Pentagon eyes November to demo ground-launched, precision strike weapons

WASHINGTON — The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) today announced the new Ground-Based Affordable Mass (G-BAM) challenge for long-range precision strike systems that can be demonstrated within three months and ready for production within 12-18 months.

“Aligned with the Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Unmanned Systems (DRPM-UxS) mandate to field low-cost autonomous capabilities at scale, the government is particularly interested in mature, proven solutions that deliver favorable cost-per-effect at operationally relevant ranges while minimizing the logistical, training, and sustainment burden on employing units,” the DIU wrote.

The Pentagon plans to spend $250 million evaluating options and making early follow-on deals for the new ground-launched, precision strike challenge.

The announcement comes as the Pentagon establishes its new autonomy czar shop with plans to stand up DRPM-UxS to serve as the single joint integrator for all unmanned and autonomous systems. With the hunt for the long-range strike system aligned with DRPM-UxS, today’s DIU call said the effort is designed to provide a “common assessment and transition pathway” for multiple stakeholders, and “successful” systems could be in line for follow-on prototype deals, production contracts or Small Business Innovation Research opportunities.

While the call does not detail which services or program requirements G-BAM could fall under, it does detail a wish list.

Ideally, the department is looking for ground-launched systems that can strike targets more than 600 nautical miles away. Each round should cost less than $250,000 — with a system cost-per-effect coming in below $500,000 — and should be able to carry a payload of at least 35lbs, although the preference is for a payload capacity greater than 100lbs. Companies should be producing 100-plus systems monthly, or have plans to do so in the near future.

As for secondary attributes, the Defense Department is looking for systems with automatic target recognition and autonomy-enabled terminal guidance, Alternative Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT), compatibility with various targeting and command and control systems, and autonomous or operator-directed retasking after launch.

Interested companies are being asked to submit white papers outlining their solutions. DoD then plans to award an unspecified number of companies with $250,000 to participate in a Phase 2 flight demonstration in early November.

Top performers there could then receive $5 million to “immediately deliver” operational test quantities to units, and be eligible for various follow-on deals with the services and Pentagon.