Lethal_Payloads_SUAS_Special_Notice_W911NF-19-S-0004.pdf

Document Type: Special Notice

Posted Date: 1 June 2023

Category: Research and Development

Set Aside: N/A

Contracting Office Address

Department of the Army, Army Contracting Command, ACC - APG (W911NF) Research Triangle Park Division, 800 Park Office Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

Description

This Special Notice references the AAL BAA which can be found at https://aal.army/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/W911NF-19-S- 0004_Disruptive_Applications_BAA_-_Final_draft_update.pdf W911NF-19- S-0004

Synopsis: The Army Applications Lab (AAL) is seeking technologies related to increasing the lethal capability of Small Uncrewed Aerial Systems to increase the lethal capability of the Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCT) as a Special Topic under the AAL Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911NF-19-S-0004 for Advance Technology Demonstration and related research as described below. Upon receipt, the Government will evaluate submissions through the process established in the AAL BAA, except as modified herein. The Government reserves the right to cancel this special notice without award for any reason. Issuance of this notice does not commit the Governments to pay for any preparation costs incurred in compiling a response.

As a general matter, all requirements referenced in BAA W911NF-19-S-0004 apply to this effort.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION – Background

Lethal payloads for S-UAS

Currently U.S. Soldiers are utilizing group II & III S-UAS platforms for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations. AAL is looking for solutions that would allow these same platforms to be utilized as lethal platforms if/when needed by developing payloads for these same platforms. This will give Soldiers the ability to not only identify but engage enemy forces with lethal capability on the same S-UAS platform.

Currently the U.S. Army is only fielding the Short-Range Reconnaissance (SRR) platform. There are efforts that are looking at capabilities above the SRR platform that could be enhanced with lethal payloads. These efforts are the Medium Range Reconnaissance (MRR) and the Long- Range Reconnaissance platforms.

This effort is looking for modular lethal payloads that would attach on platforms that meet or are above the following capabilities:

a. Must be carried by Group II, or III platforms (no group I, IV or above platforms)

b. Enhanced performance (threshold: 55-80 minutes+ objective: 4-6 hours) of endurance.

c. 15km LOS and 25km BLOS range.

d. Autonomy (automated flight operation / object ID / classification & tracking.

e. Multi-platform C2.

f. Simplified New Equipment Training (NET).

g. Expeditionary (VTOL / ~7 cubic feet transportability configuration).

h. Toolless assembly in 90 seconds / airborne in under 6 minutes.

i. Modular Open System Approach (MOSA).

j. Modular field swapable Modular Mission Payloads (MMP.

k. Open source C2 protocols (Hunter + Killer interoperability with Launched Effects (LE) /

Lethal Unmanned Systems (LUS).

l. On-board computing and upgradable software.

m. Interoperability with Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK) / forward compatibility with

Robotic Autonomous Command and Control (RAC2)

n. Compatibility with Soldier Robotic Controller (SRoC) Tomahawk Robotics controller

(USASOC fielded / endorsed materiel solution for robotic control). 10-20km

The ability to reach further than the enemy is what protects our Soldiers. Lethal payloads on group II and III UAS platforms will greatly extend that reach.

This effort is for lethal payloads that can attach to platforms listed above that will ultimately give the Soldier a more lethal capability.

Types of lethality depend on the target and the desired effect on that target. This effort is not restricting to specific targets nor level of effect on that target. This effort is looking for higher level capabilities than has been displayed with the M67 Grenade. So desired effects should be above the lethal capability of the M67 grenade.

The intent of this special topic is to identify and develop Lethal Payloads for group II & III UAS platforms, munitions, explosives, and/or missiles currently in the Army system are highly desired as they are available to Soldiers under normal Ammunition requests. However, AAL is open to novel approaches of current ammunition or novel ammunition that may be reviewed for other efforts.

Performance Objectives:

1. Lethal effects greater than M67 Grenade

2. Modularity of the system (can be broken down, carried, and employed when needed)

3. Mountable by U.S. Soldiers to the platform

4. Controlled by U.S. Soldiers via single controller or ATAK

5. Payload must be controllable to allow for targeting.

6. Arming, making safe, and removal of payload if not utilized (return capability after launch)

7. TRL 5 or greater (Component and/or breadboard validation in relevant environment

8. Ability to demonstrate (must be live, virtual, or recorded through dummy, inert, or live ammunition) at a government approved location and/or method.

