Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • DASA initiative to accelerate innovative UK defence solutions

Defence

DASA initiative to accelerate innovative UK defence solutions

The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) has announced the launch of a new Early Market Engagement (EME) pilot initiative for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on the theme of Uncrewed Systems.

Image courtesy DASA

This pilot aims to collaboratively curate problems alongside industry and academia to determine whether a full competition in this area is required. The initial pilot will concentrate on two critical sub-systems of Uncrewed Systems:

Why is Early Market Engagement needed?
The MoD Innovation Directorate and Defence Suppliers Forum (DSF) are collaborating with industry to improve Defence’s capacity to turn innovative solutions into needed capabilities. The EME pilot will collect insights from industry experts to better understand specific problem areas. This proactive strategy aims to challenge problems and identify potential solutions that could rapidly deliver capability for defence. The DASA Early Market Engagement initiative forms part of the MoD’s overall intent to improve its engagement with industry and market early on their capability challenges.

Advertisement
ODU RT

For prospective suppliers, participating in the EME workshops will provide an opportunity to understand, engage with and contribute to the MoD’s problem challenge areas. Although this does not guarantee that a competition will take place afterwards, this advance notice enables suppliers to consider the potential development of new or enhanced existing offerings.

Who can attend?
The EME workshops welcome participants from both industry and academia. Workshop attendance is limited to one person per company and the attendee must have a good understanding of the problem space and the relevant technology that their company has. The workshops will function as open forums, and participants must be prepared to engage in discussions. Please note that these workshops will be conducted at OFFICIAL classification.

You can find further details about the pilot and full details of the problem statements in the Early Market Engagement document.

Workshop dates and registration:
The EME workshops will take place in three locations over six dates as shown below, to apply to attend a workshop visit the Eventbrite page. Applications close at 12:00 midday on 31st October 2024 (GMT).

Advertisement
ODU RT

Bristol:
    Position, Navigation & Timing (PNT) - 19th November 2024
    Low-cost, Fast Engines - 20 November 2024

London:
    Position, Navigation & Timing (PNT) – 26th November 2024
    Low-cost, Fast Engines – 27 November 2024

Newcastle:
    Position, Navigation & Timing (PNT) - 12th November 2024
    Low-cost, Fast Engines - 13 November 2024

For more information read the full Early Market Engagement document to learn more.

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
Apache support drones get £10m boost

Defence

Apache support drones get £10m boost

18 May 2026

Fully autonomous drones which will accompany the British Army’s Apache helicopters are receiving a £10 million investment as Project NYX reaches a new milestone.

RAF Typhoons deploying APKWS in Middle East

Defence

RAF Typhoons deploying APKWS in Middle East

18 May 2026

A new Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) is being be fitted to RAF Typhoons on operations in the Middle East, providing a low-cost anti-drone weapon to precisely destroy targets for a fraction of the price of missiles currently used.

BAE Systems delivers US Space Force missile warning sensor system

Defence Space

BAE Systems delivers US Space Force missile warning sensor system

18 May 2026

BAE Systems has delivered the sensor subassembly and sensor system controller components for the Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared Polar (NGP) programme, providing advanced missile warning, technical intelligence and battlespace characterisation mission capabilities, for the US Space Force.

QinetiQ supports Typhoon counter drone missile integration

Defence

QinetiQ supports Typhoon counter drone missile integration

17 May 2026

QinetiQ has supported the RAF in rapidly integrating and testing laser guided, low-cost missiles to RAF Typhoons, which are now being used in the Middle East to defend against drone attacks.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Dstl backed robotics advance transforms military manufacturing

Defence

Dstl backed robotics advance transforms military manufacturing

15 May 2026

Rivelin Robotics, supported by Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) expertise, has created microfactory technology that automates the slow, risky manual finishing of 3D printed parts.

Defence firms incentivised to deliver on time

Defence

Defence firms incentivised to deliver on time

15 May 2026

The UK Government is cracking down on waste and delays as defence companies are to be incentivised to deliver equipment on time and on budget with new reforms to Single Source Contract Regulations.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner