NPCC Kinetic Effector RFI

The Authorities seek to determine market potential and consider market views on the requirements with a view to ensure such views are considered for any potential procurement that the Authorities may wish to launch.

No information contained in this RFI, or in any communication made between the Authorities and any Potential Provider in connection with this RFI, shall be relied upon as constituting a contract, agreement or representation that any procurement or contract may result from this RFI. Under no circumstances shall the Authorities incur any liability in respect of this RFI or any supporting documentation.

The Authorities will not reimburse any costs incurred by Potential Providers in connection with the preparation and submission of their responses to this RFI.

‘kinetic effector’ is often referred to as a ‘hard kill’ or ‘hard stop’ solution but could also allow the physical capture and retrieval of a drone. Like other forms of counter-drone effectors, these are used to protect against drone incursions. Various methods capture, entangle or physically disable a drone, preventing it from reaching the intended target or carrying out the intended mission. Because of how they operate, kinetic effectors may be classed as ‘firearms’ and as such the operational use of them is limited. For this RFI, ‘kinetic effectors’ includes ammunition for existing firearms or platforms, as well as bespoke systems such as ‘smart’ weapons sighting systems. Specially designed ammunition may also require use of a firearm by an Authorised Firearms Officer (AFO).

Remotely piloted aircraft, drones or Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) are used to carry out a whole host of functions by all sections of the community, including both legitimate and illegal activity. This may include carrying an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), video espionage, privacy violations or transportation of contraband, among others. Kinetic effectors may be used to counter the careless, inconsiderate or criminal use of drones. They can be used as a standalone device or may have an interface to other technologies, such as a detection system.

NPCC Counter Drones coordinates this activity with national equipment and training that is interoperable using ‘mutual aid’ for all Home Office forces. Police Scotland, Police Service of Northern Ireland, Ministry of Defence Police, Civil Nuclear Constabulary, British Transport Police, and the National Crime Agency also accord with the principles set out in the national model that in future will be covered under the College of Policing’s Authorised Professional Practice (Counter Drones) (APP) for the deployment, training and use of counter drones equipment.

More information

Additional text

The Contracting Authority is issuing this Prior Information Notice (PIN) as a Request for Information (RFI) to gather market intelligence/information, to gain a better understanding of the capacity and appetite of the market.

It is important to note that this PIN/RFI is not a call for competition and as such potential providers will need to express an interest in any future tender opportunity once a contract notice is published in Find a Tender Service and on Contracts Finder.

It should be noted that this PIN/RFI invites individuals and organisations to express an interest in this RFI exercise only, and it is NOT a pre-qualification questionnaire, and is NOT part of any pre-qualification or selection process.

To request access to the RFI document please email [email protected] and request the RFI document related to Kinetic Effectors. The document will then be sent for completion and should be returned to the same email address before the deadline. Responses are required by 12PM on 03/02/2024

Interested parties should not make direct contact with policy officials, all enquires/communication should only via the approved communication channel.

If this is for you more here

Some more about the ammo in the video above, from this 2017 article

Ease of installation

A final challenge is the question of cost and complexity. Use of Nammo’s programmable ammunition does not require any physical changes to the gun itself, nor its ammunition handling system. That means that instead of expensive modifications and upgrades, the system can be easily added to any existing platform.

The system architecture is quite basic – in addition to the ammunition, it consists of a programming unit, and an antenna that is mounted on either the weapon or the vehicle. The distance to the target is entered into the programming unit either manually, or based on input from an automated range finder. Then, in contrast to competing systems, instead of programming the ammunition before it is fired, or inside the barrel, it receives its instructions just as the shell leaves the gun. This eliminates the need for upgrades to the barrel.

Small piece of the puzzle

Anti-drone operations are extremely complex, and place high demands on rules of engagement, sensors, and targeting procedures. Nammo’s ammunition does not alone resolve this issue, but it offers ground forces something they so far have been lacking, which is a cost effective weapon that could be used even in urban areas.

In Nammo we believe that those doing an important job deserve the right equipment. That is why we exist, and why we work every day to help ensure that our products evolve along with the requirements faced by the end users on the ground.