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Dstl and the Accelerator exhibited at DPRTE on 28 March 2017 showcasing science, technology and innovation.

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and the Defence and Security Accelerator (Accelerator) exhibited at the Defence Procurement, Research, Technology and Exportability (DPRTE) event on 28 March 2017 showcasing science, technology and innovation.

Defence and Security Accelerator: Driving Innovation

Rob Solly, who has been Acting Head of the Accelerator since December, gave a keynote speech at the event, explaining how the Accelerator is driving innovation for UK defence and security. The Accelerator is already engaging and funding innovators to solve defence and security challenges with backing from the £800 million Innovation Fund.

Explaining why Dstl and the Accelerator were at the event, Rob said:

DPRTE is a key event in the defence exhibition calendar and gave us the opportunity to talk to customers, suppliers, academics and government agencies in one place.

We want to hear from innovators about their ideas, from small niche companies to large organisations. We’re particularly keen to hear from organisations who haven’t been involved in defence or security before. We believe there is a wealth of knowledge and ideas in parallel markets which can be, with some adjustments, used to provide game-changing support to our armed forces.

Some organisations are put off getting involved due to perceived long, complicated Government processes. However, the Accelerator team has developed a simple application process to make it easier for innovators and businesses to work with us and develop their ideas, from initial concepts to mature applications. Our Innovation Partners can also guide suppliers through the process.

At DPRTE we were keen to highlight that unlike other schemes, the Accelerator allows businesses to retain their intellectual property. Our return on investment is providing our Armed Forces and Security teams the best kit and services to do their jobs and keep our country safe.

View the slides from Rob Solly’s keynote speech, Driving Innovation.

Defence in Innovation: Medical Sciences

Neal Smith, Dstl’s Capability Adviser for Medical Sciences, presented Innovation in Defence: Medical Sciences, in the Research and Technology Zone. Neal’s presentation demonstrated how rapid responses to evolving threats and changing scenarios can be generated to enhance military medical responses.

Reflecting on the event, Neal said:

From my point of view, a very interesting and useful event, certainly great for getting our message across, in terms of investment in innovation and exploitation. I was pleased that Professor Ian Pallister of from Trauma Simulation Ltd, could join us and many participants enjoyed hearing about the trauma model and Ian’s experiences of working with Dstl and the Accelerator.

View the slides from Neal Smith’s presentation at DPRTE Defence in Innovation: Medical Sciences.

Dstl and the Accelerator had a presence in the Innovation Hub, where they demonstrated the breadth of work within Dstl and how suppliers can get involved.

Dstl and Accelerator representatives were busy all day talking to a wide range of suppliers, from SMEs, academia and primes enquiring about opportunities to get involved. With many positive discussions with suppliers, Dstl and the Accelerator have a number of leads to follow up from the event. The most popular exhibit was the graphic and realistic trauma surgeons model.

Trauma surgeon’s model

Recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq exposed troops to traumatic injury, particularly from improvised explosive devices. As part of its multifaceted response, MOD wanted to ensure that medical teams had, and continue to have, the training and resources required to address traumatic injury.

Part of this programme was to support Professor Ian Pallister, a civilian trauma surgeon and his colleagues at Trauma Simulation Ltd, in the creation of extremely realistic life-size training models to assist in the training of combat medics and surgical teams. This was funded by Dstl through the Centre for Defence Enterprise (now Defence and Security Accelerator).

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