Battalion Reconnaissance UAS

1. BACKGROUND The U.S. Army Contracting Command Redstone Arsenal (ACC-RSA) is issuing this Call for Solutions (abbreviated C4S hereafter) against Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) W58RGZ-26-S-C001-006 under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 3458. This C4S will competitively acquire innovative commercial, Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) for the Battalion Reconnaissance UAS effort described below. The Government reserves the right to alter or cancel this call at any time. The purpose of this effort is to provide Battalion Commanders and their organizations with an organic Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition (RSTA) capability. This effort aligns with the Army's modernization priorities to operate in Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) and the Department of War's (DoW) strategic objective of achieving Drone Dominance. Through this C4S, the Army ensures that industry remains informed of its changing needs, fostering ongoing investment and innovation in UAS technologies to address future opportunities. This C4S will assess National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) compliant and viable Battalion Reconnaissance UAS candidates through a capability demonstration and Manufacturing Readiness Assessment (MRA) in support of the Army Maneuver Elements. The Government reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to select multiple solutions, a single solution, or make no award at all as a result of this evaluation. Should the Government elect to select multiple solutions, Offerors are advised that an award does not constitute a commitment to procure any specific quantity of systems. There is no guaranteed minimum order quantity for any selected vendor. The actual number of systems procured from any awardee will be driven by evolving Army mission needs, fielding schedules, and the availability of funds. Each Offeror shall explain how their system meets the minimum set of requirements from Attachment 2, System Characteristics. All procurements will be initiated by Project Manager (PM) UAS and/or Army end-users based on their specific mission requirements and the availability of funds. 2. PROBLEM STATEMENT The character and pace of modern warfare are being redefined by the rapid proliferation and innovation of UAS. Our near-peer competitors are deploying these capabilities with a speed and scale that directly threatens our technological advantage at the tactical edge. Recent DoW guidance directs a shift to a wartime footing, demanding the acceleration of acquisition timelines and scale the industrial base to meet this evolving threat. The Battalion Reconnaissance UAS system is a critical solution to close maneuver battalions' operational reconnaissance and security gaps, which severely limits a commander s situational awareness, decision space, freedom of maneuver, and tempo during Cross Domain Maneuver Operations. To address this urgent need, the Army must rapidly identify, assess, and procure innovative, readily available UAS that are ready to field now. This C4S seeks to fill critical UAS capability gaps at the Battalion Level. The objective is to move away from traditional, lengthy development cycles and onboard mature, effective, and immediately procurable solutions into the UAS Marketplace. This approach will empower the warfighter with the cutting-edge capability required to dominate the modern battlefield and restore decisive advantage. 3. TECHNICAL ATTRIBUTES This C4S is for a production-ready Battalion Reconnaissance UAS. The desired platform must be a rapidly deployable VTOL system capable of autonomous reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, and identification. A critical secondary function is the ability to provide communications relay in dynamic radio spectrum environments. The system configuration shall be a VTOL UAS, not to exceed a Max Gross Takeoff Weight (MGTOW) of 55lbs and include two modular mission capable VTOL air vehicles with an Electro-Optical /Infrared (EO/IR) camera and laser pointer, two ground control stations and ancillary equipment capable of operations in day, night and adverse weather conditions. Ancillary equipment is defined as batteries, cables, initial spare parts, operator/maintenance manuals, and packaging. Dynamic mission changes require a system with a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) and a common payload interface to rapidly remove and install air vehicle mission payloads. The desired Battalion Reconnaissance UAS capabilities and characteristics are listed below and in the attached required System Characteristics (Attachment 2). These capabilities and characteristics are required in the Offerors responses and will be verified during the capability demonstration. It is critical that whitepaper submissions accurately reflect performance and associated assumptions. Performance: Greater than 40 km range and greater than 5-hour endurance per AV. Launch/Recovery: Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL). Data Link: Hardened, secure data link and Assured Positioning, Navigation, & Timing (APNT) agile in contested EMI. Architecture: Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) strategy. Payloads: Modular Mission Payload Capability, including at a minimum EO/IR. Payloads can be for RSTA, communications relay, target designation, and others. Interoperability: Integrated Tactical Network Interoperable, including with Tactical Assault Kit and Net Warrior Control systems. AI-Enabled: AI-enabled characteristics for target detection and recognition. A detailed description of the required and desired technical attributes for the UAS solutions is provided in the Statement of Objectives (SOO), included as Attachment 1 to this C4S. 4. System Request The PM UAS will assess Offeror responses to identify current, readily available, Battalion Reconnaissance UAS solutions and may invite select Offerors to demonstrate capabilities through flight operations. Submissions shall be based on current manufacturing, production and system technical performance capabilities. Offeror demonstrations will include the full range of system capabilities. Responses shall include the following information: Provide compliance report or certification from a 3rd party independent assessor and status of 2020 NDAA Sec 848, 2023 NDAA Sec 817, and cyber assessments. Offers that are not NDAA compliant can still compete but must detail the path to compliance. Provide a completed compliance matrix (Attachment 3) detailing the Offeror s adherence to the Drone Dominance Program Supply Chain Framework. The Offeror must clearly indicate its compliance status (e.g., "Compliant," "Not Compliant," "Plan to Comply by [Date]") for each component area against the Phase 2 (Minimum and Preferred), Phase 3, and Phase 4 requirements. For any area not yet compliant, the Offeror must provide a detailed narrative explaining their plan and timeline to achieve compliance. System price, segregated by air vehicle, ground control station, software licensing, mission specific payloads, ancillary equipment, training, technical manual, repair procedures, and 12 months of system support. Provide unit costs calculation assumptions (e.g., description of system, estimated production quantity). Detailed description of the modular payload sensor performance. Sensor performance details must include day/night/weather capability, video resolution, field of view, data bandwidth requirements and data storage characteristics. Sensor performance criteria will be based on identification of a man-sized target under day and nighttime conditions. Detailed description of all payload s performance characteristics. Interface description of system generated payload output format (e.g. full motion, cursor on target, precision targeting information). Detailed description of air vehicle performance characteristics such as air vehicle dimensions, weight, range, endurance, operating altitude, battery specification, launch method, wind/gust limits, hot/cold temperature range, Ingress Protection (IP) ratings (dust/liquids), precipitation limits while operating (e.g., in/hr), and maximum horizontal speed. Performance should be captured for max weight, combination of center of gravity range limitations, or any proposed specific configuration to meet requirements. Detailed description of the system and ground control solution including size/weight, battery specification, sensor and air vehicle control functions, hot/cold temperature range, IP ratings (dust/liquids), wired/wireless networking options, range of operation, display size/resolution/brightness, ability to operate in direct sunlight and night conditions, ability to operate the system in cold weather. Describe the integration approach for mission planning and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) control software compatibility. The system is interoperable with the Integrated Tactical Network via the Tactical Assault Kit (TAK). Provide technical specifications for both C2 and network data link radios…