Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) Development - Phase 1 Exploration

Defence is seeking innovative technologies to detect, track, identify, and neutralize mass and low-cost unmanned threats cost-effectively without depleting conventional ammunition stockpiles. Current systems face limitations including restricted firepower capacity, high engagement costs, and difficulty adapting to evolving threats. Phase 1 focuses on identifying and supporting organizations to accelerate development of existing technologies toward deployable counter-UAS systems, with particular interest in Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) effectors, though alternative credible novel approaches are welcome. The desired capability should be autonomous, vehicle-mounted, and protect deployed forces against complex saturation attacks while delivering affordable combat effectiveness. The solution must address Class 1 unmanned aerial systems and small aerial threats, support scalable integration onto future uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs), and align with broader Joint Ground-Based Air Defence (GBAD) capabilities. Successful Phase 1 submissions will lead to iterative development through subsequent phases, with potential transition to operational deployment, wider adoption through a Programme of Record, and export opportunities. Organizations should demonstrate feasibility of their technology within the specified scope without delivering a complete operational system in Phase 1.