The Ministry of Defence has launched a formal procurement process for Project Corvus, a next-generation uncrewed aerial system intended to replace the British Army’s Watchkeeper drones.
The contract, published on 31 July, is valued at £130 million and will run for an initial five years starting in May 2026.
According to the notice, the system must support the Army’s Land Tactical Deep Find requirement, delivering 24-hour persistent surveillance across divisional and corps-level operations. The competition is being run by Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) based in Bristol.
This follows earlier reporting in April when the Army issued a Preliminary Market Engagement Notice and began industry consultation. At the time, DE&S stated its aim to field a modern, deployable and supportable system that would not require significant changes to current Army doctrine or structures. The system is to be operated by 47 Regiment Royal Artillery, the unit currently flying Watchkeeper.
The key requirements remain unchanged. The replacement must provide real-time land and maritime ISTAR, low-latency data sharing across joint and coalition networks, and the ability to operate in contested airspace and GNSS-denied environments. Technological agility and compatibility with the Land Industrial Strategy are also mandatory.
The procurement is being conducted under the Procurement Act 2023. While no submission deadline is listed in the preview notice, the contract is expected to begin in May 2026 and run until April 2031, with options to extend.
Earlier documentation also confirmed that shortlisted suppliers will be expected to participate in live flight demonstrations. These are likely to be held at MOD test sites or at contractor facilities, subject to airworthiness approvals.
Project Corvus is one of the Army’s flagship digital battlefield programmes and a key test case for future procurements under the new acquisition regime.
Given Watchkeeper cost £1 billion I’m not sure what the MOD expects to get for £130 million. I’m not sure what can be considered survivable on a modern battlefield either but what ever it is your not getting it for that price.
Cheap, OTC, attritable is what is needed.
However that may not produce sufficient staff officer positions and jobs for the boys in industry.
I think the £130 million is for the “Jobs for the boys” and not any actual hardware apart from maybe a new boardroom table, chairs, coffee machine, Laptops, Company Cars, Free meals and Hotel accomodation.
Strange comment Jim. You say you want something cheap and attritable, say #130m won’t stack uo to the #1billion for watchkeeper….if uts attritable it will be significantly cheaper!!!
Watchkeeper seems to have been on “Death Row” for years, how come it’s only now (well next year) that this program has started and It’ll take another 5 years ? Why does everything take 5 years ? (or 6 if you include the year before the start of the 5 year period).
I’d love to see a breakdown of all the expences.
I get the feeling many heads will roll “In times of Danger” (hope that phrase doesn’t confuse too many here again) just like in the 1930’s when things needed to happen quickly.
(Please note I have omitted any hint of humour in this post to avoid upsetting anyone who doesn’t like that sort of thing, at 1.30 am in the morning, whilst shit faced and grumpy).
No rush then, just like every thing else, 6 years or so to get any thing. Mean while the Army looks more like the Antiques Road show, Regts with little or no kit, ever thing will be ok in 3 to 5 years so its fine there will be no wars before then i hope.
Now then let’s think🤔what country is using, developing and week by week improving the technology in them?
In 5-6 years we might be talking about a completely different set of technologies than what is available now, 6 years is enough time for a complete development to manufacturing cycle and you can do it locally
So who is the new proposed kit for? The Army would struggle to get a Div together never mind a Corp!? Watchkeeper already provides what the spec is asking for and apart from spending vast amounts of money on ‘new kit’ that will provide little gain over what we have already if that will be the case.
We need something that can see what the ‘naughty folks’ are doing and send them a ‘message’ that goes ‘bang’ to show some actual effect.
5-6 years and another load of dosh wasted on those office wallers who never ever get their hands dirty.
Loads out there off th shelf that would come in a a fraction of the cost.
Money better spent on building getting another dozen F35A’s to start making a true Wing of them.
Lions lead and supported by Chimps is how the UK MOD is today……………………………………