Uncrewed platform development funding | Insight vehicles or dismounted personnel, to encourage a flexible, mobile logistics UAV design. The third is for a reasonably flexible UAV, capable of moving payloads of at least 50 kg. All three UAV contracts include VTOL transitioning as an acceptable feature of the proposals, as well as ICE, hybrid and fully-electric powertrains being acceptable. Contracts four, five and six follow a similar curve of scale, but for UGVs rather than UAVs. Respectively, they focus on low-cost, attritable UGVs with a payload capacity up to 100 kg, medium-size, wheeled UGVs able to move 100-1000 kg payloads, and medium-size, tracked UGVs for the same payload capacity as in contract five. Notably, all proposed UGV solutions are expected to function without any additional ground-support equipment, and simulate casualty evacuation as well as mass distribution of supplies. The seventh contract does not focus explicitly on hardware or software, but calls for overarching practical concepts for the planning and execution of military operational experimental campaigns, naturally focused on cross-domain logistics work with UAVs and UGVs. Back across the Atlantic, the Tactical Technology Office for the US’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has issued a request-forinformation (RFI) on heavy-lift UASs that are capable of picking up a 70,000 lb (31751.5 kg) payload – such as 40 ft ISO containers or Bradley fighting vehicles – using COTS engines and drivetrain systems. As a frame of reference for ideal proposals, the RFI (DARPA-SN-24-109) points to the Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion as the highest payload-capacity US helicopter, able to lift 36,000 lb on behalf of the US Marine Corps, where it serves as the primary heavy-lift helicopter. Key challenges include solving ‘ship to shore’ and ‘wide gap-crossing’ problems for armed forces moving troops, vehicles and supplies from vessels to beachheads, and then across obstacles that are both naturally occurring and human-built. UAVs are viewed as the ideal method for bypassing issues of terrain, mines and waves at ground level with speed and efficacy, not to mention enduring poor weather, avoiding enemy defences, and taking the most direct route possible to areas where supplies, equipment and large platforms must be delivered. As indicated, DARPA hopes for UAVs with as many COTS components as possible (including not only engines and generators, but batteries and rotors). Such UAVs will be expected to fly from a prepared base to a payload location where they will obtain the 70,000 lb payload, and carry it 25 miles (40 km) at a 500 ft altitude, before detaching it and returning to base over a further 25 miles. Additionally, the concept description should support a cost of less than $30 m for the first unit of the UAV, and scalability that enables a range of up to 100 miles (161 km). Ideal optional information within proposals includes calculations for lift, CoG, blade and disk loading, power requirements, structural integrity, vibration and aeroelasticity. Summary Although a broad selection of funding competitions, calls for proposals and requests for information have been discussed here, it is paramount for any developers seeking finance to routinely scour organisations’ listings for such calls as deadlines for submissions can come quickly. As well as established platformdevelopment sponsors, such as DARPA, Horizon Europe, Genius NY and so on, innovators would do well to remember that new funds and sources of support spring up all the time, with much of the world understanding that technology exists to make life easier and people happier. With the near future guaranteed to outsource more dirty and dangerous work to uncrewed systems, and later decades potentially home to quantum computing-powered intelligence, uncrewed armies safeguarding borders, and swarms of rescue-and-relief robots saving lives, all that remains is for people with good ideas to be introduced to those with good capital, with the benefits to be shared by everyone. 85 Uncrewed Systems Technology | December/January 2025 DARPA is requesting information for a super heavy-lifting UAV concept that can raise 70,000 lb payloads (Image courtesy of ACC Innovation)
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