The Centre for Defence Enterprise is holding a networking event for science and technology providers in Birmingham.
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’s (Dstl) Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE) is on the look-out for emerging technologies that offer new opportunities for high-resolution imaging in poor weather conditions.
The research will have both military and civilian applications. The research could, for example, help to reduce motorway accidents caused by bad weather as well as helping military pilots land in thick fog.
Up to £1.5 million of funding is available to fund research into high-resolution visible band and infrared imaging technology. In the initial phase of the competition up to £500,000 is available to develop concepts. A further £1 million is available to develop the most promising.
On 30 June 2016 CDE is holding an event for organisations that want to find out more about the competition at the County Ground, Edgbaston. Registration is now open but numbers are limited – registration will close at 12.30 PM on 27 June 2016. There is also a webinar on 7 July 2016 for those who can’t make it.
Jonathan Piper, Senior Scientist in electro-optic and infrared sensing team at Dstl said:
Weather has always affected the use of visible light and infrared imaging technology. The Ministry of Defence would like to understand if emerging technologies offer new opportunities for high-resolution imaging when poor weather reduces visibility. In this CDE themed competition we’re therefore looking for new and emerging electro-optical and infrared technologies and concepts that could provide additional operational capability in these challenging environments.
Jim Pennycook, Head of Operations at CDE said:
CDE funds novel, high-risk, high-potential-benefit research. We work with the broadest possible range of science and technology providers, including academia and small companies, to develop cost-effective capabilities for UK armed forces and national security.
The event in Birmingham will give organisations a deeper understanding of this competition as well as other CDE funding opportunities. Attendees will also get an opportunity to meet a range of Government experts on these issues as well as other potential bidders and current suppliers.