ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - The U.S. Army is conducting market research on integrating next-generation uncooled thermal sensors into low-SWaP-C systems for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) applications, officials announced in a recent request for information (RFI).
The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) C5ISR Center is seeking industry input to support potential future system requirements and prototype development efforts involving advanced electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) technologies. The effort focuses on integrating government-furnished uncooled thermal sensors into complete systems that can demonstrate performance at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 or higher in relevant operational environments.
The Army says the sensors will be compliant with a forthcoming interface control document and will be delivered without optics. Respondents will be expected to design and integrate appropriate lens systems to enable full operational capability and validate performance.
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The RFI emphasizes solutions optimized for size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C), reflecting growing demand for compact, energy-efficient ISR payloads for uncrewed systems and dismounted operations.
Industry responses should outline existing technologies or modifications that could meet the requirements, along with relevant experience integrating EO/IR sensors into prototype or fielded systems. The Army is also asking for innovative approaches, development timelines, and assessments of technical maturity.
Vendors are requested to provide rough-order-of-magnitude cost estimates for prototype development and integration, as well as any feedback on requirements or technical challenges associated with the effort.
Responses are limited to five pages and must follow Department of Defense (DoD) marking requirements for controlled unclassified information (CUI) and classified materials. Unclassified submissions are due via email to the DEVCOM C5ISR Center, while sensitive materials must be transmitted through secure DoD channels.
The Army named Christina Sanchez as the primary point of contact for this inquiry. They can be reached via email at [email protected]. More information, including controlled technical details, is available at https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/c8082c4554a14551a42d04c9bf92812d/view.
