As the Navy prepares to release its draft request for proposals for the Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) system, Rep. Randy Forbes (R-Va.) wrote to Navy Secretary Ray Mabus to ensure the program places an emphasis on the “strike” half of its mission and includes capabilities that make it worth the investment.
Forbes, the chairman of the House Armed Services seapower and projection forces subcommittee, wrote in his Feb. 18 letter that, “understanding that a [draft RFP] is designed to articulate system requirements and acquisition strategy to potential competitors, I view this document as significant in launching the first steps of a new acquisition program. In short, the UCLASS platform must ensure long-term utility to warrant full funding amidst severe defense budget constraints. Therefore, as you assess Navy preparedness to release a DRFP for the UCLASS [technology demonstration] program, I request that you pay special attention to requirements already defined in the UCLASS Capability Development Document such as aerial refueling, survivability, lethality, and payload.”
According to a Hill aide, Forbes wants to push the Navy to ensure UCLASS is a true “warfighting” platform and not just another intelligence asset. Forbes has written several letters to the Navy regarding UCLASS and its X-47B test platform as they have worked their way through the development process. This most recent letter reflects Forbes’ view that the UCLASS should and will be a major part of the carrier air wing of the future, the aide said.
Forbes said in his letter that the UCLASS should not only be relevant to the carrier air wing but also to the combatant commanders.
“I place a premium on optimizing internal payload carriage capacity and versatility to support the simultaneous needs of both the carrier-strike group commander and the geographical combatant commander,” Forbes wrote. He added the platform should also have a reduced radar cross section for stealth, the capability to survive in contested airspace, and in-flight refueling capabilities to provide long-range operations.