The successful applicant will be eligible to apply for Innovate UK funding up to £60,000, to develop the proposed solution towards meeting this challenge. The funding will cover a maximum 3 month project.

VSS has supplied safety-critical seating for armoured vehicles since 2009, helping protect personnel from under-vehicle blast threats such as improvised explosive devices (IEDs). However, the rise of drone warfare has significantly changed the threat landscape. Attacks from above and the sides of vehicles can result in severe casualties, creating a need for additional protection measures. As manned armoured vehicles will continue to play an important role in military operations, VSS is seeking solutions that can enhance personnel protection against evolving drone-based threats.

Background

The challenge is to extend the blast mitigation features of existing seats used in armoured vehicles designed to meet NATO STANAG 4569 protection levels. Further details of the current seat design are provided in the accompanying product presentation.
Additional protection is likely to be required above, and potentially to the sides of, the seated occupant to address emerging threats from drone attacks. Solutions could be permanently integrated or rapidly deployed when there is warning of an attack and should also consider scenarios where drone strikes are accompanied by under-hull blast events.
To support end-user acceptance, proposed solutions should be validated through appropriate development and testing processes, including finite element analysis (FEA), drop testing and live testing. Any additional protection must not add excessive weight that could compromise vehicle armour requirements. Equally, the existing blast mitigation features of the seat must remain unchanged, although solutions may enhance their overall protective performance.

The Challenge

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The solution should utilise proven materials currently available on the market, such as Kevlar, while also considering emerging materials being developed to address similar protection challenges. It must fit within existing vehicle geometries and be suitable for safe use by personnel ranging from the 5th to the 95th percentile in size while wearing standard battle dress and helmets.
Any additional protection features, including their storage when not deployed, must not significantly reduce the available internal space within the vehicle. The solution should also be adaptable to different vehicle configurations and capable of being tailored to specific end-user requirements.

Functional Requirements 

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The solution should be capable of meeting relevant MOD and NATO regulations, standards and certification requirements applicable to armoured vehicle protection systems.&nbsp;The solution must not require significant modifications to existing vehicle architecture. Occupants must remain securely restrained within the seat system while retaining the ability to rapidly release harnesses and safely exit the vehicle when required.VSS is registered with JOSCAR, the supplier qualification system used by major defence buyers, and solutions should be developed with defence-sector procurement and compliance requirements in mind.

Technical Requirements 

The solution must be capable of operating effectively within the confined environment of armoured vehicles and under the demanding conditions encountered during military operations. It should maintain its protective performance across a range of operational scenarios, including exposure to vibration, shock, extreme temperatures, dust, moisture and prolonged use.The solution must not impede normal vehicle operations, occupant movement, emergency procedures or rapid vehicle evacuation. It should be robust, reliable and suitable for deployment in active conflict environments where threats may originate from both aerial attacks and under-vehicle blast events.

Operating Conditions 

Solutions that require fundamental redesign of the vehicle platform or replacement of the existing blast-mitigating seat system are out of scope. Proposed approaches must not reduce occupant safety, compromise the vehicle's existing protection capabilities, restrict emergency egress, or create additional operational risks for personnel.Solutions that cannot realistically be integrated into existing armoured vehicle configurations, or which impose unacceptable space, weight or usability constraints, are unlikely to be suitable for this challenge.

Out of Scope 

VSS are particularly interested in low-cost, scalable solutions that can address the challenge efficiently. VSS has a strong track record of developing new products and systems, supported by significant investment over its 19-year history, and welcomes ideas that can demonstrate practical impact and value.

Cost Requirement 

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There are thousands of armoured vehicles in operation across NATO countries and other international markets. As drone warfare continues to reshape battlefield requirements, defence organisations are looking for practical ways to enhance the protection of existing vehicle fleets rather than replace them entirely.
A successful solution could have applications across a wide range of armoured vehicle platforms and anti-blast seating systems, creating significant opportunities for future commercialisation, licensing and technology transfer. With defence spending increasing globally, and many nations seeking locally produced defence capabilities, the market potential extends well beyond a single customer or vehicle platform.
</div>

Rewards & Market Opportunity 

Successful applicants will be given an opportunity to pitch to VSS.&nbsp;The winning applicant, as selected by the company, will then be eligible to apply for up to &pound;60,000 grant funding to kickstart the development of the proposed solution through a 3 month project.
Selected solutions will be trialled with potential for further adoption if trials are <a>successful</a>
The benefits package for a successful applicant may also include:
<ul>
<li>Support from Innovate UK Business Connect</li>
<li>Support in the development of a prototype or pilot</li>
<li>Technical support</li>
<li>Invitation to attend or present at Innovate UK Business Connect events</li>
<li>A potential business collaboration</li>
<li>Investor introductions (if investment is required)</li>
<li>Support if any Innovate or similar competitions are relevant.</li>
</ul>

