Defence Technology Prize 2022 Individual (Research & Development) Award Winner

Dr Chieu Hai Leong

DSO National Laboratories

CITATION

Dr Chieu Hai Leong, Distinguished Member of Technical Staff from DSO National Laboratories, has played a pivotal role in the build-up of the natural language processing (NLP) capabilities in DSO. He has led individuals and teams to develop advanced NLP technologies for defence applications. He is one of the leading local experts in NLP with well-cited publications and he collaborates widely with local and international researchers to build technologies that expedites data processing and analysis. In recognition of his outstanding achievements and contributions, Dr Chieu is awarded the DTP2022 Individual (R&D) Award.

PROFILE

Name	Dr Chieu Hai Leong 蒋海量博士
Appointment	Distinguished Member of Technical Staff (Information Division) 特级研究员 (信息系统署)
Organisation	DSO National Laboratories 国防科技研究院
Age	48

 

AWARDS

• DTP Team (R&D) Award – Award Document Analysis and Research Environment Team, 2007
• DTP Team (R&D) Award – Advanced Information Security Analytics Team, 2017
• DTP Team (R&D) Award – Intelligence Analytics Team, 2018

 

Defence Technology Prize 2022 Individual (Engineering) Award Winner

Mr Wong Chia Sern

Defence Science and Technology Agency

CITATION

Mr Wong Chia Sern, Director (Infocomm IT Infrastructure) from the Defence Science and Technology Agency, has been instrumental in the design, implementation and operation of large-scale, secure, and resilient networks for MINDEF and the SAF. He has harnessed and adapted commercial technologies to develop architectures and systems to address unique requirements. In addition, Mr Wong has led the development and integration of various communication networks supporting critical SAF operations such as the Island Air Defence, ensuring long-term supportability, end-to-end resiliency and interoperability across the networked system. In recognition of his outstanding achievements and contributions, Mr Wong is awarded the DTP2022 Individual (Engineering) Award.

PROFILE

Name	Wong Chia Sern 黄家晟
Appointment	Director (Infocomm IT Infra), InfoComm Infrastructure Programme Centre 署长(信息通讯资讯科技基础设施), 信息通讯基础设施署
Organisation	Defence Science and Technology Agency 国防科技局
Age	41

 

AWARDS

• National Day Award (Commendation Medal), 2018
• John Reynolds Wozencraft Electrical and Computer Engineering Academic Honor Award, 2012

 

Defence Technology Prize 2022 Team (Research & Development) Award Winner

PLATELET CRYOPRESERVATION STUDY TEAM

Army Medical Service, DSO National Laboratories, Health Sciences Authority, Singapore General Hospital

CITATION

The Platelet Cryopreservation Study Team, led by the Army Medical Service, with members from DSO National Laboratories, Health Sciences Authority and the Singapore General Hospital, has developed new cryopreservation and thawing protocols to increase the storage shelf life of pooled blood platelets from 7 days to 2 years while maintaining clinical efficacy. This technological achievement sets a new benchmark in the medical field and enables stockpile and transportation of platelets to meet military and civil emergency use, minimising reliance on short notice live donor support. In recognition of its outstanding achievements and contributions, the team is awarded the DTP2022 Team (R&D) Award.

ABOUT THE PLATELET CRYOPRESERVATION TEAM

Haemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable death in trauma. The challenge is to ensure enough blood products are transported to the field hospitals and transfused to the patients in the right ratios during bleeding emergencies. To achieve this, HSA and the SAF require a reserve of Red Blood Cells (RBC), plasma and platelets. Of the 3 main blood components, platelets have the shortest shelf life, preventing its stockpiling and forward transportation capabilities. The platelet cryopreservation team aimed to identify a cryopreservation method to extend the shelf life of platelets while maintaining its clinical efficacy.

The success of the platelet cryopreservation is the result of close collaboration between the four organisations - made up of complementary expertise that spanned R&D; in vitro diagnostic testing; cryopreservation, thawing and reconstitution workflow validation and operationalization; and clinical study in patients with low platelet counts to prevent bleeding.

TECHNICAL INNOVATION AND OPERATIONAL IMPACT

Liquid-stored platelets collected from donors are kept on agitators and given to patients within 7 days. Platelets not consumed within this period will expire. By using a platelet cryoprotectant in the cryopreservation phase; and thawed plasma in the reconstitution phase, the team ensured that platelets stored up to 2 years at -80°C were comparable in clinical efficacy and safety to liquid-stored platelets. There were no major adverse reactions from the frozen platelets. Only mild reactions such as mild hives were observed in some patients which resolved quickly, and this was comparable to liquid-stored platelets. The frozen platelets were also as effective as the liquid-stored platelets in preventing significant bleeding in these patients.

The innovation contributed to improving Singapore’s blood supply resilience in the following ways:

Thorough utilisation of resources (surplus pooled platelets)

Surplus pooled platelets can now be cryopreserved to prevent unused expired platelets.

Ability to stabilise supply of platelets and stockpile for crises

A 2 year shelf-life for cryopreserved platelets has given Singapore an avenue to prepare sufficient pooled platelets as stockpile for emergencies, especially if the shelf life can be extended further.

