Defence Online

This competition is seeking cost competitive, innovative solutions across seven new challenge areas. Proposals are expected to request up to £350,000 (excluding VAT). Proposals must not exceed £1,000,000 (excluding VAT) and several proposals may be funded.

Our aim is simple: deliver useful technology into service faster than our adversaries.

What the competition is seeking:

UKDI is looking for solutions that can be demonstrated quickly, manufactured at scale, and delivered within around 12 months. Projects must reach Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL 6) within six months.

The seven challenge areas are:

• Counter‑UAS interceptor sensors:

Sensor solutions for high‑speed counter‑UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) interceptors engaging targets at combined closing speeds of up to Mach 1.

• One‑way attack UAS seeker:

Novel, passive seeker solutions that are resilient to countermeasures for sub‑300kph one‑way attack uncrewed aerial systems.

• UAS survivability:

Passive survivability solutions, including radar‑absorbent materials and multi‑spectral decoys.

• UAS navigation:

Autonomous navigation systems that operate without Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), achieving at least 50‑metre positional accuracy.

• Telemetry data:

Low‑probability‑of‑detection, jam‑resistant ways to obtain telemetry data over distances of at least 300km.

• Maritime autonomous navigation:

Navigation solutions for unmanned surface vessels operating at up to 60 knots without GNSS.

• Maritime terminal guidance:

Automated terminal guidance for unmanned surface vessels using existing onboard hardware.

What makes a strong proposal

UKDI is looking for proposals that:

• demonstrate value for money and competitive unit pricing
• propose innovative or creative technical approaches
• show a credible route to achieving at least TRL 6 within the project duration
• outline how the technology could transition beyond the competition

What UKDI will not fund

This competition will not support:

• paper based studies or literature reviews
• unmodified resubmissions of previous UKDI or DASA bids
• off the shelf solutions without experimental development
• platforms themselves (e.g. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) or Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs)
• proposals unable to achieve at least  TRL 6  within the project timeframe

Key dates:

• Submission deadline: 12 May 2026 12:00 midday (BST)
• Projects start: September 2026
• Project length: Six months or less
• Feedback released: August 2026