Dec. 18, 2023 —
The Coast Guard released a request for proposal (RFP) Dec. 12 for maritime unmanned aircraft system (MUAS) services capable of deploying from Coast Guard cutters. The services sought are for contractor-owned, contractor-operated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
Requirements for the MUAS include fully automated flight operations, a minimum 12 hours of flight time a day, ability to be launched and recovered from the host cutter flight deck, and ability to provide services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The MUAS must be capable of carrying a payload including electro-optical and infrared sensors and communications relay and be capable of providing surveillance, detection, classification and identification for all of the host cutter’s operational missions.
The Coast Guard plans to award one indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity firm fixed price contract. Initially, the contract will be used to continue UAS capability on the national security cutter (NSC) class; however, the contract could be used to support additional cutter classes in the future.
The full RFP is available here. Responses are due by 1 p.m. EST Jan. 11, 2024.
For more information: Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program page