HMGCC Miniaturised detectors sought to spot drones - Challenge

Drone detectors, small enough to fit inside a pocket or a hand, are sought in a new challenge launched by HMGCC Co-Creation.

The use of drones is now common everywhere, including by those intent on harming the UK and its allies. This challenge seeks to find a new way to address some of those risks.

The team wants to hear from organisations who are developing miniature devices to detect drones, also known as Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS). We are not interested in devices used to disrupt or effect UAS flight paths.

This is the latest challenge set by HMGCC Co-Creation, which invites applications from industry and academia, to help solve national security problems.

Organisations are being asked to apply develop and demonstrate technology to meet this challenge
over a 12-week period, HMGCC Co-Creation will provide funding for time, materials, overheads and
other indirect expenses.

The challenge

Context of the challenge

There have been high profile news reports detailing the use of off–the-shelf and disposable UAS used in international conflicts as well as to disrupt life here in the UK.

There is constant innovation in the disruptive use of UAS, with motivations including examples such as secret surveillance or even damage leading to casualties.

The first stage to countering the UAS threat, is to detect their presence. To scale this across national security, a miniaturised UAS detector, ideally that fits in a pocket and alerts the user, is required to operate in rural and urban environments.

The gap

There are many large systems to detect and then disrupt the flight path of a UAS, there are even backpack transportable systems used for detection. These are typically developed for military applications.

But there is a national security requirement for a different type of unit to be used by civilian personnel. It must be as small as possible, unobtrusive to carry, pocketable and something that can routinely be used to detect a UAS, with very few false positives.

Example use case

Senior security director, Kathryn has the task of keeping a number of UK facilities, based in another country, secure from possible incursions. This can be a difficult and complex job.

Kathryn has become increasingly concerned about UAS incursion risk, so she starts work to consider how to secure their facilities against this kind of threat. Some of the important factors include the need to secure facilities across a dispersed geographical location, in an urban environment and in spaces without reliable internet or telecoms infrastructure and where there is limited influence over the local government’s policy.

Kathryn also wishes to protect her staff. When they are off duty there is a need to provide them with some assurance if a UAS is nearby.

Detection and effector systems (used to disrupt UAS) are considered. However, effector systems are large in size, higher cost, and not easily transported. So, this solution is discounted.

After developments through HMGCC Co-Creation, Kathryn purchases and then deploys a miniaturised UAS detector to all members of staff.

 

One evening, Anton, locally deployed civilian personnel, is travelling from one facility to another when his UAS detector buzzes in his pocket. It is too dark to see any activity, and he can’t hear a UAS. Anton then radios his colleagues to say that a UAS has been detected and an incursion may be occurring live. This is passed onto a local liaison point of contact who follows local procedure..

Following integration of data from the UAS detector, a unique fingerprint of the UAS was captured and shared with the authorities. Analysis also revealed that the detected UAS was a recently released commercial model, emphasising the need for current UAS information and timely software updates. This would allow operational support teams to rapidly update configuration data, enabling them to adapt to emerging threats and stay ahead of evolving UAS capabilities.

Project scope

The focus of this 12-week project is de-risking. Through developing a basic demonstrator, we want to see if it is possible to reduce the size of a UAS demonstrator to enable it to fit in a pocket. This will inform investments into further developing this technology going forward.

To ensure delivery of a demonstrator within 12 weeks, it is suggested that there is a component focus on the electronic hardware and/or low-power software, rather than a full system. Further work with HMGCC teams can advise on antenna, battery and mechanical integration.

This is open to Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) from 4 – 9. It is recommended that, in their proposals, applicants state the current TRL and the TRL they would expect to reach by the end of the 12 week period.

Essential requirements:

  • Focus should be on the electronic design and underpinning software.
  • Small enough to fit in a pocket.
  • Low power, to allow a run time of at least eight hours.
  • Low thermal signature as will be carried on a person.
  • Radio frequency (RF) silent, ensuring it cannot be detected or jammed.
  • A screen display is not required, as this is likely to add to size.
  • Feedback to the user, perhaps with haptic feedback.
  • Ability to operate in a variety of environments, including dense urban and rural areas.
  • A final device must not be cloud or internet connected.
  • No defined approach of UAS detection radius, but this should be considered.
  • Consider false positives and how this may affect the user experience.

Desirable requirements:

  • Ability to interrogate data at a later date, with UAS type and capability.
  • Ability to provide directional information.

Not required:

  • Horizon scanning or paper study.
  • Counter UAS unit that can also jam a signal.
  • A full working unit. The solution should focus on the high technical risk element, which is the electronic miniaturisation at low power and underpinning software.

Key dates

Monday 3 February 2025

Phase 1 competition opens

Friday 14 February 2025

Clarifying questions published

Thursday 20 February 2025 at 17:00

Phase 1 competition closes

Friday 7 March 2025

Applicants notified

Monday 10 March 2025

Phase 2 competition opens

Thursday 27 March 2025 at 17:00

Phase 2 competition closes

Friday 11 April 2025

Applicant notified

Wednesday 7 May 2025

Pitch day in Milton Keynes

Thursday 8 May 2025

Pitch Day outcome

Monday 12 May 2025

Commercial onboarding begins*

*Please note, the successful solution provider will be expected to have availability for a 1-hour onboarding call via MS Teams on the date specified to begin the onboarding/contractual process.

Late May/Early June 2025

Target project kick-off

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.