The US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) has issued a request for information (RFI) for a new long-endurance Group 2 unmanned aircraft system (UAS) for use by the US Marine Corps (USMC).

The RFI, posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website on 14 December, is for a ‘small’ UAS capable of providing intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) during day and night operations in all environmental conditions.

In the Department of Defense (DoD) classification of UASs, Group 2 equates to a vehicle that has a maximum gross take-off weight of 9.5 kg to 24.9 kg; a normal operating altitude of less than 3,500 ft above ground level; and an airspeed of less than 250 kt. These performance specifications are in the Insitu ScanEagle range of systems.

According to the RFI, the US Navy and USMC Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Office (PMA-263) is seeking information on a system that is capable of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL); is battery and/or fuel cell powered; lightweight and portable via a small vehicle (though with a man-portable ground control station); has a minimum range of 20 km; an endurance of four hours; can be set up in less than 10 minutes (battery) or 20 minutes (fuel cell); can operate in all weathers and environments; has a modular mission payload; can mark targets with an onboard laser; and is ready to be fielded immediately.

Responses are requested by 28 December.

Source: DoD