Army Launched Effects solicitation includes counter unmanned ground vehicles

The Army wants to incorporate counter unmanned ground vehicles (C-UGV) into its plans for developing Launched Effects capabilities, according to a request for information released today.

The RFI asks industry for information on capabilities associated with Launched Effects payloads, which include both the air and “surface” Launched Effects, both of which consist of an air vehicle, payload, mission system applications and support equipment.

Air Launched Effects are launched from high-, medium- and low-altitude platforms, while Surface Launched Effects include both ground and maritime vessel Launched Effects, according to the Army.

With Launched Effects, the Army aims to “detect, identify, locate and report, deliver lethal and non-lethal effects, extend communications, conduct battle damage assessment and provide protection of friendly formations,” the RFI states.

Launched Effects will be able to “collaborate with other manned, unmanned or mixed groups and controlled by different formations throughout the battlespace,” according to the RFI.

The notice asks vendors if they have multiple types of capabilities, which include:

• Electro-Optic/Infrared, passive radio frequency and synthetic aperture radar for surveillance.
• Aircraft, command posts and electronic attack disruption for non-lethal effects.
• Counter swarm electronic attack and C-UGV for protection capabilities.
• Decoy, small unmanned systems and “unattended ground sensors” for payloads.

The RFI asks vendors for solutions that are at least a technology readiness level of 3, with the ability to be upgraded to a TRL level of at least 7 by fiscal year 2030.

Army officials said last year that a requirement update to the Launched Effects program would be coming toward the end of fiscal year 2025.