Open Call
HMGCC Co-Creation: Novel counter drone and ground station solutions
Overview
Counter drone technology is evolving rapidly. As drone threats develop, countermeasures adapt in response, creating a continuous cycle of innovation.
HMGCC Co-Creation is launching a challenge in collaboration with jHub, the central innovation hub for UK Defence’s Cyber & Specialist Operations Command, and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).
This challenge has two distinct, but related workstreams. Solution providers are invited to apply for workstream one, two, or both.
One: jHub require detection and disruption of drone ground control stations, which could be controlling single or swarms of enemy drones.
Two: MoJ need to detect drones commanded over cellular networks via in-built SIM cards in a civilian scenario.
HMGCC Co-Creation will provide funding for time, materials, overheads and other indirect expenses for successful applicants.
Technology themes
Aerospace, data science and engineering, electronic engineering, machine learning, physical security, radio frequency science and engineering, radio systems, robotic and autonomous systems, systems engineering, uncrewed aerial systems.
Key information
Budget per single organisation, up to (ex VAT): Workstream one: £60,000, Workstream two: £60,000
Project duration: 12 weeks
Competition opens Monday 3 November
Competition closes Thursday 4 December at 5pm
Context of the challenge
The threat from drones is frequently seen in the media, as adversaries continue to leverage this technology to do the UK and its allies harm and conduct criminal activity.
Who should apply?
This challenge is open to sole innovators, industry, academic and research organisations of all types and sizes. There is no requirement for security clearances.
Solution providers or direct collaboration from countries listed by the UK government under trade sanctions and/or arms embargoes, are not eligible for HMGCC Co-Creation challenges.
Evaluation criteria
All proposals, regardless of the application route, will be assessed by the HMGCC Co-Creation team. Proposals will be scored 1–5 on the following criteria:
Scope: Does the proposal fit within the challenge scope, taking into consideration cost and benefit?
Innovation: Is the technical solution credible, will it create new knowledge and IP, or use existing IP?
Deliverables: Will the proposal deliver a full or partial solution, if a partial solution, are there collaborations identified?
Timescale: Will the proposal deliver a minimum viable product within the project duration?
Budget: Are the project finances within the competition scope?
Team: Are the organisation / delivery team credible in this technical area?
Competition opens
Clarifying questions deadline
Briefing Call
11am
Clarifying questions published
Competition closes
Applicant notified
Pitch day (1) in Milton Keynes
Pitch day (2) in Milton Keynes
Pitch day outcome
Commercial onboarding begins*
Target project kick-off
Early February 2026
*Please note, the successful solution provider will be expected to have availability for a 1-hour onboarding call via MS Teams on the date and time specified to begin the onboarding/contractual process.
Application process
Applications close Thursday 4 December, 5pm
Please find details on how to apply, as well as more information about the challenge, here.
Supporting documents
HMGCC Co-Creation supporting information
HMGCC works with the national security community, UK government, academia, private sector partners and international allies to bring engineering ingenuity to the national security mission, creating tools and technologies that drive us ahead and help to protect the nation.
HMGCC Co–Creation is a partnership between HMGCC and Dstl (Defence Science and Technology Laboratory), created to deliver a new, bold and innovative way of working with the wider UK science and technology community. We bring together the best in class across industry, academia, and government, to work collaboratively on national security engineering challenges and accelerate innovation.
HMGCC Co-Creation aims to work collaboratively with the successful solution providers by utilising in-house delivery managers working Agile by default. This process will involve access to HMGCC Co-Creation’s technical expertise and facilities to bring a product to market more effectively than traditional customer supplier relationships.
