Small Unmanned Air Vehicle (SUAV)

Current Army research has shown that the next conflict will most likely be fought in complex terrain/urban environments where LOS will decide the survivability of the small unit/scout. The small unit/scout is limited in its reconnaissance & surveillance mission only by what it can or cannot see. An SUAV with VTOL/NLOS capability would increase the "sight" of the small unit/scout by going around a corner or between buildings where LOS is broken and giving a visual image to the operator in Near Real Time (NRT).

The Future Combat System (FCS) Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) plan consists of a family of several types of airborne vehicles, including the Small UAV (SUAV). This BIA requests proposals for the definition and refinement of the SUAV platform, definition of common subsystem interfaces, specification development, ROM costs models, and System Development and Demonstration (SDD) program plans.

Small Unmanned Air Vehicle - Desired Functional & Performance Characteristics

PLATFORM CHARACTERISTICS SET A

Tube Launched

Low cost tube launched (air or ground launch)
Mission: RSTA
Non-organic refurbishment
Sensor recovery
Gross Weight: 300 lbs
Endurance: 6 hr
Altitude: 500 - 1500 ft AGL
Speed: Vmax > 80 kts
Radius: 10 km
Payload: 75 lbs
Signature: Low IR, Low Acoustic
Day/Night operations
Parachute recovery
Diesel fuel engine
Primary Payload Type: EO/IR
Alternate Payloads: NBC Detection, Comm-Relay, Lethal
Performance characteristics based on Army Standard Day (4000 ft, 95 F)
Performance values noted above are approximate.

PLATFORM CHARACTERISTICS SET B

VTOL (Vertical Takeoff/Landing)

Low-cost RSTA
Ground Vehicle Based
Gross Weight: 150 lb
Endurance: 2 hrs
Speed: Vmax > 80 kts
Range: 8 km
Payload: 40 lbs
Signature: Low IR, Low Acoustic
Day/Night operations
VTOL
Diesel fuel engine
Primary Payload Type: EO/IR
Performance characteristics based on Army Standard Day (4000 ft, 95 F)
Performance values noted above are approximate.