Maritime Sense to Decide academic research programme call for applications MarCE, the Maritime Collaborative Enterprise, on behalf

f of the Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL), would like to invite applications from UK institutions with leading academics, research groups or research centres. We have funding to support a mix of short term projects and PhD studentships in one of the subject areas defined in this call. This is an exciting opportunity to place your research in a setting that can enable the transition from academia to industry and defence capability. The focus of the current call for applications is doctoral level research, commencing in October 2014, but in addition it is open to short term academic research, up to 12 months, to start as soon as possible. It is expected that many academic disciplines can offer applications which advance our research activity and work with MarCE to achieve its aims of supplying capability to DSTL and the Royal Navy. Our intention is to fund up to 5 PhD studentships and up to 10 short term projects, but more could be funded if we receive a high number of strong applications. Where possible we intend to build upon the funding being provided here to maximise the engagement and involvement of leading academics across the two research programmes, Maritime Freedom of Manoeuvre and Affordable Maritime Presence, that are generating the S&T needed to enable the cost-effective delivery of a maritime capability and an affordable technology advantage for the Royal Navy. We would encourage applications that address the 3 main areas below that could include, but are not limited to, the example topics that are described.

Example topics: Understanding the underwater environment We are looking for the breakthrough research activity to achieve an effective understanding of the underwater environment, from which to enable military operations from and within all underwater environments to be effectively planned and delivered. Example topics include: Sea surface reflectivity To measure the acoustic scattering and reflectivity from bubble distributions that can be expected to be produced at the sea surface, and use these measurements to develop models of sea surface scattering and reflectivity up to high frequency. Seabed prediction To develop forward predictions of the seabed based on an understanding of scattering from different sediment types and volume layers and/or by using data that is being gathered about the environment. Information modelling To develop information-theory based modelling that can be used to define the information available in the environment and the steps needed (e.g. data gathering, modelling) to make the best use of the information for effective sensing. Ocean variability To measure the effects of ocean variability on the error and uncertainty in modelling the environment, and predict the effect of variability on the detection and classification of underwater objects. Prediction stability To develop an understanding of the stability of individual ocean processes or properties of the environment that can be demonstrated to have an effect on finding objects in the environment. Environment imaging To develop techniques for improving the perceptual fidelity of environment information for effective sensing and decision making. Understanding and managing risks To develop techniques for understanding, managing and mitigating the risks present in the underwater environment to a vehicle being lost or damaged during an operation and/or returning with low quality data.

Finding objects in the underwater environment We are looking for the breakthrough research activity to better exploit the derived signatures of underwater objects from which to achieve cost-effective and reliable detection and classification of ships, submarines and mines from and within all underwater environments. Example topics include: Structure-seabed interaction To develop efficient modelling of the interactions between the seabed and structures in the underwater environment from which to derive an understanding of the effect of the environment on acoustic scattering from underwater objects. Sonar simulation To develop real-time models or methods that can accurately simulate or represent the characteristics of underwater objects, such that they can be used reliably for training or for estimating real-time performance in the environment. Quantum sensing To develop techniques and methods that can improve sensing of the environment, and objects in the environment, using information derived from quantum sensing and quantum information. Minimal sensing for maximal detection To discover the constituent information-theoretic components describing the form of an underwater object that have the most beneficial impact on effective decision making about the object.

Making decisions in the operations room We are looking for the breakthrough research activity to improve the interaction between operators and machines in the ships operation room and make it possible for the Royal Navy to make the maximum use of that data and information that is available to the ship for robust and effective decision making. Example topics include: Representing the ships operations room To develop measures of the performance of the interactions between humans and machines, and processes that are being developed to improve these interactions, in the ships operations room. Optimising human interactions To discover the optimal way for operators to work in a ships operations room by making use of an understanding of the effectiveness of different ways of working such as group decision making (as would have been observed historically) or systems of individuals working alone to build the tactical picture. Handling uncertainty To develop techniques that could enable machines to handle uncertainty in complex situations, so that they are able to make the same decisions that operators are able to make in the presence of uncertainty, and make it possible for machines to provide an increased role in the ships operation room where operators are being overwhelmed by the volume of data. Understanding and managing risks To develop techniques for understanding, managing and mitigating the risks present in the underwater environment to a vehicle being lost or damaged during an operation and/or returning with low quality data.

