Collection

Dstl's work and facilities

Explore Dstl’s science and technology work by subject area and find out about our specialist services and facilities.

• From: Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
• Published: 1 July 2014
• Last updated: 13 August 2024 — See all updates

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) provides world-class science and technology expertise for the UK’s security and defence.

Capability areas

We work with industry, academia and government to make sure the UK has the right defence science and technology capabilities, and to deliver work for our customers in the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the rest of government.

Our 23 capabilities are:

• Above Water Systems
• Advanced Materials
• Air Systems
• AI and Data Science
• C4 Information Systems
• CBR
• Cyber
• Electromagnetic Activities
• Engineering Biology
• Explosives and Energetics
• Homeland Security and CT Systems
• Human and Social Sciences
• Land Systems
• Operational Research
• Quantum
• Robotics and Autonomous Systems
• S&T Futures and Incubator
• Sensing
• Space Systems
• Strategic Systems
• Survivability
• Underwater Systems
• Weapons

For more information about our work contact centralenquiries@dstl.gov.uk

Defence Science and Technology Portfolio

These programmes and projects will be delivered by Dstl, industry and academia from 2022 onwards to meet the MOD’s capability needs.

• Defence science and technology programmes and projects
  • 23 January 2023
  • Policy paper

Services and facilities

Our specialist facilities are available for use by other government departments and non-government organisations.

• Secure waste disposal facility
  • 17 October 2022
  • Guidance

Published 1 July 2014
Last updated 13 August 2024 + show all updates

1. 13 August 2024

   Updated new capabilities.

2. 15 November 2022

   Added the latest edition of The Science Inside, Dstl's round up of science and technology impact over the past year.

3. 31 March 2022

   Updated to include full list of science and technology capabilities, and link to updated Sensing capability information.

4. 23 March 2022

   Added updated weapons capability.

5. 20 December 2021

   Added updated robotics and autonomous systems capability.

6. 12 August 2021

   Added AI and data science capability

7. 10 July 2018

   Information Systems Programme added.

8. 31 May 2018

   Programme list updated. The Defence Agility, Adaptability and Cost Reduction Programme has been replaced with the Emerging Technology for Defence Programme.

9. 5 January 2018

   Updated list of programmes

10. 24 April 2017

    Removed Dstl accounts

11. 15 April 2016

    Added the Destructor Complex to Dstl's facilities

12. 1 July 2014

    First published.