---
title: "DCTO Medium Uncrewed Surface Vessel (MUSV)"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06dccb"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06dccb"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06dccb.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06dccb.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE"
published: "2026-08-05"
---

# DCTO Medium Uncrewed Surface Vessel (MUSV)

Buyer: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06dccb

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## Summary

The Ministry of Defence is launching a procurement process for the DCTO Medium Uncrewed Surface Vessel (MUSV), which falls under the industry category of 'Ships and boats'. The MUSV is intended for technology demonstration with delivery anticipated by the end of the fiscal year 2026/27. This project is currently in the 'planning' stage and is expected to advance as per the procurement timeline. Key dates include a future notice expected by 30th November 2026, with the contract period scheduled to begin on 1st March 2027 and end on 31st March 2030. The operations will primarily take place out of Portsmouth, UK, reflecting the Ministry of Defence's strategic interests.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in naval or maritime technology, especially those with expertise in uncrewed vessels, sensor technology, and autonomy systems. The procurement process allows for substantial collaboration and innovation, offering a contract valued at approximately £10 million. Given the focus on technology trials and multi-role capabilities, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a proven track record in these areas are highly suitable to compete, potentially expanding their market reach and enhancing their industry reputation through successful participation in this high-profile project.

## Notice

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

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074351-2026 |
| 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 |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 5 Aug 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 30 Nov 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 1 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2030 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £8,333,333 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | MINISTRY OF DEFENCE |
| Locality | PORTSMOUTH |
| Post town | Portsmouth |
| Postcode | PO2 8BY |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight |
| ITL 3 | TLJ31 Portsmouth |
| Local authority | Portsmouth |
| Electoral ward | Nelson |
| Westminster constituency | Portsmouth North |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

### Codes

- 34500000 - Ships and boats

## Release History

- 5 Aug 2026 at 15:11 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074351-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074351-2026
  5th August 2026 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## 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-h6vhtk-06dccb. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06dccb.json.