Grand Challenge Launch Competition - 28th November 2006
Speech by Minister for Defence Procurement, Lord Drayson, at the Ingenious Gallery, Science Museum
Lord Drayson, Minister for Defence Procurement
Ladies and gentlemen - Welcome to the Ingenious Gallery and the launch of our Grand Challenge Competition.
And I’m particularly delighted to be here today because the Science Museum happens to be one of my favourite places. I remember spending hours wandering around here as a boy. It opened up a whole new world, and inspired me to pursue a career in science and engineering. And that inspiration came from learning about the work of people who had challenged the boundaries. Who believed in the art of the possible and would not take no for an answer. People like RJ Mitchell, one of Britain’s great innovators and the man behind the legendary Spitfire, which we see displayed here today. Mitchell was passionately committed to the development of aviation. He was a tireless inventor. Over a 20 year period he designed and developed 24 aeroplanes. It was a journey of discovery that culminated in the development of the Spitfire.
In 1937 - the year Mitchell died of cancer at the age of just 42 - the spectre of war was gathering over Europe. He never lived to see the Spitfire in combat. But his invention came just in time. Thanks to him, the Spitfire - often heralded as the ‘Saviour of the skies’ - was developed, produced and helped win the Battle of Britain.
And it was competition that really galvanised the aviation industry between the wars. It was competition that led to major breakthroughs - such as the retractable undercarriage - that remain with us today. The famous Schneider Trophy - a race designed to encourage technological advances in aviation - took place 11 times between 1913 and 1931. The engineering excellence demonstrated by Mitchell in his winning S6 entry proved to be a trailblazer for the Spitfire to follow.
That hunger for change and drive for excellence is just as important today. Our need for men and women - scientists, engineers and inventors with that same passion for innovation - is greater than ever. A determination to grab an idea, seize a concept and take it through to reality. And I personally believe tough and challenging competition really helps drive innovation like that forward.
At MOD we are determined to foster and promote innovation. Just last month I launched the Defence Technology Strategy, which makes a clear commitment to emerging technologies. The Grand Challenge is absolutely central to that.
The concept of the Grand Challenge for Defence may sound pretty familiar to some of you, and I make no apologies for that. It is quite deliberately modelled on an established and successful template, the DARPA Challenge. DARPA - the US Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency - is dedicated to technological innovation and is now in its third year of running a challenge. DARPA’s experience has proved that setting world class technology challenges to a broad community really does reap results. Results that produce new and creative defence solutions. Results that reap tangible recognition for the winners. I’m very keen to emulate the DARPA effect in this country.
And I’m absolutely confident that our Grand Challenge is going to excite a lot of interest. Among scientists. Engineers. Innovators. And of course in the financial world. I’m delighted to see we’ve been joined here this morning by several venture capitalists.
Our age is increasingly uncertain. Whilst the speed of technological change and globalisation open up opportunities, they also bring risk. The threats we face are ever evolving. And that is why we now have more scientists deployed to the front line than at any time since the Second World War. They are engaged in round the clock operational analysis - constantly assessing what works, and what doesn’t.
New solutions are needed. And that calls for creativity and ideas that can be pulled through quickly into direct military capability. Solutions to save and protect our men and women on the front line. That keep us one step ahead of the opposition.
And that’s where the Grand Challenge comes in.
A challenge to, and I quote:
‘Produce a system that - with a high degree of autonomy - can detect, identify, monitor and report a comprehensive range of physical threats in an urban environment’.
Yes – it’s a tough call. But as someone with a PHD in Robotics I believe this is a fabulous opportunity for scientists and engineers to compete with their peers, build a profile and really make a name for themselves.
If you happen to be an established defence company it’s a chance to harness real ‘hands on’ talent, take risks and tap into new markets.
It’s also an opportunity for venture capitalists. To get involved in a market with huge potential. A market with global relevance. I think it’s worth pointing out, by the way, that it’s the Sand Hill Road venture capital firms - an integral part of Silicon Valley - whose funding some of the DARPA challenge entries, l’m certainly hoping to see a similar kind of vision and commitment from our own venture capitalists.
And above all our challenge is an investment in the future safety and security of this country. Because - above all - it’s important that the REAL winners are the men and women of our Armed Forces. Men and women serving on the front line. As a force for good in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.
There is a saying: “An invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has come.” Well – we’re in the market for your ideas, so let’s hear them.
Coming up with the winning formula will call for a range of expertise: in autonomy; power; propulsion; sensors; platform design; and information processing. And it will call for some effective teamworking. From academics. Innovators. Business. RJ Mitchell’s great talent was his ability as an integrator. It’s the kind of talent that - I believe - will also win the day in the Grand Challenge. That’s why we’re going to hold a networking event early in the New Year so that people can get together, share ideas and pool their expertise.
The Grand Challenge aims to harness that vast pool of scientific drive and energy. May 2007 is the deadline for entry, and the top entries will have the opportunity to give a full technological demonstration of their entry in a grand final in Summer 2008.
I look forward to presenting the RJ Mitchell Trophy to the winners in summer 2008. I urge you alt to go to the challenge website, register your interest and your particular abilities. And keep in touch.
Thank you.
