MOD Projects - Project Nexus

Overview

NEXUS represents the Royal Air Force's Combat Cloud—a sophisticated digital infrastructure and data platform engineered to deliver Decision Superiority to warfighters across the air domain. Formally described as the NEXUS Air Information Platform, or NEXUS to Core, this MOD-owned virtual digital backbone powers Networked Command and Control operations, providing the foundational architecture for multi-domain integration and real-time decision-making.

The platform delivers a secure, scalable, distributed virtual environment for data sharing and mission integration amongst allied platforms, sensors, applications, and end-users. With a recent contract award of £19.68 million (excluding VAT) in October 2025 for sustainment and growth, NEXUS has evolved from experimental trials to become core infrastructure for RAF operations, with plans for continued expansion through 2030.

Strategic Purpose and Objectives

Delivering Decision Superiority

The fundamental objective of NEXUS is to provide warfighters with Decision Superiority—the ability to make faster, better-informed decisions than adversaries. This is achieved by delivering relevant information and capabilities directly to aircraft and ground units at the point of need, enabling timely and effective decision-making in dynamic operational environments.

Creating a Single Data Layer

NEXUS aims to deliver a single data layer that connects any Sensor to any Effector across all domains and classifications. This ambitious goal breaks down traditional information silos, allowing data from diverse sources—whether air, land, maritime, space, or cyber—to be integrated and made available to those who need it, regardless of classification level or platform.

Generating the Common Operating Picture

By fusing data from multiple sources and domains, NEXUS generates a Common Operating Picture that provides all participants with a shared understanding of the operational environment. This shared awareness is fundamental to coordinated operations, particularly in complex, multi-domain scenarios involving coalition partners and joint forces.

Supporting Digital Transformation

NEXUS sits at the heart of the RAF's broader digital transformation programme, modernising how the service conducts operations and enabling agile command and control in contested environments. The platform represents a shift from traditional, hardware-centric communications to flexible, software-defined, cloud-based solutions that can adapt rapidly to evolving operational requirements.

Technical Architecture and Capabilities

The Air Information Platform (AIP)

At the core of NEXUS lies the Air Information Platform (AIP), described as a cloud-based Data Fabric for Air. This data fabric provides the underlying architecture that enables seamless data sharing, processing, and distribution across the air domain and beyond.

Cloud-Based Infrastructure

NEXUS employs cloud-based technology to deliver integrated solutions for secure processing, connectivity, and data management. This cloud foundation provides the scalability and flexibility necessary to support operations of varying scope and intensity, from routine training to major combat operations.

Multi-Level Data Integration

The platform has been designed to integrate data across multiple classification levels, including classified, unclassified, and multi-level coalition data. This capability is essential for operations involving partners with different security protocols and classification systems, enabling information sharing whilst maintaining appropriate security boundaries.

Rapid Data Ingestion and Preparation

NEXUS supports rapid ingestion, preparation, and governance of metadata from diverse sources, including F-35 aircraft, ships, land platforms, and portable terminals. This metadata-centric approach significantly reduces bandwidth requirements by distributing only essential metadata rather than complete data files, whilst still enabling users to access the information they need.

Dynamic Adaptation

The platform incorporates dynamic adaptation capabilities based on operational feedback and innovations in cloud technology. This evolutionary approach ensures that NEXUS can respond to emerging requirements and incorporate technological advances without requiring complete system redesign.

Plug-and-Play Architecture

NEXUS has been designed with a “plug-and-play” philosophy, allowing future force assets to be integrated into the network without extensive custom integration work. This approach enhances the platform's longevity and reduces the cost and complexity of incorporating new capabilities as they become available.

Operational Capabilities and Benefits

Reduced Mission Planning Time

By providing integrated access to relevant data and streamlining information flows, NEXUS significantly reduces the time required for mission planning. Faster planning cycles enable more responsive operations and allow aircrew and commanders to react more quickly to developing situations.

Bandwidth Efficiency

The platform's metadata-only distribution model substantially reduces bandwidth consumption compared to traditional approaches that require full data files to be transmitted. This efficiency is particularly valuable in bandwidth-constrained environments or when operating with limited communications infrastructure.

