Innovation in Support of Operations Phase 2 (Cycle 6) is now open

• DASA has launched Phase 2 (Cycle 6) of Innovation in Support of Operations
• Funded by the Ministry of Defence
• Cycle 6 closes on 14 October 2025 at 12:00 Midday (BST)

The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is pleased to launch Phase 2 (Cycle 6) of our fast paced Themed Competition Innovation in Support of Operations. Run on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, this competition is looking for innovative proposals that are cost competitive, designed for manufacture, and can be scaled in an approximate twelve-month timeframe.

Competition key information

Phase Two – expected to consist of three cycles:

All above times are BST.

Background: Why we need innovation in this area

The UK Government continuously evaluates insights from global events, to rapidly implement solutions that strengthen military and economic advantage.

This competition aims to identify and accelerate innovative solutions and techniques, ensuring they can be scaled and deployed faster than our adversaries.

Competition challenges

This competition has five challenge areas:

1. UAS Propulsion

In this challenge area we are looking for:

• Novel means of propulsion for small to medium UAS.
• Novel means of manufacture/design of traditional UAS engines for small to medium UAS to increase scale of manufacture at a market leading price.

We are not looking for the UAS platforms themselves, but you will need to demonstrate your solution on a representative platform or in another appropriate form of demonstration.

2. Repair or Recondition of 155mm Artillery Barrels

We are looking for innovative solutions to repair or recondition 155mm artillery barrels in order to extend barrel life.

3. Maritime Autonomous Navigation

In this challenge we are seeking autonomous navigation systems for maritime surface vessels.

4. Seekers

We are looking for novel systems directed against:

1. RF transmitters at frequencies ranging from 200 MHz to 40 GHz
2. Class I(d), Class II and Class III UAS *
3. Medium to large maritime surface targets.

*Please refer to the table in the full Competition Document

5.UAS Defeat

This challenge seeks novel proposals that can integrate with and take a track from an air defence command and control system. Then subsequently acquire the target UAS, generate a more accurate threat vector and direct an effector towards it such that it can be destroyed. The effector should be ground launched. Solutions that can be adapted to changes in threat systems and operating environments are of particular interest.

These challenges are designed to identify innovations that could be deployed, at an appropriate scale, in operational areas within 12 months.

Technology Readiness Levels (TRL)

For this competition we are seeking technology output and demonstration to reach at least technology readiness level (TRL) 6 by the end of the project.