Army Readying Light Robotic Combat Vehicle Program, Plan To Award Two Prototype Deals

摘要

The Army is moving ahead with its Robotic Combat-Light (RCV-L) program, releasing a new notice Friday detailing plans to solicit white papers in June and eventually award up to two prototype contracts for vendors to deliver four test platforms. A draft requirements document included with Friday’s notice lays out the Army’s goal to have a light robotic vehicle intended to provide commanders a modular reconnaissance platform capable traveling up to 25 miles per hour and carrying at least 1,200 pounds. “The RCV-L is an expendable platform designed to conduct reconnaissance, rapidly develop the situation, and provide additional time and space for future commanders,” officials wrote. A white papers request for RCV-L will likely drop on June 17, followed by an “oral review” period with interested vendors to inform an eventual request for prototype proposals. The Army did not specify when the proposal request would be released or when a prototype contract award is likely, but noted more details are likely to be included in the request for white papers, including information on an eventual follow-on production contract. RCV-L is the first of three robotic vehicle efforts to get underway, with official programs for a medium and heavy variant to follow soon, as the Army looks to take advantage of industry’s investment in autonomous technologies (Defense Daily, Jan. 22).