Roke Manor Research has been selected by the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) to lead a programme that will support the future development of the national Land Forces.
Working on behalf of headquarters (HQ) army, the Cherming subsidiary will conduct the science and technology watch programme (S&T Watch) to support the development of land forces from 2030 to 2040.
During the initial 18-month research programme, the company will present the UK Army with an overview of technologies, which could be exploited to support the requirements for future capabilities in the land environment.
Roke is currently seeking university research departments and commercial organisations that are developing innovative technologies with potential defence applications to participate in the programme.
Roke S&T Watch technical lead Jonathan Farrington said: "We will be scanning the market for innovative technologies that are in the early stages of development so that the army can consider their exploitation.
"Developing and managing innovation is at the heart of everything that Roke does and we want to work with like-minded organisations.
"This is an excellent opportunity for both academia and the commercial sector to promote their ideas to the army and become major contributors to the future development of the UK’s land forces."
The S&T Watch programme aims to establish how emerging technologies can influence dismounted and mounted close combat and artillery support for ground forces, as well as information activities and outreach.
The areas to be reviewed by Roke include advanced printing, such as 3D printing and electronics / components printing, advanced materials, augmented human performance, communications technology, big data, position, navigation and timing, as well as quantum technologies.
In addition, the company is focusing on power, robotics and autonomy, as well as sensors, synthetic biology and the application of current, commercial off-the-shelf technologies to the military domain.
