The Royal Navy is exploring the rapid procurement of a maritime counter-drone capability under a new pre-procurement initiative known as Project TALON, according to a Request for Information (RFI) published by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The notice, published through the UK government’s Contracts Finder platform, invites industry input on systems capable of detecting, tracking, identifying and defeating UAS from maritime platforms. The initiative aims to field a rapidly deployable capability that can be installed on naval vessels with minimal integration into existing ship systems.
According to the RFI, the Royal Navy requires “a rapidly procured and installable counter-UAS capability suitable for maritime platforms to detect, track, identify and defeat airborne threats.” The ministry emphasized that potential solutions should operate with a high degree of autonomy and be deployable aboard crewed vessels without extensive modifications.
Project TALON is designed to move significantly faster than traditional defense acquisition programs. The ministry said it intends to conduct a rapid market survey and, if suitable technologies are identified, quickly proceed to contracting and delivery.
The RFI highlights a focus on mature technologies that can be delivered at pace. Officials indicated that if a viable solution is identified, an initial capability could potentially be contracted and delivered within roughly a month.
Kinetic and non-kinetic defenses
The program is expected to provide both kinetic and non-kinetic methods of defeating drones as the threat from unmanned systems continues to expand globally. According to the ministry, the project “will deliver kinetic and/or non-kinetic effectors and sensors to allow a scalable capability to RN units,” forming part of a broader system-of-systems approach.
This architecture could include multiple lower-cost interceptors and electronic warfare tools that complement more complex missile systems already deployed aboard naval vessels.
The RFI also notes that the authority requires “a mix of effectors both kinetic and non-kinetic to counter a mass of threats from the proliferation of uncrewed air systems,” particularly those in the NATO Class 2 category. Systems should be capable of defeating drones through either electronic disruption or physical interception.
Operational requirements
The ministry outlined ambitious performance requirements for the capability. Systems should be able to defend an area around a host vessel ranging from approximately 100 km² as a minimum threshold to up to 2,500 km² as an objective.
The system must also be able to handle high-volume attacks. According to the RFI, platforms should be capable of defeating at least 25 drone targets before resupply, with an aspirational goal of neutralizing up to 100 targets.
Because the capability is intended to be rapidly deployable across multiple ships, the ministry expects solutions to rely heavily on their own sensors and operate with significant autonomy. Initial cues may come from onboard sensors, but the system should minimize operator workload during engagements.
Minimal integration and maintenance
Installation and sustainment requirements emphasize speed and simplicity. The ministry expects equipment to be installed and certified quickly to maximize ship availability and to rely on common ship interfaces wherever possible.
Systems must also have low maintenance demands and should not interfere with other shipboard operations, including aviation activities.
For evaluation purposes, the Ministry of Defence stated that the minimum viable capability must demonstrate the ability to defeat drones from a crewed maritime platform operating at sea, noting that the system must show operational effectiveness while the host vessel is underway.
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Post Image – Royal Navy Type 45 Destroyer (Post Image Credit: Brian Burnell via Wikipedia)
