Guidance

Market Engagement Document: Countering Fibre Optic Uncrewed Aerial Systems

Published 27 March 2026

UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) is running a Market Engagement activity on behalf of the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), seeking novel ideas to detect and defeat fibre optically controlled uncrewed aerial systems.

1. Description

The conflict in Ukraine has demonstrated rapid uncrewed aerial system (UAS) evolution. This evolution has included UAS controlled by trailing fibre optic cables, which are immune to conventional radio frequency countermeasures.

To defeat this threat, MOD  is seeking novel (and potentially repurposed) capabilities to detect, track, identify and defeat fibre optically controlled UAS. Solutions should integrate seamlessly into a layered, open-architecture system approach (e.g., SAPIENT – an MOD common data standard) and deliver clear tactical advantages, including: optimisation of lethality, engagement timelines, and cost effectiveness.

Future adversary adaptation should also be considered. Solutions may be for fixed sites or mobile tactical users, who are expected to operate in far-forward frontline positions.

2. What this is:

MOD is seeking novel ideas to detect and defeat fibre optically controlled UAS; other programmes and projects exist that seek to defeat UAS more broadly. MOD is also very interested to hear industry perspectives on whether or not this is possible, including the feasibility (can the technology be developed), viability (is it cost-effective), and desirability (is it tactically useful).

3. What this is not:

This problem is not considering wider counter-UAS approaches that are agnostic of fibre optic control. While important, this excludes areas such as protection of the operator and kinetic defeat of the UAS. However, it is acknowledged that an integrated capability (detect, track, etc.) may rely on wider counter-UAS capabilities. For example, audio detection of the UAS, followed by defeat of the fibre optic cable.

4. How to submit a Market Exploration Submission to UK Defence Innovation (UKDI)

Responses to this Market Engagement must be submitted via the UKDI submission service, for which you will need to register.  We recommend you use a Google Chrome browser to access the UKDI submission service.

You will be asked to provide the following detail:

1. Your innovation: Outline what your innovation does and how it meets the requirements outlined.

2. Maturity: If already on the market where is it being delivered (UK or globally) and is the innovation reliant on delivery with third parties (part of a supply chain)? If a lower maturity, who is involved in the development, is there investment secured to progress to market and in what predicted timescale?

3. Scalability: Can your innovation be delivered at scale?  What is your capacity to deliver (eg XXX units within YYY timeframe)? If additional assistance is required to deliver at scale — such as support from Primes or Catapults — please outline your needs.

4. Your engagement so far: What engagement have you had to date across Government, Defence and Security organisations? Please name specific teams within organisations and confirm what level of exposure to the innovation those teams have had (where security and confidentiality requirements permit).

5. Nationality: Are you a UK limited company, listed at Companies House? Is your supply chain (Tier 1 / 2) UK based?

Submissions must be submitted by Midday 12:00 (BST) on 21 April 2026. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept any submissions after this point.

Please only provide details of one product/capability per submission. If you have a number of potential solutions, then please submit multiple forms.

Please note that the Guidance Notes provided in the above link are generic; those which relate specifically to the submission of Proposals for Competitions are not relevant to this Market Engagement and should be disregarded.

If you have any questions, then please email accelerator@dstl.gov.uk with “Countering Fibre Optic Uncrewed Aerial Systems in the subject line.

5. How we use your information

Information you provide to us in a Market Engagement Submission that is not already available to us from other sources, will be handled in-confidence. By submitting a Market Engagement Submission, you are giving us permission to keep and use the information for our internal purposes, and to provide the information onwards, in-confidence, within UK Government. UKDI will not use or disclose the information for any other purpose, without first requesting permission to do so.

6. NOTICE TO READER AND DISCLAIMERS:

Responses shall not include any information that is commercially sensitive

For the avoidance of doubt, this document is not a call for competition. Any comments, indications of interest, participation, or non-participation by any organisation at this stage will not influence the process, selection and/or award decision for any future possible procurement, nor will it be taken as a supplier’s committed position.

Please note that this is a request for information only and should not be construed as a commitment from the MOD that a Tender/Contract will be issued as a result of this market engagement. In this regard, it does not constitute a solicitation (Request for Proposal or Request for Quotation) nor is it a promise to issue solicitation in the future. This notice does not commit the MOD to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. All costs/expenditure associated with responding to this opportunity and participating in any subsequent discussions will lie solely with the participant. The MOD is under no obligation to proceed with a formal procurement or in any other way proceed with the process and shall not be liable to any participants for any costs arising from participation in this process.

The information contained within this document remains the property of the MOD and may be used only for the purpose of informing a response to this document.

The information contained in this document and any further information (whether written, electronic or oral) supplied by the Secretary of State and/or any of its representatives in respect of this document is, and will be, supplied on the condition that neither the Secretary of State, any of its representatives nor any agents, servants, officers or affiliates of the Secretary of State or its representatives whatsoever is liable for any error, omission, or inaccuracy therein nor for any loss or damage sustained by any party arising as a result of reliance on such information or any subsequent communication, including any error or omission or inaccuracy resulting from any negligent act or omission of any of the Secretary of State, its representatives or any other person (other than in respect of fraudulent misrepresentation). No party accepts any responsibility or gives any undertaking to provide further information, including any information required to correct any earlier inaccuracy or error.

You should note that any copyright in the information provided by the MOD as part of the market engagement process, any further documents issued by the MOD or its representatives in relation to this document, rests with the Crown. All other intellectual property rights in such documentation shall remain the property of the Secretary of State and no recipient shall obtain any right, title or interest therein. Such documentation may not be reproduced, copied or stored in any medium, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the Secretary of State, other than as strictly required for the preparation of responses to this document.