The Defence and Security Accelerator, part of UK Defence Innovation (UKDI-DASA), in partnership with the Defence Science Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is seeking proposals for innovations which will deliver autonomous sensor management and fusion approaches, which are able to detect and counter activity designed to deceive Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) efforts. Building on Phase 1, which focused on developing algorithmic solutions and simulated demonstrations, Phase 2 will deliver solutions at TRL 6, to be demonstrated using representative sensing networks. Projects are expected to run from May 2026 to December 2027 for not less than 18 months with up to £1 million funding available. We expect to fund up to two collaborative projects. Participation in Phase 1 is not a requirement to submit a proposal in Phase 2.

The Ministry of Defence has committed to investing more than £1bn to integrate our Armed Forces through a new Digital Targeting Web, set to be delivered in 2027. This will operate across the integrated force by connecting sensors, deciders and effectors to create choice and speed when operating in any contested domain, including electromagnetic (EM), space and cyber. Practical methods which detect and counter activities designed to deceive the ISR picture are crucial for such operations; adversaries inherently hide their state and project false intent in order to maximize the success of their own missions. Defence scenarios are nearly unique in this respect, and we therefore cannot rely on methods developed for more benign or cooperative situations. Techniques must actively be crafted which have the understanding of deceptive activity built-in.

This competition is part of Dstl’s Sensor Fusion and Management (SFM) project which promotes research and development into sensor management, information fusion and countering ISR deception. The project sits under Dstl’s Sense & Understand  programme and the research generated feeds into the “Sensing” defence capability.

DASA submissions are welcome from the private sector, academia and Public Sector Research Establishments (PSREs).

Collaboration between innovators, small and medium enterprises, and systems integrators is strongly encouraged 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.

The information (including personal details) you provide will be circulated among the innovators who have completed the survey. The sharing of details will only be done after an initial screening process has taken place; we reserve the right to not share all details.

All collaboration for proposal submissions is on an innovator-innovator basis. It is the innovators’ responsibility to determine the suitability of collaborators.

Inclusion or absence of collaboration  will not preclude assessment.

Participation in Phase 1 of this call is not a pre-requisite for participation in Phase 2. We do not intend, however, to cover the same early development stages as Phase 1 and therefore will not fund innovations which require development below TRL 4. Technology should start at TRL 4 and aim to reach TRL 6 by the end of the project.

Contracts are expected to start in May 2026 and should complete by 31 Dec 2027.

The total budget is £1m and DASA expect to fund 2 collaborative proposals.

As part of MOD’s ‘NATO first’ strategy, demonstration via the NATO Innovation Continuum  series of events is strongly encouraged. This is an allied initiative to accelerate the adoption of emerging and disruptive technologies. The event will be a high-profile opportunity to demonstrate innovations in front of a defence stakeholder audience. Working with Dstl, suppliers should aim to attend the 2026 series of events as observers with the view to participating in 2027. Prospective suppliers should include appropriate costings for travel and subsistence for staff at these events in their proposals.

This competition seeks:

• autonomous sensor management and information fusion approaches to counter activity which seeks to deceive ISR operations
• demonstration using a representative sensing network in a relevant environment (i.e. at Technology Readiness Level 6)
• use of open standards, in particular to interface with the wider ISR enterprise via the SAPIENT   standard
• innovations capable of being brought to market by an appropriate collaboration between development partners
• suppliers to look beyond phase 2 by using collaborative demonstration opportunities with a diverse range of stakeholders.

Phase 2 projects will deliver outputs at TRL 6. There will be the opportunity to work with Dstl to integrate solutions into a larger-scale demonstration of these algorithms, through an integrated physical demonstration, utilising the SAPIENT standard and compatible sensors.

If you are uncertain of the relevance of your innovation, it is strongly recommended that you contact your local UKDI-DASA Innovation Partner to discuss your idea. You can initiate this through the submission of a Contact UKDI-DASA Form by following instructions on the Contact a UKDI-DASA Innovation Partner page if you do not already have an established relationship with your local Innovation Partner.

Your local Innovation Partner will initially explore the suitability of your idea within the context of the requirements of the competition. With specific interest in the aspects covered within the Competition Scope section.

Your local Innovation Partner will, if required, also advise you on the submission of an Innovation Outline (IO), primarily used to further explore the relevance of your idea to the competition.

You must submit this IO through the Submission Service regardless of an established relationship with your local Innovation Partner.

Submission of an IO for this competition will allow socialisation of the idea across the competition team, all elements of the IO will be shared. The competition team is made up of UKDI-DASA and Dstl staff. You should receive a response within two weeks, confirming whether or not your idea is in scope. The competition closes at 12:00 Midday on 10 February 2026 (GMT). UKDI-DASA cannot guarantee a response to an IO received after 27 January 2026.

DASA will hold a launch webinar on 16 December 2025 (10am-noon) 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.

Non-technical questions about the competition process should be sent to the UKDI-DASA Help Centre, accelerator@dstl.gov.uk.

Collaboration between innovators, small and medium enterprises, and systems integrators is strongly encouraged 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.

You can also contact Innovate UK Business Connect’s Security & Defence team for assistance.