The Nationwide Protecting Safety Authority (NPSA) has opened expressions of curiosity for producers and suppliers to take part in its unbiased counter-UAS gear evaluations program for 2026. Working alongside UK Authorities departments and operational end-users, the initiative gives producers with rigorous, credible testing of Counter-UAS methods in practical operational circumstances, permitting each authorities businesses and producers to realize essential information.
The NPSA, serving because the UK’s nationwide authority for protecting safety, conducts unbiased, operationally knowledgeable evaluations of C-UAS functionality. The programme helps trade by accelerating product growth, strengthening efficiency credibility, and serving to clients make knowledgeable procurement selections.
Participation Advantages and Necessities for Analysis
Analysis outcomes assist authorities businesses, policing, vital nationwide infrastructure, and the broader safety group perceive C-UAS system efficiency and help evidence-based procurement. Notably, NPSA analysis is now a minimal requirement in Residence Workplace procurement of Counter-UAS know-how.
A UK Authorities Division Safety Lead acknowledged: “We solely procure methods we perceive. Participation in NPSA evaluations offers us confidence in functionality and reliability.”
Profitable candidates will deploy their counter-UAS methods to a dwell NPSA take a look at website and endure managed, measurable take a look at situations based mostly on NPSA requirements recognised throughout UK authorities—all without charge for the analysis itself. Distributors achieve inclusion in NPSA’s Catalogue of Safety Gear alongside an in depth analysis report, with permissions to make use of excerpts and quotes in buyer conversations.
In response to a C-UAS vendor who participated beforehand: “The NPSA analysis gave us helpful technical suggestions from skilled operational end-users and elevated our credibility with authorities patrons. Being examined mattered.”
Eligibility and Subsequent Steps
The programme welcomes curiosity from established Counter-UAS producers offering Detection, Observe and Identification capabilities at Expertise Readiness Stage (TRL) 8 or above with methods at present deployed or searching for deployment in dwell working environments.
events ought to e mail firm particulars, product title, and get in touch with info to cuas@npsa.gov.uk to register their expressions of curiosity.
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Ian McNabb is a journalist specializing in drone know-how and way of life content material at Dronelife. He’s based mostly between Boston and NH and, when not writing, enjoys mountaineering and Boston space sports activities.