Systems and engineering consultancy, Frazer-Nash, has been awarded a leading role on the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’s (Dstl) SERAPIS framework. The six-year, £220 to £300 million research framework has been set up to manage all Dstl’s research in command, control, communications, computers, information/intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (C4ISR) and space systems, synthetic environments and simulation technology.
The framework is split into six lots, each titled with its core purpose. Frazer-Nash will lead Lot 6, titled ‘Understand’, in collaboration with its partners: world-class innovator in science and engineering, Roke Manor Research; Digital Catapult, the UK’s leading advanced digital technology innovation centre; and academic centre of excellence, the University of Birmingham.
The team will work proactively with Dstl to shape its requirements, convert these to tasks, and ensure their delivery, providing strong, responsive and consistent framework management that enables Dstl to get a better return on its investment in research.
Chris Cullis, Frazer-Nash Defence Business Manager, said:
“The work of the SERAPIS framework will be crucial as, in an era of reduced combat capability mass, C4ISR is the area where the UK can assure future battlefield success. Information will be a key battle-winning factor.
“Working with our partners, we will offer Dstl confident access to small to medium enterprises (SMEs) which can deliver the agile solutions it needs. These industry partners will, in turn, be able to develop and improve the services they provide in support of UK defence research.”
Paul MacGregor, Managing Director of Roke said:
“This is a fantastic opportunity for Roke to deploy our market leading capabilities in data science, machine learning and artificial intelligence. Our experience in these areas will allow the UK’s defence and security organisations to present a richer, more accurate, and timely picture of the operating environment to analysts, leaders and decision makers.”
Christian Beck, Product Lead at Digital Catapult, said:
“Digital Catapult is pleased to be supporting the UK’s defence research effort in a period of unprecedented challenge driven by the pace of change in technology.
“We bring unique capability in driving the adoption of advanced digital technologies through our experience delivering facilities and programmes which foster collaborative research and development to solve real industrial problems.
“Working with our partners we will endeavour to help SERAPIS access non-traditional suppliers and a pool of talent and capability that can drive competitive advantage.”
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’s (Dstl)
For more information contact the Dstl press office on 01980 956845 or 07384 210107 or email: press@dstl.gov.uk.
Follow Dstl on Twitter: @DefenceHQ and @dstlmod
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) delivers high-impact science and technology (S & T) for the UK's defence, security and prosperity. Its role is to deliver S&T for defence and security and to steward defence and security S&T capabilities
Dstl is an Executive Agency of the MOD, run along commercial lines. It is one of the principal government organisations dedicated to S&T in the defence and security field, with six sites; Porton Down, near Salisbury, Portsdown West, near Portsmouth, Fort Halstead, near Sevenoaks, Sandridge, near St Albans, Langhurst, near Horsham and Alverstoke, near Gosport. Dstl works with a wide range of partners and suppliers in industry, in academia and overseas.
