Artist rendering of Lockheed Martin's HELIOS laser weapons system used on an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. (Image: Lockheed Martin)
By Rich Abott |
@ReaderRabott
1 year ago |
01/19/2024
highlights Navy/USMC

The Navy recently issued a Request For Information (RFI) seeking industry information on “innovative, mature solutions” for ship-based counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) options.

The Jan. 18 notice said Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems 11.0 (PEO IWS 11.0) is looking for respondents to submit feasibility and capability information on innovative and mature solutions to specifically counter Group 3-5 UAS from surface ships.

Artist rendering of Lockheed Martin's HELIOS laser weapons system used on an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. (Image: Lockheed Martin)
Artist rendering of Lockheed Martin’s HELIOS laser weapons system used on an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. (Image: Lockheed Martin)

These UAS groups weigh over 1,000 pounds, have a flight level of upward of 18,000 feet, and airspeeds upward of 250 knots.

PEO IWS 11.0’s said their system requirements include the preference for mature systems already in production that can be deployed in under six months or at least deployed within 12 months; demonstrated performance against Groups 3 to 5 UAS; and minimal integration needed with naval combat systems because self-contained capability is “highly desirable.”

The notice said submissions should at least discuss the system’s projected probability of kill/performance against the Group 3-5 UASs; key system performance parameters like range, engagement timelines, capacity and post-launch support requirements; Size, Weight, Power, & Cooling (SWaPC) requirements; operator/training requirements; the full kill chain or concept of integration and the integration requirements for use by surface ships; discussion of current and future production rates; growth or adaptability of the solution to changes in UAS systems; and unit cost projections.

Responses are due by Feb. 2.

A U.S. Marine assigned to Special Purpose Marine-Air Ground Task Force - Crisis Response - Central Command, operates a Battelle Drone Defender V2 during counter unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) training at the Baghdad Embassy Compound in Iraq, Oct. 9, 2020. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Artur Shvartsberg)
A U.S. Marine assigned to Special Purpose Marine-Air Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command, operates a Battelle Drone Defender V2 during counter unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) training at the Baghdad Embassy Compound in Iraq, Oct. 9, 2020. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Artur Shvartsberg)

During the Surface Navy Association symposium this month, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro said the Navy plans to accelerate investment in and deployment of directed energy weapons like the  Lockheed Martin [LMT] high-energy laser with integrated optical-dazzler and surveillance (HELIOS) over the next five years to defend against unmanned system swarm attacks (Defense Daly, Jan. 16)

The 60+ kilowatt HELIOS is currently deployed on the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Preble (DDG-88). The system is geared toward disabling IAS and small boats in the high power configuration or dazzling to confuse enemy intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) systems.