The MoD Counter Terrorism Science and Technology Centre and the Centre for Defence Enterprise are launching a forthcoming SBRI competition entitled “Less than lethal weapons and effects”.

Less than lethal effects could involve confronting suspects approaching on foot, or those who may be using a vehicle, or those operating within a crowded place. A flexible set of less than lethal options will allow UK forces to deal with these challenging situations, minimising (ideally avoiding) any impact on bystanders or other collateral effects, and reduce the risk of inadvertently using lethal force.

Solutions are required for use by the UK Armed Forces on current operations in a variety of situations from foot patrols through to deployment at fixed military installations. They should be able to deter people from approaching when instructed not to, to disrupt enemy ability to monitor friendly force activity, and to stop or physically detain people if needed.

Details of the actual problem areas and desired outcomes will be presented at a seminar at Harwell, Oxfordshire on 26 November 2009. The call for new ideas and technologies will open on this date and applications are made through the CDE portal. A competition brief will be produced for the seminar on 26 November and will be available on the website. Companies are strongly advised to attend the seminar to hear firsthand the military challenges.

More information on the challenge is given on the Technology Strategy Board website.