Navy requesting industry help for long-range UAS

The Navy is requesting industry input on a potential long-range, tactical unmanned aircraft system that would be used by an international partner for maritime domain awareness as well as search and rescue operations.

The system would need to be able to operate in static rain environments of up to one inch per hour, conduct wide-area surveillance, identify and track objects, provide real-time full motion video and distinguish between vessel types, according to Tuesday’s request for information.

The Navy is seeking a small UAS with a minimum endurance of 48 hours, an electric powered motor, modular and open architecture, technology readiness level of eight or higher, multiple modular payload capability and an ability to operate in various weather and environmental conditions.

Those responding to the RFI must answer several questions, like describing how their system navigates, what the production lead-time would be and the current maximum production output.

Responses to the RFI are due May 20.