Officials of the U.S. Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) have issued a request for information for a project that would involve the prototyping of a multi-function precision radar (MFPR) capable of not only tracking enemy airborne threats, but also guiding Army hypervelocity weapons to their targets.
RCCTO officials reportedly want a company that can deliver at least two multi-function precision radar prototypes no later than fall 2027 for operational demonstrations in 2028.
These multi-function precision radars should perform not only search, detection and precision tracking of incoming threats, but also offer U.S. Army hypervelocity projectiles with the ability to navigate, fuse accurately and possibly even include battle damage assessment.
According to the RCCTO, the proposed multi-function radar would provide accurate and low-latency detection of hostile threats and guide future Multi-Domain Artillery Cannon System (MDACS) projectiles at long ranges and in harsh weather conditions including heavy rain, snow, wind and dust.
It is expected that the MFPR will be able to track the cannon-fired hypervelocity projectile, as well as incoming threats, and guide the munition to incoming threats via external government-furnished Command and Control Battle Manager (C2BM) and the Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Battle Command System (IBCS).
The MFPR, according to the proposal, must be precise enough to help the hypervelocity projectile intercept incoming threats.
Further, the MFPR prototypes should perform in an operational band that is available or could be available for military use worldwide; provide precision radar track data to support projectiles in flight via a communications link; provide long-range high-precision angular coverage for search detection; be able to detect threats and friendly projectiles; be operable in high-clutter environments; interface with government-furnished command and control; and demonstrate supportability, safety and cyber security.
