DHS seeks input for anti-missile drones project

The Homeland Security Department issued a public notice this week to obtain proposals to defeat shoulder-fired missiles by using technologies mounted on unmanned aerial vehicles flying over major airports.

DHS' Science and Technology directorate issued the solicitation for high-altitude drones combined with counter-Manpads (man-portable air defense systems) technology. The use of Manpads shoulder-fired missiles deployed by terrorists on the ground is considered a potential threat to commercial airliners and airports.

The research program, dubbed Project Chloe after a character on the television program "24," is being developed for systems that can be used to defend air space within three miles of each aircraft operating at below 18,000 feet.

"This program will determine system-level operational effectiveness, maturity of components, subsystems, software, system approach, and suitability for employing Counter-Manpads technologies?to provide persistent, broad area protection of commercial aviation," the solicitation states.

The project also may evaluate hybrids that combine systems mounted on the drones with ground-based countermeasures.