Crew: Two military-occupation-specialty trained aero scouts.
Size: Lightweight-category aircraft.
Signature: Small, quiet, difficult to detect.
Agility: Power to be able to operate at most altitudes on “high/hot days” and maneuverability to land in small cleared areas not much larger than a rotor-blade diameter.
Optics: Mast-mounted (not chin-mounted) 3D Generation 360o infrared, coupled with a laser designator.
Lethality: Versatility to mount an anti-tank missile pod or an anti-aircraft missile pod – primarily to destroy UAS; a traversable chin-mounted machinegun or light cannon.
Endurance: Three to four hours between refuelings.
Mission command and communications: Interoperable with ground elements, including a common operating picture.
Sustainability: Reliable, easily maintained, re-armed and refueled in forward areas.
Strategic deployability: Capable of deploying by C-130, operational within minutes (not hours) after arrival.