Bidding for Remote Small Drones by the Special Operations Command

According to a report by Reference News Network on May 23, the U.S. Special Operations Command plans to deploy an agile long-range drone within a tight timeframe, aiming to begin testing existing systems in about three months, as reported by Aviation Week on May 19.

On the 13th, the U.S. Special Operations Command released a solicitation for a long-endurance, long-range drone system and plans to evaluate existing drones by the end of August.

The solicitation outlines two tiers of capability requirements for the new system. The basic capability requires the system to perform multiple missions at distances of 20 kilometers or more, with an endurance of six hours or more, carrying a total payload and sensors of five pounds (approximately 2.3 kilograms) or more.

The drone system must operate in environments where radio frequency and satellite navigation are disrupted. It must have an electric or hybrid propulsion system capable of cruising at a speed of 25 knots (approximately 46 kilometers/hour) and sprinting at a speed of 35 knots.

Ideally, the demand for the drone's capabilities will extend to 100 kilometers or more, with an endurance of 12 hours or longer. The payload requirement increases to 15 pounds or more, and it must be capable of launch and recovery in various environments, including takeoff and landing from vessels of 16 feet (approximately 4.9 meters), while being able to land on water and float for up to two hours. The cruising speed requirement increases to 60 knots, with sprint speeds reaching 80 knots or higher. (Translated by Lu Di)