Army seeks multiple designs during final stages of NexGen UAS

The Army wants to select multiple designs when it gets to the final phases of the Next Generation Unmanned Aircraft System.

In a response to industry questions issued this week over the service's search for NexGen UAS concepts, the service indicated it would like to select multiple demonstrators from the practical designs submitted in Phase II to move on to the demonstration's Phase III, money and time allowing.

Whatever design is selected, the Army also said it is considering to retain limited data rights over the UAS though there may be exemptions for certain pre-existing technology in the design.

The NexGen UAS project's goal is to make a UAS that can conduct long-range reconnaissance while in contested airspace against a potential near-peer enemy, able to survive direct hits by rockets or portable guided missiles.

Some of the other specifications the Army wants include a flight speed at a minimum of 205 knots but ideally at 230 knots and be able to maintain a mission radius of 135 nautical miles with the objective of a 229 nautical mile flight zone.