Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) Design and Integration

The contract seeks the design, development, and integration of attritable bomber-class small unmanned aircraft systems tailored for platoon-level strike missions, encompassing the full spectrum of critical systems including airframe, propulsion, avionics, and modular payload capabilities. These systems must be engineered for operational effectiveness in tactical environments with an emphasis on cost-efficiency, rapid deployment, and mission adaptability, ensuring they can be produced and fielded at scale without compromising performance. The technology must support autonomous or semi-autonomous operations, enabling coordinated strikes and reconnaissance functions at the squad or platoon level under contested conditions. The solicitation, issued by the Department of Defense through the W6QK Acc-apg office, targets subcontractors with expertise in advanced unmanned systems and is classified under NAICS code 336411 for aerospace product and parts manufacturing. Responses are due by May 22, 2026, with performance expected to center at Aberdeen Proving Ground. The system’s attritable nature implies a focus on affordability and recoverability, where loss in mission is an accepted risk, necessitating reliable, low-cost components and rapid rebuild or replacement protocols. Development timelines and integration milestones will likely be tightly aligned with fielding objectives to ensure capability delivery meets urgent operational needs.