Innovation Exchange challenge: Counter Multi-Domain Unmanned Vehicles & Vessels
BAE Systems invites innovative solutions that can support the timely and successful conduct of Counter Multi-Domain Unmanned Vehicles and Vessels (C-UxV) in response to increasingly complex and diverse threats.
Opportunity Details
When
Registration Opens
17/03/2025
Registration Closes
30/05/2025
Award
Successful applicants will be invited to the BAE Systems Codeathon in Portsmouth during July 2025. The Codeathon will provide an opportunity to directly engage with BAE Systems and other innovators and to pitch your solution to BAE Systems.
Background
Counter Unmanned Vehicles and Vessels (C-UxVs) brings together the core elements of sensing, decision making, kinetic and non-kinetic effects to provide defence against unmanned threats.
The market opportunity for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in C-UxV is significant and growing, driven by the increasing complexity of modern security threats, technological advancements, and the need for more agile and cost-effective solutions.
This challenge is being set by BAE Systems the UK’s largest defence and security company that serve, supply and protect those who serve and protect us. At BAE Systems, we provide some of the world’s most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions. Technology and innovation are central to our business.
They underpin our strategy and the development of our products and services. Developing innovative technologies is a key part of the work we do to ensure we have a sustainable business that will continue to create value for our stakeholders and inspire our employees. Partnering with academic and industrial leaders we develop new technologies to support our future product strategies. This enables us to deliver innovative, affordable and effective capabilities to our customers and drive sustainable growth within the business.
Our customers place a strong emphasis on innovation and working with SMEs to enhance the capability and effectiveness of the nation’s defence. They recognize that SMEs can play a crucial role in providing cutting-edge technologies, specialized skills, and innovative solutions that complement the larger defence contractors.
Modern challenges in defence are multifaceted and continuously evolving, driven by technological advancements, geopolitical shifts, and new forms of warfare. These challenges are shaped by both state and non-state actors, and they require innovative solutions, agility, and international cooperation.
Any information, data or software shared by any participant in the Codeathon will not be considered confidential. Participating in the Codeathon will not affect the ownership of existing IP. Any IP created during the Codeathon will be vested in the generator.
The Challenge
This challenge is inviting SMEs, Research Technology Organisations (RTOs) and university research programmes to demonstrate innovative solutions to capability that will ensure the timely and successful conduct of Counter Unmanned Vehicles and Vessels (C-UxVs) in response to increasingly complex and diverse threats.
C-UxVs refers to a coordinated defence and security system that can detect, track, intercept, and neutralise or destroy unmanned vehicles, such as drones or other types of autonomous or remotely controlled vehicles, in the defence of people, territory, forces, locations or assets. These unmanned vehicles can operate in the air, at sea (above and under the water) or on land, and are typically used for surveillance, reconnaissance, or carrying out attacks, and pose significant threats to military installations, sensitive infrastructure, or civilians.
BAE Systems is actively seeking partnerships with SMEs to stay at the forefront of technological innovation. By collaborating on research and development (R&D), SMEs can have their innovations integrated into broader C-UxV systems, gaining exposure to larger markets and benefiting from the infrastructure and experience of BAE Systems. SMEs can act as subcontractors or technology partners, contributing specific capabilities, such as advanced algorithms, into a larger project.
Who can apply?
This opportunity is open to both academic and industrial practitioners. Industrial participants can be established businesses, start-ups or SMEs of any size. Research Technology Organisations (RTOs) such as Catapults are eligible to apply.
Rewards and market opportunity
Successful applicants will be invited to the BAE Systems Codeathon in Portsmouth during July 2025. The Codeathon will provide an opportunity to directly engage with BAE Systems and other innovators and to pitch your solution to BAE Systems. BAE Systems will continue to engage with the best solutions on suitable next steps to mature their solutions and engage with potential customers. Innovative solutions that support timely and effective Counter UxV could have access to a market estimated at around £1.82Bn rising to £2.64Bn by 2032.
Related programme
Innovation Exchange
Innovate UK Innovation Exchange is a cross-sector programme supporting innovation transfer by matching industry challenges to innovative companies from other sectors. It does this by putting large businesses with technical needs in contact with companies who have the right innovative solutions, for faster development of novel solutions.