Aerial Search and Surveillance Service for HM Coastguard

HM Coastguard (HMCG) is seeking to procure an additional Search and Surveillance service to provide near real-time situational awareness in support of specialized search and rescue (SAR) operations. This service will complement existing helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft capabilities provided under the UKSAR2G contract, enabling the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and other government departments to meet their broader maritime and coastguard objectives. The MCA will procure intelligence, search, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets capable of delivering persistent maritime situational awareness in designated areas of operation. The service is not required to provide national coverage. Operational Requirements: - Capability to operate continuously for up to 24 hours or more during high-risk periods - Extended operations spanning consecutive days or weeks - Near real-time data provision to support SAR decision-making The MCA welcomes solution-agnostic proposals and is open to different technological approaches (including unmanned systems, manned aircraft, maritime vessels, or other platforms) provided they can demonstrably meet the requirement to deliver effective persistent maritime situational awareness where needed.