to reinforce safe, ethical, and operational AI.

Dr Paul Kealey, Head of Dstl’s Cyber and Information Systems Division said:

Dstl is delivering the most ambitious programme in its 20-year history – and we can only deliver on this by working with diverse talent from across industry and academia.

AI has the potential to provide significant benefits across Defence from the back-office to the Front Line and I’m delighted we are working with Kainos – a brand new supplier who will bring specialist expertise and experience as a leader in the civil world into defence.

Brendan Mooney, Kainos CEO, said:

We are delighted to have been selected to be AI Agile Delivery Partner for Dstl. We share the Ministry of Defence’s belief that when utilised effectively and responsibly, data and AI offers unparalleled opportunities for the future of defence.

Alongside our partners, Faculty and Actica, we are excited by the opportunity to extend this relationship with this long-term engagement with Dstl.

Defence’s commitment to strengthen security and modernise our armed forces was outlined in the Integrated Review, and the use of AI is a key to achieving that objective. The AI Strategy highlights how the MOD will be transformed into an ‘AI ready’ organisation and in doing so, will support the government’s wider ambitions for the UK to become a Science and Technology Superpower by 2030.

The announcements took place during London Tech Week, and the minister made clear at the AI Summit that AI-enabled military capabilities will always be in line with UK ethical values, standards, and legal obligations, and that there remain instances where human judgement will always be necessary.

Building on the Integrated Review and Defence Command Paper – which was backed by an additional £24 billion for Defence over 4 years – the Defence AI Strategy will form a key element of the National AI Strategy and reinforces Defence’s place at the heart of the Government’s drive for strategic advantage through science and technology.
16th June 2022
Science & Technology Drive To Deliver UK Space Launch
Image: Crown Copyright

An ambitious Defence Science & Technology agenda, backed by £2 billion of investment, including an exciting new satellite launch, has been commissioned today.
Science & Technology Portfolio launched to support new projects across Defence

More than £2 billion of R&D funding allocated between now and 2026.

New space sensors to be launched from UK later this year

A new, ambitious Defence Science & Technology agenda, backed by £2 billion of investment and including an exciting new satellite launch, has been commissioned today.

Aimed at driving forward cutting-edge research and developing new Defence capabilities, the Science & Technology Portfolio outlines a series of ambitious programmes, encouraging industry collaboration and input to meet future Defence needs.

One ground-breaking project in the new portfolio is the Coordinated Ionospheric Reconstruction Cubesat Experiment (CIRCE) – a miniaturised space weather suite onboard two satellites – which will be launched later this year in partnership with the US Naval Research Laboratory.

The CIRCE mission will see three miniature sensors fixed to two cereal box-sized satellites to collect data on space weather as part of Virgin Orbit’s Launcher One rocket from Spaceport Cornwall in Newquay later this year.

The miniature sensors have been developed for the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) by University College London, the University of Bath, and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, and drawing on expertise from the University of Surrey. They will monitor changes within the ionosphere – a layer of the Earth’s atmosphere about 80 to 1,000 km above the surface – where variations in the environment can interfere with the operation of GPS, communications and sensing technology.

Paving the way for similar technology to be used on future satellite deployments, the miniature sensors could expand the ability to collect measurements in space to enhance space weather modelling capabilities. This knowledge would assist our Armed Forces to maintain communication and intelligence capabilities on the frontline.

Minister for Defence Procurement, Jeremy Quin, said:

Exploring and using space is crucial for developing cutting-edge Defence capabilities that will ensure our Armed Forces can operate at the highest level anywhere on the battlefield.

We are investing record amounts across our science and technology portfolio to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of innovation and sustains its strategic advantage over our adversaries.

Air Vice-Marshal Paul Godfrey, Commander of UK Space Command, said:

Defence science and technological activity in space has never been more important, whether it is in support of military operations or helping to combat climate change, defence innovation is at the forefront of this work.

After it enters orbit from Spaceport Cornwall, CIRCE will enhance our understanding of space weather and help us to keep critical satellites safe from the many hazards associated with operating in space.

