UAS Heavy Lift Challenge [UASHLC]

In order to stimulate the 100kg lift Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) market, the Future Capability Group (FCG) and the Royal Navy Office of Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) delivered a programme called the Heavy Lift Challenge (HLC) in 2021/22 at Predannack Airfield, Cornwall. Two companies were funded to accelerate their platform capabilities towards a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) of 200kg.

The Authority is now looking launch HLC Ph2 in order to broaden its investment in these 2 potential operational use cases that will intend to be as follows (but not limited to and not yet fully defined as):-

1. Intra-Theatre Lift:– entry 100kg; MVP 200kg; Stretch 300kg payload lift over entry 5nM; MVP 10nM; Stretch 50nM (nautical miles)
2. Inter-Theatre Lift:– entry 50kg; MVP 75kg; Stretch 125kg payload lift over entry 150nM; MVP 300nM; Stretch 550nM (nautical miles)

This notice is to invite industry who have mature systems in either of these 2 main areas to attend the HLC Ph2 Industry Engagement Day at i-Aero in Yeovil on the 5th July 2022 (timings TBD).

Industry attendance will be limited to 2 attendees per company. To register attendance for the industry day, provide names of attendees Via the Defence Sourcing Portal and at the time of submission, must confirm they have a system that meets either minimum entry criteria of payload lift of 100kg over 5nM OR 50kg over 150nM AND can fly in Aug 22 (location TBD). To do this, please supply a product data sheet. Deadline for confirmation of attendees by no later than 1200hrs on 1 Jul 22. You will be informed if we do not deem your product to be suitable for HLC Ph2.

The aim for this day is to engage the market on the forthcoming HLC Ph2 acceleration programme which will start in August 22. The following will be discussed:

1. The HLC financial opportunities for those who have systems and are able to show their capabilities in Aug 22
2. The HLC commercial framework and how it will be used to stimulate the market
3. Learning and Lessons from HLC Ph1
4. Networking and discussions
5. i-Aero and its intent for the southwest economy

i-Aero is Somerset Council’s purpose-built £2M UK Rotorcraft research, design and innovation facility in Yeovil.

All briefing material will be available after the industry day.

It is recommended you attend in person to be able to be fully engaged but a MS Teams option may be available. Additional information: Please see PIN details:

contracts.mod.uk/esop/guest/go/opport… ↗