Defence Science and Technology Laboratory: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:00, 3 July 2024

Revision as of 23:27, 9 July 2024

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Dstl absorbed the Home Office's Centre for Applied Science and Technology (CAST) in April 2018,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=24 April 2018|title=Centre for Applied Science and Technology (CAST) becomes part of Dstl|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/centre-for-applied-science-and-technology-cast-becomes-part-of-dstl|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-24|website=GOV.UK|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424162916/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/centre-for-applied-science-and-technology-cast-becomes-part-of-dstl |archive-date=24 April 2018 }}</ref> taking on CAST's role<ref>{{cite book |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/530164/intro-to-cast-june2016.pdf |title=Home Office Science: Centre for Applied Science and Technology: An Introduction |publisher=Home Office |year=2016 |isbn=978-1-78655-083-5 |___location=United Kingdom |pages=3–4}}</ref> to apply science and technology to support the Home Office's operations and frontline delivery, provide evidence to support policy, and perform certain regulatory functions.

Dstl was a [[trading fund]] of the MOD from its formation until 2016, when it became an [[executive agency]] of the MOD.{{cn|date=September 2022}}

==Organisation==

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* Gary Aitkenhead<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/people/gary-aitkenhead |title=Gary Aitkenhead – GOV.UK |website=www.gov.uk |access-date=4 May 2018}}</ref> (2018–2021).<ref name=":0">{{cite web|date=30 November 2017|title=Defence Science and Technology Laboratory appoints new Chief Executive|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/defence-science-and-technology-laboratory-appoints-new-chief-executive|access-date=8 December 2017|website=GOV.UK}}</ref>

* Doug Umbers: interim chief executive from April 2021 to February 2022.

* Paul Hollinshead (2022 - 2022–)

==Operations==

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Following a review and consultation process initiated by MOD's Chief Scientific Advisor (CSA), it became responsible for the formulation and commission of MOD's non-nuclear research programme from 1 April 2010, under the responsibility of the Dstl Programme Office.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmselect/cmdfence/writev/761/nns45.htm |title=The Strategic Defence and Security Review and The National Security Strategy |work=publications.parliament.uk |year=2011 |access-date=12 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |date=19 March 2010 |title=Dstl to become the key focus of science and technology within MOD |url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/DefencePolicyAndBusiness/DstlToBecomeTheKeyFocusOfScienceAndTechnologyWithinMod.htm |publisher=[[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20121026065214/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/DefencePolicyAndBusiness/DstlToBecomeTheKeyFocusOfScienceAndTechnologyWithinMod.htm |archive-date=26 October 2012 |access-date=16 February 2014}}</ref> Within the Programme Office were 16 domains<ref>[http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20121106233608/http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/ukspaceagency/docs/space%20science/aurora/knowledge-exchange-april-2011/gibson-dstl-presentation.pdf National Archives (UK)]</ref> with some established as Science and Technology Centres, including Armour and Protection, Cyber and Influence, Counter Terrorism, and CBR (Chemical, Biological and Radiological).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dstl.gov.uk/scienceandtechnologycentres|title=Science and Technology Centres {{!}} dstl {{!}} Defence Science and Technology Laboratory|website=dstl.gov.uk|publisher=Ministry of Defence|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222100139/https://www.dstl.gov.uk/scienceandtechnologycentres|archive-date=22 February 2014}}</ref> These centres fund research via the Centre for Defence Enterprise,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.science.mod.uk/engagement/enterprise.aspx |title=Centre for Defence Enterprise |publisher=[[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] |access-date=16 February 2014}}</ref> also part of the Programme Office.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.science.mod.uk/engagement/dstl.aspx |title=The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) |publisher=[[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] |access-date=16 February 2014}}</ref>

A subsequent MOD CSA-led review in 2015 into MOD's science and technology capability recommended that the commissioning of science and technology should be independent of the delivery.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/458623/20150414-MOD_Science_Capability_Review_Executive_Summary.pdf|title=A review of MOD's science and technology capability (Executive summary)}}</ref> Following this, the commissioning role was moved to [[Defence Science and Technology]] (DST) within MOD Head Office, with Dstl focusing on delivery.{{cn|date=September 2022}}

Within the [[Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015]] was a proposal to create "a government-backed service designed to help small and medium-sized businesses bring new ideas to market more quickly".<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/478933/52309_Cm_9161_NSS_SD_Review_web_only.pdf|title=National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015: A Secure and Prosperous United Kingdom|date=November 2015|publisher=HM Government|isbn=9781474125963}}</ref> In 2016, it was announced by Defence Secretary [[Michael Fallon]] that this 'Defence and Security Accelerator'<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-and-security-accelerator|title=Defence and Security Accelerator – GOV.UK|website=www.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=4 May 2018}}</ref> would have access to an £800m innovation fund and build on the 'Centre for Defence Enterprise' model, operating within Dstl.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/defence-innovation-initiative|title=Defence Innovation Initiative – Speeches|website=www.gov.uk|date=16 September 2016 |access-date=20 September 2016}}</ref>

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==Locations==

Current sites include:<ref>{{Cite web |title=About us |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-science-and-technology-laboratory/about |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref>

Current sites include:

* [[Alverstoke]], Hampshire (as a tenant of the [[Institute of Naval Medicine]])

==== Headquarters ====

* [[Fort Halstead]], Kent (departure planned since 2011,<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Fort Halstead's Dstl research laboratory to close |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-13814693 |website=BBC News: Kent |date=17 June 2011 |access-date=24 December 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Building state-of-the-art facilities at Dstl|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/building-state-of-the-art-facilities-at-dstl|website=GOV.UK|access-date=7 February 2018|date=2 March 2015}}</ref> expected to be complete in 2022)<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Fort Halstead project |url=https://www.jtp.co.uk/projects/fort-halstead |website=JTP |date= |access-date=24 December 2021}}</ref>

* [[Porton Down]], Wiltshire (headquarters)

* [[Harwell Science and Innovation Campus]], Oxfordshire

* [[Porton Down]], Wiltshire (headquarters)

==== Defence Science and Technology Laboratory Portsdown West ====

* [[Portsdown Hill|Portsdown West]], Hampshire

==== Defence Science and Technology Laboratory Alverstoke ====

* [[Alverstoke]], Hampshire (as a tenant of the [[Institute of Naval Medicine]], Gosport)

==== Defence Science and Technology Laboratory Newcastle ====

* National Innovation Centre for Data (NICD), Newcastle<ref>{{Cite web |title=Newcastle Helix |url=https://newcastlehelix.com/stories/new-defence-science-and-technology-laboratory-hub-locating-to-helix |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=newcastlehelix.com}}</ref>

The former CAST sites at [[Langhurst|Langhurst, West Sussex]] and [[Sandridge]], Hertfordshire were closed around 2020 after the 2018 merger of CAST into Dstl.<ref name=":1" />