UK requires emergency recovery systems for AUVs

The UK is seeking emergency recovery systems for autonomous undersea vehicles (AUVs), to replace current “improvised” arrangements and enhance resilience during non-standard recovery operations. 

A prior procurement notice, published by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 18 August, says that the emergency recovery systems would be used following AUV propulsion, communications, navigation, or power system failure. 

Specifically, the recovery systems must be able to retrieve AUVs up to 7m in length and up to 3 tonnes in weight.  

What are the requirements of the emergency recovery systems?  

According to the MoD, the emergency recovery systems should be able to work either independently or alongside “existing vessel crane arrangements”, with designs that minimise damage to both the AUVs and host vessels. 

Additionally, compatibility with a range of vessel designs, including deck layouts, freeboards, and crane configurations, among others, is essential for the recovery systems.  

The systems should also be simple to rig, transportable, and recoverable in harsh conditions.  

Replying to the notice  

The MoD says that SMEs and voluntary, community, and social enterprises in particular are suited to respond to the notice.  

Alongside information on the aforementioned requirements, the defence department is also interested in potential timelines from the placement of orders to capability delivery.  

Subject to approvals, a tender for this requirement may be released on 31 October and offer a subsequent contract running from February 2027 to February 2029.  

The deadline to respond to the prior procurement notice is 18 September.