PURCHASE DESCRIPTION

820 COS Drones — NDAA-Compliant, Group 2 Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) and Accessories

Preparing Office Air Force – 820th Combat Operations Squadron

Date August 20, 2026

Version 2.0

Status Approved / Active

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

1. Scope and Mission Purpose

2. Compliance and General Requirements

3. sUAS Platforms

4. Tether Systems

5. Payloads

6. Sensors

7. Ground Control and Communications

8. Power Batteries, & Accessories

9. Software, Maintenance, & Warranty

10. Training

11. Delivery & Schedule

820 COS Drones Purchase Description | v1.0

1. Scope and Mission Purpose

The 820th Combat Operations Squadron (COS) requires NDAA-compliant Small Unmanned Aircraft

Systems (sUAS) to support continuous overwatch, persistent aerial surveillance, and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions during day and night operations. The required items include sUAS bundles, tether kits for extended endurance, electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, range extension antennas, and ruggedized Ground Control Stations (GCS). To maximize competition, all items are specified as “Brand Name or Equal” to Performance Drone Works (PDW) products, allowing vendors to quote equivalent systems that meet the performance-based salient characteristics outlined below.

Total Estimated Quantities Required:

• 1× sUAS Mission Bundle (includes Qty: 2, Group 2 aircraft) (Brand Name or Equal)

• 1× Tether Kit bundle (Brand Name or Equal)

• 2× EO/IR Sensor Payloads (Brand Name or Equal)

• 1× Range Extension Kit (Brand Name or Equal)

• 1× Ground Control Station bundle (Brand Name or Equal)

• 1× GCS Battery 2-pack (Brand Name or Equal)

2. Compliance and General Requirements

Characteristic Performance-Based Requirement Customer Specification / Notes

NDAA/ASDA

Compliance

All systems, components, and payloads must strictly comply with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and American Security Drone Act (ASDA).

Mandatory. Cannot be manufactured by DJI, Autel, or entities on the DoD 1260H list. Must be NDAA compliant.

Blue UAS Alignment Systems should preferably align with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) Blue UAS cleared list.

Pre-vetted for DoD procurement.

Brand Name or Equal All proprietary brand names listed in subsequent sections represent the standard of quality, performance, and characteristics desired.

Vendors may submit “equal” products that meet or exceed these specifications.

3. Group 2 sUAS Platform Bundle – 1 ea

Characteristic Performance-Based Requirement Customer Specification / Notes

(PDW C100X or Equal)

Maximum Required Altitude: 2,000 feet Above Ground Level

(AGL).

Minimum Speed: 0 mph (Loiter/Hover).

Maximum Speed: 40 mph.

Obstacle avoidance that functions in low-light and zero-light (nighttime) conditions, rather than "zero visibility" weather (like heavy fog or smoke).

Must have a tether kit.

Must include improved survivability in contested electromagnetic environments, GPS degraded environments, and communication contested environments.

Comm relay nodes should have 2 kilometer range.

Bundle containing at minimum:

- 2 ea – PDW C100 aircraft (Or Equal)

- 1 set - spare legs

- 2 sets – spare propellers

- 2 ea - Data link antennas

- 16 ea – Long Endurance Performance (LEP) smart batteries

- 2 ea - Field-deployable multicam rucks.

- 1 ea – Battery charger in hard case

- 1 ea – USV SROCGround Control Station (GCS) with accessories

- 1 ea – Swappable Battery Module (SBM) kit with a two-slot dual charger and 2ea batteries

- 1 ea – Range extension kit

- 2 ea – Deployable rucks (multicam)

- 1 ea – Ruggedized battery case (16 – 18 slots)

- 2 ea – Mechanical Release devices

- 10ea – Mechanical drop release plates

- 3 years of software maintenance & support

- 1 year Manf Warranty

- NDAA Compliant

- 2,000 ft AGL is crucial for Force Protection and Surveillance Effectiveness. 2,000 feet AGL keeps the sUAS safely out of the effective range of small arms fire (~500–600 meters) and significantly reduces its visual and acoustic signature. This altitude also widens the sensor's field of view, allowing a single aircraft to monitor vast portions of the base perimeter and surrounding terrain.

