Resilient communications for UK defence using a distributed AI data backbone
A trusted digital backbone connecting devices, data and AI in contested electromagnetic environments.
The Challenge
UK defence must sense, communicate and operate in an increasingly contested and congested electromagnetic environment. DSTL’s Operating in the Future Electromagnetic Environment (OFEME) programme explores exactly this challenge — spanning future sensing, position/navigation/timing (PNT), space and communications — because on the future battlefield, connectivity between devices, data and AI cannot be assumed: it must be resilient by design.
The Solution
Under the OFEME 2025 Science & Technology Sprint (Novel Communications Technologies), procured through the R-Cloud / R-Cloud+ defence research framework, NquiringMinds is applying Synapse: a distributed, locally synchronisable and interoperable backbone designed to connect devices, data and AI in complex environments. Synapse builds on NQM’s TAIBOM (Trustable AI Bill of Materials) for AI assurance, TrustNetz for device and network security, and alignment with the latest NIST standards — bringing trusted-data and secure-networking technology from NQM’s cyber portfolio into contested-communications scenarios.
Outcomes
The sprint work feeds directly into NQM’s contribution to the Digital Targeting Web: Synapse was showcased as a backbone technology at NQM’s Battlelab demonstrator and workshop (April 2026, Dorset Innovation Park), with live demonstrations of Synapse operating in real-world scenarios alongside work from the MoD DTEP programme and the Telecoms Mission Fund.
TODO: capture sprint outputs, demonstrations and any follow-on work (project active).
Features
Distributed, locally synchronisable, interoperable data/AI backbone for complex and contested environments.
AI assurance via TAIBOM (Trustable AI Bill of Materials).
Device and network security via TrustNetz.
Alignment with the latest NIST standards for interoperability and trust.
Live real-world demonstrations (Battlelab, April 2026) as backbone technology for the Digital Targeting Web.
Combines AI supply-chain assurance, zero-trust device security and local synchronisation in one deployable defence backbone.
Benefits
Provides DSTL with evidence on novel communications technologies for the future electromagnetic environment (sprint in delivery).
Positions trusted, locally synchronisable AI/data connectivity as a backbone for the MoD Digital Targeting Web (demonstrated at Battlelab, April 2026).
Builds on and exploits prior NQM programmes (TAIBOM, TrustNetz/CAHN, DTEP work), compounding UK MoD return on investment.
