Cargo UAS industry demonstration for Marine Corps tactical resupply

Synopsis

The Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Robotic and Autonomous Systems (DRPM RAS) 4.0, Air Warfare Program Management Office (DRPM RAS 4.0 Air Warfare PMO), Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, desires to accelerate the identification of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and enabling technologies, prototyping integration, and fielding evaluation of potential solutions for the Marine Corps Unmanned Logistics System – Air (ULS-A) logistics distribution mission.

During the weeks of 25 January through 5 February 2027, Air Warfare PMO will sponsor a technology demonstration in Huntsville, Alabama. The Government requests applications from industry to participate in this demonstration; successful performance during the demonstration may subsequently result in the award of an Other Transaction (OT) Prototype Agreement in accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 4022.

Announcement Information

TRUAS Increment II is intended to provide an organic aerial distribution capability for small-unit logistics support across the last tactical mile in Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations and Distributed Operations. To encourage broad demonstration participation and identify the full spectrum of commercial innovation, the Government invites submissions from all qualified participants, including non-traditional defense contractors and small businesses, whose applications satisfy the minimum threshold requirements, specifically, preference of a Max Gross Take Off Weight (MGTOW) up to 350 lbs and Key Performance Parameter (KPP) 1 – Operational Performance and KPP 5 - Powerplant and Energy Source. See Table 1. The Government reserves the right to select any, all, or none of the applicants for participation in the demonstration.

Participants will be required to demonstrate ground set-up and flight preparation procedures for their UAS, perform refueling demonstration, and perform up to five autonomous flights. During the first flight, participating UAS must fly with a 100 lb payload a total of 40 nautical miles (nm), detach the payload (either manually or automatically), fly a return flight of 40 nm with no payload, and land at the original launch site. During the second flight, participating UAS must fly with a minimum 150 lb payload a total of 10 nm, detach the payload (either manually or automatically), fly a return flight 10 nm with no payload, and land at the original launch site. The UAS must complete each required flight without refueling. Following the two required flights, participants may be given the opportunity to perform up to three additional flights to demonstrate unique features and/or capabilities, subject to Government approval.

The UAS must transit at an airspeed no less than 50 knots and an altitude no greater than 1,000 feet above ground level (AGL). The UAS must be capable of launching and recovering without a catapult, arresting net or cable, or other mechanical launch or recovery equipment. Participants shall ensure that their UAS is equipped with a transponder with a minimum of a Mode-3/C capability.

Participants, as part of their application, will be required to provide the Government with lost-link/return-to-home procedures to support range safety requirements. Participants will also be required to provide the Government with technical information to support coordination for frequency spectrum authorization, and Government facility access, if required. Participants must provide data that validates the maximum theoretical range of their UAS with 100 lb and 150 lb payloads. The Government, with assistance of contracted support personnel, will coordinate demonstration range set-up and provide coordination assistance for airworthiness certification and frequency allocation as required.

The Government may award an OT prototype agreement to the participant(s) whose UAS capability demonstrate the most advantageous combination of the KPP and Key System Attributes (KSA) requirements outlined in Table 1 and Table 2. To be considered for the demonstration, UAS capabilities must meet threshold minimum requirements for KPP 1 and KPP 5. During evaluation for potential OT award, the Government will prioritize capabilities that achieve KPP and KSA threshold and objective requirements. Government Evaluators will record performance data for each participant’s flight demonstrations. UAS will be ranked based on demonstrated ability to achieve threshold and objective requirements. The Government intends to select the highest-ranked UAS capability(ies) that offer the most advantageous utility to the Marine Corps logistical mission for potential OT prototype awards. The Government reserves the right to consider partial solutions addressing a subset of the requirements and retains the flexibility to make an award even if not all KPP and KSA thresholds and objectives are fully met, provided the proposed solution successfully satisfies the Marine Corps logistical mission. The Government reserves the right, in its sole…