Statement of Objectives (SOO) Platoon Level Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (SUAS) 23 April 2026

Distribution Statement A:

Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited

Attachment 001

1.0 INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE

The purpose of this document is to outline the Government's overall objectives for the hardware, software, and lifecycle support services required. It is not a prescriptive Statement of Work (SOW). To be eligible for consideration under this Call for Solutions, offerors must propose solutions that are demonstrably innovative and commercially available. The Government's objective is to then acquire these solutions through the offeror's established commercial practices for delivery, training, and support.

2.0 Scope

This SOO applies to all innovative Group 1 Platoon Level SUAS VTOL UAS. Solutions must be capable of performing missions such as Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) to enhance the capabilities of Army units at the Platoon Level. Offerors must fill in and complete Attachment 2 (System Characteristics) criteria. If an offeror can not meet specific criteria, but has an alternate solution, please provide in the vendors notes section of Attachment 2.

2.1 Core Operational Capabilities:

• The system is 2020 NDAA Sec 848, 2023 NDAA Sec 817 and American Security Drone Act of 2023 (2024 NDAA, PL 118-31, DIV A, Title XVIII, Subtitle B, SEC. 1821) compliant or demonstrate a path to compliance.

• The system is capable of Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL).

• 30 minutes on-station endurance at 3km range with EO/IR payload, at 500 feet AGL - Day/Night

• The system data link provides operational range of at least 3-8 kilometers LOS without the use of a relay.

• The system will provide an APNT solution such as Visual Based Navigation (VBN).

• The system is capable of performing a mission in a GPS denied environment.

• The system is interoperable with the Integrated Tactical Network (ITN).

• The system ground controller provides interoperability with the Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) and Net Warrior Control.

• The system's UA has obstacle avoidance to prevent loss of UA.

• The system operates in winds up to 15 knots.

• The system will not exceed 19 lbs. (2 AV, GCS, batteries and charger)

• The UA will take 2 minutes or less to assemble.

• The UA will take 2 minutes or less to disassemble.

• The system has an operator’s manual.

• The system includes training material.

• The system is capable of operation by a single operator.

• The system, including its Field Repair Kit (FRK), permits operations for at least 48 hours without resupply.

• The UA is powered by rechargeable batteries.

• The UA has field replaceable parts, such as propellers, motors, and antennas, to repair common crash damage that will sustain the system for 90 days.

• The system field repair kit includes minimum use of tools.

• The system is all-weather capable (able to sustain flight in 0.5 inch/hour rain for 8 hour mission)

• The system controller interfaces to the UA via Digital Data Link (DDL).

• The UA is inaudible to human perception while at a steady-state cruise speed or hover at an altitude of 200 feet AGL with a background noise of 55 dB. The system operates via encrypted digital data link. (AES 256 or better)·

• The system data links operate within all of the following frequency bands: 1625-1725, 1780-1850, 2025-2110, 2200-2290, 2310-2390, and 2400-2500 MHz.

• The UA has an automatic launch mode.

• The UA has an automatic land mode.

2.2 Desired Characteristics include, but not limited to:

• The system has a real-time Electro Optical (EO) and Infrared (IR) High-Definition full motion video formatted as H.264 elementary stream video encapsulated within an MPEG2 stream to the operator

• The system has an operator-defined loss of link timeout parameter.

• The system allows the operator to select Loss of Link mode Return to Home, Rally point, Loiter, Go to Land, or Continue Current Mission when the system loses link and the time meets or exceeds the loss of link timeout parameter.

• The system allows the operator to select Loss of Link mode Go to Rally Point when the system loses link and the time meets or exceeds the loss of link timeout parameter.

• The system allows the operator to select Loss of Link mode Go to Loiter, which loiters at the current position when the system loses link and the time meets or exceeds the loss of link timeout parameter.

• The system allows the operator to select Loss of Link mode Go to Land, which lands at the current position when the system loses link and the time meets or exceeds the loss of link timeout parameter.

• The system allows the operator to select Loss of Link mode Continue Current Mission when the system loses link and the time meets or exceeds the loss of link timeout parameter.

• System shall fit inside the MOLLE Medium Rucksack 3000 cubic inches or less, that is organic to the unit.

• The system includes a DoD Form 1494 for all Radio Frequency (RF) equipment.

• The UA warns the operator if battery level is approaching point in which it cannot return to recovery point.

• The system pairs UA to controller in no more than 10 seconds from command to initiate pairing.

• The UA is capable of swapping batteries and relaunching within 30 seconds without losing current mission data.

• The system video latency is 250ms or less for safe operation of the UA.

• The UA payload is a modular design that allows the operator to swap or attach additional payloads during day or night.

