Air Force wants to field Group 3 drones to supervise smaller unmanned platforms within three years

The Air Force wants to field a fleet of large, supervising small unmanned aerial systems in the next two to three years that are enabled with command and control, data relay and electronic warfare technologies, according to a recent request for information.

The “signature managed” Group 3 drones are meant to help the Air Force monitor and reduce its footprint in the electromagnetic spectrum to avoid detection by enemy forces, the notice states. The Pentagon defines Group 3 drones as significantly bigger and faster than Group 2 unpiloted aircraft, which are equivalent to the Navy’s ScanEagle platform. At takeoff, Group 3 jets may weigh as much as 1,320 lbs.

These unmanned platforms would carry a C2/DR payload to supervise Group 2 sUAS swarms in battle zones while also emitting its own electronic warfare capabilities, the sources-sought notice from the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and special operations forces directorate states.

Specific requirements for the drones are under a controlled unclassified information status and only releasable to those with SIPRNet access.

The Air Force “is specifically seeking technology synopses for high [Technology Readiness Level/Manufacturing Readiness Level] solutions that are air-deployable and meet both the payload capacity and range provided in the CUI document” to fill Air Force Special Operations Command requirements, per the notice.

Interested businesses should provide information about their ability to provide:

• Signature managed Group 3 sUAS currently integrated with a command and control, data relay and EW payload.
• Signature managed Group 3 sUAS that can integrate the requested payloads and deliver a reliable solution within 24 to 36 months of this RFI.
• Low size, weight and power and cost technologies that can be integrated as a payload into the Group 3 signature managed sUAS to enable command and control and data relay capabilities for a Group 2 swarm or provide electronic warfare capabilities.

In issuing this solicitation, the service wants to get a feel for the market's ability to deliver offensive sUAS functions -- whether that be by tacking the technology onto existing systems or releasing new ones -- in the next 24 to 36 months. Responses will also be used to inform the Air Force’s open systems architecture to quickly and regularly make upgrades to software even while in the field.

Several vendors will be considered throughout the entire process, according to the RFI. The Air Force has said this kind of acquisition style is preferred over others which may lock the service into working with one company and deplete competition or access to so-called, best-in-class capabilities as they come online.

The Air Force “encourages non-traditional performers and innovators with relevant capabilities and technology to participate in this process,” the RFI notes, adding that the service expects to field additional operational platforms beyond this initial effort.

The U.S. government “is interested in all solution sets, particularly those from entities that may offer novel or unconventional approaches that may be capable of meeting the operational requirements outlined in each RFI,” the non-binding notice states.