---
title: "Remote Piloted and Autonomous Systems - Expression of Interest"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-6e857320-860c-4b1d-a446-a09abd0f463d"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-6e857320-860c-4b1d-a446-a09abd0f463d"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-6e857320-860c-4b1d-a446-a09abd0f463d.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-6e857320-860c-4b1d-a446-a09abd0f463d.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE"
published: "2021-08-24"
---

# Remote Piloted and Autonomous Systems - Expression of Interest

Buyer: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-6e857320-860c-4b1d-a446-a09abd0f463d

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-6e857320-860c-4b1d-a446-a09abd0f463d)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-6e857320-860c-4b1d-a446-a09abd0f463d.json)

## Summary

The Ministry of Defence is seeking expressions of interest for an experiment involving Remote Piloted and Autonomous Systems (RPAS) aimed at enhancing the defence of artillery positions. Currently in the planning stage, this tender is classified under the CPV code 38820000 for remote-control equipment. Interested parties should respond by 31 August 2021, with experimentation planned to occur on Salisbury Plains from 10 to 18 September 2021. The location of this project is within the South East region of the United Kingdom, specifically at postal code SP11 8HJ.

This tender presents an opportunity for businesses specialising in remote-controlled systems, including unmanned ground sensors and aerial systems, especially those with innovative sensory suites and AI capabilities. SMEs and voluntary, community and social enterprises are particularly encouraged to compete, as the experiment seeks solutions that can operate effectively in varied conditions and support military operations. Successfully demonstrating the utility of their systems may pave the way for further collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and insights for businesses looking to advance their research and development in military applications.

## Notice

The aim of this experiment is to understand future requirements for the defence of artillery positions. (N.B. this activity is not linked to a specific Named Programme or Project.) Current practice requires soldiers to surveil ground in the vicinity of artillery positions to protect from adversarial intrusion and attack, increasing workload and cognitive burden. It is hypothesized that RPAS with sensory suites and AI could reduce this burden and increase combat effectiveness. Systems TRL 1-5 will be considered as concepts only; TRL 6 or above may be considered for experimentation. Successful applicants should be prepared to conduct experimentation with 1 Artillery Brigade on Salisbury Plains in the window 10-18 September 2021 (duration likely to be 3 days). Likely tasks includes OEM operating experimental system in a representative warfighting environment against an active enemy force, briefing soldiers on use and possibly enabling limited supervised use, assisting 1 Artillery Brigade with developing Concepts of Use (CONUSE) and Concepts of Employment (CONEMP) for RPAS to inform future capability requirements. RPAS systems for consideration could be ground-based (including unmanned ground sensors) or aerial but must be small and agile enough to be deployed from eg 1/4 tonne trailer. The system must be remote or autonomously controlled; must have a sensory suite, ideally modular and interchangeable by the operator; must be able to collect data from at least one spectrum, ideally from the visible or near-visible spectrum, and ideally use AI to process the collected data; must operate as part of a digital network, ideally able to distribute collected data to multiple users others than the operator eg via ATAK; must be capable of operating in adverse weather conditions, ideally in all weather conditions; must be able to operate day and night; must have duration greater than 1 hour on task. This activity would suit applicants seeking to demonstrate their system has utility as military equipment, or to gain insights from soldiers as a user group for internal research and development purposes. 1 Artillery Brigade reserves the right to select which offers (if any) to take forward. 1 Artillery Brigade does not endorse any manufacture, vendor or their goods or services through this activity, nor is this a route to market. However, on completion, an unclassified report of findings will be shared with the successful applicants, and media may be gathered by the successful applicants for their use (subject to conditions). Replies peter.guo544@mod.gov.uk before 31 Aug 21 will be accepted for consideration.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/f51998eb-7479-45cd-ad94-4f6e93abece1 |
| Notice type | Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Not specified |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not specified |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 24 Aug 2021 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 31 Aug 2021 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Planning |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | MINISTRY OF DEFENCE |
| Locality | ANDOVER |
| Post town | Salisbury |
| Postcode | SP11 8HJ |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight |
| ITL 3 | TLJ36 Central Hampshire |
| Local authority | Test Valley |
| Electoral ward | Andover Millway |
| Westminster constituency | North West Hampshire |
| Delivery location | TLJ South East (England) |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

### Codes

- 38820000 - Remote-control equipment

## Release History

- 24 Aug 2021 at 12:29 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/f51998eb-7479-45cd-ad94-4f6e93abece1

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/f51998eb-7479-45cd-ad94-4f6e93abece1
  24th August 2021 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-6e857320-860c-4b1d-a446-a09abd0f463d. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-6e857320-860c-4b1d-a446-a09abd0f463d.json.