Over £2 million in funding has been allocated to four pioneering organisations in the UK to accelerate the adoption of PYRAMID, a Ministry of Defence (MOD) initiative focused on developing rapidly adaptable modular avionics and mission systems. This significant investment, part of Phase 2 of the UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) PYRAMID for avionics and mission systems competition, was conducted on behalf of the RAF Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO).
PYRAMID is designed to create a well-defined open reference architecture that enables systematic re-use and through-life capability enhancement for both future and existing air systems. The core objective is to reduce the time and cost associated with implementing capability upgrades, thereby providing a crucial military operational advantage. The MOD has made substantial investment in this area, collaborating with national and international programmes and industrial partners to foster its widespread adoption.
Among the successful recipients is Barnard Microsystems Limited (BML), which plans to integrate the PYRAMID Reference Architecture (PRA) into its multi-role All Electric AWAE-24 Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV). This will facilitate individual or group operation of these UAVs and set the stage for future PRA applications in their Long Range and High Speed UAVs. BML stated that this integration will improve interfacing with sub-systems from other suppliers and enhance future upgrade capabilities, ensuring compliance with ISO 9001:2015, CAA SORA, and Cyber Essentials for scalable UK manufacturing.
Applied Intuition UK, another recipient, will use the contract to demonstrate a functional airborne targeting chain that adheres to the MOD’s PYRAMID Reference Architecture while also aligning with the US Government’s FACE™ (Future Airborne Capability Environment) standard. This dual compliance is particularly relevant for the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and the RAF RCO, and is deemed critical for enabling future UK/US interoperability, positioning Applied Intuition UK as a key supplier for programmes like the Global Combat Aircraft Programme (GCAP).
FLYBY Technology, founded by former Fighter Pilot Weapons Instructor Jon Parker, also received funding. Parker emphasised that modern operational environments demand constant and rapid adaptation. By leveraging PYRAMID, FLYBY Technology aims to demonstrate that capability upgrades, whether incremental or transformational, can be implemented with greater efficiency and speed. The initiative builds on the success of Phase 1, which saw UK and international partners embrace PYRAMID, affirming its value and expanding the supplier base for compliant products.
Mike Lane, PYRAMID Lead at the RAF Rapid Capabilities Office, expressed satisfaction with the progress. He highlighted that Phase 1 of the UKDI-led initiative had been a significant success, with increasing numbers of suppliers delivering PYRAMID-compliant products. Lane commended UKDI for their professionalism in leading and coordinating activities for Phase 2, affirming their impact as a valuable asset to UK defence programmes.
Source: GOV.UK