then will that be a COTS buy, or will the MOD want it's own sensors on the platform?
That's a pretty good question. Last time I managed a Sonics programme (20 years ago) the winner of the blind trial, by a VERY long way, was a Computing Devices (Canada) Off The Shelf device. I was kicked up and down every corridor in St Giles Court for running the trial, because Sonics was a protected technology and the contract WOULD be awarded in the UK, regardless of quality, price, supportability, performance, time to develop etc. Nothing anyone in MoD could do. Some waivers were granted over the years; for example HELRAS in Merlin (BAeS/Bendix) which was allowed to compete with Plessey's Guillemot in the early 80s. Not sure what the current political directive is, but for example ELINT was the same and now we've bought Rivet Joint and US kit.