The Dual Use Technology Exploitation (DUTE) cluster is a £10million project jointly funded between government and industry aiming to back technologies and research which can have a ‘dual use’ in defence and civil sector businesses.
The project will help boost growth by linking UK manufacturers, particularly SMEs, from the civil and defence sectors to draw on the best technologies of both to deliver game-changing solutions for customers.
DUTE is an output from the Defence Growth Partnership’s Value Chain Competitiveness Team which is chaired by Steve Fitz-Gerald, CEO of Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group. Marshall leads the 15-partner cluster, supported by Axillium Research, which includes SMEs, Mid-Tier and Primes from industry working alongside academic institutions.
It has been created to identify and leverage technologies from adjacent sectors such as rail and civil aerospace, and put them to dual use. It harnesses the UK’s community of SMEs, recognising the trend for greater investment in the civil domain, and augments it as a way to stimulate growth for defence exports.
Through DUTE, cross-sector fertilisation of thought and development will generate disruptive technologies for customers. Supported by an Innovation Cluster, there is a strong focus on connecting UK manufacturers with high-growth SMEs and technology start-ups, with the Cluster providing mentoring and technology showcasing opportunities as well as engendering innovation.
The £10.3m project includes £6.5m of government funding from the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative 2014 competition and will create 142 new jobs, safeguarding a further 192.
Pic: Steve Fitz-Gerald, CEO of Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group
Author
Tom Austin-Morgan
Source: www.newelectronics.co.uk