Replacement of Watchkeeper system with a new Uncrewed Air System (UAS) - Preliminary Market Engagement 2

Descriptions

The purpose of this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice is to provide answers to clarification questions asked following the previous notice: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015277-2025. Due to the announcement made by the Secretary of State for Defence to the House of Commons on Wednesday 20th November 2024, the Army are seeking to replace the Watchkeeper system with a new Uncrewed Air System (UAS) to deliver the Land Tactical Deep Find (LTDF) 24hr persistent surveillance requirement; under the title Project CORVUS. Project CORVUS is a CAT B procurement that has been launched in order to procure a new UAS to meet the Army's LTDF requirement, with the stretch target of a Minimum Deployable Capability in calendar year 2025. Defence Equipment and Support are the Contracting Authority, and the information contained within this notice is subject to contract and subject to change at the Authority's sole discretion. Overview of the Requirement: With the UAS market being an increasingly evolving sector, the Army are seeking to procure a modern, deployable, easily supportable and cost-effective capability. Delivery would be across all the Defence Lines of Development (DLoD) but as this is replacing a pre-existing capability, it is preferrable the CORVUS capability minimises the pan-DLoD changes required to the Army as the operator. The Authority envisage that the single Contract will be let to an Original Equipment Manufacturer / Prime Contractor who will be required to provide the equipment and support to meet the Army's requirements. The solution must be of a high readiness level, be technologically agile, and capable of undergoing spiral development in future years to meet continuously evolving requirements. The Authority expect this capability to be acquired through a competitive procurement run under the Procurement Act 2023 regulations. There is currently an expectation that down-selected Tenderers will be required to conduct a live demonstration of their capability, with the details of the demonstration and location yet to be determined. The location may either be a UK Military Facility or at the OEMs designated premises. However, in order to achieve the demonstration, the Authority believe that there will need to be CAA / MAA / EASA or equivalent clearances in place or close to approval.