Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA)

Citation

(2000), "Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA)", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 72 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2000.12772faf.001

Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA)

Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA)

Keywords: DERA, Defence

Farnborough 2000 was an opportunity to publicise the partial privatisation of DERA. Around three-quarters of the organisation will be turned into a company, which will move to the private sector through a flotation which could be in 2001. Just under 3,000 staff will be retained within MoD to provide a high level overview of defence science and technology, in-house impartial advice and management of international research collaboration.

The divisions will be New DERA which will form the major part and Retained DERA, the latter consisting of the Chemical and Biological Defence Sector, the majority of the Centre for Defence analysis, the Defence Research Information Centre and Defence Radiological Protection Centre, and approximately 900 additional personnel who manage international. Research collaboration, top level advice integration for MoD customers and sensitive projects.

New DERA will consist of four Divisions. One is Knowledge and Information Systems, which is the IT and communications side of the smart solutions business, with expertise in systems engineering, e-business and information security. Another is Sensors and Electronics, which is underpinning technology that supports the smart solutions. Future Systems Technology is the source of impartial technical advice, smart solutions, and leading-edge technology developments across all major military platforms (land, sea and air). The fourth division is Through Life Support, which deals with sophisticated managed services, focusing on testing, manning, maintaining and optimising equipment in service.

Knowledge and information systems

MoD and Government will remain crucial clients of this division because of their interest in a variety of space and other projects. Commercial growth into many interests is envisaged, but in particular, defence, telecommunications, space and IT systems and services, as well as the public sector including European customers. Business with commercial potential in this division includes two mini satellites, built and ready to launch with 20 experiments from government, industry and academia in the UK, the USA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and Canada. It also includes the first in-orbit tests of novel infra-red and multi-metric-wave devices, high efficiency solar panels and batteries, high performance processors and mapping of GPS performance at high altitudes.

This division is a fast-growing systems and software engineering centre, with turnover up 35 percent and permanent staff up by 25 percent. It is a principal supplier of System engineering and requirements engineering training to MoD, with clients such as building and leisure industries, and the Highways Agency for whom it has already managed 75 different projects in support of the motorway communications system.

Sensors and electronics

The strategy of this division is that it is a technology business, based upon first-class research and supporting thee interlinked business streams. These are research, which drives the rest of the business; solutions with potential for growth; and exploitation, which is developing but with high growth potential.

Research includes the semi-conducting material indium antimonide, developed for use infrared staring arrays for military customers. There are potential commercial applications where high speed circuitry is vital, e.g. electronic and opto-electronic technologies for telecommunications. Solutions include three-dimensional displays with high realism volumetric imaging systems developed for commercial use, aimed at improved time to manufacture. There are also wider market applications where displays of complex three-dimensional data are required. One activity relates to antenna technology applied to radio cameras. This uses active phased array radar where a smart antenna can pick up signals from a roving radio camera. This obviates the need for manual handling of the antenna dish. Applications include outside broadcasts, sport and leisure.

Exploitation in this division includes Mineseeker, which is a joint venture with The Lightship Group. It utilises DERA's Ultra WideBand Radar technology and is aimed at identifying the boundaries of minefields. The time for ground clearance is reduced and also, land is released for productive use.

Future systems technology

This relates to systems design solutions to defence and other markets. Its core business is technical support to MoD acquisition and technical transfer and partnerships with defence suppliers. There is progressive growth into other markets: marine, aerospace, transportation, motorsport. It is keyed to the exploitation of niche technology with commercial potential.

It provides support to MoD acquisition and FOAS synthetic environment (SE) demonstration. It is a prototype for smart procurement processes and supports various studies. It provides a SE facility to explore FOAS force mix and tactics, process improvements through the use of an SE early in the programme life cycle, and testing concepts as well as developing expertise in SE operation.

Technology transfer is also provided to the defence industry; examples include signature control techniques, EMI/EMC screening techniques, materials design and manufacture, and structural aspects. The work also includes technology championing and technology exploitation.

Through life support

This division is a specialised military test and evaluation, human sciences, analysis and technical support organisation, aiming to become an increasingly important supplier to Government, industry, defence and civil organisations. It will maximise retention of traditional MoD business, pursue big-ticket, complex managed services and contract, initially with MoD, and develop a strong business consulting practice.

Boscombe Down is a £100+ million business managing the technical evaluation in support of MAR for all new and in-service aircraft and weapons. Aberporth Firing Range is a £25 million business which provides a development trials, target and training facility. The Hebrides Range is a £18 million business that provides a development trials and training range for live firings requiring an extended safety trace. Human performance optimisation is also undertaken.

