​ExCALIBUR is a UK research programme that aims to deliver the next generation of high-performance simulation software for the highest-priority fields in UK research. It started in October 2019 and will run through until March 2025, redesigning high priority computer codes and algorithms to meet the demands of both advancing technology and UK research.

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) is a partner in ExCALIBUR, which is led by the Met Office and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). Other partners are the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the Medical Research Council (MRC).

Radical changes to supercomputer architectures are on the horizon. To continue to make scientific advances on some of the most challenging physical problems, such as weather forecasting, engine design, astrophysics, particle physics and fusion energy, it is essential that the UK fully harnesses the power of those supercomputers.

ExCALIBUR is addressing this challenge by redesigning high priority computer codes and algorithms, keeping UK research and development at the forefront of high-performance simulation science.

Its Hardware and Enabling Software (H&ES) programme provides early access to novel hardware and software technologies that may play a part in future exascale systems and services. Researchers can use the H&ES testbeds to validate the portability and performance of their codes, and to explore the potential of new paradigms such as workflow offload to data processing units, or wafer scale computer engines.

Within STFC Scientific Computing our computational scientists play an important role in ExCALIBUR. ​To highlight the programme we have created a booklet with more information, and a series of video podcasts – see below – about some of the projects being carried out by the partners.