Symbiotic UAS Delivery System (SCBDS)

OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Trusted AI and Autonomy OBJECTIVE: This topic seeks innovative research and development efforts that allow Soldiers to conduct multiple fire and forget kinetic strikes from an ATR-capable Group 2 or Group 3 UAS. The munition will have a range of >4 km, be self-propelled, and be capable of conducting kinetic anti-personnel and/or anti-material strikes without post-launch guidance input from the Group 2/3 launching platform. DESCRIPTION: This topic seeks innovative research and development efforts that allow Special Operations Soldiers to conduct multiple fire and forget kinetic strikes from an ATR-capable Group 2 or Group 3 UAS. The munition will have a range of >4 km, be self-propelled, and be capable of conducting kinetic anti-personnel and/or anti-material strikes without post-launch guidance input from the Group 2/3 platform it was launched from. This capability will support operators by providing a means to extend their area of influence and conduct kinetic strike missions from existing program of record unmanned ISR platforms. As a part of this feasibility study, the proposers shall address all viable overall system design options with respective specifications on the key system attributes. Key system attributes include: Must be capable of interfacing with existing US Army and USSOCOM program of record Group 2 and Group 3 platforms. Must be capable of navigating to, and striking, intended target within 5 meters of accuracy in a GPS denied environment. Munition must be fire-and-forget' capable, ensuring mission success in DDIL environment. After initial targeting data is provided to munition, the munition must be capable of guiding to designated target without RF control or satellite PNT. Means of communication and control can be included with the munition but it cannot be dependent on a data link to successfully prosecute a target. Munition must have minimum range of 4 km when fired from Group 2/3 UAS located 1000 ft AGL. Munition must be self-propelled and must not employ methods that will damage primary airframe when employed. Munition must have a minimum speed of 100 km/hr. Total weight of system not to exceed 5 pounds, including 2 pounds of useful kinetic payload. PHASE I: This topic is for Phase I submission only. The Department of the Army will accept Phase I proposals for the cost of up to $250,000 for a 6-month period of performance. Conduct a feasibility study to assess what is in the art of the possible that satisfies the requirements specified in the above 'Objective' and 'Description' paragraphs. PHASE II: Develop, install, and demonstrate a prototype system determined to be the most feasible solution during the Phase I feasibility study on a Group 2 or 3 Program of Record UAS (or adequate simulation of Group 2/3 platform, if physically unavailable/cost prohibitive). For the purposes of the Phase II development, the prototype demonstration will not require integration of live ordnance, but can instead employ an inert payload while demonstrating all key performance criteria. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Depending on the technological approach of solving the problem statement, there will be a variety of commercial applications for the technology. The USASOC Science and Technology team anticipates that the solution will incorporate low-SWAP inexpensive IMU in coordination with a computer vision/pixel lock technology. With the proliferation of UAS-based delivery in the commercial markets, this technology has potential application in that space. Further, this has potential use cases in UAS-based infrastructure inspection, along with commercial CBRN applications, due to the anticipated computer vision requirements associated with this technology. REFERENCES: https://www.army.mil/article/280364/munitions_modernization_the_family_of_drone_munitions KEYWORDS: Munition; GPS Denied; DDIL; UAS; Robotics