The US government (USG) has issued a request for information on solutions to defend maneuvering formations and other tactical echelons from low altitude air attack and surveillance. “Adaptive threats have developed a suite of airborne capabilities, supported by an integrated mix of surface-to-air and surface-to-surface effectors, which challenge US Army maneuver forces’ ability to conduct operations on the ground, in the air, and in the cyber domains. Therefore maneuvering formations require air defense capabilities to counter a wide range of air threats: Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) (Group 2-3), Rotary Wing (RW), Fixed Wing (FW), and UAS (Group 1).”
“The USG is requesting information on industry’s ability to provide 72 IM-SHORAD systems. The contractor should be able to deliver 12 production representative prototypes for USG Testing no later than (NLT) 3QFY19. The contractor should be able to start delivering an initial 36 systems for fielding NLT 4QFY20. The remaining 36 units should be delivered to support fielding NLT 4QFY21.”
The IM-SHORAD programme comprises:
- Vehicle Platform: The IM-SHORAD solution (kinetic and non-kinetic) must be integrated onto a Stryker Combat Vehicle.
- Sensor: The IM-SHORAD solution must be interoperable with the Sentinel Radar in its current configuration through the Mission Command Architecture.
- Mission Command Architecture: The IM-SHORAD solution must be capable of integrating into the Army Mission Command. The system should integrate with Forward Area Air Defense-Command and Control (FAAD-C2) with Rajant or Terrestrial Transmission Line of Sight (TRILOS) radios with the Rugged Handheld Terminal Unit (RHTU). Additionally, the solution must be interoperable with fielded Situational Awareness displays [Air Defense Interrogator (ADI), and Blue Force Tracker (BFT)].
- Interceptor: The IM-SHORAD solution must have multiple, Army fielded selectable effectors to include two (2) Interceptor types with the basic load of four (4) Stinger Missiles and four (4) Longbow Hellfire Missiles.
- Gun Effector: The IM-SHORAD solution must have a ground qualified and Army fielded mounted gun effector, minimum .50 Caliber up to 30mm with optical/infrared sensors
- Non-Kinetic Effector: The IM-SHORAD solution must have an Army fielded Electronic Warfare effector designed to engage and counter UAS.
There are “Must Do” and “Desire To Do” criteria in priority to meet the required IM-SHORAD solution. “Must Do” criteria comprise:
- Priority One: All lethality capability integrates onto an existing combat vehicle platform that has mobility consistent with that of the supported force (speed and terrain).
- Priority Two: Defeat, in priority order: UAS (Group 2-3), RW, FW, and UAS (Group 1) throughout 360 degrees, at operationally significant engagement ranges to defeat and disrupt the enemy.
- Priority Three: Must have multiple, selectable effectors (kinetic and non-kinetic).
- Priority Four: Capable of engagement at the short halt. Definition of at the short halt is <30 seconds.
- Priority Five: Must utilize and/or inter-operate with current Army architecture, mission command, and the Sentinel radar system.
- Must provide a ground target engagement and self-defence capability.
Solicitation number: W31P4Q-18-R-0037
Deadline: 22 December 2017
Issuing authority: US Army, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, USA
