Description
The Air Force is seeking commercially available, flight‑qualified small‑UAS platforms that can be air‑launched and equipped with a communications‑relay payload to support swarming operations in contested environments. The effort is structured as a five‑phase down‑select, beginning with a solution brief (Phase 1) and progressing through prototype demonstrations (Phases 3‑4) to a potential follow‑on production award (Phase 5). Vendors must provide a system meeting strict weight, range, endurance, payload, speed, and temperature specifications, and must be compatible with DoD autonomy and command‑and‑control suites. No reimbursement is provided for proposal costs, and later phases may require Secret‑level clearances.
• Provide an air‑launchable sUAS (≤ 330 lb) with ≥ 1000 km one‑way range or ≥ 6 hr endurance and ≥ 90 min loiter (objective 180 min).
• Integrate a ≥ 35 lb communications‑relay payload (objective 50 lb) delivering ≥ 1000 W power, using open‑architecture (MOSA) hardware/software.
• Demonstrate compatibility with DoD C2/autonomy suites (Vigilant Spirit, Arbitrator, FANTOM) and meet stringent environmental and performance requirements.
• Follow a phased acquisition process: Phase 1 brief due Oct 15 2026, Phase 2 pitch Nov 2‑6 2026, then prototype phases with potential Phase 5 production award.
• Vendors must have a CAGE code, be SAM‑registered, and be able to obtain Secret‑level facility and personnel clearances for later phases.
Attached files
Contact
Jesse Cooley(Contracting Officer)