Overview
- Proposals are due March 16, with demonstration-ready systems required within 180 days and evidence of scaled manufacturing and willingness to adopt government-owned hardware designs.
- Platforms must carry at least 18,000 pounds across standard military loads such as warehouse pallets, PALCONs and JMICs, including configurations like six 3,000‑pound JMICs.
- Performance targets call for a 1,000–2,000 nautical mile loaded range, operation in NATO sea state 5 with survivability in sea state 6, and up to 96 hours of loiter at roughly 12 knots.
- Designs must feature a low-profile form factor that fits on a commercial tractor-trailer and support assured navigation using M‑Code GPS, active sensors and passive sensing in DDIL or EMCON conditions.
- Systems must enable autonomous operations with remote human control, including one operator overseeing multiple vessels and at-sea route reprogramming, plus tamper resistance and a remote scuttle capability.