Low-Cost Remotely Operated USV: United Kingdom procurement notice
MOD conducted preliminary engagement for a low-cost remotely operated USV target/trial asset. The sub-GBP60,000 figure is a target capability cost, not an awarded contract value.
Source-linked Intelligence Snapshot
UXVSEARCHER-3210Original development / event date: 20 Apr 2026
- Programme
- Low-Cost Remotely Operated USV
- System / platform
- Low-cost remotely operated RHIB/similar target USV
- Supplier
- Ministry of Defence
- Customer / operator
- Royal Navy
- Geography
- United Kingdom
- Domain
- USV
- Mission
- Target / Decoy
- Activity
- Receipt of Tender
- Milestone stage
- Procurement requirement / tender
- Original value
- Target cost approximately below GBP 60,000 per low-cost option; market-engagement figure, not award value · GBP
- USD qualification
- Not disclosed
- Quantity / scope
- Not disclosed
- Production / shipment / delivery
- Not disclosed
- Contract period
- 4-Jul-26 — 4-Jul-27
- Contract duration
- Not applicable
Interpretation: procurement pipeline
Quantified requirements are **potential procurement scope**, not realised hardware orders or sales.
Editorial responsibility: Tanish Prakash · Source review recorded 10 Oct 2026
Original references and evidence caveats
Original primary reference: https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=APR609823
Original supporting reference: Not independently located
Deep verified: Apr. 20 market engagement sought a low-cost remotely operated RHIB/similar USV for mobile-target use, targeting approximately sub-GBP 60,000 options. This is engagement/requirement data, not an award.
Reference notes are retained from the supplied source master. They do not establish independent verification of performance, deliveries, revenue or conversion.
Development and reported outcome
MOD conducted preliminary engagement for a low-cost remotely operated USV target/trial asset. The sub-GBP60,000 figure is a target capability cost, not an awarded contract value.[S1]
Program, platform and stakeholders
Programme or contract: Low-Cost Remotely Operated USV. Platform or product: Low-cost remotely operated RHIB/similar target USV. Recorded supplier, developer or relevant organization: Ministry of Defence (reported headquarters/country: United Kingdom). Recorded customer, operator or intended user: Royal Navy (reported headquarters/country: United Kingdom).[S1]
Mission and technical scope
The following are classifications recorded in the source master, not additional claims of operational deployment: Mission/use-case classification: Target / Decoy. Operating mode: Remotely Operated Surface Vessel (ROSV).
Contract, value and shipment signals
Original reported amount or scope: Target cost approximately below GBP 60,000 per low-cost option; market-engagement figure, not award value. Original-currency label: GBP. Recorded contractual start: 4-Jul-26. Recorded contractual end: 4-Jul-27.[S1]
Source verification and interpretation limits
UXV Searcher master source-coverage note: Deep verified: Apr. 20 market engagement sought a low-cost remotely operated RHIB/similar USV for mobile-target use, targeting approximately sub-GBP 60,000 options. This is engagement/requirement data, not an award.
Interpretation boundary: The tender, notice or request stage does not by itself prove a signed contract, selected supplier, or physical delivery.[S1]
UXV Searcher analysis — what the development changes
UXV Searcher interpretation — procurement requirement / tender: The United Kingdom USV record for Low-Cost Remotely Operated USV is best treated as a procurement pipeline signal. A published requirement can indicate addressable demand, but it is not an award, supplier revenue, shipment, or fleet increase.
Traceability for buyers: The dataset associates Ministry of Defence with Royal Navy for Low-cost remotely operated RHIB/similar target USV. This supports stakeholder mapping; supply-chain tier, exclusivity and signed-customer relationships need the underlying source before firm classification.
Client-use interpretation: For intelligence users tracking Target / Decoy, the relevant next proof points are marine mission suitability, payload integration and measurable delivery or service outcomes. Track the award notice, signed value and accepted delivery quantities before upgrading this demand signal.[S1]
Quantitative evidence, calculations and limits
Financial signal (master transcription): Target cost approximately below GBP 60,000 per low-cost option; market-engagement figure, not award value. Classification: Financial context as recorded in the master; scope and contract status must follow the underlying source. Reproducible calculations: Planned start-to-end interval: 365 days ((2027-07-04) - (2026-07-04) = 365 elapsed calendar days). Refer to the calculation cards for assumptions and limitations.
Quantified requirements are potential procurement scope, not realised hardware orders or sales.[S1]
Calculations and assumptions
| Metric | Value | Formula | Inputs | Assumptions | Limitations | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planned start-to-end interval | 365 days | (2027-07-04) - (2026-07-04) = 365 elapsed calendar days | date_start: 2026-07-04 date_end: 2027-07-04 | Dates taken from the original master’s recorded start and end fields. Inclusive contract day-count, extensions and award timing not assumed. | Dates may be stated as anticipated/tender performance windows; not proof of elapsed work or completion. | [S1] |
No win probability is assigned to this record.
Sources
Original reporting is credited to its publisher. The byline covers UXV Searcher's analysis only.
- [S1]Primary reference: sell2wales.gov.walessell2wales.gov.walesIncluded in the provided master and its source notes; this export did not independently re-test the live URL or corroborate the claims.
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