Unmanned Carrier-Based Aircraft Solutions Request for Information (RFI)

The Naval Air Systems Command's Portfolio Acquisition Executive (Aviation) is conducting market research through a Sources Sought notice and RFI to identify industry sources capable of designing, developing, prototyping, manufacturing, and fielding next-generation Unmanned Carrier-Based Aircraft, with responses due by 5:00 PM EST on August 13, 2026. This is a pre-solicitation notice for planning purposes only and does not constitute a commitment to award.

The Navy seeks concepts for air vehicles and mission systems optimized for launch and recovery from Ford-class and Nimitz-class Nuclear Aircraft Carriers as part of the Naval Aviation Enterprise Air Wing of the Future Family of Systems strategy, aligned with the Golden Fleet initiative and existing MQ-25A and Collaborative Combat Aircraft efforts. Proposed solutions may be single-role platforms, multi-role platforms, or modular variants.

Respondents must address six technical attributes: full compatibility with Nimitz-class and Ford-class carrier launch and recovery systems (with Navy interest in novel VTOL concepts for DDG and Expeditionary Sea Base operations); combat radius of at least 1,000 nautical miles from the carrier without refueling; increased combat effectiveness over fourth-generation platforms at a given spot factor; integration into existing U.S. Navy Unmanned Carrier Aviation control systems; flight autonomy including carrier pattern operations and mission autonomy including dynamic tasking and automated aerial refueling; and single-role, multi-role, or modular flexibility.

Programmatic information requested includes development schedules with First Flight, First Trap, and Initial Operational Capability milestones; Design for Manufacturing and rapid scaling methodologies; Design to Cost approaches; Open Mission Systems architecture alignment; sustainment plans emphasizing maintenance efficiency; and Non-Recurring Engineering cost-sharing ratios with capital investment or Internal Research and Development commitments.

Responses are limited to 10 pages in Times New Roman 12-point font with optional PowerPoint presentations not exceeding 20 slides. The Government will accept partial solutions, component capability statements, and subcontractor responses. All submissions must be unclassified; CUI-level submissions are acceptable if properly marked per DoD Instruction 5200.48. Submit responses to usn.patuxent.comnavairsyscompax.mbx.fcdi-marketplace@us.navy.mil, copying Contract Specialist Samantha Moore at samantha.c.moore11.civ@us.navy.mil.