Planning

Annual Maritime Uncrewed Systems Experiment (AMUSE 27)

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

31 Mar 2026 at 13:02

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence is initiating a public procurement process for the Annual Maritime Uncrewed Systems Experiment (AMUSE 27). This early planning stage, tagged as "planning," is part of the Defence Sourcing Portal and invites industry members to participate in this significant opportunity, planned for late March 2027 in the United Kingdom. The procurement process, under the services category, has a milestone for engagement due on 17 April 2026. The planned activities will occur across uncrewed systems such as underwater and aerial vehicles, demonstrating technological capabilities within a segregated water space of approximately 250 km². The procurement process, although not a formal tender competition, serves as a Request for Information (RFI) to assist in future requirements for the Royal Navy.

This procurement offers valuable growth opportunities for businesses specialising in uncrewed maritime systems and related technological studies, offering a platform for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to demonstrate expertise. Companies with capabilities in unmanned underwater and aerial technology, as well as those experienced in pre-feasibility technological demonstrations, would be particularly well-suited to leverage this procurement for expanding their business and engaging in future defence projects. With contract activities designed not only to test but also assure systems in controlled environments, SMEs have the chance to showcase advancements in maritime tech solutions, contributing to the evolution of defence strategies.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Annual Maritime Uncrewed Systems Experiment (AMUSE 27)

Notice Description

This Request For Information (RFI) is issued for Royal Navy, as part of Ministry of Defence (also known as "The Authority"). This is not a formal tender competition or commitment to any future contract(s). It is an opportunity for industry to provide information to assist in development of future requirements. It is in relation to an opportunity for industry to participate in the first Annual Maritime Uncrewed Systems Experiment (AMUSE), to be conducted in a segregated (250km2 approximately) water space in the United Kingdom, in late March 2027. This will be supported by a separate small-scale trial, the Maritime Uncrewed Systems Testbed (MUST) that will enable the assurance of all participating systems in a controlled water space (likely a lake, or loch), location still to be determined.

Planning Information

Questionnaire can be accessed in Defence Sourcing Portal

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06793c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029704-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

35512400 - Unmanned underwater vehicles

35613000 - Unmanned aerial vehicles

73420000 - Pre-feasibility study and technological demonstration

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
31 Mar 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
31 May 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 May 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
PORTSMOUTH
Postcode
PO2 8BY
Post Town
Portsmouth
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ31 Portsmouth
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Portsmouth
Electoral Ward
Nelson
Westminster Constituency
Portsmouth North

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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