UK and US Launch Counter-Drone Project ‘VANAHEIM’

The British and United States Armies have launched Project VANAHEIM, an initiative aimed at improving Counter-Uncrewed Air Systems (C-UAS) operations, with a focus on detecting, tracking, identifying, and neutralising Class 1 Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) threats, according to a Preliminary Market Engagement Notice published by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) on 21 March 2025.

Join Project VANAHEIM and shape the future of military Counter-Uncrewed Air Systems (C-UAS) operations. VANAHEIM is focused on this operational problem:

How a tactical unit be organised and equipped to persistently detect, track, identify and defeat Class 1 Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) threats?

Project VANAHEIM is joint project being run between the British and United States Armies. It is the first wave of a substantial programme of work updating the Army’s C-UAS capabilities against the rapid development of Small UAS in recent years. Through VANAHEIM the British Army is aiming to identify promising C-UAS solutions and technology partners with who it can work to field the next generation of C-UAS capabilities.

VANAHEIM is an opportunity to collaborate directly with the British Army and UK Defence within a field test event. This isn’t just another industry event – it is a dynamic, field-based test environment where your solutions will take centre stage and you can work with Army personnel to shape Army requirements and potential solutions. The event is planned to take place over multiple days in Germany through June 2025, with subsequent events to be confirmed in July and August. The US Army and Ukrainian Armies will also be participating, with the Australian Army observing.

This RFI is to determine a community of interest for further engagement.

Target Capability:

Capability must be usable by generalist soldiers, able to be carried on the soldier or by a light vehicle, and focused on countering class 1 b/c UAS (including first-person view drones).

Solutions must also be Generic Vehicle Architecture/Generic Systems Architecture and ideally SAPIENT compliant, and able to integrate with Battlespace Management Applications.

VANAHEIM is the gateway to the teams delivering C-UAS capability to the warfighter. You will have direct access to the experts and their current operational challenges. You should expect:

Hands-on testing: deploy your TRL6-TRL9 product(s)in a realistic operational environment. See how they perform under pressure and gain valuable data to refine your technology.

Direct feedback: collaborate with military personnel in the field, receiving immediate feedback and tactical insights that will shape the future of your product development.

Influence the future: your contributions to VANAHEIM will directly influence future British Army’s effort to address its most urgent C-UAS challenges and will shape how the British Army approaches rapid capability development going forward.

We are looking for innovative approaches and forward-thinking companies ready to push the boundaries of C-UAS technology, across all Defence lines of development.  VANAHEIM is your opportunity to accelerate your technology, build strategic relationships, and contribute to a critical mission.

There will be an opportunity to meet and discuss with the VANAHEIM team during the Joint Counter-UAS Office’s engagement day, in RAF High Wycombe on 31 March. Project VANAHEIM is run by the British Army’s RAPSTONE Task Force, based in Andover.

Please submit detail of your capability, including technical specification where applicable, by 23:59 on Wednesday 2 Apr 25 via email to Sarah.Hammond953@mod.gov.uk stating email subject title – VANAHEIM RFI Response.

Monxton Road

Andover

SP118HJ

United Kingdom

Contact name: Sarah Hammond

Email: sarah.hammond953@mod.gov.uk

Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence

Region: UKJ36 – Central Hampshire

Photo: Indra CROW anti-drone system [© Indra]