DASA is launching this competition to seek ideas for innovative technologies that can provide an improved way to rapidly detect and locate hazardous biological agents in the field.The ultimate aim is for a fieldable system that would detect and report without users (including trained military specialists and civilian first line responders) coming into close contact with the hazard.

By detecting these hazards as early as possible and remotely, it will enable front line users to safely avoid them.

This competition has an initial budget of £500k for Phase 1. Additional funding is anticipated to be available for future phases of this competition.

This competition is now open and full details are available in the competition document.

The competition will close at 1pm on 7 November 2018

If you have any queries on this competition, please do contact us at accelerator@dstl.gov.uk or sign up for alerts.

Inspector Anne Turner, a training manager in the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) Operational Capability Centre in Scotland, was presented with a Special Recognition Award by the British Association for Women in Policing (BAWP) at their awards ceremony in June. There were 247 nominees for the awards from 34 forces.

Sponsored by Deloitte, Anne’s award category was open to male and female nominees, either within policing or in partnership with the community who have made ‘a significant contribution to gender equality or service to females’.

Anne was nominated for her dedication and commitment to MDP training (and in particular police firearms training) throughout her career, and more specifically for the work she has done to support female officers. Anne has always been viewed as a role model by her female colleagues in the MDP and says that:

Being the first female firearms instructor was a proud achievement for me, and let me show other females they too could push themselves into any career path they wished.

When I was contacted by the BAWP to tell me of my award I was dumbfounded. I never think of myself as doing anything special, I just get on with a job I enjoy and help others where I can. When I heard the stories behind the others who had been nominated for awards I felt privileged to be considered in the same group, but I think all of us felt the same. We were just doing our job and if there is one thing that this award has taught me it is to do just that. Do what you can to support others whenever the chance arises because it’s amazing the difference it can make to everyone, as well as making you feel good about yourself.

The competition is open to all serving police officers from forces across the UK and comprises of 6 strength events in 4 different body weight categories for male and female competitors.

The events for the 2018 competition comprised of a barbell deadlift, log press, keg walk, truck pull, straight arm hold and a medley that involved a farmer’s walk and tyre flips.

Police Constable Claire Stott-Barrett, a police dog handler based at Royal Naval Armaments Depot Coulport, came second overall in her weight class and said:

Everyone at the event was very helpful, friendly and supportive, particularly with regards to teaching techniques to us newbies who were competing for the first time.

Police Constable Josh Haydock who is based at Atomic Weapons Establishment Burghfield won 3 of the 6 events in his weight class and thanked his colleagues for their support and encouragement.

Josh said:

I am regularly asked about training and nutrition and this inspires me to get more people at work into a fit and healthy lifestyle.

Temporary Police Sergeant Mark Bunce from Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston won the deadlift event in his weight category by lifting an impressive 270KG, which was 50KG more than his nearest competitor and was also the second highest lift of the day in all categories.

Mark said:

I have trained as a power lifter for 10 years so when the opportunity to enter an event like this within the police community appeared I relished the thought of putting some of my hard work over the years in the gym to the test.

Commenting on the success of his officers Chief Constable Andy Adams said:

We advertised the Britain’s Strongest Police Officer competition within the Ministry Defence Police earlier this year and I am delighted that Claire, Josh and Mark all decided to enter. They are a credit to the force and we are justifiably proud of their achievements.

The Zephyr-S operates in the stratosphere at an average altitude of 70,000 feet and could support a wide range of applications, including land and maritime surveillance, and a variety of communication tasks. It runs exclusively on solar power, flying above the weather and conventional air traffic; filling a capability gap complimentary to satellites, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and manned aircraft to provide persistent local satellite-like services.

The ultra-lightweight UAV, made by Airbus, began its maiden flight in Arizona, USA, on 11 July 2018 and touched down on 6 August 2018.

It was airborne for 25 days, 23 hours, 57 minutes, easily surpassing the old record of 14 days, 22 minutes and eight seconds, which was set by a previous version of the Zephyr UAV. As a result, an application has been made to establish this as a new world record.

Working to Joint Forces Command, the Defence Equipment and Support Technology Office is delivering the OCD to improve MOD’s understanding of how the innovative and cutting-edge technologies employed in a HAPS capability might be utilised to deliver operational effect to inform future acquisition projects.

The OCD contract with Airbus was signed in 2016 and includes the purchase of three Zephyr-S platforms, with further flight trials planned for the coming months.

General Sir Chris Deverell, Comd JFC, said:

This is a great example of how JFC is at the heart of innovation for UK Defence. We are demonstrating new technology that puts our Armed forces at the cutting edge of communication and surveillance.

The Battle of Amiens was a major engagement in the First World War. The battle heralded the Hundred Days Offensive, a string of allied successes on the Western Front which led to the signing of the armistice on 11 November 1918.

More than 19,000 allied soldiers were killed or injured in the 3 day battle as the First World War approached its final chapter.

The commemorative event at Amiens Cathedral was attended by Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, the Prime Minister, Theresa May, Minister for the Armed Forces Mark Lancaster and Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir Nick Carter. The event featured a Guard of Honour by The Royal Anglian Regiment and music by The Central Band of the Royal Air Force.

The milestone is the final major commemoration event before the centenary of Armistice Day in November.
Minister for the Armed Forces Mark Lancaster said:

It is an honour to be here on the anniversary of one of the most important battles in British history. This anniversary gives us a chance to reflect on the sacrifice and the achievements of British and Commonwealth troops and our allies who fought a century ago. The nations represented here today remain close allies, demonstrating that the legacy of our First World War partnerships continue in today’s armed forces.

Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter said:

The Battle of Amiens marked the beginning of the end of the First World War. It was a remarkable achievement over the course of the war to expand the military, moulding a new citizen-based force into a very accomplished fighting force, against a backdrop of rapid technological change.

As I proudly stand in Amiens Cathedral, I shall be reflecting on the importance of allies and partners then and now, and the enduring requirement to experiment with new technology and tactics to determine how we can best employ it without waiting for the catalyst of war. But above all I shall reflect upon the fighting spirit and courage of those remarkable men and women who serve our country.

The event held in France at Amiens Cathedral was organised by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and was held in partnership with allied governments. During the event, The Central Band of the Royal Air Force led a multinational band comprising musicians from the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, France, Canada and Germany.