Counter UAS (Uncrewed Aerial Systems) Technologies - Innovate UK Business Connect
AI Analysis
Innovate UK is launching a £5 million funding competition for UK-registered organizations to develop dual-use Counter-UAS (C-UAS) technologies. The competition focuses on solutions for both civil and military applications, targeting the protection of critical infrastructure and national security. Projects must be at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 or above, with a goal for deployment by 2028.
Key Takeaways
- Funding: Up to £5 million available, with individual project funding between £300,000 and £1.25 million (covering up to 70% of costs).
- Timeline: Application window opens May 5th, 2026, and closes June 3rd, 2026.
- Focus Areas: Detection, tracking, identification, and defeat of UAS threats with minimal collateral damage.
- Target Locations: Defence sites, airports, schools, public events, and Critical National Infrastructure (CNI).
- Technology Readiness: Solutions must be at TRL 5 or above, indicating a validated technology.
Why It Matters
This initiative signals a significant UK investment in bolstering its C-UAS capabilities, recognizing the growing threat posed by drones to both civilian and military assets. The emphasis on dual-use technologies and scalable solutions suggests a desire for cost-effective and adaptable defenses, and the focus on TRL 5+ indicates a push for near-term deployment of mature technologies.
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Counter UAS (Uncrewed Aerial Systems) Technologies
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £5m to develop dual use (civil & military) technologies to counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS).
Registration Details
Opens: 05/05/2026 Closes: 03/06/2026 11:00
Opportunity Type
Collaboration, Funding
Location
Award
Your project must have a total grant funding request of between £300,000 and £1.25 million. This can cover up to 70% of costs depending on business size and project type.
Organisation
Innovate UK
Sector
Find out more and apply
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), will invest up to £5 million to develop counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) dual use technologies that can be applied to both civil and military settings. This is subject to a sufficient number of high quality applications being received.
This competition supports counter UAS technologies that address the needs of national security, protection of critical national infrastructure and wider government priorities.
The competition will help support a resilient UK national security and defence ecosystem by accelerating innovation and the development of critical sovereign capabilities. It will also support ambitious companies developing technology ideas with high potential to scale, boost economic growth and reinforce a robust UK supply chain.
The aim of this competition is to develop new solutions to counter the illegal use of UAS around civil and military sites, including airports, prisons, critical national infrastructure, schools and public events.
We are interested in dual use technologies that can be applied across civil, defence, and security and intelligence domains.
We welcome solutions that can effectively detect, track, identify, decide and defeat current and emerging threats whilst minimising collateral damage and interference with communications and electronics.
Your project must develop and appropriately test, validate or demonstrate one of the following solution types:
- Solutions that provide protection from UAS across UK defence sites, airports, schools, public events and sites of critical national infrastructure (CNI), with a focus on cost effective and scalable solutions appropriate to the location. Technology solutions should already be at TRL5 or above and aiming for introduction and deployment by 2028.
- Affordable solution