United Kingdom Defense Seeks Solutions for the Development of Deployable Test and Evaluation Capabilities

The UK MOD’s Defence and Security Accelerator is seeking novel proposals from industry for the development of deployable Test and Evaluation (T&E) systems that ensure that the MOD’s T&E program becomes more effective and innovative.

For context, T&E has significant potential to equip the UK with battle winning insight by helping the MOD explore and capture the boundaries of Battlefield performance. Testing platforms or systems in the field, either while they are being used on training, exercises or operations, is an underutilized method in an effective and efficient T&E program. Combining and comparing data already collected by capabilities onboard systems with objective evidence from deployed T&E capabilities could improve the MOD’s understanding of performance, add value to exercises and training by enabling appropriate data capture and analysis.

UK and international T&E facilities are often at capacity with excessive waiting times for platforms to be tested. Using military platforms at these sites also removes those platforms from operational use by field commanders for extended periods of time. To address this problem, test activities are frequently conducted in remote regions, where connectivity is poor, infrastructure is lacking, and where the site is not suited for the capture of critical data.

To address the problem created when using remote sites for testing, the MOD is seeking solutions that:

•    Enable the MOD to conduct tests in austere regions with the help of deployable T&E equipment that allows for high fidelity testing and the capture of appropriate data.

•    Enable the MOD to take the test range to the platforms being tested so that platforms can remain on operations for greater periods of time. This real time test data would provide the MOD vital test information on the performance of the platform while the platform remained in operational use.  

All proposals from industry must have a clear link to T&E and articulate the benefit to the MOD for pursuing the proposal.

U.S. companies have a worldwide reputation for innovative products, after sales service, and training which makes them competitive in the UK market and with the MOD. The U.S. and UK also share similar business cultures and business practices, which makes the UK an attractive market for U.S. suppliers.

If you have a proposal which provides a novel solution for the development of deployable T&E capabilities, 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.