QinetiQ has been awarded a prime contract worth £6.4 million by Ministry of Defence (MOD) scientists following an open competition to deliver key aspects of a four-year, programme of intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) research.

Military and security operations rely heavily on quick access to information and intelligence to underpin situational awareness, threat assessment and decision-making. Without this information, known in the military as ISTAR, the commanders’ ability to take decisions with an acceptable level of confidence is reduced.

The ISTAR Concepts and Solutions (ICS) programme is driving the next generation of ISTAR developments. This is achieved by applying the best science and technology to demonstrate costeffective system solutions that will significantly improve the information and intelligence available to UK Armed Forces. This might be through developing new technologies or by other means, such as challenging current operational practice on the battlefield.

Jeremy Ward, MD of QinetiQ C4ISR Division, said of the award: “QinetiQ is delighted to have the opportunity to work with Dstl on the ICS project. We will lead a strong, pan-industry and academia team, which includes some of the UK’s most respected scientists, engineers and academics. The team will provide the MOD with access to world leading innovation in C4ISTAR technology and will explore novel ISTAR technologies and processes, which will really make a difference to front line troops in the future.”