DASA launches Map the Gap Phase 2 competition

Above: Army engineer looks over river crossing.
Courtesy MoD / Crown Copyright

DASA’s Map the Gap Phase 2 competition, run on behalf of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), seeks innovative ideas from academia and industry that aim to build on the achievements of Phase 1.

Ideas are sought that can develop and demonstrate a number of system demonstrators able to tackle some of the key issues of gap crossing surveys.

Robert Hammond-Smith, DASA Delivery Manager, said: "Current methods of surveying water crossings expose the soldier to danger at the forward edge of the battlefield, and risks compromising the potential crossing point by revealing our interest in that location.

"We are seeking collaborative technology solutions that reduce the burden on the soldier, enabling better decision making and reducing the incumbent risks.

"We aim to put those solutions into the hands of our soldiers more quickly by asking our friends in academia and industry to work together on ideas, so that DASA can accelerate solutions to a higher level of readiness."

Successful submissions will demonstrate a clear plan to a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 demonstrator (Technology model or prototype demonstration in a relevant environment) as part of Phase 2, with an outline plan of how the technology could be developed into an in-service capability.

Phase 2 of the competition launched yesterday and full details and requirements can be seen on the competition page.

Please note that the Phase 2 DASA competition follows Phase 1. DASA suggest that potential bidders familiarise themselves with details of the Phase 1 Competition and also the successful suppliers.

It is not a pre-requisite to have participated in or submitted a bid for Phase 1 to submit a proposal for Phase 2.

Contracts for Phase 1 were announced last year.

Phase 2 of Map the Gap requires a wide range of technologies to be integrated and demonstrated by a solution. Joint submissions are encouraged to fully utilise a range of industry expertise.

For this phase DASA are encouraging collaboration between suppliers. To support this DASA have a short survey to collect details of suppliers who wish to explore collaboration possibilities.

DASA will be hosting 15 minute one-to-one teleconference sessions for prospective suppliers, giving you the opportunity to ask specific questions.

If you would like to participate, please register on the Map the Gap 1-to-1 Eventbrite pages.

To book for Wednesday 27 January 2021.

To book for Thursday 28 January 2021

This competition closes on Tuesday 9 March 2021 at midday (GMT).

DASA – the MoD’s innovation hub – finds and funds exploitable technology to give Her Majesty’s Armed Forces and UK security a strategic advantage over adversaries while supporting the nation’s prosperity.

DASA works with scientists from Dstl, academia and industry to rapidly accelerate and develop these new technologies.

For full details and requirements on Phase 2, visit the competition page: www.gov.uk/government/publications/competition-map-the-gap-autonomous-gap-crossing-survey-phase-2/map-the-gap-autonomous-gap-crossing-survey-phase-2-competition-document