TActical systems designers ltd – est. 2002
A specialist autonomous systems engineering consultancy — providing
deep technical capability across UAS development, defence systems,
remote sensing and large-scale programme delivery. Trusted by UK
MoD, BAE Systems, Leonardo and Tier 1 defence industry.
What we do
01/
Full-stack autonomous systems development — from algorithm design and simulation through to hardware integration and certified flight trials. We architect and validate autonomous behaviours across multi-rotor, VTOL and fixed-wing platforms.
02/
Deep heritage in UK defence — weapons systems, C4ISR, edge processing, real-time embedded systems and secure architecture. We bring design authority experience and a rigorous, evidence-based approach to complex defence integration challenges.
03/
UAS-based data acquisition, processing and analysis for agricultural and environmental applications. Orthomosaic generation, GIS integration and AI-assisted image analysis delivery with the same engineering rigour as our defence work. In partnership with UASrocks Agriculture, smart farming specialists.
04/
Proven programme management at scale — from multimillion-pound MoD and government transformation programmes to Agile R&D delivery for innovative start-ups. We provide technical authority and commercial rigour in equal measure.
Years in Defence &
Advanced Systems
BAE Systems Chairman’s
Awards for Innovation
3 Competitive DASA
Grants Awarded;
3 UKRI GRANTS AWARDED
Chartered Engineer
MIET . MBCS . CITP
Scale of Programmes
Delivered
SELECTED WORK
Leonardo UK – Commercial Innovation Partnership
Defence . Autonomous Systems
Commercial innovation partnership with a Tier 1 UK defence company to integrate AI/ML software and visual sensor capability onto edge-processor-enhanced UAVs. TSD led the full development pathway — from synthetic environment and digital twin creation, through software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop simulation, to flight-side integration and a rigorous, formal, evidence-based flight trials programme. Delivered custom design-certification-standard multi-rotor platform capable of autonomous onboard detection and classification.
Delivered: Certified flight trials . HIL/SIL pathway . real-time edge AI . groundstation & telemetry
Zelim / HM Coastguard
Search & Rescue . AI/ML . Maritime
As Innovation Project Manager and Systems Integrator, TSD delivered the SARBOX edge-processing capability — integrating visual and thermal IR imagery streams with AI/ML object detection and classification, targeting casualties in maritime SAR under a wide range of environmental conditions. Led the prototype through end-to-end system integration, sea trials, and its first operational demonstration: a live multi-agency mass casualty exercise at Race Bank windfarm in the North Sea, conducted under HM Coastguard auspices.
Outcome: US Coastguard expressed operational interest · successful live mass casualty exercise · first full operational demonstration of system
UK MoD / DASA
Defence R&D . SWARM AUTONOMY
TSD was competitively awarded three DASA grants under the “Many Drones Make Light Work” competition — managing all commercial and technical aspects of the programme. Work encompassed swarm autonomy algorithm development, technology demonstrators, and collaboration with Tier 1 defence contractors including Thales UK. Results were presented at MoD Systems Autonomy events alongside BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin.
Three competitive grants awarded · Thales UK collaboration · presented at UK Gov defence autonomy conferences
Transport For London
Government . Programme Management . ERP
Strategic Business Systems Advisor to TfL — delivering the forerunner programme to the highly successful Places for London subsidiary. Encompassed ERP solutions (SAP RE-FX), integrated IT platforms, a Target Operating Model for occupational health serving 30,000+ employees, and digital transformation of one of London’s largest commercial and residential property portfolios. First report to TfL’s Commercial Director for non-ticketing revenue.
£3.4bn property portfolio · SAP RE-FX delivery · TOM design · 30,000+ employee services improved · direct to Commercial Director
The Company
Tactical Systems Designers Ltd was founded in 2002 by Michael Beizsley C.Eng MIET MBCS CITP — a Chartered Engineer with over 30 years of applied systems engineering experience across UK defence, aerospace, government and advanced technology sectors.
TSD’s founding ethos is simple: bring the engineering standards of major defence programmes to bear on real-world autonomous systems challenges — without the overhead of a large organisation. Programmes that might take years in a prime contractor environment can be delivered with greater agility, lower cost and the same technical rigour.
Our autonomous systems R&D is conducted on purpose-built development hardware — platforms designed from the ground up to reduce integration cost and cycle time during early autonomy validation. This is hardware-agnostic engineering philosophy applied in practice: the algorithms, architectures and integration methodologies transfer to any platform.
TSD brings formal compliance experience to every engagement — incl. ISO 27001, RMADS, PRINCE2 Practitioner, MSP Practitioner, TOGAF .
Recognition & Awards
× 3 BAE Systems Chairman’s Award
Innovation & Customer Service — three separate awards across multiple BAE Systems programmes. A rare distinction at this level.
NVIDIA ‘One to Watch’
TSD contributed to work on dynamic media placement at Mirriad which was recognised by NVIDIA and personally visited by CEO Jensen Huang.
× 3 DASA Competitive Grant Recipient
Three separately competed and awarded grants from the Defence & Security Accelerator under the UK MoD autonomy programme.
× 3 Innovate UK ( UKRI) Competitive Grant Recipient
Three separately competed and awarded grants from Innovate UK, covering intelligent transport systems.using ML, eHealth for assisted living, & peer-to-peer cloud-based social computing. Collaborators included BT, Telefonica, Imperial College & specialist SMEs.
UK Gov Autonomy Conference Speaker
Invited to present alongside BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin at UK Government security and defence autonomy conferences.
ENGAGE
TSD takes a selective approach to engagements — prioritising projects where our specific combination of autonomous systems depth, defence experience and programme delivery capability adds most value. We are also proud to maintain a trusted group of hi-calibre SME associates & partners.
Direct Contact
mikeb@tsdltd.com
Registered in England & Wales 04420534