Market Intelligence
Defense Equipment United Kingdom

United Kingdom Ministry of Defence Seeks to Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems

The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) is seeking to deliver an integrated Counter-Uncrewed Aerial System (C-UAS) system with autonomous operation and the ability to be mounted on an Army vehicle. The MOD desires a system that is capable of detecting, tracking, identifying, deciding and defeating mass, low-cost threats in a cost-effective manner, without being overwhelmed or exhausting stockpiles. This is particularly acute for deployed land forces, but the problem is also applicable to the protection of fixed defense infrastructure.

Current approaches are constrained by limited magazine depth, high cost-per-engagement, limited maneuverability, workforce intensity and the difficulty of adapting capabilities at pace as UAS threats evolve.

The MOD is particularly interested in capabilities centered on weapon systems with laser directed energy effectors but is open to ideals relating to a credible alternative approach.

The capability should protect deployed troops against complex and saturation attacks designed to overwhelm existing defenses or deplete conventional munition stocks. It should deliver more affordable combat mass against emerging air threats than legacy systems while exploiting open architectures, platform-generated power, modular design and autonomous operation.

The proposed system should:

  • Provide the capability to detect, track, identify, and defeat a NATO Class I UAS with a maximum takeoff weight of less than 150kg.
  • Provide a low size weight, power, and cost RF detect, cue and defeat capability.
  • Operate on an average mission of 35kW, with continual power at 100kW and peak power at 150kW.
  • Be safe to safe to operate, maintain, transport, store, and dispose of.

Submissions should provide a concise outline of intent showing a planned route towards meeting the Key Capability Requirements detailed above.

Proposals must provide:

  • A description of your starting technology position.
  • A description of what development work you would undertake during this project.
  • Rough Order of Magnitude of costs (not binding).
  • An overview on how you intend to deliver an integrated system and ability to scale up and put into production.

The scope of this enquiry is for the MOD to identify and support organizations to accelerate development of their existing technology towards a final deployable system.

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

To learn more about submitting a proposal to Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems, please contact PJ Menner, Aerospace and Defense Specialist at the U.S. Embassy London via PJ.Menner@trade.gov.