GovWire

Roke Manor Research Ltd was funded by the Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE) to assemble the most reliable picture of a situation in-theatre when intelligence is uncertain, and the provenance of the information is complex.

Roke has produced a test scenario and data model suitable for investigating the impact of provenance on processing sensor and communications information from tactical scenarios. A simple sensor model has been implemented to allow sensor confidence information to be modelled in a standard way. This has resulted in a domain-specific language (DSL) that can be applied to the problem of detecting and tracking units in a simulated military base protection scenario.

The next task is to extend it to make use of information thats more representative of an open-source intelligence scenario such as emergency services data and vehicle GPS data.

This could help to get lower-level data and information from the tactical edge into the hands of joint intelligence, reducing the burden and stovepipe of processing by tactical forces, who are focussed on winning the battle at hand.

This will allow emergent patterns across multiple tactical and strategic environments to be determined. Close support to troops on the ground will be easier as more information can be automatically communicated.

Bob Dalgleish, Partner, Business Development Manager Space and Defence, Roke Manor Research Ltd says:

CDE funding has allowed us to investigate some highly innovative techniques which we believe to be of great relevance to the intelligence community. Of particular benefit have been the networking events in London which allowed us to identify a suitable partner with complementary technology, which when combined with our technology, will provide a much more complete solution.

Roke, based near Romsey, was founded in 1956 and currently employs around 350 people. The company provides research, development and consultancy services in cyber, communications, information systems and electronic sensors across the defence, security and commercial domains.

About CDE

CDE funds novel, high-risk, high-potential-benefit research. We work with the broadest possible range of science and technology providers, including academia and small companies, to develop cost-effective capabilities for UK armed forces and national security.

CDE is part of Dstl.

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