Energy Department Seeks Information on Counter Unmanned Aircraft System Platform to Secure Facilities

The Department of Energy is calling on the public to provide information on the availability of a solution capable of countering threats from uncrewed aircraft systems.

The department’s Sandia National Laboratories issued a request for information on Monday seeking highly agile and adaptable command and control systems to combat threats targeting the energy sector. The RFI also requires a counter-UAS system that features “seamless integration of sensors, effectors and C2 algorithms.”

The laboratory is looking for a solution to help meet its goals: maximize system performance, a way to fully document decision processes and offer the government ownership of the cUAS system’s core technical elements, FedScoop reported.

With the growing use of drones, the government has been working to address the threats they pose. The U.S. Navy issued a sources-sought notice in August seeking information on a technology capable of detecting and eliminating unmanned undersea vehicles. The service aims to acquire a shore- or ship-based system to aid with mission planning, tactical decisions and battle damage assessment.

The U.S. Air Force is also researching ways to address drone threats. Its STRIKEWERX program has tapped 26 contractors to help develop solutions capable of defending mobile transport systems from swarming UAS.