The U.S. Navy has issued an Area of Interest (AOI) seeking proposals for a new counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) solution called Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems – NEXT (Counter NEXT). This initiative comes amid growing concerns about drone attacks targeting naval vessels and commercial shipping in strategic maritime regions, particularly the Red Sea.
The AOI issued by the U.S. Navy highlights the significant risks associated with recent drone attacks carried out by non-state actors, likely a reference to the Houthi rebel group operating in Yemen. Over the past eight months, these attacks have resulted in casualties among seafarers, the destruction of commercial vessels, damage to multiple ships, increased war-risk insurance premiums for maritime transport, and disruptions to trade routes, all of which have had a cascading effect on global shipping capacity and driven up costs.
The U.S. Navy prioritizes acquiring a C-UAS solution specifically designed for the kinetic defeat of Group 3+ drones, this tier of drones has a maximum weight of greater than 1,320 lbs and can fly only below FL180. This category encompasses larger and potentially more sophisticated unmanned aerial vehicles with longer range and payload capabilities. The ideal system should offer several key functionalities:
- High Kill Probability: The system must demonstrate a high likelihood of successfully destroying targeted drones.
- Cost-Effectiveness: The solution should be a more economical alternative to existing air defense systems used against drones.
- Rapid Prototyping and Deployment: The Navy seeks a swift development and deployment process to integrate the chosen C-UAS solution across its fleet.
- Seaborne Integration: Compatibility with various naval platforms and seamless integration with existing onboard sensors and combat systems are essential.
- Ease of Use and Maintenance: The system should be user-friendly and require minimal modifications to existing shipboard infrastructure, facilitating rapid deployment and operational use.
The AOI outlines a range of technical specifications and evaluation criteria for potential C-UAS solutions. Here are some key aspects:
- Comprehensive Kill Chain Capability: The system must encompass all stages of drone defense, from detection and tracking to engagement and destruction.
- Human-in-the-Loop Control: The solution should allow for human oversight and decision-making during the engagement process.
- Technical Maturity: Proposed solutions should be sufficiently developed to undergo rapid prototyping and performance evaluation.
- Rapid Reload Capability: The system’s effector, the component responsible for drone destruction, must be reloadable at sea without requiring extensive equipment or time delays.
- Cybersecurity Compliance: The solution must adhere to strict cybersecurity protocols to ensure safe operation onboard naval vessels.
It’s important to note that the U.S. Navy is not considering proposals for C-UAS solutions that rely on directed energy or laser-based technologies, nor are Radio Frequency (RF)/GPS/Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) jamming solutions part of this solicitation.
The Counter NEXT program seeks innovative C-UAS solutions that can effectively address the evolving threat of drone attacks at sea. The Navy prioritizes proposals that demonstrate adaptability to counter emerging drone threats and leverage real-time data to enhance system performance. The Counter NEXT solution will fill a critical gap in the Navy’s defensive capabilities by providing a cost-effective and readily deployable method to counter drone threats. Unlike traditional surface-to-air missiles, which are expensive, time-consuming to produce, and difficult to reload at sea, the Counter NEXT system should offer a faster, more sustainable solution for defeating drone attacks. This will help to conserve the Navy’s limited supply of missiles and ensure a more efficient response to drone threats.
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