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MGI Engineering’s TigerShark deep-strike system showcased to MOD as Project Brakestop advances to production planning

Air June 26, 2026

Oxfordshire SME demonstrates 900km-range autonomous effector to Secretary of State for Defence as programme moves towards Q4 scale-up.

MGI Engineering has publicly showcased TigerShark, its high-speed long-range autonomous one-way effector, at a MOD industry event reviewing progress under Project Brakestop – the UK’s fast-track programme to develop and field sovereign deep-strike capability at pace and at scale.

The event brought together senior MOD officials, programme stakeholders and defence industry representatives to assess progress across Brakestop’s first and second phases. Among those present were Secretary of State for Defence Dan Jarvis and Minister for the Armed Forces Louise Sandher-Jones MP, both of whom met with MGI Engineering CEO Mike Gascoyne – a visible signal of ministerial engagement with the programme’s industrial participants at a critical point in its development.

TigerShark is designed to deliver an affordable, scalable alternative to traditional cruise missile capability. The platform carries payloads of up to 300kg at speeds of up to 750km/h across a range of 900km, comfortably exceeding the 500km minimum threshold set under Project Brakestop’s original competition. Designed for operations in contested environments, TigerShark incorporates advanced navigation technologies enabling effective operation in GNSS-denied and spoofed conditions – a capability requirement drawn directly from lessons observed in Ukraine. Its modular payload bay and open architecture design allow rapid integration of new payloads, software upgrades and future mission capabilities as operational requirements evolve.

MGI Engineering’s background is unusual for a defence prime. The Oxfordshire company brings over 25 years of aerospace and Formula 1 engineering experience to TigerShark, applying rapid prototyping and testing methodologies that have materially shortened the platform’s development timeline. Project Brakestop represents the company’s first defence contract, and the speed at which TigerShark has moved from concept to flight-tested effector reflects both the pace of the programme and the transferability of high-performance engineering expertise into the defence domain.

With Phase 2 contracts now awarded and production planning underway, MGI Engineering is targeting scale-up of TigerShark production in Q4 2026 and into 2027. Mike Gascoyne described Project Brakestop as “a positive example of how the MOD and industry can work together to accelerate development, testing and get the right capabilities into service quickly”, characterising TigerShark as “well aligned with the requirements being explored through Project Brakestop and the demands of modern conflict.”

For the wider supply chain, TigerShark’s open architecture and modular design create a clear sub-tier opportunity profile as production volumes increase. Businesses with relevant capabilities should position themselves now ahead of a Q4 ramp-up:

• Autonomous flight systems, GNSS-denied navigation and guidance technology
• Airframe manufacture, composite structures and propulsion sub-systems
• Modular payload bay integration and warhead interface engineering
• Software-defined systems development and open architecture integration
• High-rate effector manufacturing and production scale-up
• Ground support equipment, launch systems and logistics support

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Post written by: Vicky Maggiani

Vicky has worked in media for over 25 years and has a wealth of experience in editing and creating copy for a variety of sectors.