Defence Notes

QinetiQ aids Dstl response to disruptive technologies

28th July 2020 - 10:00 GMT | by The Shephard News Team

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QinetiQ is to lead the Weapons Sector Research Framework (WSRF) contract for the UK Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), working with MBDA and Thales under a five-year contract worth up to £300 million.

Under the deal, announced on 28 July, QinetiQ and its partners will offer Dstl easy access to more than 70 industry and academic suppliers, in order to develop and exploit technology for the benefit of the UK armed forces.

Gary Aitkenhead, Chief Executive of Dstl, said: ‘The WSRF brings together our key partners, SMEs and academia to develop the solutions defence and security need in a fast evolving world.’

One key objective of WSRF, which replaces the Weapons Science and Technology Centre contract, is to cover the overall scope of the Future Kinetic Effects and Weapons (FKEW) programme. QinetiQ will assist Dstl by accelerating the process of responding to the use of emerging and disruptive technology such as directed-energy weapons.

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