Keynote Address by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean at the Young Defence Scientist Programme Congress 2010

Students from the NUS High School of Mathematics & Science explaining to Mr Teo their research on the development of true random number generators.

Good afternoon,
Students,
Principals and school representatives,
Ladies and gentlemen.

Technological advances and warfare have been deeply intertwined throughout history. New fighting concepts and technologies have dramatically changed the nature of warfare. In earlier eras the changes came about because of technological advancements like gunpowder, the mastery of flight, and computing engines. Far from the battlefield, another battle rages in the laboratories. Defence scientists are engaged in a constant race to find military applications for new technologies, to produce secret edge capabilities.

Today, in addition to work on the traditional sectors such as materials, platforms, or weapons, there is increasing emphasis on information superiority. Winning the wars of the future will require dominating the information battle-space. Trying to dominate the battlefield only by physical means is no longer sufficient. By networking sensors, command and control systems and platforms, a common picture of the battlefield situation can be made available to all. The side that is better able to do this can make better sense out of the "fog and friction" of war, make better decisions and engage the adversary more decisively.

In the SAF, defence scientists have been instrumental in developing many of the information systems that have transformed the way we fight. The Navy's Formidable-class frigate is an example of how the SAF is tapping on network and information technologies to prepare for future warfare. Our frigate is 114 metres long, displacing over 3000 tons. In most other navies, a frigate of similar size and capabilities would require a crew of about 150 to 180 people. We are able to operate ours with 70 because our defence engineers and scientists worked closely with our naval combat officers and military experts to develop an advanced, networked computer system that integrates the frigate's many sensors to detect, track, identify and prioritise threats, share data with other ships and aircraft, and fire the most suitable weapons to counter these threats. This capability has enhanced the speed, responsiveness and combat power of the frigate.

I was in San Diego just last month to witness the summary exercise between our frigate and our new S-70B naval helicopters. It was a complex and high tempo exercise which included several US Navy ships, a submarine, and maritime patrol and fighter aircraft. The exercise tested the frigate's and helicopter's crew and systems to the fullest. We are now able to bring together two very capable platforms - our frigate and our helicopter - to operate as one seamless networked system, multiplying our Navy's capabilities to dominate a much larger air and sea space.

On land, we are equipping our soldiers with the Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicle. Fitted with the Battlefield Management System, the Terrex is networked to other air and land assets such as Leopard tanks, Bionix infantry fighting vehicles, artillery platforms, attack helicopters and fighter aircraft. The Terrex will serve as a communications node for the Advanced Combat Man System (or ACMS) which is worn by our soldiers providing them with enhanced sensors, communications and smart weaponry. Like a "mothership", the Terrex will interface with the ACMS to provide our soldiers increased situational awareness by updating them on own and enemy movements. With a better picture of the operating environment and key battlefield information, soldiers can coordinate manoeuvres, and call for precision fire support from air and land forces. The Terrex, its Battlefield Management Systems and the Advanced Combat Man System were developed for the SAF by our own defence scientists working with the SAF and the industry.

Another key technology impacting military operations is Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). UAVs can perform missions and tasks that are risky, and pose severe challenges to many modern day conventional military manned aircraft. DSO National Laboratories began R&D into UAVs a decade ago, and their efforts have paid off. Today, Skyblade III, the first locally-designed and produced mini-UAV, is fielded by the Army to support battalion operations. The Skyblade III is not only user friendly in its operation but also lightweight and portable, able to be carried by soldiers in a backpack.

Such revolutionary changes in warfare underscore the critical need for Singapore to continue growing a strong defence technology community. They also reinforce our need to invest in people and nurture their passion for defence R&D. The Young Defence Scientist Programme (YDSP) is a part of this investment. By giving young people like you the opportunity to work first-hand on the latest technologies and interact with our defence scientists and engineers, we hope to establish a life-long passion for science and engineering in you.

At YDSP, we also encourage you to push the boundaries of your creativity and imagination, for your dreams and ideas are seeds for the technologies of tomorrow. We have today only begun to scratch the surface of what is possible in the areas of robotics, cognitive psychology and artificial intelligence. Uncovering the potential of each of these leading-edge fields will require extensive research, trials and field tests. It will also require young aspiring, energetic and creative scientists and engineers like yourselves to work with our combat officers and specialists to bring refreshing new ideas to the design and development of future technologies for the SAF - to make a difference to our future battlefield.

Today, two teams of budding young talent will be presenting their Research@YDSP findings. When Ng Yuting and Lim Gan Shun first took part in the YDSP, they were assigned the task of researching algorithms used in encryption applications. I am pleased to note that they took their task a step further and developed an original algorithm for a True Random Number Generator. Many of their initial designs could not work. But when they finally developed a successful algorithm, it was one that is more efficient than what is currently in use. Their work in quantum cryptography has brought us a step closer to ensuring that our communications, such as emails and sms-es, are secure. This is the kind of innovative spirit and determination that we hope to cultivate in our YDSP participants.

The other group comprising three members - Ang Yong Qin, Tan Shoun and Rion You - have discovered a potential method for improving the aerodynamic characteristics of an ogive cylinder - a pointed cylinder that is used in aircraft, rockets and other aerodynamic bodies such as projectiles and bullets. Their work could have potential impact on the design of highly-manoeuvrable flying vehicles that operate at extreme angles, particularly during aerial combat. I look forward to learning more about their findings and hearing their ideas during the presentations later.

In addition, 57 young student-mathematicians and physicists will receive the YDSP Academic Awards. Another 30 students will be presented with YDSP Scholarships. I give my heartiest congratulations to all our recipients.

I hope that you have all benefited deeply from the YDSP activities. Our defence engineering and research community requires talented individuals like you who have the intellect, dedication and passion to pursue possibilities and break new ground. If you are excited by what you have seen, and are looking for a challenging career, I hope that, one day, you will join us and contribute to the defence and security of Singapore. I wish you every success in your studies.

Thank you.