US Air Force Wants Hybrid-Powered One-Man UAS

The U.S. Air Force is calling for industry to build a hybrid-powered unmanned aircraft able to be carried and operated by only one person on battlefield situational awareness missions. It should weigh less than 20 pounds and be able to carry a 4-pound electro-optical payload on missions over rough terrain for at least four hours. The total cost of the programme is expected to be about $2.2 million.

The Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, recently released a broad agency announcement (BAA-11-01-PKP)  for the Small Unmanned Renewable enerGy long Endurance Vehicle (SURGE-V) programme. The goal is to develop a hybrid power/propulsion system for small UAS.

The SURGE-V hybrid-powered UAS must be able to land on rough terrain, and operate in winds stronger than 35 knots, in temperatures as cold as 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit, and at altitudes as high as 25,000 feet in sandy, dusty conditions, as well as in fog, light rain and snow, and high humidity.

The SURGE-V programme is in three parts. First, it seeks to design a hybrid propulsion system that runs on renewable energy. Second, it will concentrate on demonstrating the integrated power system and payload on a SURGE-V UAV. Third, it will conduct flight demonstrations of the integrated system.

Companies interested should respond no later than 11 March 2011, to the Air Force Research Laboratory, Propulsion Directorate, AFRL/RZPS Thermal & Electrochemical Branch, 1950 Fifth St., Bldg 18, Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45440-7251.

For technical questions or concerns contact the Air Force’s Mike Rottmayer by e-mail at Michael.Rottmayer@wpafb.af.mil, or by post at Air Force Research Laboratory, 1950 Fifth St., Bldg 18, Wright Patterson AFB, OH 45433.

For contracting questions contact the Air Force’s Charlotte Chumack by e-mail at Charlotte.Chumack@wpafb.af.mil, or by post to Det 1 AFRL/PKPA, Charlotte Chumack, Contracting Officer, 2310 Eight St., Bldg 167, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7801.

 More information is online at: https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/AFRLWRS/BAA-11-01-PKP/listing.html.

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