Navy searching for ISR unmanned aircraft system

By Audrey Decker / February 24, 2022 at 10:54 AM

The Navy is asking for industry input on a new unmanned aircraft system that would perform intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

The system would support land-based and sea-based operations to provide reliable delivery of sensor data, according to an updated request for information released Tuesday.

The ISR missions would require around-the-clock imagery, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, according to the Navy’s RFI.

“Contractors would be responsible for resources to produce sensor data, such as trained personnel, non-developmental UAS equipment, certifications, operation and maintenance, spares and product support,” the RFI states.

The Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems program office is searching for contractors to provide these ISR services in support of the Defense Department, other government agencies and combat and contingency operational requirements, according to the RFI.

The program office is interested in UAS ISR services capable of the following parameters:

  • Operational range: up to 75 nm, with a single air vehicle
  • Datalink range (communications and Full Motion Video (FMV)): Line of Sight with BE-CDL waveform with Type-1 Encryption
  • On Station Time: 10 hours at-range
  • FMV: Electro-Optic (EO)/ Infrared (IR) – National Imagery Interpretability Rating Scale (NIIRS) of Level 7 or above
  • GPS Precise Positioning Service (PPS) receiver
  • Operate in GPS contested/degraded situations to include use of APNT, adverse weather conditions, and austere environments
  • Runway Independent
  • Payloads: Electronic Warfare (EW) and/or Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) payload
  • Heavy fuel engine
  • These parameters constitute mandatory minimum requirements.

Capable contractors would compete under a "Class Limited Source Justification and Approval" and resulting contracts are firm fixed price, according to the RFI.

“Authority to act under the current Limited Source justification expires in March 2026,” the RFI states.

Last month, the Navy released a different RFI for a UAS that would be capable of vertical takeoff and landing.

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