US Special Operations Command announced its interest in fielding an all-terrain combat rescue vehicle small enough to fit inside a V-22 tiltrotor aircraft. SOCOM wants a non-developmental armed, lightweight, wheeled vehicle that is capable of carrying three to six litter patients a minimum of 350 miles over any terrain, according to a notice posted at Federal Business Opportunities website on Jan. 10. The command plans to issue a request for proposals around the end of the month, allowing 30 days thereafter for industry to submit bids, states the notice. An initial contract would cover the acquisition of two vehicles and associated equipment. SOCOM may procure up to eight additional vehicles as well, according to the notice.
U.S. Air Force F-35s and F-22s regularly deploy deep into the Pacific region from Alaska, Utah, and Hawaii. In the future, though, the head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command would like to see the Air Force permanently station fifth-generation aircraft west of the international date line—closer to China.