APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

Request for Information: Small Unmanned Aerial Systems Charging Connector/Interface

1.0 BACKGROUND

The proliferation of small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) across the Army has introduced a significant logistical burden due to the wide variety of proprietary batteries, chargers, and connector/interfaces. The lack of a common standard impedes interoperability, increasing the physical and cognitive load on the warfighter.

2.0 SCOPE

To achieve the goal of a standard Army sUAS charger (or family of chargers), the C5ISR Center Power Division is seeking information about current product offerings to inform future solutions for a standard sUAS charging connector/interface for Group 1 and Group 2 UAS. This is defined as the interface between the sUAS battery and the sUAS charger. This may or may not be the same connector/interface as that between the UAV (the air platform) and the battery. Standard categorizations of Group 1 and Group 2 UAS are found in the table below, for reference.

Group Maximum weight (lbs) Nominal Operating Altitude (ft) Speed (kn)

1 0-20 <120 AGL 100

2 21-55 <3500 AGL <250

3 <1320

<18000 MSL

<250

4 >1320 Any Air Speed 5 >1320 >18000 MSL Any Air Speed

Table is publicly available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UAS_groups_of_the_United_States_military

Responses to this RFI should describe current product offerings that could, in future, become a proposed solution available for unlimited use by industry for military and commercial applications. If the product is not currently available for unlimited use, please include the cost of attaining the solution with full unlimited government data rights.

Submissions should comprehensively address the following technical specifications.

However, organizations with partial solutions or specialized capabilities are encouraged to submit, as well.

Mechanical Details

• Mechanical description of the connector/interface.

• Detailed physical dimensions.

• CAD drawing of the proposed design.

Electrical Details

• Supported voltage ranges.

• Supported current ranges.

• Supported power ranges.

• Detailed pin-out description.

Communications/Data

• Communication protocol (the interface must allow data communication between the battery's Battery Management System (BMS) and the charger).

• Applicable data standard.

Data Rights / IP

• Description of ownership surrounding relevant data rights and/or IP.

• Cost associated with government ownership of IP.

Testing/Certifications

• Any environmental or other testing that has been accomplished (i.e. water ingress protection, pull force, etc.) by the proposer or by component suppliers.

• Any MIL-STD testing that has been accomplished (i.e. MIL-STD-810, etc.)

• Commercial standards/certifications/marks.

Note for submissions: Please indicate whether the submitted information package is company proprietary.

3.0 SUBMISSION AND POINT OF CONTACT (POC)

To submit to this RFI, please send the information package to usarmy.apg.mbx.c5isr-center-uas-pe@army.mil no later than 20 November 2026.

All questions and correspondence regarding this RFI should be directed to the above email address.

4.0 DISCLAIMER

Any information submitted by respondents to this source sought synopsis is voluntary. The Army does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this notice or to pay for the information solicited. Respondents should not construe this synopsis as a commitment for any purpose. Respondents will not individually be notified of the results of any government assessments. The Government's evaluation of the capability statements received will factor into whether any forthcoming solicitation will be conducted as a full and open mailto:usarmy.apg.mbx.c5isr-center-uas-pe@army.mil mailto:usarmy.apg.mbx.c5isr-center-uas-pe@army.mil competition or as a set-aside for small businesses, or any particular small business designation (e.g. SDVOSB, HUBZone, 8(a), SDB, WOSB, VOSB, etc.).