A national stockpile will serve as a reserve pool when there are supply issues due to drop in blood donation rates.

Decreased reliance on live donor support in civil-military operations

A stockpile reduces strain on last mile donations required in preparation for emergencies. This translate to an increase in resilience of platelet supply in Singapore with extended lead time for stockpiling ahead of protracted periods of tension, allowing for gradual build-up of stockpile rather than on-demand call for platelet donations.

Flexibility in logistical transport and demand centric blood utilisation during military and humanitarian operations  

Cryopreserved platelets can be stored at -80°C freezers and thawed/reconstituted when needed. This allows platelets to be transported to operational medical facilities frozen, and used when needed, reducing the supply chain strain and time restrictions on transport of thawed blood products.

The innovation provides life-saving platelets for better medical care during peacetime and preserves Singapore’s resilience fighting force during civil and national emergencies.

The success of the platelet cryopreservation team is an outcome of the strong inter-agency partnership and synergy of local research capabilities built over the years. The innovation offers many possibilities from overcoming supply shortage to providing scalable throughput and adaptability.  

PROFILE OF TEAM MEMBER (INTERVIEWEE)

Name	MAJ (DR) Jasper Wang 王祥玮
Appointment	Formation Medical Officer, HQ Commandos Division Medical Officer, HQ Armour 突击队兼装甲部队军医长
Organisation	Singapore Armed Forces
Age	31

 

 

PROFILE OF TEAM LEADER

Name	Associate Professor Lu Jia 陆佳博士
Appointment	Programme Director (Combat Protection Programme) Defence Medical & Environmental Research Institute (DMERI) 项目署长(战斗保护) 国防医药及环境性研究学院
Organisation	DSO National Laboratories 国防科技研究院
Age	57

 

 

ADVANCED PAYLOAD TEAM

DSO National Laboratories

CITATION

DSO's Advanced Payload Team has developed a highly miniaturised, advanced sensor system with unique performance. Completed within a fast development cycle, the project paves the way for more cost-effective development and delivery of compact, high performance sensors. In recognition of its outstanding achievements and contributions, the team is awarded the DTP2022 Team (R&D) Award.

PROFILE OF TEAM LEADER

Name	Tey Shuwen 郑淑文
Appointment	Director (Sensors Division)             署长 (传感器系统署)
Organisation	DSO National Laboratories 国防科技研究院
Age	40

 

 

ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS TEAM

DSO National Laboratories

CITATION

DSO’s Advanced Communications Team has developed advanced communications capabilities for MINDEF/ SAF. This has provided MINDEF/ SAF with an enhanced operational capability to achieve mission success. In recognition of its outstanding achievements and contributions, the team is awarded the DTP2022 Team (R&D) Award.

PROFILE OF TEAM LEADER

Name	Chua Peng Huat 蔡秉发
Appointment	D(CE) 署长(电子系统署)
Organisation	DSO National Laboratories 国防科技研究院
Age	51

 

 

AUTONOMOUS UNDERWATER VEHICLE TEAM

DSO National Laboratories, Defence Science and Technology Agency, ST Engineering

CITATION

The Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Team, led by DSO National Laboratories with members from the Defence Science and Technology Agency and ST Engineering, designed and developed an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle with innovative technology to deliver a breakthrough solution within a short period of time. This has significantly enhanced MINDEF/ SAF’s underwater capabilities. In recognition of its outstanding achievements and contributions, the team is awarded the DTP2022 Team (R&D) Award.

PROFILE OF TEAM LEADER

Name	Dr Chua Gim Hwa 蔡锦华博士
Appointment	Programme Director (Sensors Division) 项目署长 (传感器系统署)
Organisation	DSO National Laboratories 国防科技研究院
Age	46

 

 

NETWORK DEVICE TEAM

Centre for Strategic Infocomm Technologies

CITATION

The Centre for Strategic Infocomm Technologies’s Network Device team is responsible for conducting vulnerability research to better protect Enterprise-Grade network appliances. The team has developed an innovative capability that significantly enhances our national security. In recognition of its outstanding achievements and contributions, the team is awarded the DTP2022 Team (R&D) Award.

PROFILE OF TEAM LEADER

Name	Lim Choon Kiat
Appointment	Senior Technical Specialist
Organisation	Centre for Strategic Infocomm Technologies 战略资讯科技中心
Age	42

 

 

Defence Technology Prize 2022 Team (Engineering) Award Winner

NEXT GENERATION ARMY COMMAND AND CONTROL INFORMATION SYSTEM TEAM

Defence Science and Technology Agency, Singapore Army, ST Engineering, NCS Pte Ltd

CITATION

The Next Generation Army Command and Control Information System (CCIS) Team, led by the Defence Science and Technology Agency with members from the Army, ST Engineering and NCS Pte Ltd, has delivered an advanced system for the Army. The system has reduced the battle procedure planning effort and shortened the decision process significantly for the Army through timely distribution of critical data across the forces and use of smart algorithms and automation to reduce the cognitive load. In recognition of its outstanding achievements and contributions, the team is awarded the DTP2022 Team (Engineering) Award.