1 Scope of the Call

This Special Notice invites white papers on the topic of “Lethal Payloads for S-UAS”, as part of the AAL BAA Disruptive Applications.

From the white papers submitted, a limited number of submitters may be selected to submit a full proposal after undergoing a technical Q&A with Army officials. There is an increasing prospect for future optimized S-UAS Lethal Payload solutions to ensure the United States maintains its lethal capability for U.S. Soldiers.

This call invites applications on the topic of Lethal Payloads for S-UAS. The government intends to award at least one government contract (or other vehicle) with a total program funded amount of $1 million across all awards. In the event the government receives additional funding, selected awardees will have the opportunity to advance their solutions through a supplemental proposal. It is not known at this time what the quantities or dollar values will be, or which exact program office or agency may produce follow-on product, however the solution may be applicable to various military application.

White papers should be for cutting-edge innovations that could produce discoveries with the potential for significant impacts to enable new and improved Army operational capabilities regarding Lethal Payloads for S-UAS.

2 Research Themes

Proposals are invited that relate to one or more of the following themes.

group II & III UAS platforms Lethal Payloads Integrated fires control Reutilization of army ammunition M67 grenade lethality ATAK targeting and control of S-UAS

3 Application Process

Eligibility: Applications for this call we will follow the eligibility requirements of the Army Applications Lab BAA1.

Number of Awards: The Government anticipates awarding one or more awards (or another contract vehicle)

Duration of Award: The Government anticipates a 6 – 18-month period of performance.

Funding: Funding will be commensurate with the agreed upon scope of work for this effort

Evaluators: Will be U.S. Army Government employees that are subject-matter experts in the topic area, jointly nominated by the Governments.

1 https://aal.army/wp‐content/uploads/2019/05/W911NF‐19‐S‐0004_Disruptive_Applications_BAA_‐ _Final_draft_update.pdf

Closing Date: The deadline for applications for award is 30 June 2023. Proposals received after 11:59 PM CST on 30 June, 2023 will not be evaluated or considered for award. It is the responsibility of the submitting party to confirm receipt of submissions.

How to Apply: Full proposals must be submitted by 30 June 2023 utilizing (aal_usx@army.mil).

Queries relating to the technical, management, contractual, and submission aspects of the call should be addressed to aal_usx@army.mil, no later than two weeks (14 calendar days) after this notice is published.

Security: Classified information may not be submitted through the normal submission process identified above. Any classified information must be coordinated with POCs listed below.

Whitepaper Submissions must not exceed 10 pages and must address the stated topic in this Special Notice to be considered compliant and reviewed for potential invite for Full Proposals. Whitepapers should also contain a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) for potential costs to accomplish the proposed research.

Instructions for Full Proposals will be included as part of the Full Proposal Invitation.

4 Evaluation Criteria

Whitepapers will be evaluated for the concept's scientific merit and potential contributions of the effort to the Army mission. Applicants whose whitepapers are evaluated as having significant scientific merit may be invited to submit a proposal.

Full Proposals will be evaluated under the evaluation criteria of the AAL BAA. The following areas will be used during evaluation. Required documentation is outlined in the BAA document.

The overall scientific and/or technical merits of the proposal and an assessment of risk versus potential impact of the technology

The potential contributions of the effort to the Army mission and the extent to which the research effort will contribute to balancing the overall AFC research program.

Cost realism and reasonableness.

Teaming arrangements and methodologies for creating and modifying teaming arrangements with other organizations.

Availability of funds to complete R&D activities and likelihood of

Army funding being available for future procurement and fielding.

The applicant's capabilities, related experience, facilities, techniques, or unique combinations of these, which are integral factors for achieving the proposed objectives.

The qualifications, capabilities, and experience of the proposed PI, team leader, or other key personnel who are critical to achievement of the proposed objectives.

The applicant's record of past performance

5 Key Dates

Activity Date Open period for Technical and Contractual Questions

Open for White Paper submissions 01 June 2023 (1259 PM CST) Deadline for White Paper submissions 30 June 2023 (1259 PM CST)

Anticipated notification of selection to submit a Proposal

10 July 2023

Anticipated Full Proposal Submission Date 24 July 2023 Anticipated Contract Award Date 27 Sep 2023 Anticipated Contract start date 28 Sep 2023