Must support dual payload integrations and mechanical drop capabilities.

Mission Justification:

Endurance: Allows for meaningful surveillance time per battery, reducing the frequency of landings and maximizing time on station. Battery life must at least exceed 20 minutes to support persistent ISR overwatch without frequent battery swaps.

- Altitude/Speed: Provides flexibility to operate at altitudes that balance sensor resolution with aircraft survivability and to reposition quickly to new areas of interest.

Wind Resistance: Critical for maintaining stable imagery and reliable flight control during adverse weather, which is common in operational environments.

Batteries/Charger: Ensures sufficient power for continuous 24/7 operations and rapid battery replenishment.-

Rucks: Enables operator mobility and safe transport of the system in dismounted operations, essential for reaching remote launch/recovery points.

Enhances system survivability and operational safety, particularly during low-altitude flights, in complex urban or vegetated terrain, or in GPS-denied environments. Reduces operator’s workload and risk of asset loss.

Must be operable within a 2 kilometer range at minimum.

Multi-mission capable within a single system – Autonomous and non-autonomous.

Integrated support for limited resupply missions (ISR, Comm relay, payload capable, electromagnetic mitigation, and programmable

Enhanced battery endurance

Modular payload architectures – ability to transport resupply, small equipment, extra batteries & supplies, etc. 10lb minimum payload.

Secure comms – ie shielding nodes, autonomous capable, GPS

Must be able to detect signals to

- Loiter (0 mph): Essential for persistent surveillance. It allows operators to lock the sensor suite onto a fixed target, base entry point, or avenue of approach without constant aircraft repositioning.

- Max Speed (40 mph): Required for rapid response. If a perimeter breach or threat is detected on the opposite side of the installation, the sUAS must quickly transit to intercept, track, and provide real-time targeting data.

- Obstacle avoidance: Must function in complete darkness to prevent collisions with trees, power lines, or structures during low-altitude tactical flights. This level of collision avoidance is a non-negotiable minimum to prevent asset loss and ensure mission success during night operations, which make up about 50% of our flight profile.

Characteristic Performance-Based Requirement Customer Specification / Notes maintain spectrum awareness

4. Tether Systems

Tether Kit (PDW C100 or Equal)

Kit Containing at a minimum:

- Ground module,

- Tether air module,

- mount

- rugged transit case

For day/night persistent aerial surveillance.

Must provide uninterrupted overwatch and extended flight endurance.

Qty: 1

Mission Justification: Capable of providing uninterrupted, 24/7 aerial surveillance and overwatch for sustained base defense, checkpoint security, or overwatch without the need for battery swaps. Provides a covert, low-latency data feed that is immune to jamming.

5. Payloads

Mechanical Release - Mechanical release devices

- Mechanical release drop plates

- Qty: 2 - Release devices

- Qty 10 - Drop plates.

Mission Justification: Payload Capacity (8 lbs. min.-12 lbs. max.): Enables simultaneous ISR and mission-support

Characteristic Performance-Based Requirement Customer Specification / Notes functions (e.g., dropping a medical equipment or limited resupply), enhancing mission versatility.

6. Sensors

EO/IR Sensor (NextVision Raptor or Equal)

- 1280×720 electro-optical (EO)

- 1280×720 infrared (IR) stabilized sensor.

*Minimum 80× visual zoom, 850nm 5mW IR Illuminator*

Must include object tracking, recognition, geolocation, and mounting hardware.

Qty: 2

Mission Justification:- High Resolution/Zoom: Allows for positive identification of individuals, weapons, and vehicles from sufficient standoff distance, enhancing operator safety.- High-Resolution IR & Illuminator: Enables effective detection and tracking of threats in complete darkness. The illuminator provides a covert pointing capability visible only to friendly forces using night vision devices.- Tracking/Geolocation: Automa tes surveillance of moving targets and provides accurate coordinates for situational awareness and integration with other assets.

