Universal Heavy-lift UAV Carriage System

We desire a universal carriage system for Heavy-lift UAVs that is platform agnostic. We aim to: Draw on the knowledge and experience of industry to develop and optimize such a system; Inform its emerging doctrinal applications; and better understand the balance of both systemic and situational risk factors associated with its use.

To date, experimentation and development of UAV carriage-of-equipment has largely been focused on individual UAV platforms and the attachment of various items direct to the platform. However, this has generally required the UAV to land; has proven to be relatively slow in reconfiguration; and has required various additional safety restrictions to ensure personnel interacting with the system are at ALARP risk. Direct attachment of unproven loads may also compromise the in-flight stability/agility of the UAV.

Initial requirements for the desired universal carriage system:

It is intended that the Authority will hold a supplier day in the near future.

Additional information:

Please register your expression of interest in solving this problem by emailing Maj G Harvey (graham.harvey618@mod.gov.uk) with your desired contact details and a very brief summary of your experience and interest on this subject. At the closing date of this Open Early Engagement, details of a supplier day will be shared using these contact details to provide all interested parties with the opportunity to ask questions and discuss in more detail.