AIR AUTONOMY & LAUNCHED EFFECTS
Responses due by April 1, 2026
Current Capability Needs
Product Knowledge is actively soliciting demonstrable capabilities aligned to specific US Department of War-identified interest areas; companies and developers with mature or near-term solutions should submit inquiries via email to guru@productknowledge.cc and include the following information as a single consolidated submission: Company Name, Company Address, Company Point of Contact, POC email address and phone number, a concise two-page capability description, representative images, and videos of the capability; briefing decks or existing marketing materials may be included as supplemental attachments.
Submissions should focus on practical, employment-ready capabilities rather than conceptual research or long-term development efforts.
Air Autonomy & Launched Effects
Air Autonomy & Launched Effects enable commanders to extend sensing, shaping, and strike capabilities across depth by employing uncrewed, modular air systems and air-delivered effects that operate with reduced risk to personnel. By combining persistent loitering platforms, air-emplaced obstacles, airborne EW and defeat payloads, and affordable long-range strike options, these capabilities contest enemy ISR, shape terrain, and disrupt operational systems before they affect the close fight. In large scale combat operations (LSCO), air autonomy increases operational reach, sustains decision dominance, and enables multi-domain convergence by allowing forces to impose effects continuously while remaining dispersed and survivable under contested air and electromagnetic conditions.
a. Autonomous Entrenching & Obstacle System (Air-Delivered Variant)
The air-delivered autonomous entrenching and obstacle system disperses modular payloads from unmanned aircraft to emplace barriers, terrain-denial materials, or protective structures in support of maneuver and survivability operations. These payloads may include self-expanding barriers, resin-based blocking agents, or anti-vehicle obstacles placed without requiring ground engineer presence.
Operationally, air-delivered obstacle systems allow commanders to shape terrain rapidly in contested areas, reinforcing defenses or restricting enemy mobility during shaping operations. They support FM 3-90’s obstacle effects by enabling rapid emplacement in high-risk or denied areas, preserving engineer forces for more complex breaching or mobility tasks.
b. Long-Range, High-Altitude Loitering UAS/Munition
Long-range, high-altitude loitering UAS/munitions provide persistent ISR and strike capabilities from altitudes that reduce vulnerability to enemy air defenses. Equipped with EO/IR, SAR, or EW payloads, they maintain overwatch for extended periods and execute precision engagements when required.
Operationally, these systems support deep operations by identifying and striking high-value targets such as artillery headquarters, radars, and C2 nodes before they influence the close area. Their endurance contributes to decision dominance by sustaining continuous surveillance even when satellite or crewed ISR is degraded.
c. Air Payloads to Detect, Disrupt, Defeat
These airborne payloads provide sensing, jamming, EW effects, or kinetic defeat capabilities from unmanned aircraft. They leverage altitude and mobility to detect enemy emissions, degrade communications, or neutralize UAS before they reach friendly formations.
Operationally, air payloads play a central role in counter-reconnaissance and shaping operations, aligning with FM 3-0’s emphasis on converging effects across domains. They reduce enemy ISR effectiveness and protect maneuver forces by extending the reach of EW and kinetic defeat mechanisms.
d. Long-Range, Low-Cost Cruise Missile
Long-range, low-cost cruise missiles deliver precision strike capability at operational and strategic ranges using simplified airframes and modular guidance kits. Their affordability enables mass employment against logistics hubs, air defenses, and key infrastructure without draining stocks of high-end munitions.
Operationally, these missiles support shaping and interdiction by striking enemy sustainment networks, transportation nodes, and C2 infrastructure. They enable sustained fires pressure and expand the commander’s ability to degrade enemy operational reach as described in FM 3-0 deep operations.
e. Uncrewed, Automated, Modular Air Platforms
Uncrewed modular air platforms provide flexible ISR, EW, strike, and logistics support through interchangeable payload kits. Their autonomy supports waypoint routing, distributed sensing, and semi-independent mission execution.
Operationally, these platforms extend sensing and effects across the battlespace, reduce risk to crewed aircraft, and strengthen joint integration. They enable rapid re-tasking and support persistent multi-domain convergence essential for LSCO.
