Register now for event aimed at new Defence suppliers

17 Apr 2019 01:40 PM

An event focusing on Radio Frequency (RF) is to be held at Cranfield University looking for large non-defence 5G and SDR providers.

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is holding an event at Cranfield University on 3rd May as part of a new initiative called Searchlight.

The event on the 3 May, from 10:00 to 15:30, aims to encourage small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to work with Dstl, and the first event will focus on Radio Frequency (RF) systems. Specifically, frequency-agile RF hardware, machine learning applied to modern communications standards (including Internet of Things) and novel manufacturing solutions to reduce size, weight, power and/or cost.

The keynote speaker will be Professor Simon Watts from University College London, on the current RF challenges in the UK.

The event is sponsored by Lockheed Martin and there will be an opportunity to meet a number of current prime Dstl contractors who provide an easy way for SMEs to access Dstl work through framework contracts.

The event includes:

Staff from across various Dstl departments will be available throughout the day to offer technical and commercial guidance.

Places are limited and restricted to one person per company.

To register for this event, please click here

SME Searchlight aims to engage with non-traditional Defence suppliers and SMEs to meet the needs of a £40 million - £45 million increase in research, in line with the Government’s intent to increase external spending with SMEs. Companies benefit in turn from increased funding and being at the cutting-edge of research and technology.

Over the next 12 months, events, workshops and consultations run by Dstl will take place in partnership with Aerospace and Defence Suppliers (ADS), the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Team Defence Information and TechUK, to bring companies together from across industry sectors. An ambitious target of 60% of suppliers who may never have worked with Defence before has been set to attend each of these events, with the aim of bringing these new companies into Dstl’s supply chain.