Defence Online

Phase 2 of DASA competition to disarm chemical weapons launched

Land October 7, 2019

DASA has launched Phase 2 of ‘Don’t Blow It!’, a competition seeking novel ways of neutralising chemical weapons.

The second phase of the competition is seeking technology to destroy or neutralise chemical weapons and biological agents in Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Up to £1.5million in funding will be available for successful projects chosen by the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA).

DASA is seeking new technology at Technology Readiness Level 3 (TLR 3) with the aim of creating full-scale prototypes. They are also considering adaptations of existing technologies and the competition is co-funded with the United States.

This competition is focused on three main objectives:

• Access: gain access to munitions, IEDs and bulk containers without relying on the original design features, such as filling ports
• Disable: prevent munitions, IEDs and bulk agent being used as intended either temporarily or permanently
• Destroy: permanently and irreversibly destroy munitions, IEDs and bulk agents

In the first phase, proposals were focused on single component parts. Seven organisations were funded at a value of almost £700k.

Under the Chemical Weapons Convention, all member states are obligated to destroy any chemical weapons they own or possess, or that they abandoned on the territory of another member state. Whilst destruction technologies exist for this purpose, they are not appropriate for use in all circumstances.

The competition emphasises the need for prototypes which can function in low-resource environments and can be used quickly to neutralise threats. Proposals must be submitted to DASA by 1700 GMT on 6 January 2020 and more information is available on the government website.

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Post written by: Vicky Maggiani

Vicky has worked in media for over 20 years and has a wealth of experience in editing and creating copy for a variety of sectors.