Tech start-ups, innovators and academics are being offered
the chance to showcase and test their novel sensor and
payload technology on the Royal Navy’s first extra large
autonomous test submarine.
The project offers a unique opportunity to undertake at-sea
testing and trials of industry and academia innovative
prototype technology on the pioneering Extra Large Uncrewed
Underwater Vehicle (XLUUV) developed by MSubs Ltd through
the first stage of the Developing the Royal
Navy’s Autonomous Underwater Capability programme with
the Defence and Security
Accelerator (DASA) and the Defence Science and
Technology Laboratory (Dstl).
MOD will supply and support the XLUUV to allow for
technology to be fitted and integrated, trials to be
planned and carried out, and equipment removal. In
addition, up to £20k will be made available to innovators
who are selected for this opportunity to cover travel and
subsistence costs.
The XLUUV will be made available to test on-board systems,
sensors and payloads required to support a range of
scenarios to help develop the Royal Navy’s understanding of
the utility and operational boundaries of uncrewed
underwater vehicle systems.
Full scope and examples of sensor and enabling capabilities
we are interested in can be found in the competition
document.
The testing is not intended at this point to lead to a
procurement of sensors or payloads.
The main aim of this activity is to help the Royal Navy
shape future requirements and design future capabilities
and concepts of operation whilst providing innovators in
industry and academia the opportunity to develop and test
technology aligned to this future capability.
We are seeking novel solutions which might be prototypes
(above Technical
Readiness Level (TRL) 4) or commercial off-the-shelf
(COTS) products adapted for novel use, which can be
integrated with the XLUUV.
Those wishing to take part need to submit an initial
one-page pitch via the DASA online submission service by
midday on 8 March.
A panel of experts from the Royal Navy, Dstl and MSubs will
review the pitches. Organisations will then be invited to
submit a full proposal before 13 April 2021 at midday
(BST).
A series of pre-bookable one-to-one sessions with the
project team are available on March 2 and March 16.
Register here for 2 March 2021
(closing date Friday 26 Feb at 6pm).
Register here for 16 March 2021
(closing date Friday 12 March at 6pm)
MSubs Ltd, a Plymouth-based small and medium sized
business, was previously awarded £1m to
develop the test submarine.
