Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Dstl hosting Searchlight webinars for land systems

Defence Events

Dstl hosting Searchlight webinars for land systems

The latest opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and new suppliers to engage with the defence industry have been announced by Dstl (Defence Science and Technology Laboratory).

Image courtesy Dstl

Dstl is hosting 2 webinars in March to support research to improve the protection and mobility of armoured vehicles, now and into the future. The webinars are being organised through Dstl’s Searchlight initiative to increase defence collaboration with non-traditional defence suppliers.

Advertisement
ODU RT

The webinars are free to attend and businesses do not need to have worked previously with Dstl or in the defence sector. Attendance is welcomed from equipment and material manufacturers, engineers, innovators, researchers and academics and others who have a genuine interest and ability to work with Dstl.

Webinar 1: Modular Integrated Protection Systems (MIPS)

Date: 16th March 2021, 1:30 to 2:30pm

Dstl is furthering research to improve the protection and survivability of Armoured Fighting Vehicles from attack against a wide range of current and future threats, such as Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) and Anti-Tank Guided Weapons (ATGWs) therefore helping to protect the lives of the UK Armed Forces.

Dstl conducted a proof of concept Technical Demonstrator Programme (Icarus TDP) between 2017 and 2021.

The TDP developed a UK sovereign Active Protection Modular Integrated Protection System (MIPS) Electronic Architecture (EA), incorporating Modular Open System Architecture design principles. The MIPS EA provides a common infrastructure that will enable ‘best of breed’ technologies to be developed or selected and integrated.

Further research and development is now required to mature key elements of the MIPS concept.

Specialised expertise is required in certain areas such as weapon control, sensor data fusion and kinematic estimation but there is also a requirement for knowledge in safety critical software, deterministic data processing, system level modelling/simulation and high integrity model based system-engineering techniques.

The Dstl requirement is expected to be around £1 million in value over two years, subject to contract. Concepts generated may be taken forward for further development within a potential multi-million pound project.

Webinar 2: Future Ground Combat System research
Date: 18th March 2021, 11:30am to 12:30pm

The Future Ground Combat System will set out to replace current armoured vehicles such as Challenger 2, the Army’s Main Battle Tank and produce battle-winning capability in 2040 to 2050. The presentation will review the potential scope of future combat vehicles and outline some of the key challenges where science and technology solutions will be required. The areas of interest include lethality, survivability, mobility, system integration and the use of organic remote systems.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle

The team will explain the variety of ways to work with Dstl including commercial routes and framework arrangements.

The events will be administered by Team Defence Information.

Register at https://dstlsearchlight.eventbrite.co.uk

 

 

 

Advertisement
Babcock LB Babcock LB
Galvion unveils Hellbender ultra-lightweight helmet

Defence

Galvion unveils Hellbender ultra-lightweight helmet

19 February 2026

Galvion has unveiled the Batlskin Hellbender UL (Ultra-Light) helmet — a new ultra-lightweight ballistic head system developed to meet the evolving needs of modern armed forces operating at scale and seeking force-wide standardisation.

ESS launches wild MoD venison on Defence menus

Defence

ESS launches wild MoD venison on Defence menus

18 February 2026

ESS Defence, specialist provider of foodservice and FM to military establishments across the UK, has collaborated with The Lean & Wild Co. to integrate wild venison sourced from the MoD estate into its Defence menus, delivering nutritional and environmental benefits.

Babcock introduces premature baby leave

Defence

Babcock introduces premature baby leave

18 February 2026

Babcock International Group has introduced premature baby leave for its UK based employees and becomes the first defence company to sign The Employer with Heart Charter in partnership with The Smallest Things charity.

British soldiers to gain SONUS five years early

Defence

British soldiers to gain SONUS five years early

18 February 2026

British soldiers will be able to more aggressively hunt, detect and locate hostile gunfire, as well as receive a further layer of protection on the battlefield, thanks to the early delivery of advanced technology in the shape of the SONUS system.

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle
UK delivers modernised rehabilitation wards to Ukraine

Defence

UK delivers modernised rehabilitation wards to Ukraine

18 February 2026

The UK has handed over the last of five modernised medical rehabilitation wards to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as part of Project Renovator.

Swindon expertise underpins acquisition of local defence specialist

Defence

Swindon expertise underpins acquisition of local defence specialist

18 February 2026

Swindon based corporate finance specialists Watersheds has announced that the acquisition of local business PRP Optoelectronics Ltd by SDI Group plc, has been successfully completed.

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle
Advertisement
Babcock LB Babcock LB