Dual-use Aviation systems and Autonomy competition

Overview

The Dual-use aviation systems and autonomy competition is designed to support the development and commercialisation of advanced aviation technologies that have both civil and military applications. Delivered by Innovate UK, the programme aims to strengthen the UK’s position in autonomous and dual-use aviation systems while supporting national security, resilience and industrial growth.

The competition supports innovative projects developing technologies such as:

• Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS)
• Hybrid electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft (eVTOLs)
• Hybrid electric Conventional Take-Off and Landing aircraft (eCTOLs)
• Swarming and collaborative autonomous systems

Projects are expected to build on existing technologies at TRL 5 or above and progress towards operational readiness, commercial deployment and scalable manufacturing.

Scope of the Competition

Projects must support the development, integration or operational readiness of dual-use aviation systems and capabilities.

Your project must:

• Develop technologies suitable for both civilian and military use
• Demonstrate a clear pathway to commercialisation
• Include a UK customer or operator as a project partner
• Progress technologies towards real-world deployment and operational readiness
• Address strategic government priorities around advanced aviation and autonomous systems

Projects may include flight activities where these can be delivered within existing or realistically achievable regulatory approvals during the project timeline.

The competition also supports wider UK government ambitions, including:

• Routine Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) UAS operations from 2027
• Increased public sector UAS adoption
• Commercial piloted eVTOL operations from 2028

Key Focus Areas

Projects can focus on one or more of the following themes:

• Swarming technologies for strategic aviation operations
• Multiplatform aviation operations and coordination systems
• Enabling technologies that improve operational visibility and safety
• Heavy-lift and vertical take-off aircraft systems
• Autonomous and collaborative aviation capabilities

Priority use cases include:

• Search and rescue
• Heavy-lift logistics and aerial delivery
• Critical infrastructure inspection
• Border protection and national resilience
• Medical emergency support and evacuation
• Scientific and environmental surveying

The competition particularly welcomes projects developing sovereign UK technologies and scalable low-cost solutions for civil and defence markets.