An M777 howitzer being readied to fire at the Oro Grande Range Complex, New Mexico. (US Army)
US Army officials are looking to fast-track the development of a new multifunction precision radar (MFPR) system to support the ground service's ongoing development of its Hypervelocity Gun Weapon System (HGWS), according to a recent industry solicitation.
The request for information (RFI), issued by the army's Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) on 8 July, is calling for industry details on “technical skills, facilities, tooling, and personnel” required for the development of an MFPR prototype.
The information provided by industry via the request for proposals (RFP) must also demonstrate a company's ability to develop two functional MFPR prototypes for operational demonstration by fiscal year (FY) 2027, the solicitation stated. Based on the responses to the RFP, army officials anticipate issuing a development contract for the radar prototypes no later than August, it added.
Any viable MFPR prototype system, according to army officials, must be able to receive and transmit data across “an operational band that is available or could be available” for US Department of Defense (DoD) use, the RFI said.
The prototype must also be capable of providing “radar track data and support projectiles in flight” while also providing “long-range, high-precision, and maximized angular coverage for search detection, identification, and tracking of threats”, army officials said in the solicitation.
In terms of target and threat tracking capability, industry offerings for the MFPR programme must be capable of seeking, detecting, and tracking air and missile threats while distinguishing between “friendly projectiles” and valid threats, the RFI stated.
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