Digital Catapult supports Dstl to launch Defence Data Research Centre

Digital Catapult, the UK authority on advanced digital technology, is working with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) to establish a new AI research centre of excellence – the Defence Data Research Centre (DDRC).

Focused on problems related to data readiness and exploitation for artificial intelligence applications, the DDRC’s will explore data related challenges faced by the defence sector such as logistics support and object tracking, with the expectation that any solutions and mitigations developed by the DDRC could be applied to benefit the UK defence sector and tangential industries in the wider UK economy.

Digital Catapult is undertaking the work as part of a consortium led by the University of Exeter and supported by the University of Liverpool and the University of Surrey. Alongside the consortium partners and a wide group of key stakeholders, Digital Catapult will review the outputs and recommendations from DDRC researchers and advise on wider exploitation including scaling and integrating interoperable solutions that can be applied across the UK’s business and academic communities at large.

Through a series of in-depth activities – ranging from understanding the technical feasibility and viability of solutions to transforming culture, skills and training – Digital Catapult will engage with researchers, investors, and the industry and tech communities that are vital to early adoption and exploitation of advanced digital technologies.