Navy issues RFI for aircraft carrier irregular operations capability

Link to Mayport carrier shift for joint service development operations?

Follow up:

The following article reprint discusses a possible development link.

The Navy has issued a request for information (RFI) for an aircraft carrier based aircraft system providing persistent Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) and strike capabilities that will enhance the versatility provided by an aircraft carrier, according to the service. The Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (DCNO) for Information Dominance (N2/N6) has identified this need, and over the next 10 years, Navy investment will focus on defining requirements and beginning development of an unmanned capability to achieve this enhanced versatility, according to the solicitation. According to the solicitation, the goal is to achieve limited fleet operational use in 2018. The notional system is four to six air vehicles, carrier mission control interfaces and ashore mission control interfaces, sensor payloads, weapon interfaces, and personnel. The systems should also be common and compatible with joint forces and infrastructures, according to the RFI. The air vehicle should be able to autonomously launch/recover and be able to receive fuel from Navy and Air Force style airborne tankers. The air vehicle should also carry/employ weapons payloads sufficient to complete mission tasking in vetted scenarios as well as carry a suite of modular and/or federated ISR sensors with all weather capability, according to the RFI. (Geoff Fein, Defense Daily – 3/24)