Official DPRTE 2024 partner, DASA, has announced funding for two further SMEs to develop cutting-edge projects with higher-tier partners through the Defence Technology Exploitation Programme (DTEP).
The companies, Kognitiv Spark and NquiringMinds will each receive a government grant, worth 50 per cent of the project value.
The SMEs will partner with a larger supplier with the aim of developing innovative new solutions that meet defence challenges.
Kognitiv Spark is deploying a Mixed Reality (MR) platform as a service on a defence network, while NquiringMinds is developing an advanced data analytics and multi-source information processing system for the marine domain.
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.
An important 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.
Anita Friend, Head of DASA, who will be delivering a Keynote address at the DPRTE event, said: “It is a great pleasure to see two further SMEs receive DTEP funding as they continue their journey in supporting the UK defence supply chain, with the help of their higher-tier business partners.
“Through this exciting and important programme, their projects will develop technologically advanced innovative solutions that ensure our future defence and security operations continue to be successful.”
Kognitiv Spark is deploying a Mixed Reality (MR) platform as a service on a defence network, initially for Equipment Support (ES) and Medical Support (MS) uses. MR is the merging of real-world and computer-generated environments, allowing real-time access to support and training.
This initiative will enable the use of MR on defence networks, empowering personnel with digital assets backed by specialist guidance, significantly enhancing operational tempo. The project is supported by Serco, which has been collaborating with Kognitiv Spark to identify use-cases and impact.
NquiringMinds is working with its higher-tier sponsor, BAE Systems, to develop advanced analytics for BAE Systems’ combat system in the marine domain to augment the human decision process when there is a large amount of incoming information to process. This information comes from multiple sources, or agents, including humans, computing devices and servers. The sources of the information include radar, satellite data and the Automatic Identification System (AIS) – the coastal tracking system used on ships.
NquiringMinds uses machine learning and algorithms originally developed for a DASA cybersecurity project to combine data from many sources – agents – to increase automation and reduce the burden on personnel. The multi-agent analytics system makes recommendations on the trustworthiness of incoming data, which it can dynamically adjust based on new information received.
The £16 million DTEP initiative aims to inspire companies to win new business, develop industrial capabilities and provide new and cutting-edge answers to defence problems. The two newly-funded SMEs will be followed by more projects selected through further DTEP 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-based SMEs looking to form a collaboration with a UK-based 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 recently published Defence Capability Framework. DTEP guidance can be accessed here.
Taking place at Farnborough International on March 27, DPRTE 2024 is the UK’s leading defence procurement and supply chain event.
For all involved within buying for or supplying to the defence sector, it’s an unmissable opportunity to hear from and engage with industry leaders, influencers and stakeholders.
To register today as a delegate, follow this link: https://www.dprte.co.uk/book-now/
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Post written by: Matt Brown
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