Supporting military capabilities
A major component of Dstl's duties for MOD is to support the Capability Sponsor.
We work with the Capability Sponsor on all activities associated with the identification and characterisation of capability gaps. We can provide advice for the creation of a new piece of technology. For instance, we have invented a new power source technology for use in unmanned underwater vehicles. Once fully developed, the fuel cell will provide six to ten times the energy density of other sources, making previously impossible operations possible.
However, it is not always about creating new technology. Where appropriate we encourage the novel exploitation of off-the-shelf technology to fit the military requirements. We can also develop and characterise system concepts, whether these are new concepts or an advancement of existing ones.
We provide advice to a range of activities that fall under the science and technology research programme, from the provision of balanced expertise through our advice teams, to technical risk reduction activities. Exemplifying our work in this area is a rapid analysis conducted by Dstl in response to an urgent request from the Capability Sponsor, where our advice helped them to decide the future of Brimstone.
Other work that illustrates the importance of our expert advice includes that provided by a Dstl advice team during a Savings and Enhancement round. In collaboration with other MOD colleagues, the team identified three savings options. These options were based upon capability rather than specific technologies and, as a result, MOD maintained a balanced research portfolio that addressed the most important issues.