<ul>
<li>Challenge launch: 5th October 2026</li>
<li>Deadline for applications: Friday 6th November 2026</li>
<li>Review of applicants: Monday 9th &ndash; Friday 13th November 2026</li>
<li>Selection and notification of finalists: Friday 13th &ndash; Tuesday 17th November 2026</li>
<li>Pitch Day: Wednesday 25th November - Wednesday &nbsp;3rd December 226</li>
<li>Confirm selected solution provider: By Friday 4th December 2026</li>
<li>Submission to Innovation Funding Service (IFS): December 2026</li>
<li>Project length: 3-months. (Starting by 1st March 2027 and complete no later than 31st May 2027)</li>
</ul>

Timescales

Entrants to this competition must be:
<ul>
<li>Established businesses, academic institutions, start-ups, SMEs, or individual entrepreneurs</li>
<li>UK based or have the intention to set up a UK base</li>
</ul>
Your project must:
<ul>
<li>Have a grant funding request up to &pound;60,000 (eligible costs only, see below).</li>
<li>Start 1st March 2027 and complete by 31st May 2027</li>
<li>Carry out its project work in the UK.</li>
<li>Intend to exploit the results from or in the UK.</li>
</ul>
Applications will be assessed on:
<ul>
<li>Relevance to the defined challenge</li>
<li>Benefit of implementation</li>
<li>Feasibility/economic viability</li>
<li>Innovative nature</li>
<li>Ability to launch in line with expected timescales</li>
<li>Credibility of applicant company</li>
<li>Coherence of the proposed business model</li>
<li>Development potential</li>
<li>Maturity of the solution</li>
<li>Suitability for the intended geographic market</li>
</ul>
If selected through this competition, you will be invited to apply for up to &pound;60,000 grant funding through the Innovation Funding Service (IFS). Applicants will need to upload the following documents to IFS once notified:
<ul>
<li>Project plan</li>
<li>Project costing</li>
<li>Minimal Financial Assistance (and de minimis where applicable) declaration (details can be found <a href="https://www.ukri.org/councils/innovate-uk/guidance-for-applicants/general-guidance/funding-rules/">here</a>)</li>
</ul>
Minimal Financial Assistance:
Grant funding in this competition is awarded as Minimal Financial assistance (MFA). This allows public bodies to award up to &pound;315,000 to an enterprise in a 3-year rolling financial period. If your application is successful and you are invited to apply for grant funding you will be asked to declare previous funding received by you. This will form part of the financial checks ahead of Innovate UK making a formal grant offer.

Eligibility & Assessment Criteria 

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Existing background IP associated with a potential solution will remain with Solution Provider(s). Where any new IP generation is envisaged, it will be subject to the mutual IP agreement of the solution provider(s) and challenge holder.
Any commercial deployment of a transferred solution or newly developed solution, through licensing, joint venture, partnership, or direct investment, will be subject to the commercial agreement between the solution provider(s) and challenge holder.
Where necessary, a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) may be signed to uphold confidentiality in the engagement between the solution provider(s) and challenge holder. (This would be expected to be after company selection, it is suggested that details of IP be not disclosed, focus on the outcomes of the technology proposed).
Innovate UK and Innovate UK Business Connect do not take any share of IP ownership or enter commercial ventures through the iX programme.
</div>

IP & Potential Commercial Route 

The application form for this challenge will require applicants to provide company information and answer 3 questions - Idea Summary, Technology Readiness and Intellectual Property &ndash; each with a limit of 300 words.
Additionally, the following documents must be attached for your application to be considered:
<ul>
<li>Project plan</li>
<li>Project costings &ndash; only eligible costs will be funded, please read the Innovate UK Costs guidance for further information</li>
</ul>
We recommend that you complete the application form in Google Chrome as other browsers may have compatibility issues. The application form does not need to be completed in one session and can be saved for future edits. Please ensure that you toggle &ldquo;Stage Complete&rdquo; for each section before submission. Note that you will no longer be able to edit your application once you have clicked &ldquo;Submit Idea&rdquo; at the bottom of the Summary page.

Application and Technical Guidance

By submitting an application to this Innovation Exchange (iX) challenge, you acknowledge and agree that the information you provide will be shared with Innovate UK Business Connect and the challenge holder for the purposes of assessment and selection. All information submitted will be handled in confidence and shared only with those involved in the assessment and selection process under appropriate confidentiality expectations.
Please consider the level of detail you share in your submission to ensure it aligns with your own internal confidentiality or disclosure policies.
A selected panel of assessors will review and score your application. The panel of assessors will meet and agree a consensus score. Successful solutions will be selected by the challenge holder. Success will be based upon total consensus scores, a portfolio approach and capacity within the challenge holder&rsquo;s organisation to carry out the projects.
For more information on how Innovate UK Business Connect handles personal data, please refer to our&nbsp;<a href="https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/privacy-policy/" target="_new">Privacy Policy</a>.

Extending protection to personnel travelling in armoured vehicles under drone attack

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Opportunity

Challenge opens

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Background

This challenge is brought to you by:

Extending protection to personnel travelling in armoured vehicles under drone attack