Army explores adding SIGINT capabilities for Gray Eagle

The Army wants to learn more from industry about adding signals intelligence sensor capabilities for the MQ-1C Gray Eagle platform, in preparation for operating in a multidomain environment, according to an Oct. 28 notice.

The Army’s Product Manager for Aerial Enhanced Radars, Optics and Sensors is seeking information from industry on extended-range electronic intelligence as well as communications intelligence sensor solutions, according to the request for information. The technologies should have a high Technology Readiness Level that will require 12 months or less of development.

The Army met its acquisition goal of 204 aircraft for the Gray Eagle in 2019, the service has said previously. However, Congress has continued to add procurement money for additional drones to be deployed to the Army National Guard.

In response to questions from Inside Defense about what prompted the Army to explore adding SIGINT to the Gray Eagle, and how much of the fleet the capability would be deployed to, the service issued a statement on Nov. 6 saying: “The Army continually monitors the evolution of technologies and potential threats and this RFI is designed to obtain information from industry on advanced SIGINT technologies to understand future potential capabilities.”

“At this point this RFI will not directly result in a solicitation for procurement. As the Army has not made procurement a decision for this capability there aren’t specific units identified to receive it,” the Army said in the statement.

Responses to the RFI are due Nov. 25.