DASA Competition: Delivering Future Advantage Through Testing and Evaluation

A DASA competition seeking innovations that support the development of deployable Testing and Evaluation capability and regulatory solutions.

The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is part of the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD). The Accelerator funds research that offers a high potential benefit to defence and security in the UK and which thereby supports UK economic growth and prosperity.

This DASA competition is being funded by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Test and Evaluation (T&E) Transformation Programme to support proposals that present innovative/novel solutions for the development of deployable T&E capabilities and the development of regulatory solutions (process or technology).

The competition consists of the following two challenges:

Challenge 1: Development of Deployable/Mobile T&E Capability

Traditional T&E facilities operate at capacity, requiring military platforms to be withdrawn from operations for extended testing periods, reducing availability and delaying capability delivery. This challenge seeks deployable solutions that “bring the range to the capability” enabling high-fidelity testing in austere regions, operational theatres, or during exercises. Solutions could allow real-time performance data collection whilst platforms remain deployed, increasing operational sustainability. Multi-domain applications are prioritised. Previous examples include modular deployable vehicles with sensors for trials teams and UAV-borne payloads for testing Electronic Support Measure systems on deployed naval platforms.

Challenge 2: Development of Technological or Process Solutions that Increase Pace of Assurance for Military Capability

Current T&E approaches can struggle to match the rapid pace of technology exploitation and capability development. Traditional end-of-lifecycle assurance misses opportunities to inform design decisions for evolving technologies. This challenge seeks solutions enabling continuous assurance throughout the development lifecycle, supporting revalidation at the speed of relevance whilst satisfying safety regulators. Multi-domain solutions are prioritised. Previous examples include Flight Termination Systems for uncrewed air systems enabling testing beyond regulated ranges, and AI Test, Evaluation and Assurance platforms that efficiently revalidate AI components in changing contexts.

Solutions must include a clear plan for future development and scaling, including engagement and compliance with any applicable regulatory requirements. Proposed works should deliver at TRL6 at the end of the contract, including any planned demonstrations in the proposal.

The outcomes of the proposal may be exploited through one or more of the following, depending on the nature of the advance made and the challenge and domain to which the work is directed:

• Further development through T&E Transformation programme to scale up the innovation across Defence.
• Incorporation into the MOD T&E centralised provision (if pan-domain).
• Exploitation through a focused MOD unit or Front-Line Command (if single domain).

All projects must complete within 11 months of contracting and finish by 31 March 2027.