The software beneath The same challenge extends beyond counter-UAS protection. Uncrewed systems are appearing in
the air, on land and across the maritime surface and subsurface domains. Connecting them into a credible military force will depend as much on software, networks and user interfaces as on the individual platforms. Amentum is working on CORVUS,
the British Army’s future deep reconnaissance and surveillance system, which is intended to provide a continuous Land Tactical Deep Find capability. The company also has personnel embedded at the recently opened Defence Uncrewed Systems Centre in Swindon. “Hardware is important, of
course, but we are focused on what is common throughout: software, networks, command and control, and user interfaces,” said Jules Weekes, uncrewed and counter uncrewed systems delivery director at Amentum. The Netherlands has adopted what
Weekes describes as a “software-first” approach to future uncrewed systems, centred on common command-and- control technology.
58 Advance | Autumn 2026
Platforms that cannot exchange information or work through the same command architecture will have limited military value. Interoperability cannot be treated as something to add once the aircraft, vehicles and vessels have entered service. It must be designed into the force from the start. This is the real test of the Defence
Investment Plan. The government must not only turn funding into contracts, but ensure those contracts collectively deliver an integrated capability.
From investment to delivery The Defence Investment Plan is part of a framework that includes the Strategic Defence Review and Defence Industrial Strategy. Its ambition is to strengthen the Armed Forces, back UK industry and create economic growth.
Swindon has become an important part of that effort. The MOD’s 545,000 sq ft Defence Uncrewed Systems Centre at DroneTEX is intended to accelerate testing, certification and export readiness while bringing government and
industry closer together. Since July 2024, the MOD has spent more than £450 million on uncrewed systems, including more than £300 million on research and development. But investment alone is not enough. Matt Foster, CEO of Callen-Lenz, argues that success also depends on “adopting a rapid spiral development approach that can respond quickly to operational requirements”.
That means turning trials into
programmes and programmes into systems that can be manufactured, supported and continuously updated. Procurement must allow technology to evolve without every change restarting the approval cycle. Facilities and research spending
are enabling measures, not fielded capability. Moving at drone speed will ultimately be measured by whether the systems delivered can communicate, adapt and survive together.
The uncomfortable possibility is not that the UK will fail to spend £5 billion. It is that the country could spend it and still emerge without a coherent uncrewed force.
Photo credit: Lustre Art Group/
stock.adobe.com
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