Dual-use aviation systems and autonomy

The aim of this competition is to support development of, and reduce barriers to the adoption and commercialisation of, key dual use aviation technologies. These are specifically Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS), hybrid electric Vertical Take off and Landing aircraft (eVTOLs), hybrid electric Conventional Take off and Landing aircraft (eCTOLs), and other swarming, collaborative or autonomous aviation systems.

Dual use items, including software and technology, are items which can be used for both civil and military purposes.

We are seeking innovative projects that will build on current state of the art technologies and progress towards commercialisation and operational readiness. Your application should also consider the potential to manufacture at scale and specific end user and operational needs.

This competition will support ambitious companies developing technology ideas with the potential to scale.

This competition also supports cross government priorities, including the government’s objectives of achieving routine Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) UAS operations from 2027, promoting public sector UAS adoption and achieving commercial piloted eVTOL operations from 2028.

We particularly welcome applications that focus on strategically important use cases, for example:

• search and rescue

• aerial delivery: including heavy lift logistics and routine delivery, this includes those that support offshore energy infrastructure

• aerial survey: including disaster support, national resilience and security, reconnaissance, scientific or environmental research, border protection, critical infrastructure inspection and policing

• medical support: including emergency support and evacuation

Your project must include a UK customer or operator as a partner. You must clearly state in your scope answer which partner meets this requirement.

Organisations are encouraged to actively use this B2Match platform to explore opportunities, build partnerships and strengthen their approach to participating in the competition.

Dual use is a new area for Innovate UK to support and represents a growing opportunity within the aviation innovation ecosystem. Organisations interested in this collaborative competition may have focussed previously on solely either civil or military applications and are now looking to broaden to dual use or may be looking to strengthen existing dual use developments. Identifying strong read across between civil, defence and national security sectors and how developments meet key stakeholder needs is essential to the success of this competition. Applications must also include a partner that is a UK operator or customer for the technologies or systems being developed.

This B2Match platform provides a dedicated space for organisations to:

• Highlight your capabilities, areas of interest and key partners you are looking for

• Gain insights to improve your network and approach for dual use aviation technology development

• Identify supporting services such as available test facilities and organisations with relevant regulatory and operational experience in the sectors

• Meet with peers, collaborators and ecosystem stakeholders to discuss cooperation and partnerships