On behalf of the DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), Office of Mission and Capability Support (MCS), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Procurement Operations (OPO) has released a Request for Information (RFI) to solicit industry input regarding kinetic mitigation capabilities for countering small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS).

This RFI aims to conduct market research and evaluate the current state of the market for kinetic mitigation systems of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) that minimize collateral effects. The results of this RFI will support two kinetic mitigation demonstrations scheduled for the summers of 2023 and 2024.

This RFI will be used to invite select capabilities to participate in two DHS-funded sUAS mitigation demonstrations. The demonstrations will focus on the following:

  • Kinetic mitigation of Group 1 (0-20 lbs.) and Group 2 (21-55 lbs.) UASs.
  • Develop scenarios or use cases in which kinetic mitigation could be used.
  • Identify potential scenarios and outcomes from kinetic mitigation usage.
  • Develop a methodology to measure and assess collateral effects.
  • Establish and define risks of kinetic mitigation in the homeland security mission space.

First Event Overview

The initial event will feature a demonstration highlighting various kinetic mitigation capabilities, such as collision, containment, microwave, acoustic, laser, non-nuclear electromagnetic pulse (NNEMP), and projectile methods. This demonstration aims to counter small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) in scenarios that reflect the four main DHS mission areas. The scenarios are designed to evaluate the effectiveness of kinetic mitigation capabilities while also taking into account potential collateral damage to friendly forces, bystanders, and/or property. The potential risk measures considered during the demonstration include collateral damage from falling debris, missed target damage, electromagnetic damage, hazardous materials, risk to friendly forces, risks to populations, and risks to networked command-and-control capabilities. Ultimately, the demonstration will develop potential risk measures for kinetic mitigation and assess the performance measures of success for such mitigation techniques.

Second Event Overview

The second event will involve a test and evaluation phase that builds upon the first demonstration, continuing to explore the kinetic mitigation market and emerging capabilities. Leveraging the outcomes of the initial demonstration, the second event aims to further test and refine use-cases, while establishing a baseline for consequence metrics. The test and evaluation phase will serve as a foundation for capability analysis, setting standards for risk analysis related to kinetic mitigation usage, as well as establishing baseline knowledge of kinetic counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) operations and their potential consequences.

Capabilities Sought

  • Entanglement-net capture-A net or other entangling device captures the
    sUAS and settles the sUAS in a designated position for recovery.
  • Entanglement- fouling– A net or other entangling devices interrupts
    the propulsion or flight control systems causing the sUAS to depart controlled flight.
  • Munition- ordnance– A complete device charged with explosives;
    propellants; pyrotechnics; initiating composition; for damaging or destroying the sUAS.
  • Munition- missles– An unmanned vehicle moving above the
    surface of the Earth whose trajectory or flight path is capable of being altered by an external or internal mechanism which damages or destroys the sUAS.
  • Munition- kinetic interceptor– An aerial weapon system in which a UAS(s)
    interceptor collides with the target sUAS. The dynamic energy of the intercepting UAS is used to destroy the target UAS (suicide drones).
  • Directed Energy– Any technology that relates to the production
    of a beam of concentrated electromagnetic energy or atomic or subatomic particles to disrupt or destroy the sUAS. Includes: laser, microwave, plasma, electromagnetic pulse (EMP), sonic, or particle beam.

For more information visit  UAS Kinetic Mitigation Capabilities and Response for the Science and Technology Directorate

The RFI is due on or before May 5, 2023, at 10:00 Eastern.

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