MoD launches new Defence Technology Strategy
Ministry of Defence wants closer working with industry and research community
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has issued a new Defence Technology Strategy aimed at improving joint MoD and industry research in key technologies including IT.
The plan calls for setting up ‘communities of practice’ in signal and data processing and geolocation and synchronisation, which are designated as core technologies.
The document says the MoD ‘must own and control key technologies’ and gave its C4IStar systems architecture - command, control, communication, computers, intelligence, surveillance target acquisition and reconnaissance - as an example.
A list of science and technology priorities includes man-portable biological detection systems, radar, modular open systems, technology insertion, modelling and simulation, satellites and gallium nitride circuit technology.
The document also calls for university centres of excellence in areas such as sensors and technologies to support C4ISstar.
‘Never has there been greater uncertainty in the nature of the threat faced by the UK, nor has that threat adapted and changed so rapidly,’ says the strategy.
‘This demands rapid evolution in our response, both tactically and in the technologies we deploy to combat the threats.
‘We must therefore continuously examine the balance and quality of our research and development spend to meet these changing circumstances, taking a through-life view across all defence lines of development, and also of the balance between them, where well managed and directed research and development plays a vital role.’
Defence procurement minister Lord Drayson said: ‘It is now vital that we work together to deliver this strategy to ensure the UK maintains a strong research base in the areas identified as critical to our security and sovereignty.’
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