Defence Online

The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is pleased to launch a new Themed Competition called Innovation in Support of Operations. Run on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, this competition seeks fast paced scalable proposals across four key challenge areas.

Background: Can you make a real world difference, fast and at scale?

The UK Government is continually assessing lessons from world events. From these lessons, we seek to rapidly adopt solutions that enhance our military and economic advantage. This competition intends to identify nearly ready solutions and techniques that can be accelerated into scalable and deliverable effect faster than our adversaries.

This rapid, multiple cycle competition will run for three cycles, open continuously from 18 July until 3 December 2024.

Competition key information

• Cycle 1 close – 12:00 Midday on 10 September 2024 (BST)
• Cycle 2 close – 12:00 Midday on 22 October 2024 (BST)
• Cycle 3 close- 12:00 Midday on 3 December 2024 (GMT)
• Total funding available for all successful bids in this competition is £2 million (excluding VAT)
• Funded proposals are expected to be in the range of £50,000 to £200,000
• A number of proposals may be funded

Challenge 1: Novel and enhanced scale complex manufacture of materiel

We are looking for new ways to:

• improve the capability and performance of materiel
• increase volume of materiel
• reduce the cost or extend the life of materiel

Challenge 2: Autonomous system navigation and applique options

We are seeking ways to make legacy ground vehicles operate with basic autonomy. We are also seeking new UAS navigation solutions that can interface with industry standard architecture.

Challenge 3: Wide-area sense and detect

We are looking for reduced cost, low probability of intercept, wide-area sense and detect including (but not limited to) air search (including passive) and the function of 3D counter-battery radar.

Challenge 4: Innovative solutions for minefield breaching

We are seeking innovative methods to effect a breach of conventional, deep, extensive and heavily protected minefields quickly, cheaply, and with sufficient regard for personnel protection.

Technology Readiness Levels (TRL )

For this competition we are seeking technology output and demonstration at technology readiness level (TRL) 6 as a minimum no later than three months from the contract start date.