[Physstaff] FW: Defence Innovation Initiative Launch - 16 Sep 2016

Thu Aug 25 17:00:44 BST 2016

Please see below
Erling

===============================================================
Professor Erling Riis
Head of Department
Department of Physics,               tel: 0141-5483490
Strathclyde University,
John Anderson Building,             e-mail: e.riis at strath.ac.uk<mailto:e.riis at strath.ac.uk>
Glasgow, G4 0NG
UK

The Department is a partner in SUPA, the Scottish Universities Physics Alliance
The University of Strathclyde is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, number SC015263

From: David Littlejohn
Sent: 25 August 2016 10:29
To: Erling Riis; chemistry.hod at strath.ac.uk; Tony Mulholland; Ian Ruthven; Robin Plevin
Subject: FW: Defence Innovation Initiative Launch - 16 Sep 2016
Importance: High

Dear HoDs

FYI and dissemination to academic staff. If anyone is interested in being kept informed by Graham Wren as opportunities develop, please ask them to contact Graham directly. All the details so far are in the e-mail below.

Thanks

David

From: Graham Wren
Sent: 24 August 2016 08:55
To: David Littlejohn; David Hillier; Dimitris Drikakis; Stephen Young; Blair Brown; Heather Anderson; Craig Johnston; Allister Ferguson; Alastair Florence; David Rutherford; Dr Graeme M Burt; Martin Dawson; Donald MacKenzie; Andrew Heyes; Alex Duffy; David Jones; Keith Ridgway; Robert Stewart; David Nash; Sandy Day; Michael Ward; Ivan Andonovic; Tim Bedford; Hugh Hall; Paul McKenna; Rebecca Lunn; Zoe Shipton; Jonathan Corney; William Ion; William Kerr; Dino Jaroszynski; Atilla Incecik
Cc: McDonald, Sir Jim; Mary Bennett; Caroline Aitchison
Subject: Defence Innovation Initiative Launch - 16 Sep 2016
Importance: High

Dear All,
Principal has asked me to represent us at the Defence Innovation Launch.
I have pulled out some information below.
Essentially, the UK Government has put up £800M over 10 years for innovative / disruptive ideas to help our defence capability. Bids can be made and will be assessed in part by a pitch to a Dragon's Den type panel.
My understanding is this briefing is on process and how to engage, it will also give us some sight of who is interested (expected a mix of companies and Universities). I will send out a briefing note when I get back.
It would be helpful to know who might be interested in this area of research - please pass this note onto any interested colleagues so that I can copy them on the briefing.
Best regards
Graham