However, we will not limit applications to these areas or topics only. We are looking for all relevant research that could eventually be harnessed for maritime defence or security applications. If applicants have suggestions on how the capability of the Royal Navy can be improved in other areas, we would welcome a speculative application. If this interests you, please contact Matthew Patrick (matthew.patrick@baesystems.com), who will confirm with DSTL whether the speculative topic you have chosen will be applicable to MarCE. For guidance, some examples of previous work from the Maritime Freedom of Manoeuvre and Affordable Maritime Presence programme are described below. Previous successful projects; Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) clear range procedures To allow safe dropping of sonobuoys from UAVs The task required the development of algorithms to determine that the sea area is clear Sea Swell Data Measurements Task will determine, develop and demonstrate the best operational method for collecting sea swell/pressure data and transmit this data near real-time so that it can be input into a prediction tool, which will provide tactical advice to Fleet. Understanding the acoustic performance of Large Aperture Hull Arrays (LAHAs) To understand the science of LAHAs The task required methods to be developed for at-sea LAHA evidence based performance prediction Wave spectra inversion To study the effect of sea bed topography and composition on surface waves To understand the performance obtained from radar measurements Satellite innovation for military data gathering To obtain more, or enhance the quality of, maritime environmental information using satellites Commands space study To provide representative Human Command Interactions (HCIs) within a virtual reality command space layout The tasked required command space layouts to be developed for assessment Gaussian Mixture PHD tracking filter study To study the behaviour of existing Probability Hypothesis Density (PHD) tracking filters To study the behaviour using complex multi-track scenarios (e.g. crossing tracks)

Applications should be submitted by 12:00 on 28th February 2014 and should state clearly if funding is being requested for a PhD studentship or a short term project. Applications should include: an abstract of no more than 1,000 words outlining the scope of the proposed project and the expected outcomes; a CV for Principal Investigator or Lead Supervisor; a price breakdown structure including proposed start date, milestones and deliverables; a full description of the scope of the proposed project under the headings below (no more than five pages).

Please note that the applications are invited from UK institutions only. Only technically strong proposals will be considered for funding. Applications need to demonstrate how they are leading the thinking and advancing the research activity in the subject of the proposed project. Applications will be assessed based on the information provided under each heading and according to the CVs and price breakdown included in the application. We aim to select chosen applications by 21st March 2014, so that work can begin no later than the academic term of October 2014, and sooner for short term projects. There will be an opportunity for PhD researchers to spend several months working alongside BAE Systems personnel in Surrey, which will be a great opportunity learn about the company and experience Industry processes. Placements researchers will need to satisfy certain criteria such as being a British National and undergoing a Baseline Security Check. In order to be considered for funding, the UK institution of successful applicants will need to be signed up to our Community of Interest, which will require the completion of the Request for Information (RFI) pack. This is attached. We accept that the RFI is largely tailored towards Industry, so the completion of all aspects of the document is not expected by Academia. Due to the nature of the work, a Non-Disclosure Agreement of the project will usually be required, and depending on the access to Government Furnished Information or Assets, other clearances may be sought. There is an expectation that anyone funded to undertake Doctoral level research, or short term Academic research will make themselves available to attend at least 1 meeting per year (during the time of funding, or shortly after the work is completed) in order to discuss the conduct and findings of their work with the broader MarCE S2D Community of Interest. A willingness to have a broader level of interaction with the MarCE S2D community would be welcome, and there is the intention to exploit any research in the future research programme.

Description of the scope of the project under the following sub-headings (maximum 5 pages) Scientific quality and innovation This section should address the following and be no more than 2 pages in size. The proposal must have a description of: The work to be carried out and the proposed methodology for the work. The novelty of the proposed work and the timeliness of the work. How the proposed work is ambitious, adventurous and transformative. Academic staff, resources and management This section should address the following and be no more than 1 page in size. The proposal must have a description of: How the expertise of the applicant is aligned to the subject of the proposed work The time and commitment of the applicant that is proposed. The balance of the skills in the research group or research centre of the applicant. Requirements for government furnished equipment or information. Benefits This section should address the following and be no more than 1 page in size. The proposal must have a description of: The benefit that DSTL would obtain through funding the proposed work. The relevance of other research activity carried out by the research centre or research group of the applicant. The pathway to impact for the proposed project. Evidence of the international standing of the research of the applicant in the subject of the proposed project including evidence of significant contribution to UK and international research activity. Linkages This section should address the following and be no more than 1 page in size. The proposal must have a description of: The long-term benefits that DSTL would obtain from providing funding to the particular research group or research centre. How the proposed work improves the health of the maritime S&T research community. The contributions offered by existing studentships or other research funding at the particular research group or research centre. How the proposed work would help DSTL to respond to the breadth and pace of technology change outside defence.