Real-Time Decision Support

NEXUS enables real-time decision support by making current, relevant information available to decision-makers as situations develop. This capability is fundamental to maintaining operational tempo and exploiting fleeting opportunities in dynamic combat environments.

Cross-Domain Data Sharing

The platform facilitates rapid, cross-domain data sharing, breaking down barriers between air, land, maritime, and other domains. This integration is essential for modern joint operations where effects in one domain depend on information and support from others.

Multi-Domain Decision-Making

NEXUS has become central to RAF multi-domain decision-making, providing commanders with the integrated picture necessary to orchestrate effects across multiple domains simultaneously. This capability represents a fundamental shift in how air power is planned and employed.

Experimentation and Development

F-35 DEIMOS Trials

NEXUS has been proven through extensive experimentation, including the F-35 DEIMOS trials. These trials, which received £850,000 in funding in October 2023, demonstrated rapid, cross-domain data sharing between US and UK systems, validating the platform's ability to support coalition operations with one of the RAF's most advanced aircraft types.

Classified Data-Sharing Pilots

The DEIMOS trials specifically focused on classified data-sharing capabilities, proving that NEXUS could securely handle sensitive information whilst maintaining the necessary operational security. This capability is essential for coalition operations where classification systems and security protocols may differ between partners.

Operational Feedback Integration

The platform's development has been informed by operational feedback from users, ensuring that NEXUS addresses real-world requirements rather than theoretical needs. This user-centric approach enhances the platform's operational relevance and effectiveness.

Cloud Innovation Integration

NEXUS benefits from ongoing innovations in cloud technology, with the platform designed to incorporate new capabilities as commercial cloud services evolve. This approach leverages the rapid pace of commercial technological development whilst maintaining the security and resilience required for military operations.

Budget and Funding

Core Sustainment and Growth Contract

In October 2025, NEXUS received a contract award of £19.68 million (excluding VAT) for sustainment and growth activities. This multi-year contract covers ongoing support and system upgrades, ensuring that the platform continues to meet operational requirements as they evolve.

Prior Experimental Funding

Earlier development work included £850,000 allocated in October 2023 for the DEIMOS trials focused on classified data-sharing pilots. This experimental funding enabled proof-of-concept work that validated key capabilities before committing to larger-scale deployment.

Multi-Year Support and Upgrades

The current contract provides for multi-year support, reflecting the long-term nature of the capability and the need for sustained investment in maintenance, upgrades, and enhancements. This approach ensures continuity of service and allows for incremental improvements based on operational experience.

Options for Modular Upgrades

The funding structure includes provisions for modular upgrades and experimentation, allowing new technologies and capabilities to be incorporated without requiring major contract renegotiation. This flexibility supports the platform's evolutionary development approach.

Budget Management and Organisational Structure

MOD Defence Digital Oversight

MOD Defence Digital provides supervisory oversight and funding for NEXUS, ensuring alignment with broader defence digital strategies and standards. This involvement helps ensure that NEXUS integrates effectively with other MOD digital initiatives and infrastructure.

RAF Rapid Capabilities Office Delivery

Delivery of the NEXUS capability is undertaken by the RAF Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO), an organisation specifically focused on accelerating the delivery of new capabilities to operational users. The RCO's involvement reflects the priority attached to NEXUS and the desire to field the capability rapidly.

RAF 90 Signals Unit Technical Operations

Technical operations for NEXUS are conducted by RAF 90 Signals Unit, the RAF's specialist communications and information systems organisation. The Unit's involvement ensures that the platform is operated and maintained by personnel with deep expertise in military communications and data systems.

RAF Commercial and DE&S Partnership

RAF Commercial, based at Air Command in High Wycombe, holds budget responsibility and works in partnership with MOD Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) digital procurement teams. This partnership brings together commercial expertise and procurement authority to manage the platform's acquisition and sustainment effectively.

