US issues RFI for aerial targets to mimic threats

The US Air Force (USAF) is seeking aerial targets able to replicate threats ranging from low-cost UAS to fifth-generation fighter jets, to help test the lethality of new munitions and missiles before they enter full-rate production. 

To identify commercially available or “near-term” aerial targets, the USAF’s Aerial Targets Program Office (ATPO) launched a request for information (RFI) on 14 August, via the Sam.gov procurement portal. 

These aerial targets are intended to provide the US with a controllable and repeatable way to test new weapons, sensors, and command systems against realistic threats without risking expensive crewed aircraft. 

By varying cost, speed, and signature, the targets can replicate everything from small UAS swarms to fast jets, helping forces validate performance before committing expensive systems to production or operational use. 

What types of targets are sought? 

The authority is interested in hearing from industry regarding aerial targets capable of mimicking one or more of three tiers of threat: 

• Tier 1 covers high-end reusable UAS targets that can travel between speeds of Mach 0.9 to more than Mach 1, imitating fighter jet aircraft, heavy transport aircraft, or bomber aircraft, for example.  

• Tier 2 covers attritable mid-tier targets flying at transonic speeds of Mach 0.5 to 0.8, built to be expendable during live-fire missile testing. 

• Tier 3 covers low-cost expendable targets that can imitate small commercial drones used in swarm attacks, designed to be shot down in high volumes. 

In its search to understand the market’s capabilities in these areas, the ATPO is weighing targets based on four main criteria: affordability, attainability, recoverability, and repairability. 

The authority says it wants to hear from companies with “non-traditional, commercially derived, or dual-use solutions” with cost or capability benefits over legacy systems. 

Additionally, the ATPO is “highly interested” in targets created using “scalable manufacturing techniques”, whether these be based on commercial, additive, or another advanced manufacturing approach. 

Responses to the RFI are due by 28 September.