MOD Launches Autonomous Drone Project VANQUISH for Royal Navy Carriers
The Ministry of Defence has launched a preliminary market engagement for an innovative autonomous drone project, codenamed VANQUISH. The project aims to develop a jet turbine-powered, fixed-wing short take-off and landing autonomous collaborative platform (FW STOL ACP) for the Royal Navy's Queen Elizabeth-class carriers. The platform is designed to complement the F-35B Lightning and align with the principles of Maritime Aviation Transformation (MATX). It must be capable of high subsonic speed and operate autonomously from the carriers without the need for catapults or arrested recovery systems. The system is expected to carry a credible payload and have sufficient endurance for roles such as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), strike, and air-to-air refuelling. The MOD has published a notice inviting defence industry companies to submit their interest by November 14, 2025. While the exact eligible companies are not publicly listed, the engagement is open to qualified industry players capable of meeting the technical requirements. This is not yet a formal procurement, with a formal tender expected in January 2026. The MOD notes that successful completion of this project will provide data and evidence to support a prospective procurement of a carrier-capable autonomous strike aircraft in the early 2030s. Industry is invited to respond to the preliminary market engagement notice through an online submission form by November 14, 2025, with clarification questions due by October 24. The estimated contract value is £12 million including VAT, with a potential period from April 2026 to December 2027.
