SAM #N0016426SNB61

Navy Prize Challenge for Modular Lethal Payloads for Small Drones (sUAS)

This opportunity is a Department of the Navy Prize Challenge seeking innovative modular lethal payloads for small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS): - Issued by Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane Division under the Drone Dominance Program (DDP) - Focus is on Group 1 sUAS (small drones) - Challenge seeks integrated payload solutions including: - Warhead - Electronic Safe and Arm Device (ESAD) or Electro-Mechanical Safe and Arm Device (EMSAD) - Communication/interface components - Emphasis on: - Scalability, affordability, and manufacturability for mass production - Interoperability across multiple drone platforms and vendors - Government will assist selected vendors with safety review processes (JSWSR and limited safety releases) - No guarantee of safety approval - No specific OEMs, part numbers, or quantities listed (seeking new solutions, not existing products) - No direct procurement; this is a challenge to identify and mature new capabilities - Place of performance and contracting office: NSWC Crane, Crane, Indiana

Description

The Drone Dominance Program (DDP) announces this Prize Challenge to identify modular lethal payload solutions for Group 1 small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS).

For the purposes of this prize challenge, a lethal payload is defined as the integrated combination of a warhead and its associated Electronic Safe and Arm Device (ESAD) or Electro-Mechanical Safe and Arm Device (EMSAD) and communication/interface.

The Government will assist selected vendors in working through the Joint Services Weapons System Review (JSWSR) and limited safety releases in preparation for Drone Dominance Phase II Gauntlet (DDG2) events. This support is intended to accelerate safe integration and fielding, but does not guarantee safety approval or certification.

Solutions must be scalable to match the rapid growth of Drone Dominance platforms and cost-effective to enable mass production and fielding. At this point, the lethal payload system represents a significant portion of the total system cost; therefore, affordability and manufacturability are critical design considerations.

Vendors are strongly encouraged to design payloads that integrate across multiple drone platforms and multiple vendors to maximize interoperability within the Drone Dominance ecosystem. Additional Links:Drone Dominance Program Lethality Prize ChallengeDrone Dominance Program Website

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