Future air technology options study

Background and requirement:

Sagentia Defence were tasked to identify, assess and develop understanding of future technologies that could support a System of Systems across the Digital Environment (DE) in the Air Domain. A series of 6-week sprints were conducted to support the client.

Approach:

• Sagentia Defence has worked to develop Science and Technology (S&T) signals into Defence concepts. Our client, impressed with this, asked us to identify concepts relevant to the DE in the Air Domain.
• Our initial sprint involved assessing approximately 250 concepts in terms of two factors: their applicability to the DE in the Air Domain and their S&T feasibility in 2035 timeframe. For a set of 16 concepts, we produced a Concept Card, highlighting the benefits and associated challenges.
• During our second sprint, we assessed 6 concepts in more detail, developing the Concept Cards as well as conducting a SWOT analysis. Our S&T experts conducted an in-depth analysis of the underlying scientific principles to advise on likely timescales for concept maturation.
• In sprint three, we assessed 46 concepts (initially identified as relevant to the DE) and produced a heat map showing how they supported 13 client-defined themes. The map clearly displayed those themes which needed more S&T support.

Outcome:

• This ongoing project has supported the clients understanding of the DE and which technologies are available to support specific themes within it. The work has highlighted promising areas for S&T investment.