Department for Transport: High Assurance Detection Systems 2024
HADeS (High Assurance Detection Systems) aims to enhance UK airports’ checkpoint security screening capability for passengers and baggage.
Opportunity Details
When
Registration Opens
14/11/2024
Registration Closes
13/12/2024
Award
Up to £80k per project depending on track; successful applicants will be able to access DfT collaboration and further business support.
Organisation
DFT
The Department for Transport (DfT) has recently initiated project HADeS (High Assurance Detection Systems) which aims to enhance UK airports’ checkpoint security screening capability. This project will focus on alarm resolution and any operating concept that can enhance the performance of checkpoint systems to screen aviation passengers and their cabin baggage. Up to eight successful applicants will receive funding to develop their ideas during a 6-month programme that will involve business support workshops to address the needs of the cohort, in collaboration with the DfT.
The current cabin baggage screening system largely uses a two-stage primary screening approach provided by computed tomography (CT) or dual-view (DV) X-ray. Where necessary, this is followed by secondary or alarm resolution screening techniques using explosives trace detection (ETD) and liquid explosive detection systems (LEDS). The DfT aspires to ensure that future security checkpoints meet the highest possible threat detection capability while remaining operationally viable.
Current primary screening systems have demonstrated the capability to detect a wide range of threats with operationally viable false alarm rates. This provides an opportunity for alarm resolution screening techniques to be developed further to address evolving threats.
Successful projects could lead to future live demonstrations, create new market opportunities and stimulate economic growth. The competition seeks to further develop a resilient and efficient security ecosystem, ensuring that UK airports are better equipped to detect and deter threats while maintaining efficient operations.
This competition will be providing a total of up to £500k in grant funding, for up to eight organisations. Two tracks are available, one for Emerging Security Innovations (TRL 2-3) with a £45k grant, and one for Evolving Security Innovations (TRL 4-5) with an £80k grant. DfT are also open to expressions of interest from providers with solutions at a higher TRL.
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To be eligible, applicants must be a business of any size or a university/academic institution. Lead organisations must be UK registered.
If you are applying as a consortium, international partners are welcome, however they can only receive up to 80% of the total grant amount.
Applications from large organisations will be considered, however a clear rationale is required as to why the proposed idea cannot be funded by internal resources and/or R&D budget. You must meet the requirements of our Due Diligence section in your application.
If successful, you must be able to begin your project in March 2025 with a maximum of 6 months duration.
Some travel to meetings and events may be required.
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This focuses on technology and products that are presently between TRL 2-3 but are looking to advance within these levels, or onto level 4. Proposals should provide long term solutions for airport security detection systems, such as innovative concepts which offer the checkpoint of the future, post Next Generation Security Checkpoint (NGSC), such as integrated primary and secondary screening. These will help the DfT to shape their longer-term vision and may inform decisions about the lifetime of current NGSC equipment.
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This focuses on technologies and products that are currently between TRLs 4-5 and are looking to advance within these levels or towards level 6. Proposals will focus on medium term solutions, such as those that can be further developed to become part of any potential NGSC mid-life upgrade.
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Although not in scope for the grant funding in this innovation call, the DfT are looking for innovative concepts which offer nearer term solutions which could include enhancements to current NGSC equipment to provide an increased ability for threat detection. Such proposals may be submitted as EOIs by completing the same application form applicable to Tracks 1 and 2, as described below. Attractive propositions will be considered for separate funding.
Such proposals could support the development of advanced detection and threat reduction technologies, and their combination into a system of systems. -
On 26 November, 10am-11am, Connected Places Catapult will hold an Application Support Webinar to give applicants the opportunity to find out more about the programme offering, challenges, application process, scoring criteria, and the assessment process. Register for a webinar place.
If you would like help to find a project partner, contact Innovate UK Business Connect’s Sensors team or our Transport team.
If you have any questions about the programme and application, please contact the Connected Places Catapult Innovation Funding team at innovation_funding@cp.catapult.org.uk.