The Philippines Department of National Defense (DND) is inviting bidders who can supply the military with 6 sets of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to expand its surveillance and reconnaisance capabilities.
“It’s going to be our eye in the sky, without the risk of human person. We will use them for surveillance and even search and rescue. UAS have cameras. We will have wider surveillance reconnaissance and even search and rescue,” said Navy spokesperson Lieutenant Commander Gregory Gerald Fabic. The UAS will be used in combat, he said.
It is among 4 items in the P684-million contract for the Marine Forces Imagery and Targeting Support System (MITSS) Acquisition Project for the Philippines Marine Corps.
The project consisted of:
- 6 sets of small unmanned aircraft systems
- 9 sets of Target Acquisition Device Sub-Sytems
- 12 kits of Tactical Sensor Integration Sub-System
- 1 Lot of Initial Integrated Logistics Support (1 spare MITSS/Training/Manuals)
These assets will be used by the 3 Marine Brigades and initial Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) system, according to the invitation to bid.
Bidding for the MITSS will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion,” it added.
Photo: The Philippines Army is operating several of these Assunta UAS. Built by OB Mapua and Partners under the national Self-Reliance Development Program (SRDP). With a wingspan of 120 inches (3 meters) and overall length of 50 inches (1.27 m’), the UAV can fly for two hours using a 40-cc two stroke gasoline engine. It has a maximum speed of 80 knots (148 km/h). Navigation follows GPS waypoints set before takeoff.
Source: Rappler