US Air Force Mobility Fleet Seeks Industry’s Help for Carrying On-board Defences Against Small Drones

Date:

Washington: The US Air Force is asking industry for help for potentially carrying defensive systems aboard mobility aircraft that can fend off small drones.

According to a request for information (RFI) released by the service, it’s interested in “concepts and technologies related to an on-aircraft Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft System (C-sUAS) capability.” The RFI was posted by Air Mobility Command, or AMC, which oversees operations of tankers and transport aircraft — slower, larger platforms typically more vulnerable to enemy attack.

ads

Referring to the Pentagon’s “Group” system for classifying drones, with 1 being the smallest and 5 the largest, the RFI says that “Group 1 and 2 UAS are of primary interest, with an objective capability for Group 3 UAS.” The notice says that a “primary interest” is to field defences “during critical phases of fixed-wing flight operations below 16,000 feet,” though the effort also seeks capabilities that can defend aircraft during ground operations, such as taxiing.

Mobility aircraft already carry defensive systems, such as flares and laser jammers, to defeat threats like missiles. But the proliferation of drone warfare and increasing civilian use of unmanned systems appears to be motivating the Air Force to field new defences against UAS threats, particularly as officials warn that adversaries like China could exploit vulnerabilities in logistics operations.

Mobility aircraft can sometimes rely on robust base defences, notes a separate concept of operations (CONOPS) published alongside the RFI, but the prospect of austere operations means crews may have to carry C-sUAS capabilities with them.

More like this

Israeli Air Force Destroys Iranian Intelligence Ship ‘Zagros’

Tel Aviv: On Saturday, June 24 - the Israeli...

Army Strengthens Deep Strike Artillery, Operationalises Two Additional Pinaka Regiments

New Delhi: India’s ongoing expansion of its Pinaka multi-barrel...

Indian Army Conducts India’s First Successful Trial of AI-Powered Light Machine Gun

New Delhi: Between June 1 and 8, 2025, the...

The United States is Going to be a Reliable Ally: US Ambassador Reassures European Allies

The Hague: The US ambassador to NATO  sought to...

Sweden to Bolster Air Defence Capabilities, Inks $900 Million IRIS-T Air Defence Deal

Stockholm: Sweden has launched a major procurement to bolster...

Strengthening its Nuclear Posture, UK to Buy At Least 12 F-35As

Washington: The United Kingdom announced it will buy “at...

Reliance Defence Secures Export Order Worth Rs 600 Crore from Rheinmetall

Mumbai: Reliance Infrastructure Limited promoted, Reliance Defence Limited (Reliance...
Indian Navy Special EditionLatest Issue