U.S. Special Operations Command Seeks Lightweight UAV-Delivered Munitions
TAMPA, Fla. – The U.S. military’s Special Operations Command is actively requesting innovative solutions from industry for a cost-effective precision-glide munition designed for deployment via small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This initiative, dubbed the Gliding Offensive Lightweight Unmanned Munition (GOLUM), aims to enhance capabilities for U.S. Special Operations at MacDill Air Force Base.
Spearheaded by SOFWERX in collaboration with U.S. Army Special Operations Command and U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, the GOLUM initiative is currently seeking submissions. The new munition is expected to weigh no more than 30 pounds—including its warhead—and must achieve target accuracy from distances up to 62 miles post-release from an aircraft.
For context, the existing GBU-69 munition from Leidos Dynetics measures 3.5 feet in length and 4.5 inches in diameter, weighing between 300 to 1,400 pounds, based on its payload specifications. It has a semi-active laser guidance system and carries a low-yield explosive payload of 36 pounds.
Requirements for GOLUM
The GOLUM munition’s features are tailored to modern warfare needs:
- Weight: No more than 30 pounds including the warhead.
- Navigation: Must execute maneuvers in electromagnetically contested environments with minimal reliance on GPS.
- Warhead Types: Must be compatible with different types, including airburst with adjustable height, point detonation, and penetration.
- Temperature Resistance: Operate effectively within a temperature range of -50 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Data Link: Integrated communication features for in-flight target updates or self-destruction protocols.
Participate in the Teleconference
Industry representatives interested in contributing are invited to a teleconference on February 26, 2026, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM ET. This session will detail the project’s technological objectives. Registration is required by February 25, 2025, through the following link: GOLUM Teleconference Registration.
All proposals for the GOLUM lightweight precision munition must be submitted by March 10, 2025, available at: GOLUM Submission Portal.
Assessment Event
An evaluation event will take place from April 8 to 10, 2025, in Tampa, FL, where selected teams may pitch their ideas directly to the U.S. Special Operations Command evaluation panel. Interested parties can review the assessment criteria here.
For queries, please reach out to Contracting Officer Ronald Reed at ronald.reed@somemail.com or Juanita Bell at juanita.bell@somemail.com.
For more information, please check: SAM Government Opportunities.
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