User:Da-rb/Scratchpad

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is a Trading Fund, of the Ministry of Defence. Responsibility for Dstl lies with the Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, Peter Luff.

Dstl´s stated purpose is "to maximise the impact of science and technology for the defence and security of the UK".

History
In July 2001, the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) was split into two parts, Dstl and QinetiQ. Dstl was established to carry out science and technology work that is best done within government, while the majority and hat suitable for industry was transferred to QinetiQ, initally a wholly owned government company before being floated on the stock exchange. Dstl's status as a trading fund and it's purpose were reaffirmed in 2011

Organisation
Dstl is a trading fund owned by the Secretary of State for Defence. Most funding comes from the Ministry of Defence, although a small portion comes from other government departments and commercial sources. According to 2009/10 figures, around 89% of Dstl's income comes from MOD. The remaining 11% of income comes from other government departments (64%) and non-exchequer sources (36%).

From Dstl's creation in 2001, the Chief Executive was Martin J Earwicker until he left in 2006 for the Science Museum. Dr. Frances Saunders took over as acting Chief Executive in May 2006 and was appointed as Chief Executive in August 2007.

Dstl consists of the following operational departments:


 * Air and Weapons Systems
 * Biomedical Sciences
 * Detection
 * Environmental Sciences
 * Information Management
 * Joint Systems
 * Land Battlespace Systems
 * Naval Systems
 * Physical Sciences
 * Policy and Capability Studies
 * Security Sciences
 * Sensors and Countermeasures

Operations
Dstl carries out a broad range of work from high-level analysis to support Ministry of Defence policy and procurement decisions, to technical research in defence areas such as biomedical science and electronics, alongside operational work such as forensic analysis of explosives and providing (paid volunteer) scientists to Iraq and Afghanistan to provide rapid scientific advice to British forces. It's work extends to around 40 other government departments and agencies including the Home Office and Department for Transport. . Dstl undertakes research with both industry and academia to achieve it's role.

Following a review and consultation process initiated by MOD's Chief Scientific Advisor, Dstl become responsible for the formulation and commission of all of MOD's non-nuclear research programme, from 1 Apr 2010, under the responsibility of the Dstl Programme Office.

Current locations
Dstl's current sites include:


 * Alverstoke, Hampshire (as a lodger of the Institute of Naval Medicine)
 * Fort Halstead, Kent
 * Porton Down, Wiltshire (headquarters)
 * Portsdown West, Hampshire
 * Harwell, Oxfordshire (within the science and innovation campus)

Science and Technology Centres
Dstl also manages some Science and Technology Centres - Armour and Protection, Cyber and Influence, Counter Terrorism, and CBR (Chemical, Biological and Radiological. These link together stakeholders from across MOD, industry, academia and research councils. They fund research via the Centre for Defence Enterprise, encourage innovation and actively seek collaboration.

Ploughshare Innovations
In April 2005 the technology transfer company Ploughshare Innovations Ltd was formed. This company has the mission statement "To actively pursue the commercial exploitation of publicly funded research for the benefit of all". The purpose of Ploughshare Innovations Ltd is to commercialise on the intellectual property developed within Dstl (predominantly from MOD funded defence science research).

Ploughshare Innovations has successfully spun-out several new companies since its inception including Sherwood Therapeutics, Acolyte Biomedica Ltd (since acquired by 3m Medical Diagnostics Ltd), Alaska Food Diagnostics Ltd, Enigma Diagnostics Ltd, Lucigen Ltd, ProKyma Technologies Ltd and P2i Ltd.