---
title: "715928480-CUAS Exploration"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06f06f"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06f06f"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06f06f.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06f06f.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "Ministry of Defence"
published: "2026-09-02"
---

# 715928480-CUAS Exploration

Buyer: Ministry of Defence  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06f06f

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[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06f06f.json)

## Summary

The Ministry of Defence is seeking research and development services for an integrated counter-uncrewed-aircraft system (C-UAS) to protect deployed troops and defence fixed infrastructure. The requirement focuses on detecting, tracking, identifying, deciding on and defeating mass or low-cost aerial threats, particularly representative Class 1 uncrewed aircraft and related small threats. The preferred approach uses a laser directed-energy weapon, although credible novel alternatives are welcome. The Phase 1 aim is to accelerate existing technology towards a deployable system rather than procure a complete operational capability. The solution should operate autonomously on an Army vehicle, use open architectures, platform-generated power and modular design, and support future integration with an uncrewed ground vehicle. Delivery is for Army and wider defence applications.

The procurement has reached tender: the Ministry of Defence invited offers through a selective competitive flexible procedure using its Commercial X Dynamic Market, with an accelerated process. Stage 1 is a capability assessment requiring an evidence-based programme plan; successful suppliers may progress to Stage 2, where proposals are developed into fully costed projects lasting six months. The expression-of-interest deadline was 23 September 2026 at 12:00 BST. The anticipated award date is 3 December 2026, with the Stage 2 contract period running from 3 December 2026 to 31 May 2027. The estimated value is £125,000,000 excluding VAT, or £150,000,000 including VAT. Evaluation is quality 70% and price 30%; later technical and commercial weightings may fall within 60–80% and 20–40%.

This opportunity suits defence technology companies, research organisations and industrial partners with existing counter-UAS, directed-energy, air-defence or other credible novel technologies that can be accelerated through development and demonstration. Strong candidates will be able to produce an evidence-based route from current technology towards a deployable, autonomous system mounted on an Army vehicle, supported by modelling, analysis, testing and practical demonstrations. Relevant capability includes handling single, repeated, sequential and simultaneous small-aircraft threats, including saturation attacks intended to overwhelm local defences or deplete expensive munitions. Suppliers should be able to work with open architectures, modular designs and platform-generated power, and show a scalable pathway to future Army and joint ground-based air-defence systems. The programme also considers future export potential.

## Notice

Defence seeks additional capacity to detect, track, identify, decide and defeat mass and low-cost threats in a cost-effective manner and without being overwhelmed or exhausting stockpiles. This is particularly acute for deployed land forces, but the problem is applicable to the protection of defence fixed infrastructure in the homeland. Current approaches are constrained by limited magazine depth, high cost-per-engagement, limited manoeuvrability, workforce intensity and the difficulty of adapting capabilities at pace as UAS threats evolve. Based on research, the Authority is particularly interested in capabilities centred on Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) effectors but is open to submissions relating to credible alternative novel approaches. The scope of Phase 1 is to identify and support organisations to accelerate development of their existing technology towards a final deployable system. It is not intended for the Phase 1 competition to seek delivery of a complete operational C-UAS system. Over later Phases, the Authority's intent, aligned with their Integrated Procurement Model, is to identify and rapidly mature promising technologies as demonstrable Minimum Viable Products (MVPs). The Authority may then, at its discretion (and the criteria detailed below) select projects to be iteratively developed, integrated and proven as Minimum Deployable Capabilities (MDCs) for an initial operational user group. Capabilities that demonstrate operational benefit may subsequently be developed further for wider adoption as part of a future Programme of Record. Suppliers will be notified of the criteria, selection processes, and competition format as these Phases arise. To address the challenge described above we are looking to deliver an integrated C-UAS force-protection capability capable of autonomous operation, mounted on an Army vehicle. The capability should protect deployed troops against complex and saturation attacks designed to overwhelm existing defences or deplete conventional munition stocks. It should deliver more affordable combat mass against emerging air threats than legacy systems, and should exploit open architectures, platform-generated power, modular design and capable of autonomous operation. The initial threat focus is representative Class 1 UAS and related small aerial threats, including single, repeated, sequential and simultaneous threat profiles. This includes threats intended to disrupt operations, conduct surveillance, target fixed or mobile assets, overwhelm local defences or force the disproportionate use of high-cost munitions. Integration of the capability onto a future uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) is a planned objective. The solution should provide a scalable pathway towards future Army and Joint Ground-Based Air Defence (GBAD) capabilities as well as considering possible export opportunities.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083090-2026 |
| Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Competitive flexible procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 2 Sep 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 3 Dec 2026 - 31 May 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £125,000,000 |
| Lots value | £125,000,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | Ministry of Defence |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Postcode area | South West London |
| Postcode | SW1A 2EU |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West |
| ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London |
| Local authority | Westminster |
| Electoral ward | St James's |
| Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment
- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 35300000 - Weapons, ammunition and associated parts
- 73110000 - Research services

## Release History

- 2 Sep 2026 at 14:22 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083090-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083090-2026
  2nd September 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-21811

## Notice URLs

- https://contracts.mod.uk/
- https://signin.account.gov.uk/sign-in-or-create
- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1998732361297
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/api/1.0/ocdsReleasePackages/ocds-h6vhtk-054901
- https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/log-in-or-register-for-a-ukdi-account
- https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence
- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/defence-and-security-accelerator-how-to-submit-a-proposal
- 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-06f06f. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06f06f.json.