The Defence Ministry is gathering industry input on cost-effective systems designed to counteract uncrewed threats, forming part of a broader initiative aimed at augmenting existing missile defences under Project METIS, as understood by the UK Defence Journal.
An RFI, publicly disseminated through the Find a Tender platform, delineates strategies for crafting scalable, modular “effectors” engineered to confront the escalating number of uncrewed systems encountered in maritime environments. This undertaking is an integral component of the Royal Navy’s transition towards a “Hybrid Navy” doctrine, where manned and unmanned platforms operate in concert, offering enhanced adaptability.
The demand primarily involves neutralizing both aerial and surface-based threats through diverse strategies, with the MoD suggesting that viable options might encompass both electronic and physical methods. Anticipated system attributes include seamless interaction amongst various platforms and operational spheres, prioritizing quick setup and an insignificant integration load for host vessels.
The core of Project METIS revolves around the deployment of containerised Persistent Operational Deployment Systems (PODS), generally conforming to typical 20-foot ISO container dimensions. Such units are designed to accommodate operational equipment deployable on naval vessels, ground vehicles, and potentially additional platforms, featuring standardized connections for energy supply, thermal management, and command operations.
Furthermore, the RFI underscores a drive for increased self-governance, anticipating that solutions will function with minimal human intervention once engagements begin, yet retaining the capacity to incorporate signals from disparate systems. This methodology mirrors a broader endeavor to handle escalating threat intricacy without substantially burdening personnel.
Durability and expandability stand as pivotal factors, with the MoD emphasizing that proposed solutions ought to be mass-producible and sustained by robust logistical networks. Moreover, these systems are foreseen to function over prolonged durations requiring scant upkeep, encompassing the capability for uninterrupted operation for as long as 30 days without direct input.
The announcement clarifies that the specification is still in its nascent phase, as the RFI aims to hone the prerequisites and guide subsequent acquisition choices. No firm undertaking to advance has been established currently, thus vendors are anticipated to present prospective offerings drawing upon existing market proficiencies.