MOD launches £2m fund to counter drones threat

The MOD has launched a £2m competition for proposals to tackle the future threats of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).

The competition, run by the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), the MOD’s innovation hub, will seek robust and cost-effective next-generation solutions to the risks posed by hostile UAS.

DASA is looking for innovative solutions to address the increasing UAS threat to the defence and security of UK both at home and abroad.  It is keen to develop new defensive capabilities which draw upon autonomous decision-making mechanisms and networked sensing systems capable of detecting, tracking, identifying and defeating hostile UAS over complex and varied environments.

A minimum of £800k is available in Phase 1 to fund multiple contracts of up to nine months’ duration. Phase 1 proposals will demonstrate proof of concepts that can be further developed and integrated during later phases. Successful projects in this first phase may be encouraged to work with other suppliers in future phases in order to integrate solutions into a deployable system.

Proposals must be submitted by midday on 28 May.

 

Click here for the competition documentation and scope.