• The system switches between EO and IR cameras with less than 50ms of latency.

• The system has an operator selectable follow target flight mode in which the altitude, bearing, and distance between UA and target is programmable. The vendor will establish and report the accuracy and limitations.

• The system has an operator selectable follow me flight mode in which the altitude, bearing, and distance between UA and controller is programmable. The vendor will establish and report the accuracy and limitations.

• The system controller is able to perform a handoff or transfer of control of a UA to another controller without causing a loss of link.

• The system includes a comms relay payload and is capable of relaying voice comms

BLOS.

• The systems is capable of transferring operator selected objects or target lock from the host platform to PBAS platforms to expedite target handover

• The systems is capable of transferring operator selected objects from the host platform to the Soldiers Common Operational Picture such as ATAK.

• The system contains a laser illuminator visible under nighttime conditions.

Innovative Features: The offeror may also provide any information on the system's advanced features, such as:

• Advanced Autonomy: Navigation in GPS-denied environments, automated target handling, and simplified mission planning, Extended endurance, reduced acoustic signature, and dash speeds, Robust anti-jamming and anti-spoofing techniques.

3.0 TECHNOLOGY REFRESHMENT AND END-OF-LIFE MANAGEMENT

The Government’s objective is to maintain a continuous infusion of innovative technology.

The contractor shall have a standard commercial process for introducing technology refreshments, upgrades, and improvements to its product line. Additionally, the contractor shall have a process for notifying the Government of any components or systems nearing their end-of-life, along with a proposed transition plan to successor products.

The overarching objective is for the contractor to provide an innovative and complete commercial Platoon Level SUAS solution. The contractor shall propose their standard commercial offerings that best meet the following objectives.

4.0 Required Supporting Deliverables and Services

To meet the objectives outlined above, the offeror shall provide or be capable of providing the following items. Specific quantities, configurations, and delivery schedules will be defined in each individual order.

Data & Documentation:

• Technical Manuals: Standard commercial Operator and Maintainer manuals sufficient for Government personnel to perform field-level maintenance.

• Interface & Integration Data: To support the Government's MOSA strategy, provide Interface Control Documents (ICDs), Form, Fit, and Function (FFF), and Operations, Maintenance, Installation, and Training (OMIT) data for key subcomponents (e.g., payloads, radios).

• Commercial Price List: A comprehensive price list covering all hardware, spares, training, and support services, valid for a minimum of 12 months.

• Supply & Inventory Data: Regular data feeds for inventory, availability, and lead times for integration into the UAS Marketplace storefront.

Services:

• Logistics & Sustainment Support: Standard commercial technical "reachback" support (e.g., via phone, email).

• Training: Commercial training materials and, upon request via an order, qualified instructors to conduct training.

5.0 DATA RIGHTS OBJECTIVES

Data Rights for External Interfaces To support the Government's Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) strategy, the Government’s objective is to obtain, at a minimum, Government Purpose Rights (GPR) for all data and software related to key external interfaces (e.g., payloads, radios). This is critical to ensure future interoperability and enable competitive hardware and software upgrades.

Data Rights for Maintenance, Repair, Modification, and Training To enable Government-led training and organic, field-level sustainment, the Government's objective is to obtain the necessary commercial license rights to use, reproduce, and distribute all technical documentation (e.g., operator manuals, maintenance manuals, training materials) within the Government.

6.0 Cybersecurity

The contractor shall maintain a robust cybersecurity posture in accordance with the requirements of DFARS 252.204-7019 and NIST SP 800-171, as stipulated in the overarching Call for Solutions. The primary objective is to ensure all Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) related to this effort is protected from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure.

6.1 Classification

The base effort under this SOO is UNCLASSIFIED. No classified access is required to obtain a Basic Ordering Agreement. However, individual orders placed against the BOA may require the handling of classified information. If an order requires such access, a DD Form 254, Contract Security Classification Specification, will be issued with that specific order, and the contractor must possess the appropriate facility and personnel clearances as required by that order.

6.2 Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM)

The contractor shall have and maintain a process for managing supply chain risk for key components (e.g., flight controllers, communications hardware, GPS modules, processing units). The objective of this process is to ensure the integrity of the delivered system and to comply with all applicable National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) sourcing prohibitions.

6.3 Operations Security (OPSEC)

The contractor shall implement basic operational security measures to safeguard unclassified but sensitive program-related information. The objective is to prevent the aggregation of information that could provide an advantage to an adversary. This includes, but is not limited to, protecting details regarding specific ordering units, delivery quantities and locations, and deployment timelines from public disclosure.

Statement of Objectives (SOO)