To define what we are looking for, we have come up with a list of 10 technologies we see as important to national security.

If you would like to use your technology to support national security, and have an idea which fits into one of the 10 core subject areas listed below, we would love to hear from you.

Edge AI

AI that can operate on low-power devices -  Edge AI. Useful for systems operating in hostile environments over long periods, sometimes discretely, with little or no connectivity. Can tech operate autonomously and allow us to process sensors or signals such as imagery, video or audio?

Quantum sensing

Often we have to make sense of weak signals, or operate in areas subject to interference, such as loss of access to satellite-based positioning systems. Quantum sensing can outperform classical sensors and allow us to improve performance of existing systems or develop currently impractical concepts. Solutions improving vision, measurements, detection, navigation and signal fidelity are of interest. 

Advanced manufacturing   

We manufacture bespoke designs at pace, often in small quantities. The speed of working from concept to deployment is crucial. Manufacturing technology that supports the rapid production of both mechanical and electronic items, including low volume semiconductor fabrication, can give us an edge. Technology that protects the integrity and confidentiality of designs is also desirable. 

Advanced power sources

Our products must operate in challenging environments, often without access to power for long durations. We push the boundaries of what is possible with battery technologies, whether that is power density, charging performance or operating conditions. We customise all aspects of the form factors of batteries. If you are working on something unusual relating to portable power sources, including power harvesting, let us know.  

Radio frequency signals and antennas

Our equipment often needs to operate in environments with low infrastructure, or in contested RF environments. Our tech location often has to be obscured or hidden. Wireless communications protocols and approaches which are robust to interference, but allow us to send data securely and discreetly are vital. We are interested in both covert and bodyworn antennas, camouflage techniques, frequency agile and bandwide antennas, dielectric technologies and metamaterials as well as novel antenna designs allowing us to improve system performance, while remaining small in size.

Communication systems

UK national security needs to maintain global communications in ways that cannot be detected or decoded. Such communications can take many forms and be carried over many bearers and technologies. They must be discreet and ensure integrity and confidentiality, even when subjected to scrutiny and surveillance. We are interested in systems that can communicate at ranges from millimetres to thousands of miles.  We are looking for innovative technologies that can help us stay ahead of emerging threats.

Detection of security vulnerabilities

To secure our software and hardware products, we need to ensure that all technology in our supply chain is robust and able to withstand attacks. We are interested in solutions that aid expert security researchers in identifying vulnerabilities across a wide range of technologies and platforms. We are equally interested in solutions for identifying supply chain vulnerability and validating the secure function of software (source and binary), hardware and data components.  Techniques to authenticate component providence are required. 

Identity protection

We are interested in technologies that can allow national security staff to operate in both physical as well as online and digital environments. But the connectivity of urban environments, for example through smart city infrastructure and domestic equipment, makes this more challenging. Amid these networks of connected sensors, we are looking for technical approaches enabling people to manage their identity profiles securely.

Novel electronics

We are always seeking to reduce size and power consumption of our products whilst increasing their performance. We are interested in exploring the use of new categories of electronics, including organic / bio electronics, polymer substrates, two-dimensional materials and a host of other technologies to meet our mission challenges.  Examples of tech we are interested in include lower power electronics assemblies with high component density, such as those using thin, light and flexible interconnections and those designed for operation in adverse environments. We also want to use commercial technologies in novel and unusual ways.

Space 

Space based technology gives the opportunity to gains insight from and connect to some of the most remote and poorly connected parts of the world. We are interested in platforms and technologies that can give the UK affordable access to space and achieve insights that cannot be achieved via terrestrial approaches.