PDW’s flagship C100 has been selected for Tranche 1 of the U.S. Army Directed Requirement for Company-Level Small Uncrewed Aircraft System (sUAS). The award is valued at $14.417 million USD.
This selection underscores PDW’s leadership in advanced drone technology and its commitment to supporting the U.S. military. For defense end-users, military procurement specialists and drone industry innovators, this development offers an exciting glimpse into the future of tactical operations.
With this award, PDW solidifies its position as a key player in the defense sector, providing cutting-edge solutions that enhance operational capabilities.
Central to the C100’s advanced functionality is the integration of Doodle Labs’ Helix Mesh Rider Radios. These radios ensure resilient connectivity and powerful performance, even in electronic warfare (EW)-contested environments. This partnership enhances the C100’s operational reliability, making it a formidable asset in near-peer theaters.
Developed for DoD use
The PDW C100 platform is an industry-leading sUAS developed specifically for the DoD, enabling features previously only available on larger fixed-wing assets to be launched organically by a single soldier. The C100 is built around a modular open architecture which allows new hardware and capabilities to be seamlessly integrated. The C100 platform offers a wide range of advanced mission capabilities, including targeting and identification, signals intelligence, direct effects, and payload/supply delivery. The platform fits into a rucksack and supports many integrations with leading sensors, payloads, and novel technologies.
Tactical Advantages in Contested Environments
The ability to operate effectively in EW-contested environments is a critical requirement for modern military systems. The C100, equipped with Doodle Labs’ datalink, ensures uninterrupted communication and data relay, even in the most challenging scenarios.
When leveraging its Sense anti-jamming feature-set, the C100’s Helix Mesh Rider Radio is capable of detecting interference and automatically switching to an alternate channel or band of operation, ensuring resilient connectivity even in the face of EW attacks or environmental interference.
This capability provides a tactical advantage, enabling mission success in hostile environments.
Performance in Near-Peer Theaters
In near-peer theaters, where adversaries possess advanced technological capabilities, the C100’s robust design and reliable performance become even more crucial. The integration of advanced communication systems ensures that the C100 can operate seamlessly, providing vital intelligence and support to ground forces.
Enhanced Mission Capabilities
The C100 is more than just a reconnaissance tool. Its advanced mission capabilities include direct effects, signals intelligence, and payload delivery. This multi-mission capacity makes it a versatile asset for the U.S. Army, capable of adapting to various operational scenarios and providing comprehensive support.
Industry-Leading Connectivity
Doodle Labs’ Helix Mesh Rider Radio provides industry-leading connectivity, enabling long-range, high-bandwidth data transmission. This ensures that the C100 can maintain reliable communication over extended distances, a crucial factor in large-scale operations. The radio’s advanced features, such as dynamic frequency changing and multi-hop relay, further enhance its performance.
Compliance with Defense Innovation Unit Standards
The Helix Mesh Rider Radio’s development, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), ensures compliance with the Blue UAS program standards. This compliance guarantees that the C100 meets the highest security and performance standards, providing assurance to military operators.
The C100 was added to DIU’s Blue UAS Cleared List late in 2023.
FIPS 140-3 Certification
Security is paramount in military operations. The Helix Mesh Rider Radio boasts FIPS 140-3 certification, ensuring that sensitive data is protected with advanced encryption standards. This certification underscores the C100’s suitability for tactical missions where data integrity and security are critical
PDW’s C100 sUAS selection for Tranche 1 of the U.S. Army Directed Requirement for Company-Level sUAS is a significant achievement.
This development underscores the platform’s advanced capabilities, robust performance, and the successful partnership between PDW and Doodle Labs.
About Doodle Labs
For over 20 years, Doodle Labs has been at the forefront of developing long-range broadband communication technologies used for deploying private wireless networks. Our products have been used by Fortune 100 companies in the most demanding environments on earth. Doodle Labs’ design philosophy is focused on achieving best-in-class performance while requiring minimal integration effort, thereby allowing customers to go to market faster with better performing products at a lower overall cost.
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