The UK National Quantum Technology Programme was launched in 2017 and was the first example of a nationally coordinated initiative bringing together academia, industry and government to accelerate development and commercialisation of quantum technologies. The programme, now in its second phase and worth £1B (~$1.25B), has also inspired the creation of other national initiatives across the globe, including the $1.2B US National Quantum Initiative. According to the latest statistics available, between 2017 and 2018 companies active in quantum technology raised more than $450M in private equity funding. This amount of investment and the burgeoning activity in this field is expected to produce game-changing technology, but the question remains: when and where will this happen first? Join us to hear expert perspectives from those at the frontiers of quantum technology and its commercialization, as well as informed commentary on the trends emerging in this fast-changing arena. Learn how industry leaders are addressing the challenges of this exciting new arena and identifying opportunities to grow their business.

The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) finds and funds exploitable innovation to support UK defence and security quickly and effectively, and to support UK prosperity. Deb Carr will describe how innovators can work with DASA and the benefits available. She will also present the current competitions being run by DASA and give an overview of the likely future calls.

The aim of this presentation is to give an overview of a recent project aimed at utilising AI, specifically machine learning, in supporting the Police in searching for missing people. Typically searching is performed by a helicopter and officers on the ground. Recently the Police have started to use a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System in searching for vulnerable people in rural environments. This presentation describes the outputs of a successfully collaboration with Police Scotland, Thales, CENSIS and the University of the West of Scotland where the aim of the activity was to build a real-time object detection system. The AI system is fully integrated within a mobile platform compatible with a number of RPAS platforms.

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) have become commonplace and provide a formidable tool to state and non-state actors to project threats to personnel and critical infrastructure. Further complicating the threat, small UAS platforms and swarms represent a challenging and asymmetrical threat which is growing in both ubiquity and sophistication. Adversarial groups are using UAS drone swarms in active conflict theaters, and utilization of UAS in congested airspace poses an imminent threat to aircraft, critical infrastructure, commerce, industry and the general public. Applied Technology Associates (ATA), a small business in New Mexico, offers our LOCUST Product Portfolio- System of Systems (SoS), multi-faceted UAS solutions that have demonstrated effective and efficient detection, identification, management and mitigation of UAS threats.

Dr. Debra Carr is part of the Defence and Security Accelerator's (DASA) Outreach Team. In this presentation, Debra will walk participants through DASA's application form providing tips for completion. DASA funds innovative ideas that benefit the Armed Forces and national security by providing 100% and respecting Suppliers IP. To date, DASA has funded 52 projects in Scotland at a value of £7.6M.