Army Warfighting Experiment (AWE) - Robotics and autonomous (RAS): Industry Workshop

The Army, supported by DE&S Technology Office, is holding an initial workshop on 30 June.

Recognising the potential of robotics and autonomous systems (RAS) to offer significant benefits to the conduct of military operations, the Army has established a Capability Spotlight to focus on the opportunities offered by rapid adoption of RAS. This ‘Capability Spotlight’ aims to: ‘Identify how the Army can exploit developments in RAS technology through focused analysis, capability integration and experimentation to deliver affordable operational capability in the short-medium term’.

A core component of this Spotlight is a capstone experiment and demonstration in Autumn 2018. Its aim is to connect industry technology providers with Army front line units, drawing on the successful models offered by the Army Warfighting Experiment (AWE) and Unmanned Warrior (undertaken by the Royal Navy). The activity will occur within an operational scenario to test and evaluate the utility of commercially available and developmental RAS in order to identify specific capabilities for rapid exploitation. It will be multinational, multi-location and will take place over 2-3 weeks; it is likely to be connected through a common scenario within a synthetic environment most likely pitched at a brigade operating within a divisional context. As such, it will offer industry a genuine platform with senior and working level military representation from the UK and allies. RAS systems will be tasked by military staff in support of operations, but may be operated by either uniformed staff or industry. There is scope for live flying and there may be some scope for live firing.

The Army, supported by DE&S Technology Office, is holding an initial workshop to brief and hear industry views and to openly discuss, without commitment, potential inputs to the AWE RAS demonstrations.

The workshop is open to all and is free to attend and will take place at QinetiQ Farnborough on 30 June 2017. Larger companies may be asked to limit representation due to availability.

Those wishing to reserve a place should email Lt Col Peter Hale at: ArmyCapPfO-Strat-Coh-SO1@mod.uk

The development of the AWE RAS demonstrations and call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) around a number of themes (Situational awareness and decision support; Movement and manoeuvre; Firepower; Force protection; and Sustainability) will shortly commence.

For wider discussions or further information, please contact the Army’s Chief Robotics Officer, Lt Col Peter Hale via email at: ArmyCapPfO-Strat-Coh-SO1@mod.uk