DASA has launched phase two of ‘Take Cover’ which seeks ideas for portable protective barriers for soldiers and equipment on the battlefield.
The competition is seeking innovations for lightweight, easily deployable portable protective barriers that can be easily constructed in operational areas. Funding of up to £500,000 is available for multiple ideas, with the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) expressing an interest in structures that are lightweight, self-constructing, foldable, or inflatable.
The competition is centred around protection from ballistics and fragmentation, but structures resistant to direct energy threats and blasts would also be considered. The structures should be quick and easy to construct and provide protection for small groups of around 10 personnel.
Phase 2 is looking for novel physical systems and technologies that can form a suite of protection measures for personnel and equipment, above or below ground. DASA is looking to find and fund ideas and innovations for structures that can be easily stored, transported and crucially, rapidly constructed by troops in operational areas.
Observability (in multiple environments) across the optical, infra-red (IR), ultra-violet (UV) and radio-frequency (RF) spectra will need to be considered, for this and potential future phases. Whilst this is not a call for camouflage technologies, innovative camouflage, concealment and deception (CCD) innovations that could form part of an overall solution are welcomed.
Full details of competition requirements and how to apply are available on the government website and from DASA. Queries can be sent to accelerator@dstl.gov.uk and the competition closes 29 October this year, although there may be future phases.
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