The US Navy has awarded Ideal Aerosmith Inc.,* Grand Forks, North Dakota a cost-reimbursement contract for hardware in the loop (HWIL), software in the loop (SWIL), and inspection and testing methodologies enabling attributable unmanned system development.
The total cumulative value of this contract, including a 30-month base period with no option periods, is $14,499,109. This contract provides for the design and development of at least one attributable unmanned surface vehicle and one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) alongside teams actively exploring additive manufacturing.
The contractor will need to identify and purchase or design and build unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)/UAV propulsion systems to suit the desired capabilities, availability and cost points determined for the UAS and UAV prototypes. The contractor will maintain Expeditionary Mission Support Station (EMSS) connectivity with the Advanced Mission Planning System (AMPS). AMPS is a capability providing operators of unmanned vehicles of different domains (UxV) a tailored planning environment that enables planning, simulation, rehearsal and execution monitoring across all echelons of mission sets.
Specifically, the contractor will adapt the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) UxV ground control station Vigilant Spirit to become the user interface for various UxV mission planner efforts. Portions of the EMSS may also be applicable for planning/control of various platforms.
Work will be performed in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and is expected to be completed in January 2027. Fiscal 2023 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,469,939; and fiscal 2024 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,029,170, are obligated at time of award. Funds in the amount of $7,469,939 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.
This contract was competitively procured under long range broad agency announcement (BAA) N0001424SB001 entitled “Long Range Broad Agency Announcement for Navy and Marine Corps Science and Technology,” posted on Oct. 2, 2023. Since proposals are received throughout the year under the Long-Range BAA, the number of proposals received in response to the solicitation is unknown.
The Office of Naval Research, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N0001424C1514).
*Small business
Source: DoD