Defence and Security Accelerator

Defence and Security Accelerator
Name	Defence and Security Accelerator
Formation	2016
Type	Agency
Headquarters	Bristol
Parent organisation	United Kingdom Ministry of Defence
Region served	United Kingdom

Defence and Security Accelerator

The Defence and Security Accelerator is an executive organisation that funds and accelerates technological innovation for defence and security. It connects inventors, British Armed Forces, industry, and academia to translate early-stage research into operational capability. The agency solicits ideas through themed competitions and rapid calls, engaging with partners across the United Kingdom, United States Department of Defense, and international allies.

Overview

The Accelerator operates as a bridge between research communities such as University of Oxford, Imperial College London, University of Cambridge, and applied organisations including BAE Systems, QinetiQ, Rolls-Royce Holdings, Rheinmetall, and Thales Group. It collaborates with funding bodies like Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Innovate UK, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, and National Physical Laboratory. Stakeholders include defence commands such as Ministry of Defence branches, units like British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, and international partners such as NATO, European Defence Agency, and Five Eyes. The Accelerator runs themed initiatives that attract participants from SMEs such as BMT Group, Ultra Electronics, and academic spin-outs from University College London, King's College London, University of Manchester, University of Edinburgh, Cranfield University, University of Southampton, and University of Bristol.

History and Establishment

The organisation was established following policy reviews involving stakeholders including Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015, National Security Council (United Kingdom), and advice from research bodies such as Royal Academy of Engineering and Institute of Engineering and Technology. Early formation drew on models exemplified by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, and French Defence Innovation Agency. Founding collaborations included Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, strategic partners like Industry Strategy Challenge Fund, and academic networks such as Alan Turing Institute and EPSRC Centres for Doctoral Training. Initial competitions explored technologies showcased at events like DSEI and Eurosatory, and leveraged lessons from programmes such as Small Business Innovation Research and Horizon 2020.

Mission and Objectives

The core mission aligns with objectives articulated by senior figures in United Kingdom Ministry of Defence, parliamentary committees such as the Defence Select Committee, and reports from think tanks including Chatham House, Royal United Services Institute, International Institute for Strategic Studies, and RAND Corporation. Objectives emphasise rapid prototyping for threats discussed in strategic documents like the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy and capability frameworks used by Joint Forces Command. Priority areas include cyber and electronic warfare linked to actors such as Russian Federation, People's Republic of China, and non-state groups involved in conflicts like the Syrian Civil War. The Accelerator seeks to accelerate dual-use technologies where partners include NHS England, British Geological Survey, Met Office, and industrial clusters in Silicon Fen and Tech City.

Funding Programmes and Competitions

Programmes have included themed competitions on technologies such as autonomy, sensing, propulsion, materials, and data analytics drawing entrants from organisations including Sheffield Forgemasters, ARM Holdings, Graphcore, Darktrace, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, AWE plc, MBDA, and Serco Group. Funding mechanisms mirror instruments from Innovate UK Smart Grants, European Innovation Council, and US DARPA challenges, offering contracts, feasibility studies, and demonstration funding. Competitions have been run in partnership with events such as S&T Innovation Labs, conferences like International Conference on Robotics and Automation, and exhibitions like Mobile World Congress and Consumer Electronics Show to attract partners from BT Group, Vodafone, Siemens, GE Aviation, and Airbus.

Selection Process and Evaluation Criteria

Selection processes are informed by methodologies used at Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, peer review practices at EPSRC, and procurement guidelines from Crown Commercial Service. Evaluation panels include experts from institutions such as University of Strathclyde, University of Warwick, Loughborough University, Imperial College London, MIT, Stanford University, and industry assessors from BAE Systems, QinetiQ, and Rolls-Royce Holdings. Criteria focus on novelty, technical feasibility, transition potential to units like Army 2020 Refine or platforms like Type 26 frigate, and alignment with strategic priorities articulated in documents from Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and parliamentary reports by the House of Commons Defence Committee. Ethical and legal assessments reference frameworks from Ministry of Defence lawyers and guidance from organisations such as Information Commissioner's Office.

Notable Projects and Impact

Projects supported have ranged from unmanned systems prototypes influenced by research at Oxford Robotics Institute and Imperial College Robotics Forum, to materials and sensors developed with National Physical Laboratory and NPL's collaborations involving University of Sheffield and University of Glasgow. Examples include satellite communications work tied to Skynet, electronic warfare demonstrations relevant to platforms like Type 45 destroyer, and biomedical resilience projects connected to Defence Medical Services and Public Health England. The Accelerator's work has informed procurement decisions for suppliers such as MBDA, Leonardo S.p.A., and Thales Group and contributed to spin-outs reaching investors like British Business Bank and venture firms active in Silicon Roundabout.

Governance and Partnerships

Governance arrangements involve oversight by senior officials associated with United Kingdom Ministry of Defence, reporting lines that coordinate with Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and advisory input from bodies including Royal Society, Parliamentary Defence Committee, and National Security Secretariat. Partnerships span international collaborations with NATO Allied Command Transformation, bilateral links with United States Department of Defense offices including DARPA and AFWERX, and industrial partnerships across Aerospace, Defence and Security (ADS Group), Confederation of British Industry, and regional growth hubs such as West of England Combined Authority. The Accelerator maintains collaborative agreements with academic consortia including UK Research and Innovation, Wellcome Trust, and professional bodies like Institute of Physics and Royal Aeronautical Society.

Category:Defence organisations of the United Kingdom