Autonomous Collaborative Platform Tranche 2

Descriptions

In March 2024 the MOD published the RAF Autonomous Collaborative Platforms Strategy that defines the RAF's vision for procurement of ACPs to support their future capability requirements. In May 2025 the MOD announced the delivery of StormShroud Mk1 into service, marking the first ACP to be formally delivered to the RAF.

In June 2025 the MOD published the Strategic Defence Review which recommended "the RAF must stay at the leading edge of combat air's evolution, through the transition from exclusively crewed combat air platforms to a Future Combat Air System (FCAS) with a mix of crewed, uncrewed, and increasingly autonomous platforms" and that "to assure the future of UK combat air, investment in ACPs should be considered alongside investment in FCAS and the Global Combat Air Programme. The ACPs must be designed to operate in collaboration with the fourth-, fifth- and future generations of combat aircraft and to operate from the UK aircraft carriers".

Engagement

The purpose of this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice (PMEN) is to help the MOD capture information and insights into the current, and future, ACP industrial landscape for a specific set of systems. This will assist the MOD to: a. Understand new systems which are coming to market; b. inform the viability of capability requirements, timescales and costs; c. develop outline procurement strategies for any future acquisition of these systems; d. shape our understanding of programme delivery and associated risk There are currently 4 systems which the MOD would like to understand, these are: a. Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) Effects. A complete EW Effects capability should include all equipment and services required for the User to deliver EW effects against adversary Integrated Air Defence Systems, including but not limited to; Air Vehicles, EW Payloads, Ground Equipment (including control systems) and end-to-end Logistics Support. b. Signature Managed Air Vehicle. Air Vehicles that have signature managed characteristics or capabilities to reduce detectability by Integrated Air Defence Systems. c. One Way Air Vehicle. Cost-effective disposable one-way vehicles that can carry a variety of EW and kinetic payloads, and also be manufactured rapidly at scale. d. Electromagnetic Warfare Payloads. EW payloads that deliver effects across the electromagnetic spectrum to disrupt, deny, degrade, or destroy enemy systems. e. Autonomous Solutions. Solutions that enable varying levels of autonomy, or the fully autonomous Command and Control of Uncrewed Air Systems (UAS). To register your interest in this PMEN please follow this link to AWARD: https://award.commercedecisions.com/dsp/web/project/db45400b-f9a0-4a50-b61e-02d5deeff60c/register