UK firms join forces to develop maritime counter-drone air defense system

July 21, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

UK companies Babcock, ACUA Ocean Technologies and Frankenburg Technologies have partnered to develop an integrated maritime counter-uncrewed aerial system (C-UAS) capability, combining autonomous surface vessels, missile technology and launcher systems to address the growing threat of attack drones.

The MOU builds on the existing partnership Babcock signed with Frankenburg in January to explore new air defence systems that can withstand the rapid rise in one-way attack drones.

Babcock and Frankenburg partner on counter-drone air defense system

Equipment & technology

Now with Plymouth-based marine tech firm ACUA on board, the parties will bring together three distinct elements: Babcock’s multi-domain launcher system with Frankenburg’s precision-guided missile systems, integrated into ACUA’s uncrewed surface vessels (USV).

In June, ACUA’s PIONEER USV recently operated continuously for 16–20 nautical miles offshore, completing more than 100 hours at sea without any hands-on intervention.

The tripartite agreement underpins Babcock’s existing defence expertise and supports the UK’s vision for a hybrid navy where Babcock is developing the technologies and capability to underpin this next-generation autonomous capability. The company’s launcher system can be fitted onto both crewed and uncrewed surface vessels.

“We’re excited to partner with innovative companies to develop an integrated approach that directly addresses some of the biggest challenges our customers face in today’s defence landscape,” Nick Hine, Chief Growth Officer for Babcock, said.

“To counter mass drone attacks, maritime air defence must be uninterrupted, yet rough weather often forces traditional systems out of limits. The unique stability of ACUA’s Pioneer-class, which we’ll be using for this collaboration, ensures these counter UAS and interchangeable payloads remain online and fully operational in high seas where other platforms fail,” Neil Tinmouth, CEO of ACUA Ocean Technologies, noted.

“Affordable missile defence is heading farther out to sea. By equipping ACUA’s uncrewed vessels with Frankenburg’s mass-manufacturable missiles and Babcock’s launcher technology, we aim to create a persistent and low-cost way to protect the UK’s ships, ports and critical maritime infrastructure against mass drone attacks,” Daniel Hallett, Managing Director, UK at Frankenburg Technologies, commented.