Current and recent activities

At Farnborough 2000 it was also made known that DERA is joining forces with US partners in space. The agreement links DERA to the NASA-JSC CLAEDF Consortium which includes the NASA-Johnson Space Centre (NASA-JSC), the Clear Lake Area Economic Development Foundation (CLAEDF) and its space-related member companies and allies. The NASA JSC-CLAEDF consortium offers DERA and its industrial partners in the UK the means to reach out to organisations deep in the heart of the US space programme. DERA is strong in the critical areas of quality, price and performance and supported by a vast range of capabilities which will be of particular value to the US space industry.

Also, UK and the USA have agreed to co-operate on military rotorcraft technologies which will mean the MoD research activities at DERA and the US Army Aviation and Missile Command research programme will be working closely together. Over the past two years, for example, increasing co-operation on the support of Chinook in-service fleets has demonstrated considerable benefits.

Another agreement, between DERA and SAIC (Science Applications International Corporation) agrees to jointly pursue business opportunities in air traffic management, initially focusing on activities in North America and Europe. As air traffic continues to grow, many countries and regions of the world are seeking to upgrade their ATM facilities and the two organisations are able to provide a wide range of technical. operational and project management services. These include both ground-based and airborne systems, air traffic control, surveillance (mode S and ADS-B), navigation (including GPS and MLS), communications, human factors and controller displays, AIM system simulation, flight testing and cost benefit analysis.

In the review of DERA's activities for 1999/2000, it looked forward to the reorganisation referred to, and dealt with a wide variety of work undertaken during this time. Particularly relevant to Aerospace were air traffic management, space and helicopters, while other areas of considerable importance in all fields include software engineering, sensors and electronics, and future systems technology.

Air traffic management

DERA has been engaged in ATM for many years and developed considerable expertise. This is now largely channeled through the European Air Traffic Management Programme (EATMP) which will be the foundation of future improved management in Europe and for which EUROCONTROL is the implementation agent. The KIS division of DERA's contribution to the radar surveillance element of the programme, known as the POEMS (Pre-Operational European Mode S) project has included provision of the project manager, and the validation of factory and site acceptance testing software.

In the field of data links, KIS has performed a world-first flight demonstration on its BAC 1-11 research aircraft of a standard ATN (Aeronautical Telecommunications Network) datalink system for EUROCONTROL. KIS has also been demonstrating to the stakeholders of the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay System (EGNOS), the civil aviation application of EGNOS for the space-based augmentation of satellite navigation systems. Contributions to other programmes have also been made.

Space

DERA's Space department which is within the Knowledge and Information Systems Division, is playing an increasingly important part in the UK's space programme. Auxiliary payloads will also be launched on Ariane 5. Significant enhancement and cost savings have already been made to military and civil space programmes.

DERA recently launched a Medium Wave Infra Red (MWIR) telescope into orbit for a 12-month research mission on a US experimental satellite. The MWIR will use space-based infrared technology to detect aircraft in flight and give an indication as to their speed and direction. This offers considerable potential advantages over current air and ground-based radars. The MWIR was built in DERA's space laboratories at Farnborough, with support from several UK companies.

Helicopters

Helicopter rotor blade design is an area where for many years DERA has played a leading role and the British Experimental Rotor Programme conducted with GKN Westland Helicopters led to a successful application to Lynx and Merlin, as well as a Queen's Award for Technology Innovation and a World Speed Record.

Further developments have led to new aerodynamic and structural design features aimed at improved performance, vibration and acoustic characteristics. These have been tested successfully in Mach scaled model experiments in DERA's 5m and 24ft wind tunnels and are now being considered for adoption in the MoD/GKD-WHL BERP4 Technical Demonstrator programme. Potential applications for the new blade technology include developed versions of the Lynx and Merlin helicopters.

Other areas

The Software Engineering supports many industries and the new E-Centre is developing Web sites and secure Internet products for clients in diverse activities. The Centre is a principal supplier of system engineering and requirements training to MoD.

Advances in sensors and electronics have revolutionised developments everywhere and this division at DERA is the focus for related sub-systems, including supporting applied physics and device technologies. Specific S&E application areas include radar, electronic warfare, thermal imaging, acoustics, sonar, electronic and electro-optic combat, algorithmic engineering, and signal and image processing. The division works in partnership with other parts of DERA and outside, to provide innovative solutions. Activities include equipment in the upgrade of the UK Nimrod maritime reconnaissance aircraft and the programme of electronic countermeasures.

A major part of DERA's work is in the Future Systems Technology Division. It brings together the organisation's capability in the design, integration, simulation, and assessment of military platform and weapon systems for all three Services. This is underpinned by specialist expertise in key technology areas such as engineering materials, structural design, energetic materials, and aerodynamic and hydrodynamic design.