The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is pleased to launch a new Themed Competition called Delivering Operational Advantage via Improved Self-Sufficiency and Operational Energy Innovation. This competition is funded by the UK Ministry of Defence Chief Scientific Advisor (CSA).
We are seeking proposals for novel technologies that will enable defence to achieve greater self-sufficiency and operational endurance for a deployed force, allowing the force to be more resilient, agile and self-sustaining.
There are seven challenge areas to be addressed through this competition:
1. Food – feeding the winning edge
2. Water – harvest and recycle water with increasing efficiency
3. Materiel – reducing the supply chain burden
4. Waste – trash into treasure
5. Platform Power & Energy – enduring energy
6. Platform Thermal Management – keeping cool for persistent power
7. Deployed Power & Energy – energy fuels persistence
Recent military campaigns have shown that contested logistics can severely hinder operations and compromise combat effectiveness. Identifying and adopting holistic, efficient and effective support and sustainability solutions quickly is essential to ensure the resilience of defence. Do you have an innovation that could help?
In short:
- DASA has launched a new Themed Competition: Delivering Operational Advantage via Improved Self-Sufficiency and Operational Energy Innovation
- Funded by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Chief Scientific Advisor
- Total funding available is £3.1 million (excluding VAT)
- Competition closes 12:00 midday 2 July 2024 (BST)
Learn more and submit a proposal
The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is pleased to launch a new Themed Competition called Protecting Physical Assets from UAS Attack. This competition is jointly funded by the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA), the UK Home Office and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl).
We are seeking proposals that can provide a defensive solution for physical assets as a countermeasure to an Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) kinetic attack.
The current Counter-UAS (C-UAS) technology market focuses on targeting the UAS in flight. This competition aims to move away from conventional C-UAS methods and instead explores the most effective ways to provide physical protection to various assets from hostile UAS. This includes options for hardening the asset, providing blanket last-ditch defence and deploying automated alerts for incoming hostile UAS.
In short:
- DASA has launched a new Themed Competition: Protecting Physical Assets from UAS Attack
- Funded by the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA), the UK Home Office and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl)
- Total funding available is £750,000 (excluding VAT)
- Competition closes midday 13 June 2024 (BST)
Learn more and submit a proposal
The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is pleased to launch a new IFA called Unlocking the True Potential of Test and Evaluation for Defence, run on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MOD).
DASA is seeking innovations for priority T&E issues for which no solution is currently known across the domain.
We would like to see novel proposals that:
- Accelerate the assurance of new systems and technologies
- Attune systems to the latest threats, emerging programme requirements and likely operating environments, for example by using digital tools and methods
- Enable capability to be more available to the war fighter, more quickly, more often and for longer. For example, mobile T&E infrastructure (taking the test to the capability rather than the capability to the test) allowing for rapid (re)assessment and assurance
- Enable agility by creating better understanding of the capability through innovative T&E methods and delivery
- Enable accelerated acceptance of the capability at test, by developing the novel T&E methods and processes with key regulations/ regulators (for example the Defence Safety Authority) in mind and enabling better understanding of risks and mitigations
In Short:
- DASA has launched a new Innovation Focus Area (IFA) called Unlocking the True Potential of Test and Evaluation (T&E) for Defence
- Funding provided by the Ministry of Defence (MOD)
- Suggested project values of between £50,000 and £200,000 (ex VAT) with a maximum of £500,000 (ex VAT) per financial year
- This IFA will be open for a minimum of two cycles
Learn more and submit a proposal
Local businesses have united to back the Highland Historic Commercial Vehicle Road Run. Scheduled for Saturday, 4th May 2024, this annual event will showcase a procession of 80 vintage commercial vehicles, raising funds in support of the Scottish Air Ambulance[1].An ode to the rich history of commercial automotive heritage, the Highland Historic Commercial Vehicle Road Run has traversed the Highlands for the past 14 years, gathering support and raising funds for charitable causes and organisations such as the Blood Bikers and Marie Curie.
This year, the road run will embark on a picturesque expedition through the North Highlands. Starting from Dingwall Mart and journeying towards Bonar Bridge, Lairg, Tongue and finally along the North Coast before arriving in Thurso[2]. Participants hailing from across the Highlands and the wider UK, including as far as the Netherlands, will showcase their classic and vintage haulage vehicles. This will be followed by a social gathering, charity auction and raffle at the Weigh Inn.
