How technology transfer is reshaping sovereign security
Guest blog by Dan Gardner, Solutions Lead at Plextek
From automotive to critical infrastructure, cross-sector technology transfer is reshaping sovereign security
The challenge of monitoring Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) is evolving at speed. As nuclear decommissioning sites progress through their lifecycle, security risks decrease, yet traditional high-security monitoring systems remain expensive and resource-intensive. This creates an opportunity for innovative technology transfer which Plextek have been exploring through a collaboration with Espanaro.
The technical challenge
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) faces a unique engineering problem: how to maintain effective monitoring across 17 UK nuclear sites whilst reducing costs as security requirements change. Traditional approaches were designed for peak-risk scenarios, making them increasingly disproportionate as sites progress through decommissioning.
Working within UK Defence Innovation (UKDI)’s Remote Monitoring of Sensitive Sites Challenge, we needed to develop an Autonomous Security Alarm and Interdiction Network (ASAIN) that could integrate multiple technologies on a single platform whilst maintaining detection reliability.
Cross-sector innovation in practice
The solution demonstrates how proven commercial technology can be successfully adapted for critical infrastructure applications. We integrated our configurable mmWave low-SWaP radar technology with Espanaro’s Consilium automated security and command platform, creating an intelligent monitoring system that scales responses to real-world site requirements.
The radar technology itself exemplifies successful cross-sector transfer. Originally developed for automotive applications, the Texas Instruments mmWave sensors demonstrated during the trial the reliability and performance required for nuclear site monitoring whilst significantly reducing deployment costs compared to traditional security systems. This approach uses established supply chains and proven field reliability from automotive deployment experience.
Technical results and integration
Initial deployment results have demonstrated the viability of our approach. Four mmWave radars provided effective site coverage during the trial, with zero hardware failures during deployment and a significant reduction in false positives from vegetation clutter. Following integration, all units maintained stable detection messaging throughout structured testing phases.
Integration with Espanaro’s Consilium platform was successfully achieved following comprehensive development work, enabling multi-sensor data fusion, automated compliance monitoring, and centralised command control within a single, sovereign system architecture. During the trial, Consilium’s automated policy management demonstrated the capability to enable proportionate security responses that adapt to changing site requirements whilst maintaining the stringent compliance standards essential for critical infrastructure.
Engineering lessons and broader applications
This project offers several valuable insights for engineers working on similar challenges:
- Technology Transfer methodology: Commercial-grade sensors can be elevated to meet stringent security requirements when properly integrated with intelligent management platforms. The key is understanding how to adapt existing capabilities rather than developing from scratch.
- Scalable architecture: Following successful multi-sensor integration, our four-unit coverage model demonstrates the potential for effective site coverage when combined with intelligent processing platforms. This scalability is crucial for organisations managing multiple sites with varying requirements.
- Environmental performance: Real-world validation in challenging RF environments confirmed that proper clutter rejection algorithms can significantly reduce false alarms whilst maintaining detection sensitivity.
- System integration: The successful radar-to-platform integration demonstrates a methodology for connecting sensing hardware with automated management systems, with potential to reduce operational overhead whilst enhancing compliance.
Strategic impact
This successful collaboration aligns with the NDA’s Innovation Strategy, demonstrating how intelligent sensing combined with automated decision-making can replace resource-intensive methods. The approach supports a proportionate shift in security posture, delivering long-term cost savings whilst enhancing safety and ensuring compliance.
The project now enters a 12-month evaluation at an NDA site, which will enable technical validation, gather long-term reliability data, and assess cost-benefit metrics to inform broader deployment decisions across the nuclear estate.
Building smarter security solutions
As critical infrastructure operators seek more efficient monitoring solutions, the principles demonstrated in this project offer a replicable model. The combination of proven commercial sensing technology with intelligent automated platforms creates opportunities to enhance security whilst reducing operational burden.
The success of cross-sector technology transfer in this application suggests broader potential across infrastructure monitoring challenges. By using established commercial technologies and adapting them through intelligent integration platforms, we can accelerate innovation whilst reducing development risks and costs.
For engineers working on similar challenges, the key insight is that innovation often comes not from developing entirely new technologies, but from intelligently adapting proven solutions to meet new requirements. This project demonstrates this principle in practice, delivering real value through thoughtful technology integration rather than revolutionary new development.
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Meet the team
Fred Sugden
Associate Director, Defence and National Security, techUK
Fred is responsible for techUK's activities across the Defence and National Security sectors, working to provide members with access to key stakeholders across the Defence and National Security community. Before taking on the role of Associate Director for Defence and National Security, Fred joined techUK in 2018, working as the Programme Head for Defence at techUK, leading the organisation's engagement with the Ministry of Defence. Before joining techUK, he worked at ADS, the national trade association representing Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space companies in the UK.
Fred is responsible for techUK’s market engagement and policy development activities across the Defence and National Security sectors, working closely with various organisations within the Ministry of Defence, and across the wider National Security and Intelligence community. Fred works closely with many techUK member companies that have an interest in these sectors, and is responsible for the activities of techUK's senior Defence & Security Board. Working closely with techUK's Programme Head for Cyber Security, Fred oversees a broad range of activities for techUK members.
Outside of work, Fred's interests include football (a Watford FC fan) and skiing.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 07985 234 170
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Jeremy Wimble
Senior Programme Manager, Defence, techUK
Jeremy manages techUK's defence programme, helping the UK's defence technology sector align itself with the Ministry of Defence - including the National Armaments Directorate (NAD), UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) and Frontline Commands - through a broad range of activities including policy consultation, private briefings and early market engagement. The Programme supports the MOD as it procures new digital technologies.
Prior to joining techUK, from 2016-2024 Jeremy was International Security Programme Manager at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) coordinating research and impact activities for funders including the FCDO and US Department of Defense, as well as business development and strategy.
Jeremy has a MA in International Relations from the University of Birmingham and a BA (Hons) in Politics & Social Policy from Swansea University.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-wimble-89183482/
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Authors
Dan Gardner
Solutions Lead , Plextek
