Connected Places Catapult has announced the opening of applications for the High Assurance Detection Systems (HADeS) 2026 programme.
The programme seeks to build on previous successes of the HADeS innovation call in 2025, and is led by the Catapult on behalf of the Department for Transport (DfT).
Companies are encouraged to present new technologies that aim to improve alarm resolution, as well as any operating concept that could be utilised to further develop UK airports’ checkpoint security screening capability.
The programme will make a total of up to 500,000 GBP available to innovators through the DfT’s Grant Funding Agreement with the Catapult.
As well as funding; successful applicants will also be given access to specialists from both the Catapult and DfT, as well as a wider network of experts in the field via the Aviation Security Innovation Programme (ASIP) Cluster.
Funding is available across a set of two tracks, depending on the solution’s maturity level.
Level 1 will handle emerging security innovations at the proof of concept stage, providing up to 40,000 GBP of funding for each project. Focusing on the exploration of whether an idea like this could work in principle, applying for this track could involve background research, stakeholder input, early-stage modelling, simple testing or a combination of the above.
Level 2 will focus on evolving security innovations at the pre-demonstration stage, providing up to 75,000 GBP of funding for each project. This track focuses on the building and testing of early-stage prototypes in controlled or simulated environments.
The goal for HADeS 2026 aims to create alarm resolution solutions that can reduce the instances of primary alarms having to be manually checked. Within this, there are three sub-areas in which this goal is to be achieved. Applications may cover one or more of these sub-areas. These include:
- Threat detection – can all of the required threats be detected? This should reflect an increased range of threat materials which can be detected by cabin baggage screening under the new detection standards being developed by the Technology Alignment Group (TAG)
- Interoperability of the primary and alarm resolution equipment – do they work as a cohesive screening system? For example, how can data which is available from the primary screening system be more effectively used to inform the alarm resolution process
- Optimisation of the screening system – for example: reducing the number of alarms, increasing ability to screen more complex containers / concealments, reducing operator burden
Sameer Savani, Transport Managing Director at Connected Places Catapult, said:Security underpins trust and confidence in the entire aviation system - but it shouldn’t come at the cost of passenger experience. The UK has a strong track record of leadership in this space, and HADeS demonstrates how innovation in security technology can simultaneously strengthen protection while streamlining the passenger journey.
Responding to advanced detection standards opens up opportunities for home grown technologies to scale at home and abroad. Building on the success of the first HADeS 2025 programme, the search is on once again for high-potential innovators with ideas that can keep us safe.
Connected Places Catapult is well-placed to support these companies. If you have a solution that could rise to the challenge, I encourage you to apply.