ABOUT THE TEAM

The team comprises members from DSTA, the Army, ST Engineering, and NCS Pte Ltd with areas of expertise that include land combat systems design and integration, software engineering, cybersecurity, cloud, infocomm infrastructure, and building infrastructure. DSTA provided its multi-disciplinary expertise in spearheading the system design and managing the overall development of the CCIS. The Army provided operational insights and requirements to ensure that the system would meet its unique use-cases. ST Engineering and NCS Pte Ltd were the industry experts involved in the implementation of the system’s cloud and network infrastructure.

TECHNICAL INNOVATION AND OPERATIONAL IMPACT

The team delivered the Next Gen Army CCIS, which transformed the way that the Army conducted battle planning and automated tedious processes to enhance mission efficiency. To achieve this, the team leveraged cloud technology to enhance collaboration and information sharing, developed smart applications to enhance mission effectiveness, and implemented unique cybersecurity solutions for tactical operations. Adopting an agile and continuous development approach, the team will continuously enhance the system based on user feedback and proliferate it to larger groups of Army users.

a. Leveraged cloud technology for enhanced collaboration and information sharing
The team delivered the first-of-its-kind cloud and cloudlets concept, comprising an on-premise cloud and cloudlets for operation in the battlefield. This has transformed the battle planning process by enabling planners to work concurrently instead of sequentially as done traditionally, thus increasing operational efficiency and effectiveness. The cloud infrastructure has also enabled the Army to move away from its current spiral equipping approach and replace the multiple generations of CCIS with a single generation across all Army Formations. This enables the entire Army to train and fight on a common CCIS, and enhance the experience for NSmen.

b. Developed smart applications to enhance mission effectiveness
The introduction of smart features and algorithms (e.g. automated terrain analysis and evaluation of plans) have enhanced ops planning by automating complex and manpower-intensive tasks, as well as enabling more data-driven decision-making and planning. The team also adopted industry best practices, such as design innovation and agile sprints to deliver a user-centric CCIS that is intuitive to operate and ease the learning curve for ops users, especially NSmen who only get to train during reservist. Agile sprints also accelerated the delivery of minimum viable products and ensured the software release remain relevant to meet users’ evolving requirements.

c. Implemented unique cybersecurity solutions for tactical operations
With greater collaboration and sharing of information, there are also cybersecurity risks. Hence the team had to develop and implement a multi-layered “Protect, Detect, and Respond” cybersecurity suite across the entire system. This included lightweight sensors and analytics for cyber defence monitoring at the tactical-level, with optimised alerts for reporting to higher HQ. In-house cyber analytics were also developed to further enhance threat detection and response time.

PROFILE OF TEAM LEADER

Name	Brendan Tan Weijian 陈伟健
Appointment	Head Capability Development (Tactical C4I), Land Systems Programme Centre 能力发展主任 (战略指挥、控制、通讯、电脑及情报), 陆军系统署
Organisation	Defence Science and Technology Agency 国防科技局
Age	37

 

 

SHIP DEFENCE CAPABILITY TEAM

Defence Science and Technology Agency, DSO National Laboratories, Republic of Singapore Navy

CITATION

The Ship Defence Capability Team, comprising members from the Defence Science and Technology Agency, DSO National Laboratories and the Republic of Singapore Navy, has delivered a ship defence capability that has incorporated indigenous enhancements and technology insertions. This capability has significantly enhanced the protection of our naval assets. In recognition of its outstanding achievements and contributions, the team is awarded the DTP2022 Team (Engineering) Award.

PROFILE OF TEAM LEADER

Name	Raymond Tan Peihao 陈培豪	Toh Wei Siong Vincent 卓暐翔	ME6 Kenneth Lim Kwang Peng 六级军事专才 林光平
Appointment	Programme Director, Naval Systems Programme Centre 项目总监, 海军系统署	Senior Defence Researcher, Sensors Division 高级国防研究员 (传感器系统署)	Principal Engineer, Underwater Branch, Naval Warfare Centre 首席工程师
Organisation	Defence Science and Technology Agency 国防科技局	DSO National Laboratories 国防科技研究院	Republic of Singapore Navy 新加坡海军部队
Age	38	42	46

 

 

AIRBORNE SYSTEM TEAM

Defence Science and Technology Agency, Republic of Singapore Air Force, DSO National Laboratories, ST Engineering, Future Systems and Technology Directorate

CITATION

The Airborne System Team, led by the Defence Science and Technology Agency with members from the Republic of Singapore Air Force, DSO National Laboratories, ST Engineering and Future Systems and Technology Directorate, has delivered a unique airborne system employing cutting edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and precision engineering. This has significantly enhanced the fighting capabilities of the RSAF. In recognition of its outstanding achievements and contributions, the team is awarded the DTP2022 Team (Engineering) Award.

PROFILE OF TEAM LEADER

Name	Lin Anrong 林安荣
Appointment	Senior Programme Manager, Air Systems Programme Centre 高级项目经理, 空军系统署
Organisation	Defence Science and Technology Agency 国防科技局
Age	34