Enduring Atmospheric Platforms

Testing + Validation Partners

This programme is a 3.5-year effort focused on technical de-risking for low-cost, long-endurance aircraft that enable scalable high-altitude communications. To support the researchers and organisations funded by ARIA (Creators) in bringing these breakthrough ideas to life, we are seeking proposals from aerospace test sites, testing agencies, and consultants.

Programme Partners will be critical in ensuring our Creators can safely fly their experimental platforms, maintain station at altitudes above commercial aviation, and successfully pass the programme's Final Exam: continuously delivering 300W to a 20kg payload for a full week.

Through this RFP, we're seeking proposals from aerospace test sites, organisations, and consultants to support with the following services:

• Test sites + facilities: Providing suitable, likely segregated airspace, range instrumentation, data services, and logistics/ground infrastructure in sparsely populated areas.
• Guidance for funded teams: Providing a field testing consultancy or firm to guide, aid, and embed with Creator teams, who range from experienced aerospace firms to startups in their first foray into prototype design, to ensure their system integration and development timelines align with regulatory processes and site requirements.
• Independent verification and validation (IV&V): Assisting ARIA in the independent assessment of Creator performance following field test campaigns and the Final Exam.

Read the full details in the request for proposals and apply below.

Application timeline

Deadline for proposal submission: 22 May 2026 (14:00 BST)
Notification of selection for presentation: 5 June 2026
Presentation by bidders to ARIA selection panel: 15 to 19 June 2026
Target contract start date: 19 August 2026

Apply now