Delivery Partner

SixWorks Contract Award

The core sustainment and growth contract for NEXUS was awarded to SixWorks, based in Farnborough, in October 2025. SixWorks brings specialist expertise in digital infrastructure and data platforms to support the ongoing operation and development of NEXUS.

IBM Acquisition

It should be noted that SixWorks has since been acquired by IBM, meaning that IBM now holds responsibility for delivering the NEXUS contract. This acquisition brings the resources and capabilities of a major technology company to support the platform's continued development and operation.

Procurement Route and Timeline

Acquisition Pipeline Status

NEXUS is formally listed in the MOD Acquisition Pipeline under the category of “digital, cyber, and ICT infrastructure.” The entry for NEXUS to Core (N2C) identifies it as the current and future Air Command and Control information platform, with coverage extending to sustainment and expansion through 2030.

Tender Process

A notice for the core sustainment and growth contract was published on the Find a Tender Service on 21 May 2025, under reference number 025290-2025. The contract was subsequently awarded on 2 October 2025, demonstrating relatively rapid progression from tender to award.

Recompetition Options

The contract includes provisions for potential recompetition and further increments to incorporate new technologies. This structure ensures that the MOD retains flexibility to adjust the delivery approach based on performance, changing requirements, or technological developments.

Related DEIMOS Contract

Earlier experimental work was conducted under contract reference FTS1365-22, which covered the DEIMOS phase trials. This earlier contract laid the groundwork for the current operational platform.

Interoperability and Integration

UK Joint Force Integration

NEXUS has been designed from the outset for interoperability with other UK services' digital programmes. This joint approach ensures that the RAF's Combat Cloud can work seamlessly with complementary capabilities being developed by the Army and Royal Navy.

Army ZODIAC Integration

The platform is designed to integrate with the Army's ZODIAC programme, which provides command and control capabilities for land forces. This integration enables joint operations where air and land forces must coordinate effects and share situational awareness.

Navy StrikeNet Integration

Similarly, NEXUS integrates with the Royal Navy's StrikeNet programme, supporting maritime-air operations and ensuring that naval and air forces can share data and coordinate actions effectively across the air-maritime interface.

NATO Data Fabric Alignment

NEXUS is aligned with NATO's Data Fabric for Shared Situational Awareness, ensuring that the platform can support NATO operations and integrate with alliance-wide information sharing initiatives. This alignment is essential for the UK's role within NATO and its commitment to collective defence.

US ABMS Interoperability

The platform has been designed for interoperability with the US Air Force's Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS), reflecting the close partnership between the RAF and USAF and the importance of coalition operations with the United States. The DEIMOS trials specifically proved the ability to share data rapidly between UK and US systems.

Coalition Data Sharing

NEXUS incorporates capabilities for multi-level coalition data sharing, enabling operations with partners who may have different classification systems or security protocols. This flexibility is essential for the UK's role in various coalition and partnership arrangements beyond NATO.

Operational Context and Strategic Relevance

Modernising RAF Operations

NEXUS represents a fundamental modernisation of how the RAF conducts operations, moving from traditional, platform-centric approaches to network-centric operations where information sharing and integration are paramount. This transformation is essential for maintaining operational effectiveness against increasingly sophisticated adversaries.

Reducing Mission Latency

By providing rapid access to relevant information and streamlining data flows, NEXUS reduces the latency between information gathering and operational action. This reduction in mission latency enables faster response times and more agile operations.

Supporting Contested Environments

The platform's design specifically addresses the challenges of operating in contested environments where communications may be disrupted or degraded. By providing resilient, distributed data sharing capabilities, NEXUS helps ensure that the RAF can maintain command and control even under challenging conditions.

Enabling Coalition Operations

Given the UK's commitment to NATO and partnership operations with allies such as the United States, NEXUS's coalition interoperability capabilities are of strategic importance. The platform enables the RAF to operate seamlessly alongside partner air forces, enhancing collective capability.

Supporting Agile Command and Control

NEXUS provides the technological foundation for agile command and control, allowing commanders to adapt rapidly to changing circumstances and to orchestrate effects across multiple domains and with multiple partners. This agility is increasingly important in an era of diverse and evolving threats.

