VSS has supplied safety-critical seating for armoured vehicles since 2009, helping protect personnel from under-vehicle blast threats such as improvised explosive devices (IEDs). However, the rise of drone warfare has significantly changed the threat landscape. Attacks from above and the sides of vehicles can result in severe casualties, creating a need for additional protection measures. As manned armoured vehicles will continue to play an important role in military operations, VSS is seeking solutions that can enhance personnel protection against evolving drone-based threats.
The Challenge
The challenge is to extend the blast mitigation features of existing seats used in armoured vehicles designed to meet NATO STANAG 4569 protection levels. Further details of the current seat design are provided at the Innovation Exchange site.
Additional protection is likely to be required above, and potentially to the sides of, the seated occupant to address emerging threats from drone attacks. Solutions could be permanently integrated or rapidly deployed when there is warning of an attack and should also consider scenarios where drone strikes are accompanied by under-hull blast events.
To support end-user acceptance, proposed solutions should be validated through appropriate development and testing processes, including finite element analysis (FEA), drop testing and live testing. Any additional protection must not add excessive weight that could compromise vehicle armour requirements. Equally, the existing blast mitigation features of the seat must remain unchanged, although solutions may enhance their overall protective performance.
VSS are particularly interested in low-cost, scalable solutions that can address the challenge efficiently. VSS has a strong track record of developing new products and systems, supported by significant investment over its 19-year history, and welcomes ideas that can demonstrate practical impact and value.
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Entrants to this competition must be:
- Established businesses, academic institutions, start-ups, SMEs, or individual entrepreneurs
- UK based or have the intention to set up a UK base
Your project must:
- Have a grant funding request up to £60,000 (eligible costs only, see below).
- Start in January 2026 and complete by 31 March 2027
- Carry out its project work in the UK.
- Intend to exploit the results from or in the UK.
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The solution should utilise proven materials currently available on the market, such as Kevlar, while also considering emerging materials being developed to address similar protection challenges. It must fit within existing vehicle geometries and be suitable for safe use by personnel ranging from the 5th to the 95th percentile in size while wearing standard battle dress and helmets.
Any additional protection features, including their storage when not deployed, must not significantly reduce the available internal space within the vehicle. The solution should also be adaptable to different vehicle configurations and capable of being tailored to specific end-user requirements.
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The solution should be capable of meeting relevant MOD and NATO regulations, standards and certification requirements applicable to armoured vehicle protection systems. The solution must not require significant modifications to existing vehicle architecture. Occupants must remain securely restrained within the seat system while retaining the ability to rapidly release harnesses and safely exit the vehicle when required.VSS is registered with JOSCAR, the supplier qualification system used by major defence buyers, and solutions should be developed with defence-sector procurement and compliance requirements in mind.
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The solution must be capable of operating effectively within the confined environment of armoured vehicles and under the demanding conditions encountered during military operations. It should maintain its protective performance across a range of operational scenarios, including exposure to vibration, shock, extreme temperatures, dust, moisture and prolonged use.The solution must not impede normal vehicle operations, occupant movement, emergency procedures or rapid vehicle evacuation. It should be robust, reliable and suitable for deployment in active conflict environments where threats may originate from both aerial attacks and under-vehicle blast events.
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Solutions that require fundamental redesign of the vehicle platform or replacement of the existing blast-mitigating seat system are out of scope. Proposed approaches must not reduce occupant safety, compromise the vehicle’s existing protection capabilities, restrict emergency egress, or create additional operational risks for personnel.Solutions that cannot realistically be integrated into existing armoured vehicle configurations, or which impose unacceptable space, weight or usability constraints, are unlikely to be suitable for this challenge.
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There are thousands of armoured vehicles in operation across NATO countries and other international markets. As drone warfare continues to reshape battlefield requirements, defence organisations are looking for practical ways to enhance the protection of existing vehicle fleets rather than replace them entirely.
A successful solution could have applications across a wide range of armoured vehicle platforms and anti-blast seating systems, creating significant opportunities for future commercialisation, licensing and technology transfer. With defence spending increasing globally, and many nations seeking locally produced defence capabilities, the market potential extends well beyond a single customer or vehicle platform.
Successful applicants will be given an opportunity to pitch to VSS. The winning applicant, as selected by the company, will then be eligible to apply for up to £60,000 grant funding to kickstart the development of the proposed solution through a 3 month project.
Selected solutions will be trialled with potential for further adoption if trials are successful.
The benefits package for a successful applicant may also include:
- Support from Innovate UK Business Connect
- Support in the development of a prototype or pilot
- Technical support
- Invitation to attend or present at Innovate UK Business Connect events
- A potential business collaboration
- Investor introductions (if investment is required)
- Support if any Innovate UK or similar competitions are relevant
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- Challenge launch: 5 October 2026
- Deadline for applications: Friday 6 November 2026
- Review of applicants: Monday 9 – Friday 13 November 2026
- Selection and notification of finalists: Friday 13 – Tuesday 17 November 2026
- Pitch Day: Wednesday 25 November – Wednesday 3 December 226
- Confirm selected solution provider: By Friday 4 December 2026
- Submission to Innovation Funding Service (IFS): December 2026
- Project length: 3 months. (Starting by 1 March 2027 and complete no later than 31 May 2027)