Serapis framework for space technology launched

Update: August 24, 2021

Serapis framework for space technology launched

Serapis framework for space technology launched

The UK government has announced the launch of a framework that will allow small companies and academics to work with defence and aerospace projects that are focused on space technology.

The Serapis framework is managed by the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’s (Dstl) and will run until July 2025. The framework covers: sensors, satellites and ground stations, AI and simulation and modelling.

A subsidiary of Chemring, Roke Manor is the prime contract for the ‘collect’ part of the framework that includes sensors and data analysis and will cover a broad range of conventional and ‘innovative’ sensing technologies (including gravity and biometric sensing) as well as the development and integration of new ‘Collect’ technology and techniques used in Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR).

“Serapis provides a brilliant new way of working for Dstl that facilitates the delivery of innovative science and technology solutions for our customers and we’re looking forward to working with Roke on the framework,” explained Paul Kealey, CIS Division Head of Dstl. “Our aims for Serapis include commercial agility, transparency and collaboration. By working together, we’ll be able to grow our supply chain, particularly with small and medium-sized enterprises, to draw on the most diverse talent available and develop battle winning capabilities.”

The Space systems element will be managed by BAE Systems Applied Intelligence and includes fundamental and applied space research, the design and manufacture of space equipment and subsystems and space launches a well as the operation of satellites including ground stations.

QinetiQ will be leading the development, testing, and evaluation of new command and control (C2) systems to improve decision making, including the human and autonomous (machine) system elements and the development of agile, adaptive and resilient C2 concepts for operation in constrained, degraded, or denied environments

It will also be looking at communications and networks, including exploiting and driving emerging concepts and technology in military and civilian communications infrastructure.

Qinetic subsidiary NSC is managing the development of simulation. modelling and synthetic environments.