Research firm tapped for science and technology watch program

Britain's Defense Science and Technology Laboratory has commissioned a research organization identify technologies to enhance future army capabilities.

During the initial 18-month phase of the Science and Technology program, Roke Manor Research Limited will present the army with an overview of technologies that could be exploited to support the requirements for future capability in the land environment in the 2030-2040 time period.

"We will be scanning the market for innovative technologies that are in the early stages of development so that the army can consider their exploitation," said Jonathan Farrington, Science and Technology Watch technical lead. "Developing and managing innovation is at the heart of everything that Roke does and we want to work with like-minded organizations.

"This is an excellent opportunity for both academia and the commercial sector to promote their ideas to the army and become major contributors to the future development of the UK's land forces."

Roke said technology areas it will review include advanced materials, augmented human performance, communications technology, robotics and autonomy, sensors, synthetic biology and military use of current off-the-shelf technologies.