The five-year framework — managed by QinetiQ, and their key partners MBDA and Thales — aims to develop and exploit technology to improve complex, conventional and novel weapons technologies.

AMD’s contract is expected to fund the early development of its unique proprietary technology in carbon-based inks, designed to improve their ability to shield personnel and assets from future threats.

According to AMD, the highly conductive inks also have the potential to offer significant benefits in size, weight and cost reduction across a whole range of systems. 

“Materials science and nanotechnology have a significant role to play in protecting lives and realising game-changing improvements in performance, safety and lifespan of future systems,” John Lee, CEO of AMD said.

“We specialise in accelerating this type of technology to solve some of the most fundamental problems of our time.

“We are proud to be bringing our specialist expertise in these fields to grow the UK MOD’s knowledge in, and access to, these technologies.”

Lee added that several elements of AMD’s proprietary technology have benefited from the support of Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) funding.

“This highlights the vital role that DASA and Dstl play in finding potential amongst early technologies with small businesses like us,” he said.

“That support will ultimately lead to ever-better ways to save lives and protect UK Sovereignty.”

[Related: Northrop Grumman to lead US Army’s IAMD system software transformation]