May 4, 2018 —
The Coast Guard Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) Program issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) on May 3 for long range/ultra-long endurance (LR/U-LE) unmanned aircraft system (UAS) technology demonstrations and flight services to support an evaluation of current technologies to enhance Coast Guard missions.
The Coast Guard is examining the feasibility, costs and benefits of using LR/U-LE UAS to conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions within maritime transit zones. The service is exploring capabilities able to stay aloft for more than 24 hours and carry a payload of electro-optical and infrared sensors, maritime surface search radar, VHF/UHF/HF communications systems, data-link and direction-finding equipment.
The Coast Guard Research and Development Center (RDC) will hold proof of concept demonstrations at Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, in fiscal year 2019. The RFP is available here.
For more information: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation program page