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DASA launches competition seeking ways of incorporating advanced materials into military use

Land October 17, 2019

A competition seeking innovative new ways to join advanced materials for the armed forces has been launched by DASA and Dstl.

The UK and Australia have established a fund to support new ways of joining advanced materials for use across the military. The new fund is the second phase of ‘Joint Effort’ launched last year as part of the Dstl Materials for Strategic Advantage Programme.

The competition is run in cooperation with the Australian Defence Science and Technology Group (DST Group), Small Business Innovative Research for Defence (SBIRD), and Next Generation Technologies Fund (NGTF). For the next phase, entries are encouraged to create ties between both nations and build on ideas from the first phase as well as exploring new ones.

Phase 2 has £500k available through DASA to fund multiple proposals. In parallel, there is a separate competition for Australian bidders with funding of an additional A$1m.

Potential joining solutions should provide enhanced capability through one of the following:

• improved performance through use of new material combinations or structural designs
• improved durability of structures through better joints
• improved ability to maintain joints through the life of the military platform.

The technical challenges are the same as Phase 1 and the joining of materials as diverse as ceramics and polymers, metals, and combinations of composites are within scope. Full details of the competition and requirements can be found on the government website and the competition will close on 31 January 2020 and any new entrants do not have to have been involved in Phase 1 to apply.

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Australia DASA Dstl funding Government Innovation Materials for Strategic Advantage

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.