This Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) competition is run on behalf of the Royal Air Force’s Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO). Phase 2 follows on from the Phase 1 competition and is aimed at furthering the adoption of the PYRAMID Reference Architecture (PRA) in avionics and mission systems. We welcome proposals that explore the wider benefits of PYRAMID including collaborative working, component re-use, and rapid system adaptability at all development stages ‘from requirement to in-service’, including, for example, the generation and use of modular safety evidence.
For this competition we are building on previous success in PYRAMID adoption, and extending this even further to widen the PYRAMID supplier base, and to explore the adoption of the PYRAMID concepts as defined in the Technical Standard; but also the wider engineering processes enabled by PYRAMID in terms of rapid adaptability, re-use, collaborative working, and model based design, development, and verification/certification.
Whilst PYRAMID has already been de-risked and validated through analysis and demonstration, the Authority remain interested in lessons regarding the technical solution, documentation, and training material; along with other recommendations for further guidance material. This will be provided through the deliverables and reports. We also encourage proposals that develop collaboration between suppliers to demonstrate the advantages of adopting a consistent approach to modular system design and product line engineering. Funding through this competition is for adoption of the PRA and demonstrating PYRAMID compliance in avionics systems. Anything other than this will be considered out of scope for this competition.
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In 2014 the MOD launched PYRAMID, an initiative to design and develop an Open System Architecture (OSA) for all Air Mission Systems that would enable a step change in affordability and rapid adaptability. The project aimed to mature not only the technical solution for a comprehensive air system architecture applicable to new and extant systems, but also address the business change within MOD and UK companies, and demonstrate compliance with airworthiness certification and security accreditation regulations.
PYRAMID is a UK MOD (Ministry of Defence) initiative to develop rapidly adaptable avionics and mission systems designed to enhance collaboration through a suite of reusable, functional software components designed to operate within a well-defined software Reference Architecture enabled by systematic reuse processes and Model Based Systems Engineering. PYRAMID targets both future air systems and upgrades to legacy systems to deliver operational advantage, and to reduce the time and cost in implementing through-life capability enhancements. The MOD has made a significant investment in this initiative, and is now working across national and international programmes, and industrial partners, to support adoption and realise the tremendous benefits that PYRAMID can offer to military capability, effective collaboration, and industry programmes.
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DASA submissions are welcome from the private sector, academia and Public Sector Research Establishments (PSRE’s). DASA will examine the legal status of organisations prior to placement of any contract or agreement. In most cases there are no nationality restrictions, however DASA individual competition documents will detail any necessary restrictions.
DASA encourage collaboration between innovators for this competition. To support this, we have a short survey to collect details of those who wish to explore collaboration possibilities. If you are interested, please complete the collaboration survey by 1700 (GMT) on 12 November 2025. Details will be circulated to all who complete the survey every Thursday from October 9 until November 13. Absence of collaboration will not preclude submission into this competition.
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Total funding available: £3 million (excluding VAT). We expect to fund between 5 and 10 proposals.
Contracts should aim to start in April 2026.
Project duration: Equal to or less than 11 months assuming a start date of April 2026. Final deliverable date must be by 26 February 2027.
