Pentagon procurement chiefs predict around six companies will submit bids this week for the US Army's new contest for a brigade level tactical unmanned aerial vehicle.
The contest is yet another twist in the long-running saga and a final admission that previous efforts to procure a single system to meet US Army, Navy and Marine Corps requirements were unsuccessful.
US Army Colonel Mike Howell, Joint Tactical UAV project manager, says he expects proposals from AAI Corp with the Shadow, Alliant Techsystems (Outrider), General Atomics (Prowler II), Freewing Aerial Robotics (Tilt-Body) and S-TEC Corporation (STM-5B).
Howell says other contenders could be the Bombardier's CL-327 and the SAGEM Sperwer, but he would not know for certain until the proposals are in on 17 June.
He says the US Army's system is aimed at providing brigade commanders with surveillance up to 50km behind enemy lines.
The selection process will last until early in 2000 and culminate in a competitive fly-off. This will be followed by continued development on the successful system, with a production contract being awarded in the middle of 2001.
Tactical
US Marine Corps Major Pete Drain, says the US Navy is now committed to buying a vertical landing and takeoff-capable UAV to operate from warships at sea, with a range of 110nm.
A request for proposal is to be issued early next year with a down-select expected about six months later, says Drain. An in-service date of mid-2003 is the current target.
The US Navy and Marines propose to use the UAV either from ships or from austere shore bases. Each system will comprise a control station and four air vehicles.
The US Marines require 44 air vehicles and 22 control stations that will be vehicle mounted. US Navy control stations will be installed in ships.
The US Navy currently has requirements for around 45 systems, although various branches are still feeding in their operational requirements.
Source: Flight Daily News
