QinetiQ to Lead ‘Community of Interest’ Under Dstl Contract
MASS and SEA, both companies of Cohort plc, announced on 12 March they have been selected as part of a UK maritime research and development programme to be led by QinetiQ.
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has awarded QinetiQ a contract to manage the Progeny Maritime Research Framework, which seeks to enhance the effect of technology in the maritime defence environment. Dstl is making up to £25 million available to fund research and development every year to advance maritime science and technology.
QinetiQ will build and manage a ‘community of interest’ that will contribute ideas to maximise the impact of science and technology. The two Cohort companies are established specialists in information warfare and maritime combat systems: their contributions will help keep the Royal Navy at the forefront of naval warfare capability. MASS has considerable expertise in EW, cyber and information management, while SEA is experienced in developing innovative maritime combat systems, including sub-surface communications and sonar, self-defence weapons and autonomous technologies.
“Building on our experience and knowledge honed across all the operational domains, we are looking forward to helping the maritime domain to enhance and achieve operational advantage through the exploitation of the latest and innovative technology,” commented MASS Managing Director, Chris Stanley.
“Our pedigree in maritime combat systems has placed us at the leading edge of technologies such as communications, autonomous systems and anti-submarine warfare and we aim to make a significant contribution to this exciting new framework,” added Managing Director of SEA, Steve Hill.