SOCOM interested in developing long-range kamikaze drones
U.S. Special Operations Command is conducting market research on industry’s ability to develop a long-range, air-launched loitering munition.
According to a request for information posted Friday, SOCOM is eyeing an Air Loitering Munition (ALM) that has an extended range and additional capabilities beyond its current stand-off precision guided munitions (SOPGM). The weapons would be launched from the command’s fixed-wing aircraft, such as the AC-130J Ghostrider, according to the RFI.
SOCOM is specifically interested in one-way attack drones that have a range of at least 75 nautical miles, allowing the command to observe and strike targets located deep within enemy territory without putting operators at risk.
The RFI noted that SOCOM wants to launch the ALM at an altitude of 5,000 to 30,000 feet from fixed-wing aircraft preferably via a Common Launch Tube — although the command is open to exploring lugged configurations or “other release mechanisms.”
Furthermore, the kamikaze drones must have a loiter time of at least 40 minutes and be able to fly 500 to 3,000 feet above their targets. The weapon should be relatively small, weighing no more than 95 pounds, according to the notice.
Kamikaze drones have become commonplace on modern battlefields, functioning as both an intelligence-gathering tool and guided missile before destroying themselves on impact.
The Defense Department has fielded a variety of systems, such as the Low-cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System (LUCAS) and AeroVironment’s Switchblade series of munitions.
The defense industry has also made significant advancements in one-way attack drones, particularly in developing platforms with extended ranges.
For example, AeroVironment’s Red Dragon munition — under contract with the Army — has a range of about 250 miles. Anduril also offers a series of loitering munitions, dubbed the ALTIUS family, that feature operational ranges from 100 miles to over 270 miles.
The RFI indicated that SOCOM wants to perform spiral development for the ALM program, and that the effort will include a demonstration to evaluate the loitering munitions onboard its Ghostrider gunship or another special operations aircraft. The notice calls for industry to provide cost estimates for orders of 500, 1,000 and 3,000 units.
Overall, the command is interested in “true innovative, out-of-the-box thinking, conceptual approaches, and ideas on how industry can expediently design, manufacture and deliver” the ALM system, the RFI stated. Responses are due by July 27.
