With the proliferation of UAS threats on the modern battlefield, Marines must maintain awareness of friendly UAS and be capable of self-defense against hostile UAS. Every unit, down to the individual Marine, is vulnerable to surveillance and potentially dangerous attacks from threat sUAS, regardless of their geographic location on the battlefield. Marines need effective self-defense capabilities against these threats to ensure freedom of movement. This need has been demonstrated through numerous Department of Defense (DoD) experiments, training exercises, and real-world operations.
The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to gather potential solutions from the industry for Dismounted Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (Counter-UAS) systems, enabling every Marine to defend against Groups 1 and 2 small UAS (sUAS) threats. Vendors must submit white papers detailing capabilities that meet the specified requirements. Mature capabilities that fulfill these requirements may be invited to an Industry Day in September 2024 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, for live target demonstrations. This RFI aims to identify potential solutions for an urgent emerging requirement.
The requirements may include training, integration, testing, production, and maintenance support. This RFI is market research per FAR Part 10, not a Request for Proposal (RFP). In support of Program Executive Officer Land Systems (PEO LS), the USMC is issuing this RFI to determine which vendors can provide the described support.
Squad-level solutions need to be carried by dismounted Marines with little to no impact on their primary mission. Platoon-level solutions may be transported in light tactical vehicles, assembled without the use of material handling equipment, and operated on battery power.
The solutions may include the capabilities described below:
Detect / Track / Identify:
- Squad level. Passive detection system that can detect UAS using acoustic or radio frequency (RF) detection. The sensor should be body-worn with limited impact on primary mission equipment. Components may include a Handheld tablet, bracelet, earpiece, and/or glasses that receive alerts, warnings, and notifications from an external sensor(s) (i.e., radars and/or passive detection systems).
- Platoon level. A passive detection system that can detect UAS using acoustic or radio frequency detection. The sensor can be mounted on a vehicle, mast, or tripod. Components may also include a handheld tablet, bracelet, earpiece, and/or glasses that receive alerts, warnings, and notifications from an external sensor(s) (i.e., radars and/or passive detection systems).
Defeat
- Squad level. Non-kinetic – Directional RF and/or Global Positioning System (GPS) jammer, ideally able to mount on organic rifle. Kinetic – A rifle/rifle optic capable of tracking and defeating small UAS. Enhanced ammunition for existing firearms (buckshot-like 5.56, 7.62, .50, .40mm).
- Platoon level. Non-kinetic – Omni-directional RF/GPS jammer and/or spoofer. Kinetic – A rifle/rifle optic capable of tracking and defeating small UAS. Enhanced ammunition for existing firearms (buckshot-like 5.56, 7.62, .50, .40mm).
Original Published Date: Jul 15, 2024, 08:28 am EDT
Original Response Date: Aug 02, 2024, 05:00 pm EDT
Please visit M67854-24-I-0134 Dismounted Counter small Unmanned Aircraft System (CsUAS) on sam.gov for more information.
Post Image- U.S. Marines with 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, post security around a light armored vehicle during a simulated platoon attack at Marine Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, June 20, 2024. ITX challenges Reserve Marines and Sailors through realistic combat training by fighting and maneuvering in an austere environment and communicating over long distances. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orion Stpierre)
