Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • DASA seeks autonomous solutions for a dynamic world

Defence Security

DASA seeks autonomous solutions for a dynamic world

The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is launching a new competition to seek ideas and innovations that could improve autonomous systems across defence.

Funding of up to £4 million is available to fund multiple projects over multiple phases.

In society, we are becoming increasingly dependent and trusting of unmanned, autonomous and semi-autonomous systems to operate our machinery, cars and even our home deliveries. Similarly, in defence, autonomous systems are driving a revolutionary change in military operations, transforming the battlespace with improved intelligence and mobility.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Future conflicts and military operations are anticipated to be in ever more challenging environments. Autonomous systems will be required to continue operating effectively and efficiently regardless of the environment.

The challenge for autonomy is to mature autonomous systems with the capability to operate on demand, under all conditions that may be encountered. This includes natural conditions such as rugged landscapes, dense vegetation, dynamic wind speeds or high sea states; and manmade conditions such as congested and contested electromagnetic spaces.

All these factors affect the military effectiveness of current autonomous technologies.

DASA are seeking proposals for novel and innovative technologies to improve the capability of autonomous military systems in such challenging environments.

Advertisement
ODU RT

The competition closes on Thursday 10 October 2019 at midday (BST).

Full details are available in the competition document . Queries should be sent to: accelerator@dstl.gov.uk .


 

Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner
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
Hexagon leaderboard