UK, France seek fresh missile technologies
The UK Ministry of Defence and French DGA Materials and Components for Missiles, Innovation and Technology Partnership (MCM ITP) programme is launching Innovation Call research activities for 2020 on emerging and low Technology Readiness Level innovations with potential value in missile systems.
UK and French industry, SMEs, research institutes and academia are encouraged to participate in the call, which is interested in relatively small-scale, short duration research activities. It aims to identify and support high potential, innovative ideas and technologies to support missile system capabilities of the future.
In addition to research topics relevant to the MCM ITP technical domains, potentially ground-breaking, disruptive and innovative ideas and areas of research that could be relevant are also being sought. These may include areas that are being pursued in other industries and have the potential for direct read-across.
The MCM ITP sponsored research fund is headed by MBDA and open to all British and French companies and academic institutions. It funds proposals from industry, SMEs and academia on an annual cycle with the aim of developing novel, exploitable technologies for generation-after-next missile systems.
More from Defence Notes
-
![Estonia opts for smart, adaptable and cooperative solutions in the face of Russian threat]()
Estonia opts for smart, adaptable and cooperative solutions in the face of Russian threat
Estonian-made equipment is being put through the toughest of evaluations in the hands of Ukrainian soldiers resisting the full-scale Russian invasion which began in 2022. The country has long seen the threat and is continuing to adapt for the future.
-
![UK faces cost of balancing defensive capabilities abroad as Iran conflict widens]()
UK faces cost of balancing defensive capabilities abroad as Iran conflict widens
The UK has recently deployed a Type 45 destroyer to Cyprus and has bolstered its presence in the Middle East in recent weeks with supporting air power to protect neighbouring countries’ air defences.
-
![White House calls on Pentagon contractors to “rapidly and aggressively” boost weapon production]()
White House calls on Pentagon contractors to “rapidly and aggressively” boost weapon production
Intended to sustain Operation Epic Fury against Iran, efforts to increase the production of weapons and ammunition could expose long-standing weaknesses in the US defence industrial base.
-
![India’s strategic defence footprint expansion could be accelerated by Iran-Israel conflict]()
India’s strategic defence footprint expansion could be accelerated by Iran-Israel conflict
The latest escalation between Iran and Israel could shape New Delhi’s next-generation shield as India deepens cooperation with Israel on missile defence and drone production.
-
![Is the US magazine of air defence interceptors deep enough to sustain a long campaign against Iran?]()
Is the US magazine of air defence interceptors deep enough to sustain a long campaign against Iran?
The Pentagon spent a considerable number of THAAD and SM-3 rounds to defend against Iranian missiles in 2025 and has not fully replenished its reserves.
