UK Defense Demand for Autonomous and Robotic Maritime Technologies

The Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) on behalf of the United States Government (USG) and UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) is seeking proposals that address the Robotic Exclusion & Engagement Framework (REEF). The primary focus is to protect ports and harbors from underwater threats while the broader goal is to protect all critical waterways by creating a flexible, stand-alone system adaptable to various environments and integrable with existing USG systems.

Adversaries and non-state actors are increasingly utilizing autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), posing a growing threat to USG critical infrastructure, waterways, ports, harbors, and expeditionary forces. Despite interest across the USG, all Combatant Commands, and the MOD in countering these threats, current solutions are fragmented, expensive, and limited in number. A cohesive suite of scalable, rapidly deployable passive and active sensing systems, coupled with advanced signal processing and sensor fusion engines, is required to address this evolving threat.

The CSO is seeking proposals that cover the entire Detect-Track-Classify-Defeat kill chain and are robust and flexible enough to protect diverse environments requiring subsurface maritime protection. By leveraging commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) sensors, edge processing, sensor fusion, software, and interdiction methods, this program aims to create a flexible, stand-alone system adaptable to various environments and integrable with existing USG systems.

There are 4 main solution components: Detect, Track, and Classify Capabilities; Defeat Capabilities; Data and Network Architecture; and COP/C2. While holistic solutions are appreciated, respondents are invited to submit proposals for any component(s) they think they can satisfy.

This new announcement presents potential export opportunities for U.S. companies with expertise in defense technology. U.S. companies have a worldwide reputation for innovative products and after-sales service which makes them competitive in the UK market.

If you have a proposal which provides innovative solutions to maritime security, or if you would like to learn more about security and defense opportunities in the UK, please contact PJ Menner at the U.S. Embassy London via PJ.Menner@trade.gov.