U.S. Navy Seeks Counter-UAS Solutions for Group 3+ Drones

The U.S. Navy plans to rapidly prototype and execute a phased operational test and evaluation to validate the performance of one or more proposed shipborne kinetic defeat Counter UAS solutions for Group 3+ drones. These solutions must be capable of quick worldwide deployment, integration with various naval platforms, and seamless incorporation with the existing sensors on a naval vessel.

Only complete Counter UxS (Uncrewed Systems) solutions will be accepted, including a kinetic defeat effector and launcher for group 3+ UAS. Solutions should assume they will receive tracking data from the vessel’s combat systems to facilitate detection and targeting. Integration with the vessel’s existing combat systems is required. However, adjunct passive systems (e.g., Electro-Optical/Infrared) that do not interfere with the ship’s organic sensors are permitted.

Partial solutions, such as those providing only radar or find, fix, and track capabilities, will not be considered. Proposed solutions must address the entire kill chain, enhancing find, fix, track, and identification capabilities while incorporating kinetic defeat functionality without interfering with the vessel’s existing combat system. High-powered microwave and directed energy solutions will not be considered for this solicitation.

A solution brief’s technical merit and relevance will be evaluated based on its ability to meet primary attributes and the cumulative evaluation of secondary solution attributes and capabilities.

Primary Attributes

• The solution must support the full kill chain (find, fix, track, target, engage, assess) with both “human in/on-the-loop” control modes. Solutions may assume they will receive a radar track from the naval vessel’s combat systems to facilitate “find and fix.”
• The solution must exist in a technically mature state of development for the government to host a baseline assessment of the solution’s capabilities planned to occur at a West Coast naval test location, subject to range availability, within 90 days after the prototype award.
• The offeror must demonstrate the ability to deliver up to 5 production representative prototypes within 12 months of the prototype award.
• The solution effector must be reloadable at sea and not require heavy lift equipment.

Secondary Attributes

• Solutions that can demonstrate a high probability of kinetic defeat for group 3+ UASs (ideally greater than 90%) for self-defense to protect the ship within a radius of approximately 15 km and a high probability of kill (ideally greater than 70%) for area defense to protect nearby commercial shipping lanes and vessels within a greater than 15 km radius are preferred.
• The solution must minimize the cost per defeat to reduce the asymmetry of the current cost of traditional air defense defeat solutions compared to the threat.
• Solutions that have a terminal guidance capability integrated into the effector are preferred.  A system requiring terminal illumination, terminal shipboard guidance and/or dwelling are less preferred.
• Accelerating the kill chain by enabling a faster decision loop from initial detection until the launch of the effector is preferred and must be characterized. Minimizing “time to defeat” (the time from decision to launch to defeat in flight) is desirable and must be characterized.
• The solution should minimize installation size, weight, power, and restrictions imposed on other systems onboard a naval vessel.  Solutions weighing less than 5,300 lbs in operational status and 2,300 lbs without the launcher and effector are preferred—solutions less than 220 cubic feet with any dimension no greater than 90 inches are preferred.
• Solution briefs should also specify proposed installation and integration locations to include but not limited to a) forward CIWS platform, b) missile deck, c) aft vertical launch system deck, and d) aft superstructure O2 deck platforms if installing onboard a DDG 51-class guided missile destroyer.
• The solution should integrate into a naval vessel’s existing combat systems and ancillary support systems (water, electrical power, and air).  The ability to integrate into the combat systems with the following characteristics is preferred: MIL-STD-1760 and MIL-STD-1553 interface, along with the ability to operate on 208 – 220 VAC.
• The production solution should be capable of achieving compliance for shipboard installation onboard a naval vessel and able to operate in a harsh maritime environment (e.g., exposure to salt water, shock, etc), including but not limited to MIL-STD-810 and MIL-DTL-901E.
• The solution should be able to support obtaining or complying with safety and shipboard installation military specifications during the prototype period.
• The solution should be able to support obtaining Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Fuel (HERF), Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Personnel (HERP), Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance (HERO), Weapons System Explosive Safety Review Board (WSESRB), etc. while also incorporating the appropriate arms, ammunition, and explosives safeguards throughout the prototype phase and before final production.
• The solution should be able to comply with DODINST 8500.E1 Change 1 – CyberSecurity Information Assurance dated 14 Mar 2014, DODINST 8510.01 RISK MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK (RMF) FOR DOD SYSTEMS dated 19 July 2022, and SECNAVINST 5239.3C Dept of the Navy CyberSecurity Policy dated 2 May 2016 to meet shipboard cybersecurity requirements throughout the prototype phase and before final production.
• A solution developed using a modular, open-source architecture leveraging open and extensible software design principles that enable integration with third-party modular components, where applicable, standardized or common interfaces, and software containerization will be preferred.
• The solution should be able to demonstrate adaptability to evolving operational threats, including the ability to leverage real-time, or near real-time, operational deployment data, logs, and user feedback to assess, correct, and/or improve system behaviors and performance, including safely, securely, and promptly deploying software updates to fielded systems. Companies may assume the U.S. government will share data on evolving threats. A DD254 (Contract Security Classification Specification) and DD2345 (Military Critical Technical Agreement) will be required to share this data at the appropriate classification level. Additionally, successful solutions will be required to provide personnel with appropriate security clearances and, eventually, the ability to obtain a Facility Clearance to store classified information.
• Preference may be given to solutions that can provide evidence demonstrating a Counter UAS capability in relevant and/or representative environments.

Counter-UXS (Other Domains)

• Solutions that provide evidence of adaptability for applications against uncrewed systems in other domains (e.g. uncrewed surface vehicles) may be given preference, but all primary attributes must still be addressed.

Companies interested in submitting proposals for Counter-UAS solutions for Group 3+ drones must submit by June 28th, 2024, at 23:59:59 US/Eastern Time. For more information, please visit Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems- NEXT (Counter NEXT).

Post Image- Components of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Group (IKECSG), Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Laboon (DDG 58) and USS Gravely (DDG 107), steam in formation with the Italian aircraft carrier ITS Cavour (CVH 550), the Carlo Bergamini-class frigate ITS Alpino (F 594), and the Horizon-class frigate FS Forbin (D 620) in the Red Sea, June 7, 2024. The IKECSG is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime stability and security in the Middle East region. (Post Image Credit: Official Italian Navy Photo)