The U.S. Army is seeking information on a multifunction electronic warfare (MFEW) pod to be carried by the General Atomics MQ-1C Gray Eagle unmanned aircraft as part of a wider airborne “system of systems” program to provide forces with organic electronic attack and support capability.
The request for information (RFI), released on Feb. 6, is for the MFEW Air Large system. It is one of three planned variants of a modular, scalable payload-providing offensive electronic attack and electronic warfare support system. The others are Air Small for Class III tactical UAVs and a version for rotary-wing vehicles.
MFEW Air will sense the electromagnetic environment to detect, locate and identify emitters and jam communications, navigation, surveillance and radar systems.
Airborne payloads will be remote-operated and networked, capable of operating independently but also integrated with MFEW ground variants that will expand frequency coverage, increase target location accuracy and standoff range, and provide greater persistence.
The MFEW Air Systems of Systems capabilities description document is currently in Army staffing with an anticipated Milestone B decision to enter engineering and manufacturing development in the third quarter of fiscal 2018.
The RFI is a precursor to a request for proposals for a two-stage program. Under Phase 1, bidders will be required to demonstrate design maturity. This will lead to a competition for Phase 2 and award of a single contract for development and low-rate initial production.
Hardware deliveries for qualification testing and integration on to the MQ-1C are to begin 18 months after contract award. The MFEW Air Large pod is required to be carried under the wing of the Gray Eagle “with no significant modifications to the aircraft.”
Source: Aviation Week