When HHCVRR organiser John Mackenzie sought help from the Chamber regarding parking arrangements, he found swift support from the local business community. Chamber members, Thurso-based enterprises Lionvolt and Denchi Power stepped in ensuring ample parking space at Thurso Business Park to help with seamless execution of the event.
Caithness Chamber CEO Trudy Morris commented “This collaborative endeavour underscores the strength of the chamber network. Thank you to Lionvolt and Denchi Power who have generously provided parking space to facilitate the smooth flow of the event.
We are pleased that the Chamber could play a role in facilitating these connections and extend our best wishes to John and all participants of the Highland Historic Commercial Vehicle Road Run for a successful event. Undoubtedly, the arrival of the fleet will spark immense interest and excitement among the Caithness community.”
John Mackenzie commented “Thank you very much to Trudy for all of her help. We were faced with the momentous task of securing a new parking space for our vehicles and are delighted by the support of the local business community.”
The first lorries are expected to arrive in Thurso at around 4pm on Saturday 4th May 2024. Photographers are welcome to set up along the route to capture the rally in action.
Further information on the Highland Historic Commercial Vehicle Road Run can be found on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hhcvrr
[1] After running costs, all surplus funds will be donated to the Scottish Air Ambulance.
[2] Vehicles will arrive from the west into Thurso, a map of the route can be found on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=948494473646755&set=a.561474995682040
Photography credits: Barry Scollay
The 2024 Scrabster Harbour cruise season started with a record this week when the largest vessel to ever berth at the port arrived. The AIDAsol, operated by AIDA cruises, arrived at 6.30 am last Tuesday. The Sphinx class vessel measured 253 metres in length and 71,304 tonnes.
On a 11-night voyage of Scotland and Norway 2,071 passengers and 624 crew were aboard. The German passengers enjoyed sixteen organised excursions to various attractions and locations around Caithness. In addition, Scrabster Harbour Trust provided free shuttle buses to take the visitors and crew into Thurso town. The guests were welcomed at the quayside and in town by an enthusiastic volunteer “Meet & Greet” team armed with information on the local attractions, facilities and shops. Prior to departure, the passengers were entertained quayside by the Caithness Junior Pipe band and local highland dancers.
AISAsol has a further two Scrabster calls scheduled for the 2024 cruise season.
Sandy Mackie, Trust Manager said: “The berthing of the AIDAsol is further demonstration of the harbour’s capacity to accommodate larger ships. We look forward to the remainder of the cruise season. Although our cruise vessel numbers are modest in comparison to some other ports, I am encouraged that we have a number of maiden calls, and the Trust will continue to work hard to increase future bookings. The Trust appreciates the community cooperation and effort to ensure the cruise visitors have an enjoyable experience”.
Transport connectivity is crucial to the economy.
At the Focus North conference, 87% of attendees rated our regional transport network as high or very high risk for our economic prosperity.
Our workforce relies on efficient and reliable public transport services to access training and employment.
Focus North has adopted transport for employment as a key strand in its partnership programme.
Transport to the region – including lifeline air services – are a separate programme theme which has already attracted success, with the confirmation of another year’s funding for the Wick-Aberdeen public service obligation flights.
Transport for employment is a difficult nut to crack, and we started by commissioning a detailed study to give us an evidence base to build on.
Urban Foresight Transport Study
In 2023, Focus North commissioned innovation consultancy Urban Foresight to undertake research into modes of transport in the region. Their report included a survey of local residents and stakeholders that captured more than 350 responses.
The responses identified four main desires from public transport users:
- increased bus and train services
- affordable fares
- better connections between transport modes
- a shift towards sustainable transport
The main challenges were:
- infrequent and unreliable services
- long journeys
- poor infrastructure for active travel
Urban Foresight’s report did not aim to completely move away from private car usage, which it recognises as unavoidable due to the remote communities in the region. Instead, it focuses on reducing reliance on private cars by providing enhanced public transport options.
Urban Foresight proposed the following solutions:
- a network of electric, community-owned vehicles offering flexible routes
- mini-mobility hubs with bike sharing
- consolidated booking and payment platforms
- oversight by a community-led organisation
Under the most ambitious modelling scenario, the above changes would reduce private car journeys by 15% and create a three-fold increase in bus transport.
However, the solution requires a significant inward investment (running a fleet of 18 electric minivans over 10 years would cost upwards of £8m).