The CIRCE mission forms just one element of a broader Science & Technology Portfolio announced today, aimed at driving forward cutting-edge research and developing new capabilities that currently do not exist anywhere around the world.

Building on previous projects including testing autonomous systems and developing state-of-the-art capabilities for our F-35 fighter jets, the MOD will work with the best of British industry and academia to develop new and exciting defence technology.

£2 billion will be invested between now and 2026 to develop programmes which underpin the development of the generation-after-next of military capabilities Key elements of the future-facing portfolio include:

Plans to develop a new weapon demonstrator capable of operating up to hypersonic speeds to better equip our Armed Forces against future threats.

Expanded research into AI technologies, better understanding how they can benefit service personnel on the front line.

Investment to build defence capabilities in space, improving intelligence, communication, and surveillance.

The £2 billion outlined is part of the £6.6 billion investment into research and development following the £24 billion increase in the defence budget announced in the 2021 Defence Command Paper. Designed to meet the MOD’s capability needs, the Science & Technology portfolio will ensure the UK Armed Forces have access to the newest and most cutting-edge technology.

Dstl Chief Executive Dr Paul Hollinshead said:

Dstl’s world-class scientists are committed to delivering the best scientific advice and technological solutions, giving the armed forces operational advantage, the edge in decision making, and saving lives.

The new portfolio will see defence enhancing its hypersonic research programme alongside significant science and technology investment in AI, cyber, electromagnet activities, novel sensors, advanced materials, space and support to the nuclear deterrent.
8th June 2022
Armed Forces Expo Oxford – Meet The Exhibitors – Defence Science and Technology Laboratory

There is not long to go now for the Armed Forces Expo Oxford on Thursday April 21 at the King’s Centre, Osney Mead, Oxford.

We continue our focus on who is exhibiting on the day with a look at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory.

Register here for free!

Dstl

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl)employs some of the world’s brightest people. We’re always
on the lookout for talented, creative, dedicated and innovative individuals to join us. We offer the chance to work on mind-blowing projects in a truly unique environment. It’s an inspiring setting where you can develop wide-ranging skills & experience while learning from some of the brightest minds in the UK.

We are currently recruiting for engineer, scientist, technologist, analyst, management, procurement and leadership positions :
our vacancies are advertised on the Civil Service Jobs website.

https://bit.ly/DstlCSJobs

13th April 2022
Quin Opens First Defence Science And Technology Hub In The North East

New Dstl site in Newcastle will specialise in artificial intelligence and data science and work with regional partners.

Yesterday, Defence Procurement Minister Jeremy Quin opened the hub at a formal ceremony in Newcastle, alongside Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Dame Angela McLean DBE and Dstl’s recently appointed chief executive Paul Hollinshead.

Defence Minister Jeremy Quin said:

It’s vital that Defence is open, outgoing and engaged, tapping into the best ideas across the UK.

The Dstl science and technology hub in Newcastle will help spread Dstl’s geographic reach and harness the brilliant minds of the scientists, engineers and academics to develop cutting edge data science and artificial intelligence to support our national security.

In response to the increased emphasis on science and technology in the UK and our drive for diversity and the recruitment of core skills, Dstl is investigating opportunities for science and technology hubs around the UK to access new suppliers, including industry, small and medium-sized enterprises and academia, and alternative recruitment opportunities.

The small Dstl team will carry out AI and data science related research to help defence, turn data into information advantage, and to accelerate the responsible and ethical adoption of AI across defence.

Dstl Newcastle aims to achieve full operating capability by spring 2023.

Recruitment is ongoing in parallel with the opening event. Dstl expects to have approximately 15 employees based at the site by April next year.

Dr Paul Hollinshead MBA OBE said:

This is a really exciting time for Dstl and our drive to support UK science and technology. The hub already has seven members of staff working at The Catalyst building, and we look forward to harnessing further talent from across the region to deliver the best scientific advice and solutions to the MOD and the country.

Locally-based innovation organisations, such as the National Innovation Centre for Data and the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), will support Dstl’s objectives by enhancing its understanding of the opportunities offered by innovation in data both in the North East and across the country.

