The UK is particularly interested in one-way and electronic warfare based ACPs.
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is looking to further its understanding of Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACPs), often called ‘loyal wingman’, as the Royal Air Force transitions towards a blend of crewed and uncrewed systems.
According to a preliminary market engagement notice published on 29 July by Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), the aim is to broaden the MoD’s understanding of the current and future ACP industrial landscape.
This includes on new types of systems coming to market and future capability requirements, timescales, and costs
The launch of this market engagement follows a series of efforts into pursuing ACP capabilities from the UK, beginning with the publishing of the RAF ACP Strategy in March 2024. Following that, the UK delivered StormShroud Mk1 into service in May 2025, the first ACP in the RAF. ACPs are a core element of the RAF’s future, designed to accompany and support fighter jets in roles such as surveillance and combat.
Recommendations in the UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) published in June also centred on ACPs as a method of keeping the RAF at the “leading edge of combat air’s evolution”. The SDR recommended investment into ACPs alongside investment in the Future Combat Air System.
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