The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has announced that Modini Limited will be awarded a £7.5 million contract to supply One Way Effector (OWE) systems for Project ASGARD, which aims to enhance the UK’s reconnaissance and strike capabilities.
In this context, OWE systems refer to advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) designed to deliver precision strikes with the ability to operate autonomously and strike specific targets with high accuracy. This contract, set for a 24-month period, will support Operation CABRIT, a key NATO mission, and is part of a broader effort to develop a software-defined, network-enabled system for the UK Armed Forces.
Op Cabrit is a UK-led NATO operation based in Estonia. It is part of NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) initiative in the Baltic region. The operation involves the deployment of British Army personnel and equipment, primarily focused on providing a deterrent against potential aggression, strengthening NATO’s defensive posture, and enhancing security in the region, particularly in response to concerns about Russian influence.
The UK’s contribution to Op Cabrit includes deploying a mechanised infantry battlegroup to Estonia as part of NATO’s commitment to collective defence.
The One Way Effector systems will be procured through the Human Machine Teaming (HMT) Framework, with Modini selected due to its ability to meet the MOD’s stringent technical requirements.
The MOD noted that “it was identified that only Modini could reach the Authority’s strict and necessary deadlines for production and delivery of the hardware for Spring 2025 and be deployed on Op CABRIT in Summer 2025.â€
This makes Modini the sole supplier able to deliver on the MOD’s demanding criteria, which include payload weight, scalability, range, maximum speed, and terrain-following capabilities.
Project ASGARD is an initiative designed to provide the UK with enhanced decision support and operational execution across land, air, and maritime domains.
The project is divided into three main areas, or ‘tents’, which include “Effectors,†“Digital Innovation,†and “Enhanced C4 ISTAR & Networks.†The procurement of the OWE systems falls under Tent 1, Effectors, which focuses on increasing the range and effectiveness of kinetic effects, particularly in support of brigade and divisional deep battles. This initiative seeks to integrate “all appropriate effector capabilities with in-theatre communications and data exchange systems†to ensure seamless operational execution.
The MOD also clarified that while the OWE systems will be crucial to meeting the UK’s near-term defence needs, they will not define the technical solutions for the MOD’s longer-term OWE-based capability requirements. This aligns with the broader aim of enhancing the UK’s military capabilities, reinforcing its commitment to cutting-edge technology and operational readiness in modern warfare.
The MOD’s Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) team is managing the contract, with Modini’s proven expertise ensuring that the OWE systems will meet the necessary performance standards and be ready for deployment by mid-2025.
“Project ASGARD is intended to meet a specific, near-term capability need and will not define technical solutions for the UK MOD’s longer-term OWE-based capability requirements,†the MOD noted in the official award announcement.
I’m always slightly assumed (or is that bemused) by the idea of a one way or suicide drone i.e. a drone that is designed not to come back. That’s essentially a cruise missile isn’t it? I suppose that the technology and philosophy underpinning the drones is rooted in a different industry and certainly the company names are new, not to mention the speed of delivery as well. I also suspect that these new systems have some fundamental differences in the way they are operated when compared to conventional cruise missiles, although any differences seem to be blurring.
All that aside this looks like another good news story for UK defence posture at the end of another year of mixed fortunes for our armed services.
Merry Christmas everyone and a special thank you to George and the team.
Cheers CR
I suppose the fundamental difference is your missile is fire and done..a drone is essentially only done when it attacks the target.so you can send it off and bring it home again over and over until you expend it
So:
Missile expended on launch
Suicide drone not expended on launch, only expended on terminal attack.
I think as things develop much in the middle will indeed be blurred, only at either end will there be true distinction. Returning potential and non returning is a pretty good distinction as Jonathon says but as ai matures I suspect even high end missiles and drones may blur in that regard I was going to offer the ability to land on return might work but with Musk plucking rockets out of the air I’m not sure even that will do.
Merry Xmas. Think the more sophisticated missiles now or near future have programmed secondary targets these days and can loiter. Good thing as f35b cannot return to a carrier with weapon load.
It’s a new world in defence procurement where £7.5 million can actually buy something useful on the battlefield. MBDA and BAE can’t get out of bed for sums like these. If it’s a US contractor they won’t even pick up the phone for less than £1 billion.
£7,500,000 for as long as it takes.
You couldn’t make this schiesse up.
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A little bit of progress it seems!