Open Call for Innovative Defense-Related Dual-Purpose Technologies/Solutions with a Clear Air Force Stakeholder Need

Current Class 1 UAS technology relies on Line of Sight (LOS) Wi-Fi which operates across unlicensed wireless bands. Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) technology represents a huge advancement to the already widespread commercial UAS global community. BVLOS uses the mobile cellular network to provide command and control to the devices, removing the cost and technical barriers for near global coverage of a commercial off the shelf (COTS) UAS. BVLOS UAS operate more efficiently at altitude, than a traditional cellular phone in urban canyons. The commercial implications of BVLOS are enormous, but so to in the hands of terrorist or nefarious actors where the technology possess a devastating capability of which now is being fully understood by blue force operators as they defend against limited, LOS Wi-Fi devices. Our work provides a detailed feasibility report and roadmap of the current sUAS market addressing the options that are possible and how they interoperate laying the ground work for a phase II prototype system.