Cohort plc companies MASS and SEA have been selected to form part of a new UK Ministry of Defence maritime research and development programme being managed by defence technology company QinetiQ.
QinetiQ has been awarded a contract by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) to manage the Progeny Maritime Research Framework contract to enhance the effect of technology in the maritime defence environment.
Under the contract, QinetiQ will build and manage a community of interest who will contribute ideas to maximise the impact of science and technology for UK maritime defence.
Specialists in Information Warfare and Maritime Combat systems, the companies will focus the best resources on developing new systems which will keep the Royal Navy at the forefront of defence capability.
MASS is a leading expert in Electronic Warfare (EW), cyber and information management, while SEA is experienced in developing innovative maritime combat systems including sub-surface communications and sonar, self-defence weapon and autonomous technologies.
Dstl is making up to £25 million available to fund research and development every year to advance maritime science and technology.
MASS Managing Director Chris Stanley commented: “Building on our experience and knowledge honed across all the operational domains, we are looking forward to helping the maritime domain to enhance and achieve operational advantage through the exploitation of the latest and innovative technology.”
SEA Managing Director Steve Hill added: “Our pedigree in maritime combat systems has placed us at the leading edge of technologies such as communications, autonomous systems and anti-submarine warfare and we aim to make a significant contribution to this exciting new framework .”
