Our range of over 40 Special Interest Groups (SIGs) provide ADS members with specialist and exclusive networks of like-minded stakeholders to seek out new business opportunities, learn and influence markets and keep up to date with industry developments specific to your interests and objectives.
Joining ADS SIGs are a great way for both new and long-term members to become fully engaged across a regular programme events, expert insight and targeted networking opportunities to help grow your business and influence.
In our new fortnightly SIGs Insight series, we take an in-depth look at different Special Interest Groups that members can join, starting with the Drone Platform and Counter-Drone Group (DPAC).
What is the Drone Platform and Counter-Drone Group (DPAC)?
The Drone Platform and Counter-Drone Group (DPAC) is for ADS members who are engaged in or have an interest in all aspects of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) in the aerospace, defence and security sectors. The group interacts with a wide range of stakeholders across industry and Government, as well as other special interest groups within ADS.
What is the purpose of group?
DPAC acts as a forum for members to:
- Engage in business to business and pre-procurement networking
- Act as an industry reference group in the Defence and Security Supplier Sector for UAS and CUAS within UK
- Identify and cooperate on UAS and CUAS business opportunities to the public and private sectors
- Act as the focal point for engagement with UK Government stakeholders
- Shape national and international policy, legislation and standards for UAS and CUAS.
- Interact with other relevant SIGs such as CBRN, Counter-EO, Land and Maritime Interest Groups
How many member organisations are there?
DPAC currently consists of around 55 members that broadly comprises providers of drone platforms and payloads, drone supply chain and services, and counter-drone capabilities. Find out more here
Tell us about some recent SIG activities/events/developments?
DPAC is one of several ADS SIGs that had a stand at this year’s Home Office Security and Policing event.
What recent impacts have the group made?
The Group wrote a white paper for our UK Government CUAS stakeholders entitled “Joining the UK Counter-Uncrewed Aerial System Industry dots – Marketplace requirements and operational test and evaluation regimes for mutual benefit” which provided an industry view on how industry and government can work together better to enable UK industry deliver value for money solutions for the UK market and better compete with the overseas sector. The recommendations will inform UK Government as it refreshes the CUAS strategy and test programmes.
What are some of the group’s upcoming activities and events?
DPAC, together with fellow ADS Special Interest Groups CBRN-UK and Counter-EO will be hosting the annual Counter-Threat Symposium, taking place at Farnborough International Conference centre, 08-10 November 2022. This event will bring together practitioners including: the humanitarian sector, end users, policy makers, suppliers and buyers from UK and overseas to discuss the latest developments and requirements across the counter-threat domains. Find out more
What DPAC members say
“We’ve been DPAC members for nearly three years now and it has been invaluable for us in terms of accessing the wider defence and security network. A start-up business like ours needs clients and partners and we’ve been able to find both directly as a result of our membership of the DPAC network.”
Toby Townrow, Business Development Director, Drone Evolution
“Working in an academic research group, being a member of DPAC has been enormously beneficial in enabling regular engagement with key C-UAS industry and government contacts which has helped to guide our research in drone detection radar and shape how we take it forward to maximise impact.”
Dr Duncan Robertson, Director of Impact, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews
“DPAC has provided great access to augmented network, an opportunity to showcase our own products, increased our awareness of industry and provided some informative events which have proven invaluable. All done by some very personable permanent staff who are responsive and helpful.”
George Rawlings, Director of Operations, Candy Group
Find out more
Read or download the DPAC Capability Brochure
How to join
Please contact Group Facilitator Brian Hampson:
E: brian.hampson@adsgroup.org.uk
T: 0207 091 7816
Please note a market levy of £100+VAT per member organisation is payable annually. This covers marketing activity such as stands at exhibitions and associated collateral specific to the promotion of the Group members’ offerings and capabilities which is not covered by the ADS subscription.
