The UK is particularly interested in one-way and electronic warfare based ACPs. 

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is looking to further its understanding of Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACPs), often called ‘loyal wingman’, as the Royal Air Force transitions towards a blend of crewed and uncrewed systems.  

According to a preliminary market engagement notice published on 29 July by Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), the aim is to broaden the MoD’s understanding of the current and future ACP industrial landscape.  

This includes on new types of systems coming to market and future capability requirements, timescales, and costs.  

The launch of this market engagement follows a series of efforts into pursuing ACP capabilities from the UK, beginning with the publishing of the RAF ACP Strategy in March 2024. Following that, the UK delivered StormShroud Mk1 into service in May 2025, the first ACP in the RAF. ACPs are a core element of the RAF’s future, designed to accompany and support fighter jets in roles such as surveillance and combat.  

Recommendations in the UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) published in June also centred on ACPs as a method of keeping the RAF at the “leading edge of combat air’s evolution”. The SDR recommended investment into ACPs alongside investment in the Future Combat Air System. 

UK seeks to understand specific capabilities  

Four types of systems are of particular interest to the MoD under this notice, the first of which is a complete electromagnetic warfare (EW) effects ACP capability capable of targeting adversary integrated air defence systems. This includes the air vehicle, EW payloads, ground equipment, and end-to-end logistics support.  

Also of interest are disposable one-way vehicles, solutions that enable varying levels of autonomy, and signature managed air vehicles or associated capabilities that help reduce detectability.  

Deadline for engagement with this notice is 12 September, with a tender projected to go live on 27 April 2026. 

Estimated values of the tenders are expected to be GBP20 million and GBP24 million, with contract dates expected to be from 29 April 2027 to 29 April 2029. 

DSEI Gateway News is part of DSEI UK and the broader Clarion Defence portfolio. 
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