The platform is intended for use onboard Royal Navy aircraft carriers.  

The UK has launched a request for information (RFI) as part of plans to test a new fixed-wing autonomous collaborative platform (ACP) for the Royal Navy under ‘Project Vanquish’. 

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) “seeks to deliver a technical demonstration at sea” of the ACP for a “nominal target date by the end of 2026”.  

Often called a ‘loyal wingman’, an ACP works by accompanying and supporting fighter jets in roles such as surveillance and combat. 

Completion of this technical demonstration will help inform “future capability development and procurement options”, the MoD said. 

The MoD made clear that the RFI “is not the launch of a new procurement”, adding that “pricing and timelines will be refined through market engagement, at this stage a cost of not less than GBP10 million and a contract start date of between January and April 2026 is envisaged”. 

Based on the information provided in the tender notice, it is unclear whether the values and timelines referenced relate to the technical demonstration itself, or a planned future contract. DSEI Gateway has contacted the MoD for clarification.  

According to the RFI, the short take-off and landing ACP must be able to embark and operate autonomously from a Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier and have “an exploitation pathway to the delivery” of a wide range of capabilities, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; strike; and air-to-air refuelling in due course to complement the Royal Navy’s F35-B Lightening aircraft.  

It must be powered by a jet turbine, capable of achieving high subsonic speeds, and be launched from and recovered to the aircraft carrier without catapults of arrested recovery systems. 

Firms wishing to submit proposals must do so by 14 November. Estimated contract dates run from 30 April 2026 to 20 December 2027.