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DCTO Medium Uncrewed Surface Vessel (MUSV)

Ministry of Defence

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

05 Aug 2026 at 16:11

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence intends to procure a multi-role medium uncrewed surface vessel (USV) testbed for technology demonstration. The vessel will support three operating configurations: standalone uncrewed operation from a shore-based Remote Operating Centre, integrated operation alongside a mothership such as an embarked or host platform, and distributed multi-platform operation with other USVs. Expected mission profiles include long-range transits to operating areas, persistent loitering while using active payloads, and technology trials involving sensors, autonomy and payload integration. This is a goods procurement covering ships and boats. The platform is intended for defence experimentation and development, rather than routine commercial transport or a single operational mission.

This procurement is at the planning stage: the Ministry of Defence has announced an intention to procure, but has not invited tenders. The expected procedure is a tender, with a future notice currently anticipated for 30 November 2026. The estimated value is £8,333,333 excluding VAT and £10,000,000 including VAT. The planned contract is a single lot, with an indicative contract period from 1 March 2027 to 31 March 2030. The buyer’s stated aim is to obtain a testbed that can be delivered by the end of financial year 2026/27. The procurement is identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. Evaluation arrangements and participation requirements will be established as the process develops.

This will suit suppliers that design, build or integrate medium uncrewed surface vessels and can support defence technology demonstration. Relevant capability includes maritime systems engineering, autonomous navigation and remote operation, reliable long-range and persistent operation, and integration with a shore-based Remote Operating Centre. Experience of operating with motherships or host platforms would be valuable, as would the ability to coordinate several USVs in distributed missions. Suppliers should be prepared to integrate sensors and other active payloads, conduct technology trials, and adapt the vessel between standalone, mothership-supported and multi-platform configurations. The requirement is marked as suitable for SMEs, so specialist marine autonomy, robotics, platform-integration and payload companies may wish to prepare for the later competition.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

DCTO Medium Uncrewed Surface Vessel (MUSV)

Notice Description

DCTO is looking to procure a multi-role Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) testbed, for the purpose of technology demonstration which can be delivered by the end of FY26/27. The vessel is expected to operate in three primary configurations: * Standalone uncrewed operations from a shore-based Remote Operating Centre (ROC) * Integrated operations alongside a mothership (e.g. embarked or supported by a host platform) * Distributed multi-platform operations alongside other USVs Typical mission profiles will include: * Long-range transits to operating areas * Persistent loiter operations with active payload use * Technology trials involving sensor, autonomy and payload integration

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06dccb
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074351-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

CPV Codes

34500000 - Ships and boats

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£8,333,333 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Aug 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Nov 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
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
Postcode Area
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)

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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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