Marine Corps issues RFIs on small UAS, ISR payloads for Puma

By Justin Katz / June 5, 2018 at 1:52 PM

The Marine Corps' Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems office is seeking information from industry about both small vertical-takeoff-and-landing systems and electro-optical payloads, according to two Federal Business Opportunities notices.

"VTOL systems are desired due to their ease of deployment and recovery," Marine Corps Combat Development Command spokesman Capt. Joshua Pena told Inside the Navy in a June 5 email.

"Current limitations are being negated through advancements in miniaturized components, battery lifetime, solar power, and aerodynamics," he said.

Further, the Marine Corps seeks a VTOL unmanned aerial system that requires minimal training and support requirements; provides a real-time full motion video; capability for recovery aboard vessels underway and the ground control station should be man-portable, according to the notice.

The technology should be mature enough to field immediately, the notice said.

The Marine Corps is also seeking information for an electro-optical/infrared payload that could be used on the RQ-20A/B Puma capable of providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance during both day and night.

"The RFI is conducting a market survey to determine new capabilities and sources that can provide better sensors in smaller form factors and at reduced costs -- both procurement and integration," Pena said.

Pena also said the information is "exploring the realm of the possible but responses will inform future requirements development."

Both requests for information were published May 11. The due date for both is June 11.

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