Request for Information (RFI) for Medium Range Tactical (MRT) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), PMA-263

The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) is seeking industry input to identify potential solutions for a Medium Range Tactical (MRT) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) for use by the United States Marine Corps Expeditionary Forces. The desired MRT UAS should be capable of providing Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) during day and night operations across a variety of operational environments. The system should be ruggedized, robust, and rapidly deployable, delivered ready for operational use with minimal logistics, training, and sustainment burden. Key characteristics of interest include a maximum gross takeoff weight of less than 20 lbs, a total system weight of less than 75 lbs, and a total payload capacity of greater than 3.75 lbs. The system should also be capable of operating in austere locations, across diverse global climates and weather conditions, during day and night operations, and within degraded, denied, intermittent, and limited (DDIL) radio-frequency environments. • The MRT UAS should support modular payloads and a variety of sensors, including the provision of real-time Full Motion Video (FMV) via high-resolution electro-optical (EO) and/or infrared (IR) sensors. • The Air Vehicle (AV) should be capable of operating from stationary and mobile platforms, including amphibious ships and expeditionary advanced bases. • Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) solutions, including fixed-wing VTOL (FW-VTOL) and multirotor VTOL configurations, are of interest. • The system should support autonomous or manual launch and recovery within designated or confined areas, with recovery methods that minimize system damage and enable rapid mission turnaround. • The Ground Control Station (GCS) should be man-portable and either provide the necessary equipment to monitor sensor position and status, control AV movement, and display video, or be interoperable with existing common control systems available for U.S. Government procurement.