Futures Lab

Futures Lab: Powering Defence Innovation

Since its inception in 2021, Futures Lab has enabled defence to cohere innovation challenges, de-risk investment decisions and accelerate delivery of services through a pan-industry network of providers and academia.

As part of the newly formed UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) within the office of the National Armaments Director (NAD), Futures Lab contributes directly to the UKDI’s mission of accelerating a delivery of cutting-edge innovative capabilities to ensure that the United Kingdom is secure both at home and strong abroad.

Futures Lab is available through the Engineering Delivery Partner (EDP), Defence Equipment & Supports’ (DE&S) default route to market for engineering services. Operating through this framework ensures that defence can access cutting-edge military capability development while leveraging the full breadth of industry expertise.

A trusted, collaborative interface

Collaborative by nature, the Futures Lab team acts as a knowledgeable and reliable interface between stakeholders across defence, industry and academia.

By bringing together the right expertise, advice and evidence at the right time, Futures Lab teams can provide tailored support to Front Line Commands (FLCs), guiding them from ideation through to exploitation. Futures Lab’s integrated procurement model ensures early access to industry, enables collaborative planning and captures whole-life value in defence engagements so innovation is embedded sustainably to deliver lasting impact.

Characteristics of an industry mission partner

Futures Lab embodies five defining characteristics of an industry mission partner:

1. Strategic alignment and advisory - supporting defence in shaping future capability priorities.
2. Technology and capability development – accelerating innovation and delivering leading-edge solutions as part of UKDI.
3. Workforce and skills development – building defence and industry capacity through an agile, responsive benefit mapping and articulation framework.
4. Operational and mission enablement – strengthening the ability of FLCs to respond to emerging challenges as Futures Lab operates across defence.
5. Innovation and Research & Development (R&D) collaboration – engaging the wider innovation ecosystem to translate promising research into deployable capability.

Futures Lab Provider Network

Futures Lab sustains an open and dynamic provider network of over 300 organisations, of which 74% are micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and ten (10) are leading UK universities.

Recognising the ever-evolving demands of defence capability, we’re always keen to talk to innovators who align with our mission and can contribute to tomorrow’s solutions.

We hold new joiners briefings on the first Monday of each month so please register for one of our New Joiners Briefs.

For other supplier queries please contact us (FsLabProcurement@qinetiq.com)