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In previous decades, cutting-edge S&T has stemmed from defence research. As the pace of change has increased and technology has become more prolific, a shift has occurred and new products, services and business models increasingly arise from the wider world of commerce. It is vital that defence and security organisations learn from global trends around us and combine them with domain knowledge to protect our national interests moving forward.

In partnership with Wired, our latest report looks at six areas of technology set to change our future. Our QinetiQ subject matter and technical experts provide an explanation at the end of each chapter.

1. Brain-Computer Interfaces
2. Quantum Technologies
3. Programmable Materials
4. Edge Computing
5. Biomimicry & Bioinspiration
6. Electromagnetic Interference

Download the Transforming Defence report (PDF) today

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Read Transforming Defence supporting blogs

Building on our report, hear from our subject matter and technical experts on each of the six science and technology trends in our mini blog series.

 
Transforming Defence: Brain Computer Interfaces

For a long time, the brain has been thought of a mysterious ‘black box’, but we are continuing to develop a better understanding of how it works. Neuroscience is a relatively new discipline, and Brain Computer Interfaces (BCIs) are playing a big part in its development and application.

 
Transforming Defence: Quantum Technologies

Quantum 2.0 technologies explicitly create, manipulate, read out and exploit quantum states of matter.

 
Transforming Defence: Programmable Materials

New materials, new uses: Programmable materials, although revolutionary, are not actually exactly new; work has taken place on them for the last 20 years. They are, however, advancing at pace, and they offer many possibilities in defence.

 
Transforming Defence: Edge Computing

Military forces need to operate in various austere environments with minimal infrastructure, making the use of information technology a challenge. What can we do with Edge Computing in the defence industry?

 
Transforming Defence: Biomimicry & Bioinspiration

True biomimicry attempts to mimic or copy nature in human-made things, and holds real value to future technologies and the way we function. However, what we see more commonly, at least for now, is “bioinspiration”.

 
Transforming Defence: Electromagnetic Interference

Defence has recognised electromagnetic (EM) interference and EM warfare as a threat (…and an opportunity) for well over a century.

 

Discover our other Science & Technology reports

 
S&T Vision: Winning tomorrow's battles

In today's technology-dependent age, an effective science & technology (S&T) strategy that translates to technology overmatch could be the difference between success and failure. Find out the S&T priorities of Australia, UK, US, Canada and Germany in this report.

 
S&T Vision: Science and Technology Overmatch

This report illustrates the breadth and depth of our investment in science, technology and engineering, and the way in which we intend to use those investments to help our defence and security customers address the diverse challenges they experience today, and in the near future.