Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide

Defence

Dstl trials future of invisible war

The future of ‘invisible war’ has been trialled by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) using emerging and next generation electromagnetic (EM) concepts.

Courtesy Dstl

Supremacy in the EM environment is as crucial to warfighting as any of the traditional domains. Overwhelming the adversary through degrading and defeating their command and control systems provides commanders with significant strategic advantage.

Dstl’s ‘Spectral Prophet’ trial was an ambitious demonstration of prototype EM activities that combined previously separate disciplines. It also demonstrated other emerging EM technology that could be integrated in future work, including deception and countermeasures, in both offensive and defensive capacities.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025

By sharing data, status and tasking across a distributed command and control (C2) infrastructure, existing and new radio frequency (RF) transceivers can be employed to better effect and allow new ways of working that are currently not possible.

Combining the data from multiple sensors and effectors provide a more automated process to give commanders greater strategic awareness and operational advantage.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Dstl technology lead, Chris, said: “We are building the technology that allows information to get to where it needs to in near real time whilst filtering out information that isn’t needed.”

Dstl Spectral Prophet technical lead, Jon, said: “The trial and supporting programme draws on years of Ministry of Defence Chief Scientific Adviser funded research. We have funded a lot of work, for example, our university-based EM Hub. We’re building UK skills which supports the government’s growth agenda.”

Spectral Prophet was supported by a range of suppliers from prime contractors, small and medium sized enterprises and academia. Defence funding in EM research helps develop and maintain highly skilled jobs across the UK.

The results of the trial will help inform decisions around the Strategic Defence and Security Review and demonstrate how new capability can be integrated more rapidly and better value for money achieved. Conceptual architectures and specific technologies have been developed to experiment with and de-risk this integration, as well as to identify lessons and requirements for subsequent procurements.

Advertisement
Roke Roke
SEA secures contract with Thales to support Royal Navy ships

Defence

SEA secures contract with Thales to support Royal Navy ships

1 May 2025

SEA has secured a 15-year contract with Thales as part of the Maritime Sensor Enhancement Team (MSET) programme.

Shipley UK and Kahootz partner to enhance opportunity capture

Aerospace Defence Security Space

Shipley UK and Kahootz partner to enhance opportunity capture

1 May 2025

Kahootz and Shipley UK have announced a strategic partnership to enhance opportunity capture and bid management capabilities.

Semiconductor facility launches in Southampton

Aerospace Defence Security Space Events

Semiconductor facility launches in Southampton

1 May 2025

A new facility using cutting edge electron beam technology to build the next generation of semiconductor chips - and the first of its kind in Europe - was opened yesterday at the University of Southampton by Science Minister Lord Vallance.

Dstl marks 25 years of chemical weapons prevention

Defence

Dstl marks 25 years of chemical weapons prevention

30 April 2025

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is marking a significant milestone today – 25 years of continuous recognition as a Designated Laboratory for the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

Advertisement
ODU RT
DE&S takes ownership of new £98.5m warehouse facility

Defence

DE&S takes ownership of new £98.5m warehouse facility

29 April 2025

UK Armed Forces are better equipped for ever-evolving global security threats, as the construction of the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) new state-of-the-art storage facility at Longtown in Cumbria is complete.

BAE Systems receives US Marine Corps ACV-30 FRP contract

Defence

BAE Systems receives US Marine Corps ACV-30 FRP contract

29 April 2025

BAE Systems has been awarded a $188.5 million full-rate production (FRP) contract from the US Marine Corps for 30 ACV-30mm vehicles, which includes fielding support, spares and test equipment.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025