Navy to develop nanosensor-equipped micro air vehicle for covert explosives ordnance disposal

Feb. 10, 2010
INDIAN HEAD, Md., 10 Feb. 2010. U.S. Navy explosives-disposal experts want to develop a man-packable vertical take off and landing micro air vehicle (VTOL MAV) with advanced nano sensors that can gain access to sensitive or denied areas for reconnaissance, surveillance, and intelligence-gathering missions.

Posted by John Keller

INDIAN HEAD, Md., 10 Feb. 2010. U.S. Navy explosives-disposal experts want to develop a man-packable vertical take off and landing micro air vehicle (VTOL MAV) with advanced nanosensors that can gain access to sensitive or denied areas for reconnaissance, surveillance, and intelligence-gathering missions.

The Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division (NAVEODTECHDIV) in Indian Head, Md., issued a presolicitation Tuesday (solicitation number BAAN427941001) for the Vertical Take Off and Landing Micro Air Vehicle (VTOL MAV).

This research program is on behalf of the Navy's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group Two's Special Mission Support Integrated Product Team in Norfolk, Va.

This research program consists of four parts: man-portable VTOL MAV air frames that can operate indoors or out; power and energy; reconnaissance, surveillance, and exploitation; and relative Command, Control Communications, and Computers (C4).

The first research area involves a collapsible, back-packable air frame able to access sensitive or denied areas covertly in a variety of operating areas and environments, while the second area involves lightweight alternative power sources.

The third area concerns advanced visual augmentation systems; the ability to tag, track, and locate devices and technologies; advanced situational awareness in all operating environments; automated threat detection and cueing; advanced micro- and nano-scale sensors; advanced breaching technology for VTOL MAV deployment, remotely operated weapons and technologies; and persistent surveillance, including unattended sensors.

The last research area involves enhanced guidance and geo-location systems; high bandwidth communications; secure mesh, self-forming mobile ad-hoc networks; multi-level security systems; advanced multi-function software-defined radios; advanced data management; information assurance; advanced antennas; cyberspace operations-exploitation and counter-threat technologies; and VTOL MAV relative human systems integration.

Interested companies should reply to this broad agency announcement by submitting white papers by 31 March 2010. E-mail white papers to the Navy's Tammy Winters at [email protected], with a copy to Charles Herndon at [email protected].

E-mail questions or concerns to Tammy Winters at [email protected]. More information is online at https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DON/NAVSEA/N42794/BAAN427941001/listing.html.

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