7. Ground Control and Communications

Ground Control Station (SROC GCS or Equal)

Kit containing at a minimum:

- Military-grade tablet (e.g., Panasonic Toughpad FZ-S1 or equal)

- Android OS

- drop-resistant MIL-STD-810H

- IP65 rated

Kit Includes:

- 1 ea SROC GCS with helix radio

- 2 ea data link antennas

- 1 ea hard case

- 1 ea DL SRM+ radio module

- 2 ea SRM batteries

Qty: 1

Mission Justification: A rugged, reliable GCS is essential for operating in austere environments. The specified durability standards ensure functionality in rain, dust, and after accidental drops.

Android OS and radio compatibility ensure it can integrate with existing communication systems.

Range Extension Kit - Extends comms up to 4× beyond standard omni antennas.

- Dual 15 dBi directional antennas

- Configurable vertical/horizontal polarization.

- Supports 1250–2700 MHz bands

- Interfaces with Nett Warrior

Mission Justification: Allows operators to control the aircraft and receive clear video from a greater, safer standoff distance. Nett Warrior integration is critical for seamless C2 within the broader tactical network, allowing operators to remain connected and protected.

- Enables relocation of existing SRM and connection to the GCS via NETT Warrior to SRoC interface

- Tripod/pole/strap mountable

Qty: 1

8. Power, Batteries, and Accessories

Characteristic Performance-Based Requirement Customer Specification / Notes

Aircraft Batteries Smart batteries providing long-endurance performance.

Qty: 16 (Included in Aircraft bundle).

Battery Charging Hard case battery charger and swappable battery module (SBM) kit with a two-slot dual charger.

Qty: 1 charger, 1 SBM kit (Included in Aircraft bundle).

GCS Batteries Extended life batteries for the Ground Control Station.

Qty: 2 (Qty: 1 Included in GCS bundle) + 1 extra 2-pack.

9. Software, Maintenance, and Warranty

Characteristic Performance-Based Requirement Customer Specification / Notes

Software Maintenance 3 years of software maintenance and support.

Required for continuous operational security and updates.

Hardware Warranty 1-year limited warranty on hardware defects.

Standard commercial warranty acceptable.

10. Salient Characteristics: Training Requirement

Component Specification Customer Specification /

Placeholder Value

Subject Matter Unit Training. Fly, Repair. Basic and

Advanced Flight.

Operator & Maintainer Certification: A multi-day course (minimum 3–5 days) covering basic/advanced flight operations, mission planning, emergency procedures, and field-level maintenance. Training must be Air Force Special Operations Command, Small Unmanned Aircraft Manager

(SUASMAN) approved and yield a formal certification of qualification for all attendees.

Train the Trainer Program: A separate, advanced curriculum for our s-UAS

Program Manager and select experienced flyers, ensuring our unit can conduct internal sustainment and certify new operators organically in the future.

Scenario-Based Curriculum: Training must focus on tactical, mission-specific scenarios, including continuous ISR overwatch for base defense, tethered operations, and navigating GPS-contested environments.

Basic flight will familiarize operators with flying and how to orient.

Advanced flight will teach operators skills on flying around obstacles both natural and man-made.

Vendor will provide training plan & point of contact for review/approval of the plan

Duration Minimum 3 days of training

Vendor to provide syllabus for training

Vendor to provide a price per day

Class Hours: 8hrs| Replacement parts

& any repairs are responsibility of

Vendor | No simulator requirements, government provided.

Class Size Min 3 – Max 5 students Min 3 | Max 5 student

Location Training at Moody, travel at Vendor expense.

11. Delivery and Schedule

Requirement Timeline / Specifics

Delivery Timeline 30 to 60 Days After Receipt of Order (ARO).

Delivery Location 820th Combat Operations Squadron (Specific address to be provided at contract award).

FOB Point Destination.