The challenge

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.

jHub – workstream one

The mission of jHub is to bridge the gap between emerging technology and operational requirements, giving defence users the tools to stay faster, smarter, and stronger in a constantly evolving environment.

In modern warzones, various drone technologies are used. From those controlled over radio frequency (RF), cellular networks and fibre optic cables, with low-cost disposable commercial drones to more sophisticated and hardened military grade systems.

While disrupting drones in military operations is achievable, targeting the ground control station where operators pilot these systems could provide significant strategic advantages by reducing adversaries’ capabilities.

MoJ – workstream two

The Ministry of Justice is a major government department, at the heart of the justice system, working to protect and advance the principles of justice.

From April 2024 to March 2025 there was a reported 1,712 UAS incidents reported at prisons over England and Wales (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/counter-drone-efforts-rise-as-prison-sightings-revealed). His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) continually adopts new methods and tools to reduce the risk of such events, but constant innovation is required.

The commercial market is growing for cellular network-controlled drones that use 4G or 5G data connections. This technology allows operators to control drones from any location, even when the drone is beyond their visual range. However, these cellular-controlled drones require different detection methods compared to traditional RF-controlled drones.

The gap

jHub – workstream one

Ground control stations are essential for all drone operations, regardless of the diverse drone technology used in modern conflicts.

Enemy drones on the battlefield are often controlled from positions far behind enemy lines – sometimes up to 40 kilometres away. This distance makes it challenging to locate the control stations, especially given the hostile electronic warfare environment and the use of rebroadcasting stations extending drone range beyond direct line of sight, whilst hiding the true location of the control station.

This challenge focuses on developing technology that can detect and pinpoint the location of enemy ground control stations using information from drones whilst they are in flight. The goal is to then disable all drones controlled by those stations.

MoJ – workstream two

The running of prisons in the UK is complex. HMPPS operates around the clock across urban and rural locations, with any UAS incursions occurring at speed and countermeasures that must comply with UK legal requirements.

There are several counter-drone technologies on the commercial market, but these are typically focused on detection and countering RF controlled drones.

The focus of this challenge lies in semi-automated detection of drones that use cellular networks for control.

Example use case

jHub – workstream one

Captain Jones is commanding a squadron tasked with disrupting drone threats. They are effective at preventing drones causing damage, but this is tackled on a system-by-system basis. To prevent further attacks, he wants to stop these waves at-source.

During a live operational scenario, a swarm of drones is spotted several kilometres away. With numerous drones in the air each day, the first stage is to determine if they are friend or foe.

Captain Jones uses capability that firstly detects and finds more information about the swarm. He discovers it is a mixture of commercial and military grade technology, controlled over an RF link. Captain Jones’ equipment then aids him in looking for a way to get information about the Ground Control Station, a vulnerability is found which provides Captain Jones with valuable information.

The technology has a simple user interface, showing the incoming drones overlayed onto maps and displaying a link back to a rebroadcasting station 5 kilometres away from their location, this subsequently shows a link back to another location. This is a strong indicator that this is the ground control station.

The capability would ideally not give away Captain Jones’ location. It is also ruggedised and simple to use, perfect for high stress situations.

Captain Jones is deciding what to do next, in the future he may consider taking action himself, but in this situation, he hands the information to his higher command who will take action with different capabilities.

MoJ – workstream two

Charlotte is an officer in a high security prison in an urban location. Over the last year the prison has managed to prevent most drone drops. However, innovation and the demand for illicit items has led prisoners to develop new methods to bypass the prison’s existing security measures.

The latest technique involves using commercially available drones that are controlled via cellular networks rather than traditional radio controllers. To counter the new threat, Charlotte is provided with advanced detection equipment.

This new system provides early warning when network-controlled drones approach the prison. The detector can identify active mobile phone connections and distinguish between SIM cards installed in drones and those in regular mobile devices on the network. This device is deployed across the prison service and so must work in a variety of environments.

The detector offers partial automation, flagging to authorities that a drone is in-bound, allowing Charlotte to focus on her core duties. As a result of new tech, proactive steps are taken, and illicit item drops are prevented.

Project scope

In the rapid world of innovation of counter drones, the sponsors require innovative solutions that can be deployed in short timeframes. This means that applicants should aim to deliver physical concept demonstrators within this 12-week project to a Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) of 5 – 9.

It is recommended that proposals label both the existing TRL and the TRL expected by the end of the 12 weeks.

Critical, essential and desirable requirements are listed for each workstream, along with constraints and what is not required.

jHub – workstream one

Critical requirements:

• Detection, identification friend or foe of commercial drones.
• Geolocation of ground control stations to as close-a-position as possible.
• Documentation of the proposed solution architecture.
• Documentation of the solution feasibility.

Essential requirements:

• Works for RF controlled drones.
• Shows links between rebroadcasting station and ground control stations.
• Final deliverable is a concept demonstrator handed over to the sponsors.
• Provide full design specifications at end of project.
• Must provide an easy-to-use interface.
• Must be simple to use.

Desirable requirements:

• Works for drones controlled by other means than RF.
• Would ideally not provide a signal that could be located by adversaries.
• Aim for low size, weight and power.
• Ruggedised equipment.
• Detection, identification friend or foe of military-grade UAS.

Constraints:

• Must work in electronic warfare environments.

Not required:

• Horizon scanning only.

MoJ – workstream two

Critical requirement:

• Detection of cellular network-controlled drones.
• Must minimise interference and invasion of other non-targeted electronic signals.

Essential requirements:

• Final deliverable is a concept demonstrator handed over to the sponsors.
• Provide full design specifications at end of project.
• Must provide an easy-to-use interface.
• Must be simple to use.
• Provide an early warning, tracking position and flight path of drones.

Desirable requirements:

• Provides automated detection with minimal user input required.
• Aim for low size, weight and power.
• Ruggedised equipment.
• Minimise false positive alerts from other devices on the cellular network.
• Adaptable as new cellular frequencies are used.
• Portable and usable across numerous site locations.

Constraints:

• Must operate within legal frameworks.
• Prefer to not require information directly from telecommunication operators.

Not required:

• Horizon scanning only.
• Detection of RF or fibre-optic controlled drones.

Eligibility

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.

Invitation to present

Successful applicants will be invited to a pitch day, giving them a chance to meet the HMGCC Co-Creation team and pitch the proposal during a 20-minute presentation, followed by questions.

After the pitch day, a final funding decision will be made. For unsuccessful applicants, feedback will be given in a timely manner.

Clarifying questions

Clarifying questions or general requests for assistance can be submitted directly to cocreation@hmgcc.gov.uk before the deadline with the challenge title as the subject. These clarifying questions may be technical, procedural, or commercial in subject, or anything else where assistance is required. Please note that answered questions will be published to facilitate a fair and open competition.