Joanna Crews
The Defense Department has started to accept solution briefs for an underwater-launched unmanned aerial vehicle with interface and control features similar to those of existing consumer drones.
A solicitation notice posted on the Defense Innovation Unit Experimental’s website says that DoD seeks a platform that can process full-motion video and operate for more than one hour at a range of up to 30 miles.
The UAV should weigh less than three pounds and employ an AES-256 bit encryption method to secure communications to and from the vehicle, DIUx noted.
Interested offerors must describe in their submissions how a UAV platform could launch, orient itself, transition to flight and traverse a water column.
DIUx added it can partner with a selected proposer to explore, license and integrate relevant government technologies into a final prototype.
Proposals are due April 2.
