The Centre of Defence Enterprise (CDE) is hosting a seminar on "Countering Difficult Air Targets" from 12:30 on 26th February 2009 at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus.
The CDE is the Ministry of Defence's new gateway for UK science and technology industry, academia and innovators to help ensure that the Armed Forces have access to the best equipment, science and technology, now and in the future. The Centre provides a quick first response to ideas with a range of advice, assistance and research funding.
To help us understand the complex requirements of the UK’s Armed Forces, the Centre is hosting a programme of monthly Technology Seminars at its office at the Harwell Science & Innovation Campus. These seminars are an opportunity for industry, academia and innovators to meet with MOD experts and decision makers to understand the specific challenges and issues faced by our Armed Forces today and in the future.
This event will focus on countering difficult air targets and will take place at the Centre for Defence Enterprise, Start Electron, Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire.
The challenge is to find technologies and techniques to help protect and counter the large range of airborne targets that threaten UK Armed Forces now and in the future.
Battlefield rockets and mortars along with artillery shells (referred to as RAM, Rockets, artillery, mortars) are current airborne threats that are predicted to endure into the future. Their accuracy and lethality is expected to increase. Tactical unmanned air vehicles (TUAVs), with wingspans of up to several metres, are already in service with many nations worldwide. The numbers on the battlefield, the variety of designs, performance and payload capabilities will increase substantially in future years.
A range of capabilities are currently in service to counter but will need continual review and development to stay ahead of the threat. MOD is constantly looking for innovative ways of detecting, identifying, warning of and intercepting RAM & TUAVs, addressing airborne and their ground-based elements, both pre- and post- launch.
Challenges include:
- Countering difficult air targets
- Rockets, Artillery & Mortars (RAM)
- Tactical unmanned air vehicles (TUAV)
- Monitoring/tracking threat proliferation
- Innovative ideas for cost-effective solutions
The seminar will be of interest to a wide range of SMEs, adademia and industry, will cover a wide range of topics across platforms and will be of interest to a large spectrum of SMEs, academia and industries. The seminar will also provide networking opportunities both over lunch and in the open discussion forum. There will also be the opportunity to learn more about the Centre for Defence Enterprise and the Ministry of Defence.
The MOD, through CDE, are running up to 15 specific product competitions through 2009, which match the criteria for the Small Business Research Initiative. Prior to the seminar there will be an opportunity to attend a workshop which will focus on submitting proposals to the CDE. This will be held 11:00 – 12:30.
How to register
Registration for this seminar is FREE with lunch and refreshments provided. Spaces for this event are strictly limited, and reservations will be on a first come basis; early registration is advised. To reserve a place at this seminar please register online (under events), email Anne Norman, Operations Manager, Centre for Defence Enterprise, or by phoning 01235 438445. Joining instructions & directions will be sent with your confirmation once registration has closed.