Applications are invited for the assessment of C-UAS (Counter-Drone) SAPIENT C2 Systems by the UK MoD RIC

Tender description

The misuse of small uncrewed aircraft systems (sUAS) represents a significant and growing risk to operations and day-to-day Defence activity both in the UK and overseas. The Rapid Innovation Cell (RIC), endorsed by the Military Capability Board, has been established as part of the UAS Capability Development Centre (UASCDC) to test and evaluate (T&E) mature C-sUAS capabilities and generate a managed Defence database of available capabilities. Through a regular programme of T&E events, the RIC will establish the efficacy of commercially available capabilities. It will also increase broader awareness of the C-sUAS market and support a more agile method of delivering capability to the front line. To prevent capability gaps and ensure interoperability, it is intended that Defence C-sUAS systems will use the ‘SAPIENT’ open architecture. This will also ensure that our systems can evolve at the component level enabling the spiral development of capability. Lot 1: RIC Test Cycle #5 The RIC has established a series of Test Cycles. Each Test Cycle will focus on a particular subset of C-UAS systems. Suppliers of mature C-UAS SAPIENT C2 products are invited to apply to have their product’s performance assessed by the RIC. To apply you must complete an online questionnaire for your product. The product questionnaire will be available from 11:00am Monday 31st October, 2022, and responses must be fully completed and submitted by 11:00am Monday 28th November, 2022. Please complete a separate product questionnaire for each product that you wish to put forward for assessment. Test Cycle #5, will focus on mature C-UAS products that conform to the following scope: 1. The product must be a CUAS Command and Control (C2) system consisting of software running on computer hardware with a graphical user interface. 2. The product must have valid SAPIENT interfaces such that it can successfully connect to multiple SAPIENT ASMs (Sensors and Effectors) simultaneously. 3. The minimum requirement is to be able to receive & display SAPIENT data from two different sensors and send valid SAPIENT tasks to one effector. Your response to the product questionnaire will be carefully evaluated. Your product will be eligible for the next phase of testing if it meets our maturity requirements and is clearly within the scope described above. A full set of guidance and testing criteria are provided on the UK C-sUAS Defence Portal. The RIC maintains a register of potential C-UAS suppliers. All potential suppliers registered with the RIC will receive access to the UK C-UAS Defence Portal. The online product questionnaire will be hosted on the UK C-UAS Defence Portal and is the only way to apply for testing with the RIC. Please use the following web address to register with the RIC: https://uascdc.com/industry/open-supplier-register.aspx {Contact e-mail for enquiries: UASCDC-RIC@qinetiq.com, Tel: +44 (0)1684 895836} Additional information: This PIN does not constitute the start of any procurement activity or resultant contract - it is for information only, to advise industry on the next stage of the trials programme and where further information can be sought. A questionnaire is completed at your own risk and, if successful, does not automatically enter you into the next phase. The Test Programme is subject to change.