The GBP10 million project is central to the Royal Navy’s Hybrid Navy transition. 

The Royal Navy (RN) announced a requirement for 20 uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) to support training as well as to advance its tactics, warfare and capability development on 5 November. 

Called project Beehive, the effort is part of the RN’s plans to expand its surface flotilla using a hybrid crewed-uncrewed fleet, as outlined by the First Sea Lord of the RN General Sir Gwyn Jenkins at DSEI UK 2025. 

Currently, the project – which is listed on the Ministry of Defence (MoD) tendering website – is in the preliminary engagement phase; however, the MoD estimates that a tender notice will go live on 10 November, pending funding approval.   

The notice stresses the importance of Beehive, noting that “this capability is key to maintaining operational relevance against peer threats”. 

The USVs will be iteratively developed under project Beehive, with the initial units required to be at technological readiness level (TRL) four or five with an open architecture to facilitate future development. 

This means that those looking to apply will need to have at least validated their technology in a laboratory environment (TRL four) and/or a relevant environment (TRL five).  

The awarded contract will come from UK Defence Innovation and is expected to be valued at around GBP10 million. 

It is projected that the contract will run between February 2026 and February 2028. 

To participate, companies need to have been onboarded on Commercial X’s Dynamic Market, with the notice stating a “particular suitability” for smaller companies.  

According to the notice, work is set to take place in the South and South West of England, which is a hub for UK maritime technology, featuring several relevant institutions such as the Maritime Technology Centre.