09 May 13. The Defense Information Systems Agency has issued a request for information to replace 15-year-old Iridium satellite phones used by the military, Defense Systems reports. The DISA is looking for a follow-on secure handset that meets National Security Agency Type 1 encryption requirements and is compatible with the current mobile satellite system that provides global secure/unsecure voice, data, paging and short message services. (Source: Open Source Information Report)
09 May 13. US Department of Energy Issues RFI on Improved Common Data Link for sUAS. This Request for Information (RFI) seeks input from Industry on technologies and potential solutions for two (2) sets of Common Data Link (CDL) radio capabilities to support Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS). Recent enhancements to the Common Data Link could lead to significant growth in the portfolio of CDL platforms through integration of the mandated, standardized and interoperable CDL communications capability into smaller UAS. Greater flexibility in data rates, frequency bands, and improved spectral efficiency offer the opportunity to expand the use of CDL into Group 1-3 UAS platforms, for example, the Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (STUAS) currently under development for the Navy and Marine Corps. CDL employment was previously precluded for use in many of these UAS groups due to the limited Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) budgets of the platforms. (Source: Open Source Information Report)
08 May 13. The Government is seeking information from vendors of ground surveillance radar (GSR), or similar, systems. The GSR will be part of a distributed persistent surveillance system consisting of multiple networked operator posts and multisensor nodes. Each multisensor node will consist of several sensors such as electro-optic infrared (EO/IR) sensors, shortwave infrared (SWIR) sensor, ground surveillance radar sensor, global positioning system (GPS), north-finding sensor, a means of target geolocation such as a laser rangefinder, connectivity to remote unattended ground sensors (UGS), unmanned aircraft system (UAS) video feed receiver, special-purpose sensors, and so forth.
At a minimum the GSR should include the following features:
1. Modularity
a. Weight – GSR lowest replaceable unit (LRU)’s should be a two-man lift, maximum.
b. Transport – GSR LRU’s should be capable of being packaged into transit cases for short distance transport.
c. Mountability – GSR antenna should be capable of being mounted in various mounting configurations (tripod or mast).
2. Interface
a. Connectivity – utilize Ethernet for inter-system communication.
b. Communications – send GSR contact data to the System Operator utilizing standard formatting for radar contact data.
c. Control – capability to be controlled by a remote Combat Operations Center (COC) by a third-party software solution.
3. Detection
a. Field of Regard – provide an azimuth field of regard of at least 300 degrees.
b. Line of Sight Personnel Detection – Detection of personnel contacts at a range of at least 8 km under optimal environmental conditions with a 0.9 probability
c. Line of Sight Vehicle Detection – Detection of vehicle contacts at a range of at least 10 km under optimal environmental conditions with a 0.9 probability
While the above are minimum requirements, submission of information regarding additional RADAR / LIDAR features is encouraged. (Source: Open Source Information Report)
08 May 13. The Government intends to award on a sole source basis a firm fixed price (FFP) supply type contract with FLIR Systems, Inc, 27700 SW Parkway Avenue, Wilsonville, OR 97070-8238. This indefinite delivery – indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract will cover a five year period for the Star Safire III™ Gyro-stabilized Long-Range Thermal Imaging Sensor System, the THV3000™ Pan and Tilt Long-Range Thermal Imaging Sensor System, Provisioning Item Order (PIO) and engineering services. The Star Safire III