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

UK MoD Launches Defence Innovation Initiative
Published: 15 Aug 2016
*        Technology<http://www.unmannedsystemstechnology.com/category/news/technology-news/>
[Animal Dynamics' 'micro-drone']<http://www.unmannedsystemstechnology.com/2016/08/uk-mod-launches-defence-innovation-initiative/animal-dynamics-micro-drone/>
Animal Dynamics' 'micro-drone'
The UK government has announced details of a new defence innovation initiative to support the development of futuristic technologies and smart solutions, such as: surveillance drones inspired by dragonflies, laser weapons, mobile robots that can inspect incidents involving chemical materials, sensors that use gravity to survey underground structures in minutes, and virtual reality helmets to practice calling in simulated air strikes.
The plan will transform how defence deals with the challenges of tomorrow, to gain critical advantage for defence and security forces:
*         An Innovation and Research Insights Unit (IRIS) will anticipate emerging trends in technology and analyse the implications for UK Defence and Security, informing critical decisions to maintain our military advantage and protect the UK.
*         The best and brightest individuals and companies will be invited to pitch to a dragon's den style panel, backed by a fund of around £800m over 10 years. It will involve taking more risks in backing ideas, with a fast-track for truly novel ideas to match the pace of smaller firms.
*         Once strategy and investment decisions have been taken, a dedicated hub will act as a 'defence and security accelerator', ensuring that innovative solutions to our most pressing national security challenges are developed at pace to stay ahead of our adversaries.
Aimed at transforming the Ministry of Defence's creative culture, the Innovation Initiative will fundamentally change the way defence does business. The initiative will challenge government to collaborate better with industry, academia and allies, and target new providers to boost the competitive advantage of UK defence and find answers to our most pressing national security questions from across sectors at pace.
A challenge function, drawing on external innovation talent and expertise, will ensure the MOD employs the best commercial practices and maintains its focus on innovation.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:
"This new approach will help to keep Britain safe while supporting our economy, with our brightest brains keeping us ahead of our adversaries."
"Backed by a defence budget that will rise every year until the end of the decade, it will ensure that the UK maintains its military advantage in an increasingly dangerous world."
The initiative is part of the government's ambition to deliver an economy that works for all by building on the UK's science, technology and innovation strengths to harness emerging technologies and other smart solutions.
Disruptive Capabilities
The Ministry of Defence currently spends up to 20% of its Science and Technology budget on cutting edge "disruptive capability" projects. Disruptive capabilities displace an established technology and shake up industry. Current projects include:
*         A tiny Unmanned Aerial System with flapping wings inspired by the biology of a dragonfly, currently in development with Animal Dynamics. The 'micro-drone' will use cutting edge micro-engineering for unparalleled levels of performance. This has the potential to have a huge impact on intelligence-gathering in future operations in complex urban environments.
*         A new Quantum Gravimeter developed with the University of Birmingham could allow us to survey underground structures in minutes rather than weeks. This portable gravity sensing system uses cold atom quantum technology and two gravimeters coupled together for the first time to allow for higher sensitivity and reliability when carrying out surveys, enhanced robustness to external noise sources and drastically reduced measurement time. Applications for our Armed Forces range from spotting enemy tunnels to supporting disaster relief.
*         And we are developing a capability demonstrator with industry that will investigate the potential of laser weapons to target and defeat aerial threats.
Challenge
the department will also launch a new competition with the Home Office to challenge industry to design unmanned systems - robots and aircraft - that can assess hazardous scenes, such as sites contaminated by chemical and biological hazards.
This is in addition to the recent announcement at the Farnborough International Air Show of a joint UK/US innovation challenge to speed up the impact that robotic and autonomous systems could have on resupplying armies.
These collaborative challenges will inform the development of the Defence and Security Accelerator.
Building on existing work
The Innovation Initiative will build on the success of the existing Centre for Defence Enterprise model, which currently funds innovation, such as SME Close Air Solutions' new hyper-reality training tech. Using specialised headgear, our personnel could see simulated aircraft, enemy personnel and vehicles appearing on the real surrounding landscape, immersing and testing soldiers in complex joint forces situations.
Next steps
The full launch of the Initiative in September will see a prospectus, exhibitions and explain how and when industry can apply to the Innovation Fund.
The department is determined to create a culture that is innovative by instinct, to drive innovation through strategic planning, to catalyse innovation through science and technology and to find new ways to realise innovative solutions both affordably and at pace. Innovators can help us to understand how we take the next step to deliver this vision by responding to an online consultation on the Defence and Security Accelerator.
Source: Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dear Professor Sir Jim McDonald,
DEFENCE INNOVATION - A NEW APPROACH I would like to invite you to the launch of the Defence Innovation Initiative on 16 September at Wallacespace, Spitalfields. This is an opportunity to hear directly about our Strategic Defence & Security Review commitment to transform defence's culture to one that takes more risk and embraces greater innovation.   I will outline Defence's new approach to innovation, set out how the new Innovation Fund of around £800M over ten years will be made available in the future, outline specific defence challenges we are looking for solutions to, and explain how your business can benefit.  This will be followed by a panel discussion involving senior defence and security personnel, and a Q&A session.   A networking exhibition will follow, enabling attendees to find out more about the elements of the initiative and see examples of how Defence is successfully working with partners.   Our new approach is based on better collaboration with our security partners, industry, academia and allies to boost the competitive advantage of UK defence and find answers to our most pressing national security questions. I hope to have a wide mix of attendees, particularly from companies who may not have previously engaged with defence.  I want to hear your ideas.  Please follow the Eventbrite link (using the password ATI2016) to register for the event, which will take place from 0845 to 1230.   We expect this to be a popular event so please register promptly to ensure attendance.  If you are unable to attend but wish to send an appropriate alternative please contact us at Innovation-advantage at mod.uk<mailto:Innovation-advantage at mod.uk>   You must ensure that you bring a valid form of photo ID with you on the day.   Please RSVP before Wednesday 7 September.
THE RT HON MICHAEL FALLON MP

From: Mary Bennett
Sent: 17 August 2016 11:47
To: Caroline Aitchison <caroline.aitchison at strath.ac.uk<mailto:caroline.aitchison at strath.ac.uk>>
Cc: Graham Wren <graham.wren at strath.ac.uk<mailto:graham.wren at strath.ac.uk>>
Subject: FW: Defence Innovation Initiative Launch - 16 Sep 2016
Importance: High

Hi Caroline -I've just had confirmation from the MOD that Graham can attend to represent Jim.  Can you please register him via the link in the letter.

Thanks.

Mary

Mary Bennett
PA to the Principal
University of Strathclyde
McCance Building
16 Richmond Street
Glasgow   G1 1XQ

Tel:  0141 548 2485
Fax:  0141 553 1521
Email:  mary.bennett at strath.ac.uk<mailto:mary.bennett at strath.ac.uk>

[http://www.strath.ac.uk/media/stockmedia/icons/THE_2014_email_sig.jpg]

The University of Strathclyde, charity number SC015263

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://phys.strath.ac.uk/pipermail/physstaff/attachments/20160825/4753d9c0/attachment-0001.html 
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image001.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 17427 bytes
Desc: image001.jpg
Url : http://phys.strath.ac.uk/pipermail/physstaff/attachments/20160825/4753d9c0/attachment-0002.jpg 
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image002.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 10992 bytes
Desc: image002.jpg
Url : http://phys.strath.ac.uk/pipermail/physstaff/attachments/20160825/4753d9c0/attachment-0003.jpg 