TF RAID Opens AI Drone Swarming Competition via Ukraine's Avengers Labs
The Rapid AI Delivery Taskforce is running a competition to access Ukraine's Avengers Labs platform, focused on autonomous drone swarming and collaborative drone operations. This is a direct funding and development route for UK firms working on UAS autonomy, multi-agent coordination, or drone command-and-control software. The signal is thin on contract values and eligibility criteria, but the TF RAID framing suggests speed and operational pull rather than a long procurement cycle.
Source →MOD and QinetiQ Open T&E Access for SMEs via Project Safari
MOD and QinetiQ have launched Project Safari, a joint programme designed to give SMEs access to UK test and evaluation facilities. For smaller firms whose technology readiness is held back by the cost or complexity of getting on a range or test facility, this is worth examining directly. Details on how to apply, which facilities are included, and what stage of development is required are not in the signal.
Source →CGI Awarded MOD Contract for PICASSO Geospatial Intelligence Programme
CGI has won a MOD contract to support the PICASSO programme, which relates to geospatial intelligence. The signal confirms the award but contract value, scope, and duration are not provided across the sources. For firms working in GEOINT, imagery analysis, data fusion, or supporting tools, this signals active MOD investment in the programme and a prime now holding the integration seat.
Source →Skyfly Closes $10m Seed Round on MOD Heavy-Lift UAS Framework
Skyfly Technologies, already enrolled on the MOD's Uncrewed Air Systems Heavy Lift Capability framework, has raised $10 million in seed funding to move its 200kg-payload hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft from demonstration toward delivery. The funding is backed by HICO Investment Group and Archangel, a defence-focused fund. For firms in adjacent areas, propulsion, payload integration, autonomy stacks, or ground control, this signals a UK heavy-lift UAS programme now with capital behind it and a named framework route to MOD.
Source →MOD SME Office Outlines Plans for Small Suppliers at DSEI
The head of the MOD's SME Office has outlined plans for how small suppliers will be engaged, timed around the DSEI 27 launch. The signal is thin and the source is a headline only, but combined with the NAD and CDS push for faster capability delivery also flagged at DSEI 27, it points to SME access policy being actively shaped right now. Firms tracking how the SME Office is evolving its supplier engagement model should look at what came out of that DSEI session directly.
Source →The dominant thread today is MOD pushing for faster routes to capability, with the TF RAID swarming competition, Project Safari T&E access, and the SME Office activity all pointing toward deliberate effort to reduce friction for smaller suppliers, particularly in autonomy and dual-use technology.