Marlborough Communications Limited and sub-contractor Prox Dynamics have been awarded the contract to supply commercial off-the-shelf Nano-UAS systems and spares to the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence.

The value of the initial contract is 2.5 million GBP (US $4M), with potential through life costs and follow-on options of up to 20 million GBP (US $32M).

Regular readers will remember that the UK Ministry of Defence issued a contract notification in February for a Nano UAS to be deployed urgently in Afghanistan.
The Contract Award notice is light on detail about the number of systems purchased, the extent of the services and the duration of the contract. But the original Tender Notice stated that “The Authority is unable to quantify the volume of work at this stage however it anticipates that over 100 NUAS may be procured with associated support and training for a period of 1 year with options for support for a maximum of 3 years.”

The system chosen is the Black Hornet Personal Reconnaissance System. It provides soldiers with their own immediate Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capability for operations in confined areas and outdoors.
A joint statement said:
“Prox Dynamics is very proud and honoured to have been chosen to supply the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence with our Nano-UAS. This is a result of the wide experience and several years of dedicated work within the company to develop and supply organic airborne ISR systems to the soldiers.

Marlborough Communications is very pleased to be working with Prox Dynamics on this prestigious project, reinforcing Marlborough Communications’ reputation for successfully delivering vital capability and solutions to the UK Ministry of Defence.”