Dstl's work: delivering mission success
Explore Dstl’s science and technology capabilities, with examples of how we are helping solve the most important challenges for UK defence and security.
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) provides unique science and technology expertise, insights and solutions for the UK’s security and defence.
Dstl has 4 strategic aims:
- enabling operational advantage at pace
- shaping the defence and security landscape
- preparing for the future
- leveraging and influencing internationally
This page sets out some recent examples of our impact for UK defence and security.
For more information about our work contact [email protected]
Shaping the defence and security landscape
Enabling operational advantage at pace
Preparing for the future
Leveraging and influencing internationally
Capability areas
We work with industry, academia, international partners and government to find, integrate and fix problems for defence and security and make sure the UK has the right defence science and technology capabilities.
Our 23 capabilities are:
- Above Water Systems
- Advanced Materials
- Air Systems
- AI and Data Science
- C4 Information Systems
- CBR
- Cyber
- Electromagnetic Activities
- Engineering Biology
- Explosives and Energetics
- Homeland Security and CT Systems
- Human and Social Sciences
- Land Systems
- Operational Research
- Quantum
- Robotics and Autonomous Systems
- S&T Futures and Incubator
- Sensing
- Space Systems
- Strategic Systems
- Survivability
- Underwater Systems
- Weapons
Defence Science and Technology Portfolio
Dstl, working alongside industry and academia, is predominantly responsible for delivering these programmes and projects to meet the MOD’s capability needs.
Updates to this page
Published 1 July 2014Last updated 10 December 2024 + show all updates
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Added "Shaping the defence and security landscape" video and links to case studies from all areas of Dstl's strategic work.
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Updated new capabilities.
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Added the latest edition of The Science Inside, Dstl's round up of science and technology impact over the past year.
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Updated to include full list of science and technology capabilities, and link to updated Sensing capability information.
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Added updated weapons capability.
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Added updated robotics and autonomous systems capability.
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Added AI and data science capability
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Information Systems Programme added.
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Programme list updated. The Defence Agility, Adaptability and Cost Reduction Programme has been replaced with the Emerging Technology for Defence Programme.
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Updated list of programmes
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Removed Dstl accounts
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Added the Destructor Complex to Dstl's facilities
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First published.