The UK Ministry of Defence has been clear in setting out its expectations for the next generation of uncrewed and autonomous systems. Across strategy, policy, and programme signalling, there is a consistent emphasis on adaptability, pace of capability insertion, and long term freedom of action.
For industry, this direction carries important implications for how propulsion systems are designed, integrated, and sustained over time. As uncrewed platforms move from niche capabilities to operationally significant assets, propulsion architecture choices increasingly influence delivery risk, upgradeability, and platform resilience.
Understanding MOD priorities at the propulsion level
MOD thinking on uncrewed systems reflects several well established priorities. These include avoiding unnecessary vendor dependency, enabling rapid technology refresh, and ensuring platforms can evolve as operational requirements change.
In propulsion terms, this often translates into an expectation of modularity, open interfaces, and the ability to integrate components from multiple suppliers. These principles align with wider defence acquisition objectives, particularly in relation to competition, scalability, and long term supportability.
At a strategic level, this approach is entirely consistent with the MOD’s intent to retain decision making freedom across a platform’s life. At a tactical delivery level, however, programme experience suggests this interpretation is not always the most effective way to achieve those outcomes.
Observations from multi programme experience
At ePropelled, our view is informed by direct engagement with a wide range of customer programmes across defence, aerospace, and advanced mobility. Through these customers, we support platforms operating within NATO contexts, contribute to allied uncrewed system ecosystems, and engage with requirements shaped by current US Department of Defense drone and autonomy initiatives.
Across these diverse environments, we consistently observe that many risks to delivery and operational performance emerge not from propulsion components in isolation, but from how those components behave once integrated into a complete platform.
This insight has become more pronounced as uncrewed systems are fielded in greater numbers, under tighter timelines, and in more demanding operating conditions.
Reconsidering modularity in practice
From an MOD perspective, modularity is a means to an end, not an end in itself. The objective is flexibility, adaptability, and control over capability evolution.
An alternative interpretation of modularity, informed by programme experience, is that reducing modularity at the component level, while increasing optimisation at the propulsion system level, can actively support these goals.
A tightly integrated motor and controller architecture allows performance, thermal behaviour, safety functions, and control logic to be engineered as a coherent whole. This, in turn, reduces the burden of propulsion integration on the platform developer and lowers the risk of unforeseen interactions emerging late in the development cycle or during operational deployment.
Crucially, integration at this level does not preclude openness or scalability. When designed correctly, integrated propulsion systems can support a family of power classes and vehicle types while presenting stable, well-defined interfaces to the wider platform.
Implications for delivery pace and risk
One of the strongest signals coming from MOD and allied programmes is the requirement to deliver usable capability at pace. Uncrewed platforms are no longer experimental demonstrators. They are becoming integral to force structures and operational concepts.
In this context, prolonged integration and testing cycles represent real programme risk. Integrated propulsion architectures can help mitigate this by reducing component count, simplifying validation, and clarifying accountability for system performance. For example, system level integration also enables digital tools such as ePropelled’s ePConnect environment to accelerate platform level design integration, streamline validation and testing, and provide earlier performance and health insights to programme teams.
From our experience supporting customers engaged in active defence programmes, this approach consistently shortens integration timelines and improves reliability during operational use.
Alignment with MOD’s long term intent
It is important to stress that this perspective is intended to support, not challenge, MOD strategic intent. The department’s focus on openness, competition, and adaptability remains fundamental.
Our view is that these objectives are best achieved by being selective about where openness is required and where integration delivers greater value. Platform level openness, combined with deeply optimised subsystems, can provide the MOD with both flexibility and confidence as requirements evolve.
This balance is increasingly reflected in allied programmes, where lessons from fielded systems are encouraging a more nuanced application of modularity principles.
Looking forward
As the MOD continues to refine its approach to uncrewed capability development, propulsion architecture decisions will play an increasingly important role in shaping programme outcomes. These decisions influence not only performance, but integration risk, upgrade pathways, and long term sustainment.
Based on our involvement across multiple customer programmes and operational contexts, we believe that integrated propulsion systems offer a practical route to meeting MOD objectives. They provide a way to simplify delivery while preserving the adaptability that modern defence programmes demand.
The challenge, and opportunity, for industry and the MOD alike is to apply modularity in a manner that supports operational outcomes, rather than complexity for its own sake.
Author Bio
Author: Henry Sullivan, Head of Finance, ePropelled
Oversees the company’s global finance, human resources and information technology functions. His role spans financial stewardship, operational governance and organisational strategy across ePropelled’s international footprint. With deep expertise in accounting and financial management, strong technology leadership and broad knowledge of international tax structures, Henry plays a central role in shaping the company’s long term growth and efficiency. His strategic insight into emerging technologies, regulatory environments and supply chain dependencies provides a valuable perspective at the intersection of innovation, assurance and commercial execution.
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