On March 1, the U.S. Army posted a request for
information for Squad Intelligence, Surveillance, and
Reconnaissance. Responses are due by March 15.
This RFI is for a Squad ISR UAV
asset for small combat outposts, route clearance elements, and retrograde
operations to provide force protection and maneuver elements real time and near
real time situational awareness on the battlefield. The UAV asset should be
designed to be a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft that is a rapidly
deployable ISR in austere, harsh environments. The UAV system functions should
be interoperable with currently fielded equipment to minimize the individual
operator’s workload and prohibit the requirement for significant training.
The primary payload of
the UAV should consist a high definition, gimbaled video EO/IR capable camera,
with the desired capability of being compatible with a variety different of
payloads. The minimum operating duration should be 50 Kilometers. The minimum continuous operating duration for
the air vehicle should be at least 1 Hour. Additionally, the Tethered UAV
should be capable of operating in temperatures between -40 and 130 degrees
Fahrenheit. The primary payload of the Tethered UAV system should be a
day/night and all weather communication capable. The expanded capability beyond EO/IR ISR is
highly desired.
Background
The REF studies, assesses and evaluates current and
evolving Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) and Government Off-The-Shelf (GOTS)
technologies to provide up-to-date solutions to operational requirement needs
identified by the U.S. Army Warfighter.
The REF desires to identify the technology readiness level and potential
industry sources for an advanced Squad ISR UAV.
This system will be rapidly deployable, easy and safe to operate by
Soldiers, be highly reliable and self-contained, and sustainable by Soldiers
and Army units via the Army’s logistics and supply system(s).
Purpose
The purpose of this RFI is to assist in the determination of available products at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) six (6) and greater. TRL 6 is defined as representative model or prototype system tested in a relevant environment.
Full information is available here.
Source: FedBizOpps
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