Commercial and Procurement Context

Digital Infrastructure Acquisition

The procurement of NEXUS reflects the MOD's recognition that modern military capability increasingly depends on digital infrastructure and data platforms. This shift from traditional hardware-centric acquisition to software and infrastructure procurement presents both opportunities and challenges for defence acquisition processes.

Rapid Capabilities Office Approach

The involvement of the RAF Rapid Capabilities Office in delivering NEXUS demonstrates the MOD's commitment to accelerating capability delivery. The RCO model, focused on rapid fielding of new technologies, represents an alternative to traditional acquisition timescales.

Sustainment and Growth Model

The structure of the NEXUS contract, focused on sustainment and growth rather than a fixed product delivery, reflects the evolutionary nature of digital platforms. This approach recognises that NEXUS must continue to adapt and improve throughout its service life rather than remaining static.

Modular and Incremental Development

The provision for modular upgrades and incremental enhancements allows NEXUS to evolve in response to technological developments and changing requirements without requiring major programme restructuring. This approach reduces risk and enhances value for money.

Experimentation Before Commitment

The progression from experimental trials (DEIMOS) to operational deployment demonstrates a prudent approach to capability development, proving key concepts before committing to full-scale implementation. This de-risks the programme and builds confidence in the platform's capabilities.

Future Development and Expansion

Expansion Through 2030

The current acquisition pipeline entry covers sustainment and expansion of NEXUS through 2030, indicating a sustained commitment to the platform's development over the medium term. This timeframe provides stability for planning whilst allowing for necessary adaptations.

New Technology Integration

The contract structure includes options for incorporating new technologies as they emerge. This provision ensures that NEXUS can benefit from ongoing innovation in cloud computing, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and related fields.

Future Force Integration

The plug-and-play architecture positions NEXUS to support future force structures and capabilities, including platforms and systems that are still in development. This forward-looking design enhances the platform's longevity and protects the investment in its development.

Continued Experimentation

The provision for ongoing experimentation ensures that NEXUS can continue to evolve based on operational experience and technological opportunities. This experimental mindset is essential for maintaining a cutting-edge capability in a rapidly changing technological landscape.

Significance for UK Defence

NEXUS represents one of the UK's most significant investments in digital defence infrastructure and reflects a fundamental shift in how air power is enabled and employed. The platform's emphasis on data sharing, integration, and decision support aligns with broader trends in modern warfare, where information superiority is increasingly recognised as essential to operational success.

The platform's interoperability with UK joint force capabilities and with key allies demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of modern warfare's joint and coalition nature. By providing the digital backbone for networked operations, NEXUS enables the RAF to punch above its weight through enhanced coordination with partners and across domains.

The evolutionary, user-focused approach to NEXUS's development—exemplified by the DEIMOS trials and the ongoing integration of operational feedback—suggests a maturity in digital capability acquisition that contrasts with some traditional defence programmes. This approach, combining rapid capability delivery with sustained investment in improvement and adaptation, may provide a model for other digital defence initiatives.

Conclusion

NEXUS represents a transformational capability for the Royal Air Force and UK defence more broadly. As the RAF's Combat Cloud and digital backbone for air domain command and control, the platform provides the foundation for multi-domain, coalition operations in contested environments. With its cloud-based architecture, metadata-centric data sharing, and extensive interoperability, NEXUS addresses many of the most pressing challenges facing modern air forces.

The recent contract award of £19.68 million for sustainment and growth, building on successful experimental trials, demonstrates the platform's progression from concept to operational reality. As NEXUS continues to evolve through 2030 and beyond, incorporating new technologies and expanding its capabilities, it will remain central to the RAF's ability to deliver air power effectively in an increasingly complex and contested operational environment.

The platform's success in reducing mission planning time, enhancing decision support, and enabling seamless coalition operations validates the investment in this digital infrastructure. As warfare becomes increasingly dependent on information superiority and networked operations, NEXUS positions the RAF to maintain its operational edge well into the future.