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Your proposal must include a plan which unambiguously specifies:
- what system will be re-engineered or developed to be PYRAMID compliant, how this forms part of a wider air system/capability, how these will be integrated into a deployable capability, and the proposed exploitation route for the system developed – This should include a clear indication of the PYRAMID compliant components that will be developed, although it is recognised that this may be refined as the project evolves
- the PYRAMID Concepts (as defined in the PYRAMID Technical Standard V1.0 and the associated Technical Standard Guidance) that will be applied
- what collaborative development will be undertaken (where applicable), which may include joint projects across multiple organisations or the re-use of components already developed by other projects or organisations
- how the work will support the wider benefits of PYRAMID such as rapid system adaptability, alignment with other modular open architecture standards, product line engineering, and end-to-end model based systems engineering to be achieved – This could include, for example, the demonstration of the generation of modular safety evidence to support more rapid aircraft re-certification following a change
The project will require you to:
- develop a PYRAMID compliant version of your avionics/mission system which may either be a new system or an existing system that is re-engineered
- provide demonstrations of the development environment including any Model Based Systems Engineering processes
- provide the following Deliverables:
- at least one interim report capturing progress to date building to
- a final ‘Technical’ report providing a description of the avionics/mission system, the PYRAMID components developed, the PYRAMID concepts adopted, and how PYRAMID compliance has been achieved and assessed, providing evidence accordingly. It is recognised that this report may need to include commercially sensitive technical information and intellectual property relating to the avionics/mission system to evidence achieving compliance, and accordingly DASA/MOD shall only use the Deliverable internally within MOD for information purposes, and to confirm the requirements of the competition and proposal have been met
- a final ‘Lessons Identified’ report (delivered under DEFCON 703) detailing:
- experiences in undertaking the PYRAMID training and the effectiveness of the course, including number of people trained
- potential improvements to the PYRAMID document set (clarity, detail, inclusion of worked examples)
- lessons regarding the PYRAMID deployment process adopted
- initial views regarding the benefits of adopting PYRAMID
- level of reuse enabled by PYRAMID (for example multiple instantiations of component types, potential for product line engineering)
- effectiveness of the PYRAMID Query Management Service (if required and used)
- the compatibility of PYRAMID with other open architecture standards and approaches
- views regarding provision of components developed into a ‘PYRAMID Marketplace’ for wider exploitation
In addition, you shall be required to:
- attend virtual monthly progress reviews to present project progress to date, including the taking and sharing of minutes
- attend quarterly face to face project progress review meetings at your UK premises, including the taking and sharing of minutes
- attend a 2 day end of project event in the London area ( maximum of 2 people) to present your work to interested MOD stakeholders in a closed meeting and network with other suppliers funded under this competition
In the unexpected event of project issues, you are expected to support additional virtual meetings/communication as required.
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Phase 1 of the PYRAMID Competition was designed specifically to accelerate the adoption of PRA in the development of systems and to understand if there are any improvements that can be made to the architecture or training information.
Phase 2 of the Competition is intended to continue these themes; we are particularly interested in encouraging projects which develop collaboration between suppliers and projects which focus on developing conceptual and enabling functionality of PYRAMID or wider engineering processes and approaches enabled by PYRAMID, with the potential to enhance the benefits of its adoption.
In all cases, a clear explanation of how the PYRAMID compliant components or deployments fit within the wider system or overarching capability will be essential to enabling an understanding of future exploitation into a deployable capability.
If you received funding under Phase 1 your proposal must explain clearly how your additional proposal will further the adoption of PYRAMID within your organisation.
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On 14 October 2025, 10am-12:30pm, DASA will hold a launch webinar providing further detail on the problem space and a chance to ask questions in an open forum. If you would like to participate, please register on the Eventbrite page.
On 23 October 2025, a series of 15 minute one-to-one teleconference sessions will be available, giving you the opportunity to ask specific technical questions to the competition team in a closed forum. Registration for these sessions will be available the day after the launch webinar on 14 October 2025, on the Eventbrite page. Booking will be on a first come first served basis.
DASA encourage collaboration between innovators for this competition. To support this, we have a short survey to collect details of those who wish to explore collaboration possibilities. If you are interested, please complete the collaboration survey by 1700 (GMT) on 12 November 2025. Details will be circulated to all who complete the survey every Thursday from October 9 until November 13.
If you are uncertain of the relevance of your innovation, it is strongly recommended that you contact your local DASA Innovation Partner to discuss your idea. To contact your local Innovation Partner, complete the Contact DASA Form by following instructions on the Contact a DASA Innovation Partner page, particularly if you do not already have an established relationship with your local Innovation Partner.
You can also contact Innovate UK Business Connect’s Security and Defence team.