Description

One Nation Innovation on behalf of DoD’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is seeking a qualified test range to facilitate a comprehensive assessment of UAV capabilities over a one-week test period. The selected range will support the testing of UAVs from 7-11 participating companies, each completing a series of missions designed to evaluate key performance metrics. The range must provide infrastructure, controlled airspace, and environmental conditions that allow for detailed testing of UAV payload, range, speed, altitude, navigational adherence, BVLOS, and detectability in both standard and challenging scenarios. This proposal is designed to solicit bids from test ranges with the specific infrastructure, experience, and conditions needed to support the UAV operational assessment project.

Overall Objective

Our objective is to partner with a test range capable of: - Supporting structured assessments across a set of performance and detectability metrics. - Providing controlled environments that simulate operational challenges, such as GNSS denial and EMI interference. - Offering real-time monitoring, data capture, and safety protocols to ensure accurate evaluation of each UAV’s capabilities.

Problem Statement

Required Test Range Capabilities: Payload Mass and Volume Testing - Requirement: Facilities for conducting payload testing with simulated loads of varying mass and volume. - Capability: The range should have facilities to prepare and measure UAVs under different payload configurations, including static and in-flight assessments. Launch Method and Rate of Launch - Requirement: Dedicated launch areas supporting multiple launch methods (horizontal and vertical). - Capability: The range should accommodate repeated launches, provide rapid turnaround for multiple attempts, and offer recovery zones to support high launch rates across different UAV types. Range and BVLOS Testing - Requirement: At least 30 km of open airspace that allows for long-range BVLOS operations. - Capability: The range must be approved for BVLOS and equipped with tracking infrastructure that ensures continuous monitoring and communication with the UAVs during extended missions. Waypoint Navigation with GNSS Denial and EMI Environments - Requirement: Defined areas where GNSS signals can be selectively disabled and EMI interference can be introduced. - Capability: The range should support accurate waypoint navigation testing in both GNSS-supported and GNSS-denied conditions and offer a controlled EMI environment. Altitude and Speed Verification - Requirement: Ability to accommodate tests across varying altitude bands, with the infrastructure to capture high-precision altitude and speed data. - Capability: The range must provide airspace and tracking equipment to accurately verify altitude and maximum and sustained cruising speeds. Detectability Testing across Radar, EO/IR, Audio, and EM - Requirement: Equipped with radar, EO/IR, audio, and EM detection systems for assessing UAV observability. - Capability: The range should support detectability tests under both controlled and representative mission conditions, capturing data on detection range and accuracy across all specified sensing modes. Terminal Phase Impact Testing (Without Energetics) - Requirement: Designated impact zones for conducting terminal phase descent and impact tests using mass simulators. - Capability: The range must support safe impact testing that captures metrics on impact characteristics, structural integrity, and reusability, excluding live fire or energetic materials. Mission Profiles Each participating company will complete the following mission types, and the range must support all requirements below: - Waypoint Navigation: Launch and follow a path across at least four waypoints in open terrain. - BVLOS in Challenging Terrain: Conduct a BVLOS mission in terrain with EMI interference and waypoint adherence challenges. - Random Mission Planning: Rapid planning and execution of a randomized route to evaluate planning efficiency. - Distance Endurance: Extended path for testing endurance over repeated missions until terminal flight. Data Collection and Monitoring Requirements The range must provide advanced telemetry and data collection systems, enabling: - Real-time tracking of flight parameters, including speed, altitude, range, and waypoint adherence. - Observability data across radar, EO/IR, audio, and EM spectra. - Environmental control data for GNSS and EMI interference zones.

Desired Solution

Expected Deliverables The selected range will provide: - Final Comprehensive Report: Summarizing test findings and UAV performance metrics across all missions. - Individual UAV Profiles: Performance data and analysis for each UAV. - Comparison Summary: Cross-company performance comparison on core metrics such as range, speed, altitude, and detectability. Range Assumptions and Safety Requirements - Simulated Loads Only: Testing will exclusively use mass simulators—no live fire or energetics permitted. - Safety Protocols: Adherence to safety standards for personnel, equipment, and environmental protection. - Controlled Environment Zones: Allocated areas for GNSS denial and EMI, ensuring controlled testing conditions. Timeline and Resources Testing is scheduled over one week, with each participating company completing four missions. The range must provide dedicated personnel to support pre-test preparation, mission monitoring, and data analysis. Companies will complete four missions (multiple tests accomplished with each mission) in a week’s time over the course of a week. Ranges will schedule all companies testing to occur during the same week (companies do not get one week to themselves). The first week of testing shall be scheduled during the month of December. Ranges may propose a recommendation for which week. Funding and award This requirement will be awarded by leveraging the One Nation Innovation Other Transactional Agreement. One Nation Innovation is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit that acts as an intermediary between the Federal Government and academic institutions and industry to rapidly contract, resource, and innovate acquisition solutions to unique federal ecosystems. This will be awarded as a subconcept agreement to the already awarded and funded contract but carries the opportunity for additional prototype OTA and production OTA awards. Proposal and evaluation If your range meets the above criteria and can support this comprehensive UAV test assessment, please provide a detailed proposal outlining your capabilities, experience, and facilities. Address the areas above in a paper no longer than 4 pages (12pt Aerial Font). Additional supporting documents can be attached such as range briefings, video demonstrations, etc. Include a cover page in your submission (not included in the 4-page count) that includes lead POC, organization address. Include a ROM in your four-page submission. Include, as a part of your 4 page submission, a recommendation for a week in December for testing. Details on the ROM do not need to be included but if desired can be attached (will not count against 4-page count). Evaluations will be made by One Nation Innovation and DIU. The selection will be made by DIU. More than one company will be selected but only one company will be chosen for the December test event. One Nation Innovation and DIU reserve the right to resolicit prior to future testing dates. Proposals are due: 15 November. Selection will be made 22 November. Thank you for your interest and consideration