UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) has launched a new competition called Project PANOPTES. Run on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), the competition seeks an integrated, counter-uncrewed aerial system (C-UAS) force-protection capability.
The MOD is seeking innovations to detect, track, identify, decide and defeat mass and low-cost threats in a cost-effective manner and without being overwhelmed or exhausting stockpiles. UKDI said existing approaches are constrained by current capability, high costs, limited manoeuvrability and the pace of evolving UAS, hence the launch of the new competition.
“Solutions should protect deployed troops against complex attacks designed to overwhelm existing infrastructure and munition stocks,” UKDI said. “It should deliver a more affordable response to emerging air threats than legacy systems, and should exploit open architectures, platform-generated power, modular design and be capable of autonomous operation. The MOD is interested in a range of innovative and credible solutions including, but not limited to, Laser Directed Energy Weapons (LDEWs) and effectors.”
The solution should also consider integration with a future uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV), integration with a future Army and Joint Ground-Based Air Defence (GBAD) capability, and potential export opportunities.
This competition will use a 2-stage submission process. Stage 1 provides an initial innovation screening process where applicants outline their idea. Stage 2 then requests detailed proposals on successful ideas by invite.
A launch webinar will take place on 9 September 2026 to provide further detail on the operational context of the problem space and a chance for attendees to ask questions in an open forum.
For more information
Project PANOPTES competition document at MOD
Image: Soldiers from 222 Signals Squadron on exercise on 22 July 2026. (Corporal Vincent Price, UK MOD Crown copyright 2026)
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