UK SMEs, funded by DTEP, are advancing innovation in defence through collaboration with higher-tier partners.
Small and medium-size UK enterprises (SMEs) funded through the DASA-delivered Defence Technology Exploitation Programme (DTEP), which aims to improve the competitiveness of the UK defence supply chain, are forging ahead with their innovation projects.
UK SMEs such as Filtronic, Kognitive Spark, Nquiring Minds and VRAI are demonstrating the success of DTEP, which aims to foster UK collaboration between small tech companies and sponsoring ‘higher tier’ suppliers that already have experience of working with defence. The sponsoring higher-tier partner contributes time, effort and resources to the SME projects.
The programme allows the larger partner companies to benefit from early access to innovative technologies, materials, or processes from the partner SMEs that they can also help commercialise.
DTEP is sponsored by the MOD’s Directorate of Industrial Strategy and Exports (DISE) and delivered through the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), Innovate UK, and ADS.
Here are four examples of DTEP-funded SMEs that are now well on the way to contributing successful technology to the UK’s defence supply chain with the help of their larger partners.
Filtronic
As part of its DTEP award, Filtronic is spearheading an innovative project entitled “Low cost and SWAP high-density packaging for future RADAR.”
Working with its higher-tier partner, a major aerospace manufacturer, Filtronic’s project is focused on developing specialised plastic encapsulation technology for compound semiconductor devices. This breakthrough technology is prioritising low-weight, low-cost, high-density packaging for high-power semiconductor devices specifically tailored for use in challenging environments by the MOD, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and global defence partners.
Filtronic is initially targeting transmit-receive modules for electronically scanned airborne radar systems. The potential applications of this pioneering technology extend to detector, sensor and communication systems across defence, industrial and commercial sectors.
Historically, these devices have been manufactured in bulk outside the UK, so it is often difficult for UK defence companies to acquire the small volume, specialised – and often sensitive – devices required. As a result, Filtronic’s customised devices will give the UK defence sector a secure, sovereign manufacturing technology.
“This award showcases our technological leadership and underscores our commitment to strengthening the UK’s defence industry and sovereign supply chain,” said Dr Tudor Williams, Chief Technology Officer at Filtronic.
“Our advanced manufacturing site in Sedgefield is dedicated to providing the UK with leading-edge plastic packaging capabilities, and we are excited to contribute to future radar programmes as part of this initiative.”
Kognitiv Spark
Kognitiv Spark, a world leader in Mixed Reality (MR) software engineering, is collaborating with its higher-tier partner Serco on an MR solution to be deployed on a secure defence network.
Software development has focused on the creation of SparkOps, which was demonstrated as part of Kognitiv Connect, a DTEP stakeholder engagement day on 24 September, to attendees from the Army, Royal Navy, Dstl, DE&S, Defence Digital and industry, including Serco. Progress was well received.
Kognitiv Spark has focused on aligning activity to create significant impact across UK defence, including the Front Line Commands, original equipment manufacturers and service providers, both internal to MOD and commercial. This includes equipment support use cases trialled and tested by MSI Defence Systems, Supacat, RBSL and RMMV.
As part of the ongoing DTEP work, Serco is developing the Support@Reach service concept that is designed to support the sustainability of deployed Mixed Reality (MX) assets and the integrated RemoteSpark software. This represents a continued collaboration between Kognitiv Spark and Serco.
The momentum of the project has been reflected in discussions with Army HQ and the Field Army on the deployment of SparkOps in a secure, replicated environment for exercises in January 2025. Success would provide a clear trajectory for the wider deployment of a fully supported MR capability as a service for the MOD.
NquiringMinds
NquiringMinds is working with its higher-tier sponsor BAE Systems to develop advanced analytics for the defence multinational’s marine combat system. The aim is to augment human decision making when dealing with large amounts of incoming information.
This information can come from radar, satellite data, the Automatic Identification System (AIS) – a tracking system used on ships – and more.
NquiringMinds uses machine learning and algorithms originally developed for a DASA cybersecurity project to combine data from many sources to increase automation and reduce the burden on personnel. The system makes recommendations on the trustworthiness of incoming data.
Since beginning its DTEP project NquiringMinds has won the SME Innovation Award Judges’ Winner title at this year’s JOSCAR Live event.
Dr Nick Allott, Chief Executive of NquiringMinds, said that recognition from the SME Innovation Award would raise the SME’s profile among the tier one defence companies attending the event .
As a non-traditional supplier – it originally developed secure applications for smart cities – the DTEP collaboration with BAE Systems has helped NquiringMinds to understand the requirements of defence and break into the defence supply chain.
Dr Allott said that the company is exploring the use of its technology for a civilian marine application and also in the air and land domains.
VRAI
Following VRAI’s DASA-funded solution, named iDAS, which enables the RAF to better measure and predict trainee pilot performance using a combination of virtual reality and data capture (HEAT), BAE Systems expressed an interest in using the technology in a deployable simulator for its Hawk fast jet trainer aircraft.
As a result, VRAI applied for, and was awarded, DTEP funding to work with BAE Systems on a project integrating its HEAT technology into a portable simulator for trainee Hawk pilots. HEAT captures, analyses and visualises simulator data. When incorporated into the BAE Systems portable simulator, it will enable simulation training to be available at the point of need.
VRAI has delivered the initial HEAT elements to BAE Systems for the portable simulator on time and on budget. The prototype was demonstrated at this year’s Farnborough International Airshow.
Now VRAI is working on enhanced flight scenarios that will be incorporated into the BAE Systems’ portable Hawk simulator.
Niall Campion, Founder of VRAI, said: “The great value of DTEP funding is that it de-risks the relationship between the SME and the defence ‘prime’. It helps both sides get over the first hurdle, which is funding, because the SME is able to contribute project funding too, which assists the commercialisation of research.”
DTEP offers grant funding of up to 50 per cent of total project expenditure for projects up to 18 months in duration – up to a £500,000 grant for a project up to £1 million.
Applications to DTEP can be made by UK-based SMEs looking to form a collaboration with a UK-based higher-tier supplier to help integrate and take the novel solution to market. The key areas of interest for proposals are set out in detail on the DTEP portal and are aligned with the Defence Capability Framework. While DTEP is currently paused for new applications please check this link for future updates