In light of the significant and effective use of low cost Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) in the current Ukraine conflict, which includes commercial off the shelf (COTS) systems, the RAF Rapid Capability Office (RCO) is seeking objective evidence to support future low cost UAS plans and investment for the UK.  It is seeking input from organisations in both civil/commercial and defence sectors and has requested the UK Defence Solutions Centre (UKDSC) to explore the alignment between (i) potential MOD capability requirements, (ii) UK industrial and academic capability and capacity and (iii) export / international collaboration opportunities for priority capabilities.

The assessment will take the form of a survey and a selection of bilateral meetings between survey respondents and the RAF and UKDSC.  It aims to identify relevant capability and capacity in the defence and civil/commercial sectors.  The output is intended to provide a coherent and holistic view covering platforms, technologies, components, subsystems, operation, etc.

The survey may be accessed via the link below, and will be open until 31 August.  If there are any questions or issues with completing the survey, please contact air@ukdsc.org. All responses will be collated and anonymised.  As a thank you, a copy of the output will be available to all participants following publication.  In addition, a selection of organisations completing the survey may also be invited to bilateral discussions with the RAF RCO.

Survey link: https://survey.ukdsc.org/index.php/513416?lang=en