Tiberius Aerospace Secures UK MoD Contract to Develop Sceptre
Tiberius Aerospace, a UK-based defense technology startup, announced on September 4, that it has secured a UK Ministry of Defence contract to develop “Sceptre,” a new 155mm ramjet artillery munition. Under a rapid trials and development agreement (details undisclosed), the UK has become the launch customer for Sceptre, with independent verification and validation conducted by the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit.
Sceptre (TRBM 155 HG) is described as a revolutionary liquid-fueled, extended-range precision artillery projectile. It is designed to reach speeds around Mach 3.5 at altitudes above 65,000 ft (beyond typical jamming ranges) and to achieve ranges up to approximately 150km, depending on payload. The guided round reportedly offers extreme accuracy (a circular error probability under 5 meters even in GPS-contested environments). To reduce logistical burdens, Sceptre utilizes a proprietary multi-fuel liquid propellant (diesel, JP-4, JP-8) compatible with NATO-standard howitzers. This design reduces barrel wear and storage risks and extends shelf life beyond 20 years. As co-founder and CSO Andy Baynes mentioned, the company has been refining Sceptre through extensive live-fire and simulation testing since its public debut in May 2025. The MoD’s early investment reflects “the UK’s visionary leadership” and its support for innovative solutions like Sceptre and “Defence-as-a-Service” development models.
Tiberius Aerospace launched at the Future Artillery conference in May 2025 with the Sceptre debut and is staffed by engineers and strategists from companies such as Google and Apple. The Sceptre contract supports the UK’s broader defence modernization efforts. British defense planners have explicitly prioritized strengthening the Army’s “long-range artillery” or “deep fires” capabilities. Recent moves include supplying Ukraine with legacy 155mm guns and introducing new weapon systems like Archer wheeled howitzers and the upcoming RCH-155 self-propelled gun. Sceptre’s combination of extreme range, speed, and precision would support the UK’s strategy to strengthen deep-strike and precision artillery capabilities in response to evolving threats.