20250728 Area of Interest_MASC Ex A.pdf

CUI

Exhibit A: Prototype MASC Area of Interest (AOI) Problem Statement:

The U.S. Navy seeks unmanned surface vessels (USV) to address several key operational needs. PMS 406 will address these operational needs via containerized payload solutions. The purpose of the USVs is to provide the autonomous carrying capacity for those payloads.

Proposed Technology Solutions:

This AOI offers industry the opportunity to propose vessel solutions for distinct problem sets. Each proposed vessel solution enables the Navy to meet a different operational need. Solutions should be sufficiently mature. The Navy desires vessel solutions that will address up to three (3) operational needs with each vessel providing a non-exquisite solution. Please refer to the “Submission Requirements” section before submitting your solution white paper.

Vessel Solution Descriptions:

The vessel solution information depicts the threshold payload and range/speed values to address the Navy operational needs. Technology solutions must accommodate containerized payloads as defined below. The following vessel solution descriptions are prioritized in order of operational importance to the Navy.

Vessel Solution 1: Modular Attack Surface Craft (MASC) The Navy seeks to address the need for a fast, high capacity, embarked payloads platform, which integrates with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) containerized payloads. The desired vessel solution should carry a minimum of two forty-foot equivalent unit (FEU) containerized payloads that weigh 36.3 metric tons (MT) each and consume up to 75 kilowatts (kW) each.

While carrying 25 MT on the payload deck, the vessel should achieve a minimum range of 2,500 nautical miles (nmi) while maintaining at least 25 knots, at all times, in NATO Sea State 4.

Vessel Solution 2: High-Capacity MASC The Navy seeks to address the need for a high endurance, high capacity, embarked payloads platform, which integrates with ISO containerized payloads.

The desired vessel solution should have the ability to carry a minimum of four

(4) FEUs containerized payloads that weigh 36.3 MT each and consume up to 50 kW each.

The technology solution should maximize speed and range to the extent practicable.

Vessel Solution 3: Single Payload MASC The Navy seeks to address the need for an embarked payload platform, which integrates with ISO containerized payloads. The desired vessel solution should have the ability to carry a minimum of one (1) twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) containerized payloads that weigh 24.0 MT and consume up to 75 kW. The TEU payload should have no obstructions aft of the payload to the transom.

The technology solution should maximize speed and range to the extent practicable.

Proposed Vessel Solutions The Department intends to swiftly prototype and demonstrate one or more MASC USVs capable of embarking containerized payloads. This prototype will seamlessly maneuver with other Navy surface vessels or operate independently.

The objective is for a non-exquisite vessel design that maximize use of commercial standards to allow construction and repair at multiple shipyards. The desired solution will provide a complete prototype of the vessel, including autonomy software, perception systems, command and control (C2), hull machinery and electrical (HM&E) systems, and external communications. C2 of vessels will be located at an off-hull operating station either ashore or embarked on another vessel. Producibility, readiness, and the ability to scale up production are key aspects of the proposed vessel solution.

MASC Vessel Solution Attributes:

The Navy desired attributes are applicable to all vessel solutions, unless otherwise noted. Companies should identify the maximum continuous operating and survival conditions for each vessel solution.

Primary (highly desired) attributes:

Vessel readiness: Of high importance is the readiness and ability to construct and field a vessel rapidly (less than 18 months from prototype OT award).

Submissions should include information on current and projected production facilities, throughput, and capacity balanced with required workforce and hiring plan if required, and any projected expansion and capital investment.

Interoperability: Interfaces between C2 and Autonomy system are documented via Interface Control Documentation (ICDs).

Autonomous maneuver: Autonomously and safely avoid maritime hazards and collisions with vessels, including during low visibility conditions and in scenarios where radio frequency (RF) emissions are not permitted. The vessel should be able to safely continue the mission if communications with the control station are lost. These maneuvers are compliant with COLREGS, and the vessel can classify contacts in accordance with COLREGS autonomously.

Payload access: Payload(s) is(are) unobstructed from the topside of the containerized payload to the port, starboard, aft, and overhead.

Software architecture: Autonomy, perception, and C2 software conform to a documented open architecture standard.

Secondary (strongly desired) attributes:

Commercial construction: Vessels are constructed to an American Bureau of

Shipping (ABS) standard.

Radiofrequency (RF) emissions controls: Automatically adjust RF emission control posture based on the mission requirements sent to the platform via offboard control station.

Interior payload: The vessel interior should include a climate controlled and secure space for future electronics.

Open-ocean performance: Vessel is capable of autonomously operating in sea state 5 at a wide range of speeds and headings, using NATO standard for sea state.

Vessel performance: Speed and ranges to support oceanic voyages, with higher speed and range preferred. This information will be reported in NATO sea state 4 with maximum payload loading conditions.

Reliability & maintainability engineering: Vessels are rapidly repairable and maintenance is predictive. Extended operation times without preventative maintenance, corrective maintenance, emergent repair or any other form of repair or maintenance are desired.

Software architecture: The autonomous solution shall implement non-proprietary, machine-readable interfaces to enable third-party integration, modular upgrades, and component-level interoperability without reliance on proprietary standards.

Vessel C2: C2 provides a logical user interface capable of controlling multiple USVs simultaneously from a single control station.

Tertiary (other desired) attributes:

Foreign military sales (FMS): Ease of export to U.S. allies and partners in accordance with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and other exportability statutes and regulations.

Commercial compliance: Vessel meets ABS requirements and company intends to provide initial ABS class of any constructed vessel with exceptions for the unmanned/autonomous nature of the vessel.

Payload support: Vessel can provide 125 kW per containerized payload.

Accommodations: Organic accommodations onboard for eight (8) personnel for up to 14 days. This desired attribute is not applicable to vessel solution 3.

Prior Demonstration and Fielding Preference may be given to companies that can provide evidence demonstrating capability in relevant and/or representative environments and show experience in successfully fielding vessel and software solutions. This includes demonstrating successful integration of autonomous solutions to marine surface vessels and production of comparable surface vessels. Solution briefs should indicate to what extent attributes and performance listed in the brief has been verified (e.g. on water testing, hardware-in-the-loop testing, modelling and simulation, analysis, etc.).

It is encouraged that submissions highlight experience with controlled environments, such as deployments in classified data/environments. Preference may be given to systems whose solutions have successfully achieved an Authority to Operate (ATO) or similar government cybersecurity authorization.

Vessel Construction It is desired that any vessel construction, including major component(s) of the hull or super structure of any such vessel, funded by this action will be completed at a shipyard in the United States and all future production plans will use U.S. facilities for construction. Each company, in the construction of the design solution, should, whenever possible procure goods, products, materials, and services from US sources in accordance with the Buy American Act.