The British Army is taking a look at what impact future technology developments may have on land forces by 2040 and has recruited a major research company to identify potential ideas from the commercial, academic and other sectors.
Roke Manor Research announced Dec. 9 that it has secured an 18-month contract from the British Army to seek possible innovations that could be exploited by land forces in the 2030-2040 timescale.
The technology the company aims to review includes 3-D printing, synthetic biology, quantum technologies, big data, robotics, sensors, power, communications and augmented human performance.
Roke, owned by British defense contractor Chemring, said it was primarily looking to the commercial sector and university research departments for ideas that ultimately could be exploited through the Army's Agile Warrior research and experimentation program.
A spokesman for Roke said it was hoped the initiative would flush out companies in the commercial sector who hadn't previously considered the defense market.
"There are no boundaries to this effort, though; we are trawling for ideas, including paper concepts, from [small to medium enterprises], academics and others," the spokesman said.
The 18-month contract could be extended by a further 18 months, he added.
The possible influence of emerging technologies in areas like mounted and dismounted close combat, artillery, military engineering, information and air maneuver will be the focus of a recently launched science and technology watch program Roke is running on behalf of the Army.
Jonathan Farrington, the technical lead on the program, said Roke "will be scanning the market for innovative technologies that are in the early stages of development so that the Army can consider their exploitation. ... This is an excellent opportunity for 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."
During the initial 18-month research program, Roke will present the Army with an overview of technologies that could be exploited to support the requirements for future capability, said the research company in its announcement.
