Above Water Systems Programme
The Above Water Systems Programme is the hub for science and technology (S&T) activities to generate options for an effective above water systems capability.
Having a visible and effective maritime presence is critical to the UK’s defence policy and capability.
The Above Water Systems Programme is the hub for S&T activities to generate options for effective operational, warfighting and underpinning above water systems capability.
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The programme coordinates and delivers S&T in line with defence policy and maritime strategy, working closely with the Royal Navy and Royal Marines to ensure that S&T is exploitable and provides compelling evidence for future ways of working. The programme also works with international partners to share development and improve interoperability of systems.
The programme delivers:
- reduced risk to ship and crew during surface defence and security operations
- increased survivability against the future air threat at a more affordable cost
- options to deliver amphibious forces to the beach faster and more safely
- demonstration of autonomous systems
- ships of increased efficiency, effectiveness, affordability and adaptability.
Through its work, the programme will reduce long-term costs of defence capabilities, mitigate defence risks, and secure critical UK S&T capabilities.
Key activities
- New concepts and S&T solutions for surface warfare and air defence combat systems and on-water manoeuvres
- Research to assess and advise on the development of ship open-systems architectures
- Integration of platform protection and integrated survivability and autonomous systems
- Developing new future concepts for above water capabilities by exploiting emerging technology
- Providing evidence to support capability planning, capability management and acquisition provided through analysis, research and experimentation
For more information about this programme, please contact us: centralenquiries@dstl.gov.uk