Boeing/SAIC is seeking information on three classes of unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) in its role as lead systems integrator for the US Army's Future Combat System (FCS). The team is looking for tactical, small and organic UAVs to be part of the highly mobile network of manned and unmanned ground and air vehicles with which the army plans to re-equip from 2010.
Under its $154 million contract for the 16-month concept and technology demonstration phase, the Boeing/SAIC team is inviting participation in definition of the FCS. The initial five-month period involves trade studies and technology demonstrations. In the following four months, the team plans to select the elements of the Block 1 FCS, leading to the release of requests for proposals in January next year, and award of development contracts in June-July.
The tactical UAV is a brigade asset for reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition. The initial specification calls for a 135kg (300lb) vehicle with 27kg payload, 30-100km (16-55nm) radius and 5h-plus endurance at 15,000ft (4,600m) altitude. The small UAV is a combat command asset, launched and controlled from an FCS ground vehicle and recovered for refurbishment. The team is looking for a "reasonably expendable" 135kg vehicle with 34kg payload, 10-30km radius and 6-10h endurance at 500-1,000ft. Potential sensors include infrared/radar, laser radar, flash, magnetic and acoustic detectors, and hyperspectral mine detector.
The organic air vehicle (OAV) is a compact, low-cost, recoverable vertical take-off and landing UAV providing reconnaissance and surveillance for FCS units. The Boeing/SAIC team is looking for a 25kg vehicle with 4.5kg payload, radius of up to 10km and 60min endurance at up to 3,000ft. Honeywell and MicroCraft are demonstrating ducted-fan OAVs under a US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency programme.
Source: Flight International
