ASCA issues RFT for loitering munitions

Defence’s Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA), through Mission Talon Strike, has issued a Request for Tenders (RFT) for technologies that can address the Problem Statement, “How might we strike land targets from medium range with low cost, and launched loitering munitions?”

The RFT closes at 1600 AEDT on 30 May.

The ADF requires a dismounted, deployable Medium-Range Precision Loitering Munition (M-R PLM) to employ against static and moving targets in the land environment. Defence has already acquired the US-made AeroVironment Switchblade 300 tube-launched loitering munition, but the RFT documentation specifically asks for Australian manufacturers.

Australian companies such as Innovaero, which is part-owned by BAE Systems Australia, have been positioning themselves for acquisition programs such as Mission Talon Strike. The Perth-based company manufactures the OWL (One-Way Loitering) family of munitions and has worked with Melbourne company Corvus Technology Solutions on development of an autonomous electronic rail launcher, though members of the OWL family can also be tube-launched.

The M-R PLM system must be deployable and maintainable in the field with a minimal logistics footprint and should be suitable for operation with low training needs, says ASCA. It should also have an assured sovereign manufacturing supply chain that is scalable and cost-effective.

The performance requirements for the PLM are deliberately vague: the PLM’s Flight Vehicle Platform (FVP) must have a range of at least 100km, a payload of at least 4kg, though more than 6kg is preferred, a payload volume of at least 90mm diameter and 260mm in length and a price of around $100,000 each, though up to $200,000 would be considered (and much less would be welcomed). Everything else they leave to the contractor, even the launcher which must, however, be runway independent.

The capability to be demonstrated under Mission Talon Strike is the successful launch of a sovereign manufactured M-R PLM from land in a relevant operational environment.

Defence isn’t seeking the entire capability – some things it will provide itself such as the warhead and Command and Control (C2) system. It wants contractors to provide the FVP; the history of its development and validation; launch, transport and storage systems; details of how it will be manufactured; and whatever assistance is required for Test and Evaluation. The FVP itself must be at System Readiness Level (SRL, not TRL), 6-7.

Mission Talon Strike is intended to accelerate Australian industry’s ability to deliver a low-cost, domestically manufactured medium-range PLM that bridges the short to long-range gap and provides the land combat force with enhanced operational effects to mitigate potential adversaries.

The evaluation of the RFT will be complete by 9 June, says ASCA, and delivery will commence on 20 June (though ASCA warns this schedule is subject to change). The deliverables will be provided to Defence in suitable volumes to support PLM testing and certification activities over the subsequent 18 months.

For further information go to the Mission Talon Strike page in AusTender