Dstl’s science and technology hub programme aligns with the Government’s Levelling Up agenda with Dstl Newcastle cited in the recently published White Paper.

Apply for AI and data science specialist roles at Dstl Newcastle

Find out more about how to work with or sell to Dstl

25th March 2022
The Armed Forces Expo Bristol – Introducing The Exhibitors – The Defence Science And Technology Laboratory (Dstl)

With the Armed Forces & Veterans Resettlement Expo Bristol 3 days away, we thought we would take a look at our exhibitors on the day (42 of them to be precise) continuing with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and they will be showcasing their latest recruitment drive for personnel on the day of the event.

To register for free for this event (open to serving personnel, veterans, spouses and families) please see the link HERE

More about DSTL…

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) employs some of the world’s brightest people. We’re always on the lookout for talented, creative, dedicated and innovative individuals to join us. We offer the chance to work on mind-blowing projects in a truly unique environment. It’s an inspiring setting where you can develop wide-ranging skills & experience while learning from some of the brightest minds in the UK.

We are currently recruiting for engineer, scientist, technologist, analyst, wargamering, management,procurement and leadership positions : our vacancies are advertised on the Civil Service Jobs website. https://bit.ly/DstlCSJobs

25th October 2021
£9.5m Investment For Military Space Communications

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) have awarded a £9.5 million contract to In-Space Missions Ltd for the build of the Titania satellite, which will undertake vital research on the next-generation of communications technology.

To be launched in 2023 and approximately the size of a washing machine, the satellite will support the ‘Titania Operational Concept Demonstrator’ which is exploring the military utility of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) direct-to-earth free-space optical communications (FSOC).

As modern battlespace technology requires increasingly high bandwidth, FSOC has the potential to transform military communications with its ability to transfer large volumes of data, with a low risk of detection or interception.

The technology works by transmitting the data at high speeds via narrow laser beam between two very specific points. In this case Titania will communicate with ‘Puck’, Dstl’s new Optical Ground Station – carrying on the tradition of the UK naming space projects and satellites after Shakespearian characters.

Dstl’s space programme manager, Dr Mike O’Callaghan said:

The Titania space mission will accelerate the development and adoption of space-based optical communications, allowing our Armed Forces the ability to operate in an increasingly contested environment.

The Titania satellite will support the UK space sector and provide a solid foundation on which to conduct experimentation into FSOC and allow the science to be developed. We are delighted to be working with In-Space Missions on this highly innovative project.

With transfer speeds of multi-Gigabytes per second, the increased rate of data transfer provided by FSOC will enable faster military decision making, and when launched, Titania will focus on demonstrating the rapid transfer of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance data.

This world-leading science will inform choices for military space capabilities and could be utilised for future military satellite communications, potentially providing high speed connectivity to link air, land and maritime platforms.

The satellite will be built in the UK by Hampshire-based In-Space Missions, with the contract directly supporting 20 jobs at the company and in the UK supply chain. Forming an important part of developing the MOD’s space capability, the contract follows the recent launch of UK Space Command at RAF High Wycombe, which saw the headquarters of Defence space capabilities and operations officially ‘stood up’.

Commander of UK Space Command, Air Vice Marshal Paul Godfrey said:

Following our stand-up as a Joint Command, the Titania satellite contract is the next exciting step for the UK in space.

It’s a brilliant example of the partnerships being developed and enhanced across the UK space enterprise, developing capabilities that not only enable military operations, but underpin countless activities essential to our way of life and the safety of our nation.

Supported by the £24 billion uplift announced by the Prime Minister last year, the programme reaffirms commitments outlined in the Defence Command Paper with a focus on developing space capabilities and operating in this domain. The construction of the Titania satellite is part of the MOD’s investment of over £1.4 billion into next-generation technology in the Defence Space Portfolio across the next 10 years.

The contract to build the satellite has been awarded through the Serapis Lot 2 commercial framework, run by Dstl in collaboration with BAE Systems. The framework aims to reach non-traditional defence suppliers, small and medium-sized enterprises, and academia to develop new capabilities with the space domain.

Image: MOD copyright 2021.

10th August 2021