Unmanned Carrier-Based Aircraft Solutions Request for Information (RFI)
Contract Overview
Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.
AI Contract Overview
The Naval Air Systems Command is seeking industry input through a Sources Sought notice for next-generation unmanned carrier-based aircraft to support the Naval Aviation Enterprise’s Air Wing of the Future strategy, aligned with the Golden Fleet initiative. The focus is on identifying capable industrial partners who can design, develop, prototype, manufacture, and field autonomous platforms optimized for deployment from Ford-class and Nimitz-class nuclear aircraft carriers. The desired solutions may include single-role, multi-role, or modular systems that integrate with existing Family of Systems such as the MQ-25A and Collaborative Combat Aircraft, with an emphasis on operational effectiveness, autonomy, and carrier compatibility. The government aims to use the information gathered to shape future requirements, investment priorities, and acquisition pathways for unmanned aviation capabilities. Responses must be submitted electronically by 5:00 PM EST on August 13, 2026, to the designated Navy mailbox with a copy to Contract Specialist Samantha Moore. Submissions are limited to ten pages using Times New Roman 12-point font and single spacing, with optional accompanying PowerPoint presentations not exceeding twenty slides and no video content. All information must remain unclassified. The solicitation, identified as PAEA-UnmannedStratSS, was posted on July 14, 2026, and is issued under NAICS code 336411. No set-aside provisions apply, and responses are welcome from all qualified industry entities. Point of contact for inquiries includes Samantha Moore and Jacob Leighton, with the office located at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.
General Info
Agency
NAICS
Place of Performance
0, MD, USASet-Aside
Timeline
Response Deadline
Organization & Contact Information
Full Description
The Portfolio Acquisition Executive (Aviation), PAE(A), is issuing this Sources Sought notice to conduct market research and identify potential industry sources capable of designing, developing, prototyping, manufacturing, and fielding next-generation Unmanned Carrier-Based Aircraft as part of the Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE) Air Wing of the Future (AWOTF) Family of Systems (FoS) strategy aligned with the Golden Fleet initiative. Existing FoS efforts include MQ-25A and Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). PAE Aviation is exploring the industrial base's capacity to deliver highly capable, autonomous platforms optimized for operations from Ford-class and Nimitz-class Nuclear Aircraft Carriers (CVN). The Government is seeking concepts, with both technical and programmatic information, for air vehicle and mission systems capable of executing FoS missions from the CVN highlighted in Section 1.0, either as a single-role platform, a multi-role platform, or a modular FoS. The information will inform future requirements, investments, and acquisition decisions aligned with the Navy unmanned strategy.
Interested parties are requested to submit a response in accordance with the attached document, "Unmanned Strategy Sources Sought." Responses shall be submitted electronically to the USN NAS Patuxent Mailbox at usn.patuxent.comnavairsyscompax.mbx.fcdi-marketplace@us.navy.mil, carbon copying (CC) the designated Contract Specialist, Samantha Moore, samantha.c.moore11.civ@us.navy.mil. All responses shall be submitted no later than 5:00 PM EST, 13 August 2026. The submission is limited to 10 pages, using Times New Roman 12-point font and single spacing. Accompanying PowerPoint presentations are welcome, not to exceed 20 slides with no videos.
The Government will accept unclassified submissions up to the Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) level. Any submission containing CUI must be properly marked in accordance with DoD Instruction 5200.48. The email subject line and cover page of all documents must clearly indicate “CUI” or “Controlled Unclassified Information” if applicable. Submissions must not contain classified information above the CUI level.
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