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Battlefield Air Targeting Micro Air Vehicle (BATMAV)

The Battlefield Air Operations (BAO) kit Family of Systems (FoS) provides a suite of equipment for Battlefield Airmen to perform a broad range of missions. This suite of lightweight, interoperable and upgradeable equipment includes an integrated targeting device, beyond line of sight targeting device, power management systems and wearable computers. Battlefield Air Targeting Micro air vehicle (BATMAV) provides the beyond line of sight capability of the BAO kit FoS. The Battlefield Air Targeting Camera Autonomous Micro air vehicle (BATCAM) ATD, an AFRL research program, addressed the line of sight limitations.

Lessons learned from Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF) had shown that existing equipment used by USAF Special Tactics (ST) Combat Controller Battlefield Airmen (BA), have numerous limitations to include size, range, line of sight, and information management. The SECAF directed a focused effort towards addressing these mission-limiting gaps. The Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) started Advanced Technology Demonstrations (ATDs) in response to the initiative.

The Battlefield Air Targeting Micro Air Vehicle (BATMAV) system is to support the Battlefield Air Operations (BAO) kit family of systems. The BAO Kit Family of Systems (FoS) provides the Battlefield Airman the ability to adapt to the war fighting environment as the situation dictates and provides increased situational awareness and a standoff targeting capability. The Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) is an integral part of the BAO Kit. The BATMAV system is not a replacement vehicle but rather an augmentation of, or complimentary addition to, existing systems.

The Air Force has validated the requirement for a man portable micro air vehicle to support the Battlefield Air Operations (BAO) Kit family of systems. The system is designed for use by forward deployed airmen who conduct combat operations in a hostile environment. The BATMAV enables them to perform time critical targeting, support assured target destruction, and provide instantaneous battle damage assessment (BDA). The sophisticated electronics and guidance package, imaging and sensing systems, and robust data-link were designed to support "net centric" warfare when connected to a tactical radio.

An effective and reliable beyond line of sight targeting system would greatly increase Special Tactics Terminal Control mission areas of Close Air Support and individual situational awareness. Additionally, the increased standoff range provided would mitigate the risk to ground forces and increase their Situational Awareness (SA). This increased SA would be translated to increased SA for aircraft and in turn improve targeting efficiency, accuracy, and survivability.

The capability gap is present during the following range of military operations: conventional warfare, unconventional warfare, strikes and raids, noncombatant evacuation operations, personnel and recovery operations, combating terrorism and homeland security. BATMAV allows the ST BA to rapidly adapt to the dynamic war-fighting environment. The BATMAV capability would provide increased situational awareness in combat environments, enable ground based terminal attack controllers (TAC) to find and track time critical targets, provide battle damage assessment, and provide force protection for forward deployed troops. This capability can be used in urban environments and dense terrain. BATMAV provides increased warfighter capability through increased endurance, improved video capability and reduction of overall system weight and size. BATMAV would be used across the full spectrum of environments in which the BA operates. Select mission data obtained from the BATMAV, when linked to a tactical radio, defined in the BAO-HMI CDD, can be injected into C2 centers, airborne mission aircraft or artillery via digital links in a ST Machine to Machine (M2M) targeting process to greatly reduce the targeting time. When targeting is not immediate, data can be fused with data from other available assets, such as Predator or Global Hawk, to finalize mission planning. The flexibility of a micro-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) system adds a new dimension to Joint warfighting capability.

The Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC) issued a Request for Information (RFI PIXS4191) on 25 January 2005 and again on 21 December 2005 to solicit information to identify possible sources to provide Autonomous Micro Air Vehicle systems. Air vehicle must be man-portable by a single ground operator, fit within a standard field backpack, camelback size, along with a standard combat load, and not interfere with operation of user's primary weapon while stowed Have a minimal flight time of at least 30 minutes, have ability to carry at least 40 grams of additional payload, in addition to standard on board camera/navigation systems The system should have the ability to operate remotely without constant operator input Demonstrate the capability to detect, recognize, and positively identify targets and friendly forces from operationally significant ranges, and transmit real-time video images to operator, including a description of what EO and/or IR video sensors are available. Integrate with the AF-Standard PFPS (Falcon View) mission planning and execution software, including the ability to track where the UAV has been, where it is, what it is looking at, and record items of interest via ?snapshot? with coordinates. The system must be non developmental or require minimal development to field and be field repairable Demonstrate ability to rapidly manufacturer/deliver systems in large quantities, with possibility of custom orders.

On 28 April 2006 the Special Operations Systems Group (SOFSG), Battlefield Airmen Flight (BA) announced plans to acquire and field a Battlefield Air Targeting Micro Air Vehicle (BATMAV) system that provides the best overall value to meet the small unit?s need for real-time reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition (RSTA) and battle damage assessment (BDA). The system shall have the flexibility to be modified through a Block Upgrade approach as technology matures and funding becomes available through the POM cycle. The objective for Block 0 is for the delivery of specification compliant systems IAW the contract delivery schedule, delivery of the required data items and products, and execution of the associated program support. At a minimum, the system shall meet the BATMAV initial screening criteria, Key Performance Parameters (KPPs), and Airworthiness Requirements. The objective for further blocks is for continued Spiral Development and Horizontal Technology insertion. SOFSG planned to issue formal RFP Number FA8629-06-R-2351 for the BATMAV system on or about 30 May 2006, with proposals due on or about 30 June 2006. The procurement would be a small business set-aside. The Government anticipates the requirement for BATMAV would be approximately 314 systems for the primary customer. (30 in FY07, 75 in FY08, 116 in FY09 and 93 in FY10).

However, the contract is being structured on an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity basis, so that other interested customers can also use this vehicle to purchase the system. The initial delivery order would include the necessary integration effort for the Block 0 system (FY06 funding). Options for production, training and sustainment would also be placed on the initial delivery order for execution after production and operations funds become available in FY07. Thirty (30) systems are required for the initial delivery order. Utilizing the Best Value approach, the government would consider innovative or individualized solutions to meeting the system and program requirements. However, the contractor is encouraged to provide representative systems as rapidly as possible. To this end, a system demonstration would be included as part of the source selection, in order to determine each offeror's baseline capability. It is anticipated that the contractor would provide the fastest practical schedule and an alternate schedule which would accommodate additional customers. The proposed system shall consist of the following basic components: Ground Control Station (GCS) (1 per system) Air Vehicle (AV)(2 per system) AV Payload Field Repair Kit any equipment required for flight preparation, launch or recovery power sources and tactical packaging (if required).

The scope of this effort would include Increment 2 BATMAV systems to be procured in FY07 through FY11. The scope of this contract would encompass the development effort for the BATMAV system as well as the production CLINs for this procurement. These production CLINs would include the BATMAV systems, associated initial spares, training for the initial cadre, repair and return efforts and associated data. The contract would be structured on an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity basis; therefore, other interested customers can purchase BATMAV systems using this contract.