DASA calls for deception innovations to help the British Army

June 5, 2024

The Digital Transformation of the Battlespace

The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is pleased to launch a new Themed Competition called Contemporary Deception for the British Army. Run on behalf of the British Army, this competition seeks proposals that can identify and develop new (novel) deception technologies that could be utilised by the British Army to gain operational advantage and to aid the survivability of deployed UK Land Forces.

Throughout history, effective deception of armed forces has provided advantage to commanders. In the complex landscape of 21st-century land operations, there is a constant requirement to adapt to the evolving operating environment through the employment of Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs), with technology. In today’s multi-domain and data-enabled battlespace, computer-aided multi-spectral sensing offers near instantaneous targeting for accurate firing. The ability to surprise or instil ‘doubt and cost’ for adversaries, as well as to ‘buy time and opportunity’ for UK Land forces has never been more critical.

The development of new and novel deception technologies for UK Land Forces is a key challenge area that the British Army is actively seeking to solve. It has established a Deception Capability Board to do so. The practice of deception remains engrained in doctrine, the driving need is to identify and exploit technological solutions that can deceive tactical intelligence collection assets and munitions that are also able to track their targets.

If you think you have a suitable idea, read the full competition document and submit a proposal.

Competition Challenges

Challenge 1: Show the False

This challenge is looking for novel ways to ‘show the false’. Ideas that might help solve this challenge area may show representations of generalist and specialist Land capabilities.

Challenge 2: Hide the Real

This challenge is looking for novel ways to ‘hide the real’. For this challenge we are interested in visual, infrared, acoustic and radar bands. Ideas that might help solve this challenge include innovations that obscure the ability to find static and moving platforms and systems, and command logistics hubs, ideally in more than one area of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Technology Readiness Levels (TRL)

We encourage proposals where the innovation output is no higher than, Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 5. Successful proposals will be expected to validate their deception technology in a relevant environment. This could include validation against a range of representative sensor technologies in a formal tactical trials environment. An appropriate level of evidence will be required for solutions expected to exit at TRL 3 or 4.

Learn more about the challenges and expectations in the full competition document.

Key dates and funding

The total possible funding available for this DASA competition is £900,000 (excluding VAT).

The deadline to submit a proposal is midday (BST) 9 July 2024.

If you have a suitable innovation, read the full competition document and submit a proposal.

Engagement opportunities

Dial in session: 7 June 2024

A dial-in session providing further detail on the problem space from the Army’s competition team, with a chance to ask questions in an open forum. If you would like to participate, please register on the Eventbrite page.

Register for webinar

competition DASA funding Innovation