USD R&E - Low-cost Uncrewed Combat Attack Systems (LUCAS)
Active challenge
Description
The current model of UAS development for the Department of Defense (DoD) faces limitations such as single-source manufacturing bottlenecks and high costs due to stringent performance requirements. These factors hinder the widespread use of high-performance systems in large quantities for OWA missions. The LUCAS approach draws inspiration from the U.S. Liberty ships' production during World War II, utilizing an open-system architecture to enable multiple shipyards to contribute to production. Similarly, LUCAS aims to develop OWA UAS platforms in three range categories, leveraging commercial manufacturing and component-based assembly to reduce time and cost, enhance scalability, and facilitate collaboration with partner nations. Additionally, adversary strategic assets possess robust defensive capabilities that neutralize current long-range conventional arsenals, necessitating cost-effective solutions. LUCAS offers low-cost (objectively $30k per unit) OWA platforms with the standoff, flexibility, and autonomy to counter these defenses effectively.
Overall Objective
The LUCAS program’s objectives are: Deliver a standard, build-to-specification, Government Reference Architecture for low- cost alternative OWA UAS platforms. Enable any vendor with means to produce subsystems or entire assemblies to utilize Government Reference Architecture, maximizing production scale. Identify new manufacturing concepts to field multiple thousands in multiple domains within 18-24 months. Identify capabilities that can be given or tech-transferred to coalition partners. Generate cost savings through common components across platforms.
Problem Statement
The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) lacks a demonstrated Low-cost Uncrewed Combat Attack Systems (LUCAS) platform for vendors to bring Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) for technical evaluations and integration onto operational platforms, hindering the ability to further develop and transition this critical technology to programs and the field. In this context, LUCAS platforms referenced throughout this statement of work can also include engines, kinetics payloads, EW sensors, C2 systems, avionics, seeker systems, ATR, autonomy, and launch mechanisms which utilize modular and adaptable designs to achieve desired requirements. Specific Challenges: Limited Demonstrated Platform: Currently, there is no demonstrated LUCAS platform that allows vendors to bring their capabilities for technical evaluation and integration onto operational platforms, making it difficult to assess the effectiveness and feasibility of various UAS solutions. Technical Integration Challenges: Uncrewed platforms have unique size, weight, and power (SWaP) constraints, and UAS systems are often designed for different platforms, making integration a significant technical challenge for vendors. Lack of Standardization: The absence of standardized interfaces and architectures for UAS systems on uncrewed platforms hinders the ability of vendors to easily integrate and ensure interoperability with other systems. Insufficient Testing and Evaluation: The lack of a demonstrated LUCAS platform for technical evaluations limits the ability to conduct thorough testing and evaluation of vendor-provided UAS capabilities, which is necessary to inform future development and transition decisions. Inadequate Transition Path: Without a clear platform for vendor participation and transition, the development of UAS capabilities for uncrewed platforms may not align with field requirements, leading to potential mismatches between capability development and operational needs. Consequences: Delayed Fielding: The lack of a demonstrated LUCAS platform for vendor participation delays the fielding of this critical technology, leaving the field vulnerable to emerging threats. Reduced Operational Effectiveness: The inability to integrate UAS capabilities onto uncrewed platforms reduces their operational effectiveness, limiting their ability to conduct missions in contested environments. Increased Risk: The absence of a standardized and integrated LUCAS platform for vendor participation increases the risk of system failure, cyber vulnerabilities, and ineffective employment in operational scenarios. Limited Innovation: The lack of a platform for vendor participation limits the ability to leverage innovation from industry, reducing the potential for cutting-edge UAS solutions to be developed and integrated onto uncrewed platforms.