The launch system must be built to fit in the body of a sprinter truck or transit van.  

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is seeking a launch system to deploy fixed-wing uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), a 4 June contract notice has revealed.

Outlining requirements for the system, the UK MoD said it must be able to launch at least five UAVs at a minimum speed of 200km/h within four minutes of the first launch and recover within a maximum of 10 minutes from the first launch.  

Minimal set up time and crew size are required, and the launcher must be operable at any time of day and in a range of environmental conditions.

It must be robust to avoid frequent repairs and be designed such that it can launch UAVs of varying sizes and at various launch angles.

The launcher will be used in a “high threat environment with persistent enemy surveillance”, the MoD said, and therefore must create a minimal acoustic, heat, and visual signature such that it is capable of “hiding in plain sight”.  

It must also be transportable by vehicle, specifically either a large body sprinter truck or regular transit van, should weigh no more than 275kg, and launch UAVs with a take-off weight below 125kg.

How can industry get involved?

Businesses are encouraged to attend a ‘Project Volley Challenge Session’ on 18 June which will gather industry partners from NATO, Ukraine, and the Five-Eyes alliance to contribute to the initiative.

The deadline for registering for this session is 11 June though project timelines are not yet confirmed, a spokesperson for Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) told DSEI Gateway.

“The project timelines are currently being planned. The ITT [invitation to tender] will be launched over the summer period and industry will likely have 4-6 weeks to respond”, the spokesperson said.

The project is open to both primes and small and medium-sized enterprises, they added, with time, cost, and performance all key considerations in assessing the right solution.

A complete solution is not necessary, the MoD said in its initial contract notice, and businesses should still participate even if their solution addresses only some of the challenge’s requirements.

More than 20 launchers are anticipated to be needed around six months after the industry day and the unit price must be under GBP300,000. Businesses are also encouraged to work together to meet the requirements of Project Volley, the MoD added.  

Other key dates in the project include a “Dragon’s Den” competition on 1 August, UK field demonstration and testing from 25 October, and the first deliveries of launchers in January 2026. 

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