Army releases RFI for hybrid-electric VTOL S&T effort

The Army has laid out a plan to initiate a science and technology demonstration effort for hybrid-electric, vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft systems, according to a request for information posted this week.

The RFI will inform a request for proposals for a demonstration effort that will be funded under research, development, test and evaluation budget activity 6.3 -- an account that deals with advanced technology development efforts. This budget account involves the development and integration of “subsystems or components into system prototypes for field experiments and tests in order to demonstrate technological feasibility and assess operability and producibility,” according to the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments.

With the RFI, the Army intends to analyze various electric and hybrid propulsion aircraft technologies from both traditional defense contractors and others that are not affiliated with the Defense Department.

“For the Army, many questions remain about the viability of these systems for military missions. Internal analysis based on best available knowledge has shown specific power and energy limitations may present mission performance challenges,” the notice states.

For example, systems that only use battery power limit mission flexibility and require additional ground charging equipment and time, the RFI notes. However, a hybrid system could be advantageous, but the Army notes that a “high level of expertise is required to properly optimize a system that shows mission benefits.”

The Army is asking that industry technologies align with one of these mission descriptions:

• A militarized, autonomous hybrid-electric VTOL or vertical-short-takeoff-and-landing (VSTOL) aircraft capable of frequent and routine logistics movement of supplies with a payload capacity of 1,200 to 2,000 pounds.
• A small helicopter weighing between 4,000 and 5,000 pounds that is capable of extended, precision hover and can carry a payload of more than 1,200 pounds 200 nautical miles at 180 knots.
• A medium-lift rotorcraft with improved range/payload capacity, operating and sustainment cost, fuel quantity use or safety.
• Group 3 (less than 1,320 pounds) or 4 (more than 1,320 pounds) unmanned air vehicles using hybrid-electric technology to extend range and endurance, or provide good flight performance characteristics “in multiple flight regimes.”

The demonstration projects could start as early as fiscal year 2026 and “should complete no later than the end of FY-30,” according to the Army. The service anticipates a funding effort of $5 million to $7 million per year, according to the notice.

“While available funding is significant, it may be insufficient to solely fund the design, fabrication and test of a new-build aircraft. The Government is open to cost sharing/teaming opportunities with industry for technology demonstrations provided goals and schedules align, and data rights arrangements are suitable. The Government, however, does not intend to fund new test facilities under any future arrangements,” the notice states.

Responses to the RFI are due Aug. 30.