Next steps
NRS Dounreay is leading the Focus North partnership on the ‘transport for employment’ programme theme.
Both NRS Dounreay and Highland Council have a significant procurement spend on bus services in the area, and they are working together to find more innovative and co-ordinated ways of working.
In the more immediate term, Focus North is investigating the potential for pilot-level activity as a follow-on from the Urban Foresight report.
For more information, download our short briefing paper or read it in full below:
File Name: Future_Transport_NScotland_Final.pdf
Focus North is delighted to announce the first round of its Net Zero Accelerator programme. With the support of NRS Dounreay, Focus North can offer 15 fully-funded places to small and medium enterprises in Caithness and north Sutherland.
Outcomes include:
- 12 months dedicated 1:1 help and support
- UK Government (SECR) carbon accreditation
- Audited carbon accounts
- Credible SECR Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP)
- Membership of the Focus North Net Zero Accelerator
About the Accelerator
Focus North has commissioned award-winning social enterprise Net Zero Nation to deliver this Accelerator for our region.
Thanks to the support of NRS Dounreay, we are able to offer this programme free of charge to local businesses.
The first cohort is now open for applications, and we are looking for 15 businesses representing a variety of sectors, business types and sizes. Collaboration across the cohort is a valuable part of the programme, and we look forward to seeing what businesses learn, and how they leverage it for commercial advantage.
The programme structure looks like this:
Onboard – set-up, software licensing, meet the team
Welcome – meet your accelerator peers
Master – learn about carbon accounting, standards and compliance
Measure – 1:1 support with a carbon expert
Manage – share your Carbon Reduction Plan
Momentum – build competitive advantage, take Net Zero to market, discover toolbox
Maintain – review progress and plan for future
Review – share and discuss progress with accelerator group
Evaluate – look back on the year, review effectiveness, celebrate
These sessions will take place both online and on-site, with timings agreed. There is flexibility built into the programme and support for delivery, but Accelerators must commit to the course and allow sufficient time to benefit from it.
Applications now open
Focus North encourages applications from SMEs in the north Highland area.
For more information or to request an application form, please email netzeronation@focusnorth.scot
The closing date for applications is Monday 6 May 2024.
Here is a DASA reminder of the Themed Competitions offered by the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA). If you have an innovation, we want to hear from you!
Electronic Warfare Challenge
Electronic Warfare Challenge is the first iteration of AUKUS Pillar 2’s Innovation Challenge Series which will run concurrently in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The UK competition run by DASA is open to registered UK businesses only.
Up to £1.92 million funding available to develop capabilities that provide a competitive advantage to electromagnetic targeting and protection.
The deadline to submit a proposal is midday (GMT) on Thursday 16 May 2024.
Learn more and submit a proposal
Mobile Evidential Drug Testing Instrument (MEDTI) Demonstrator
Mobile Evidential Drug Testing Instrument Demonstrator is being run on behalf of the Department for Transport and with the support of the Home Office and Police. This competition is seeking proposals that enhance the testing of suspected ‘drug’ drivers.
The total possible funding available for Phase 1 of this themed competition is £1 million (ex-VAT) with a maximum limit of £350,000 (ex-VAT) per proposal
The deadline to submit a proposal is midday (GMT) on Tuesday 16 April 2024.
Learn more and submit a proposal
Small, Lightweight Trace Explosives Detector
Sample Preservation, Analysis, And Attribution (SPAA) is being run on behalf of the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the US Department of Defense (DOD) and seeks proposals for innovations that could either help the successful identification of chemical and biological (ChemBio) materials and/or bring perpetrators to justice.
Up to £1 million (excluding VAT) funding available.
The deadline to submit a proposal is midday (BST) on Saturday 30 March 2024
Learn more and submit a proposal
The Caithness Collection is thrilled to announce the grand opening of Wick Bay Apartments, the newest addition to their collection. Nestled along Wick Bay, these modern retreats offer unparalleled comfort and stunning views.
Discover the epitome of contemporary living in their one-bedroom apartments, complete with a cozy double bedroom, lounge, and fully equipped kitchenette. Enjoy meals in the dining area, perfect for gatherings with loved ones. For those seeking sophistication, their studio ensuite apartments feature a luxurious king-size bed, inviting seating areas, and a convenient kitchenette equipped with essential appliances.
For more information, contact Wick Bay Apartments at: wickbay@thecaithnesscollection.co.uk or call 01955 603344.