SOLICITATION NOTICE
A -- Request for Information (RFI) on Concepts for Selectable or Variable Effects Weapons
- Notice Date
- 10/31/2008
- Notice Type
- Presolicitation
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AAC - Air Armament Center, AAC/PK, 205 West D Avenue, Suite 433, Eglin AFB, Florida, 32542-6864
- ZIP Code
- 32542-6864
- Solicitation Number
- PKE-09-RFI-0001
- Archive Date
- 2/3/2009
- Point of Contact
- Patricia A Hicks,, Phone: (850)882-4141, Karen S. Turner,, Phone: (850)882-0166
- E-Mail Address
-
patricia.hicks2@eglin.af.mil, karen.turner@eglin.af.mil
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The Air Armament Center (AAC) at Eglin AFB FL is requesting information concerning concepts for selectable or variable effects weapons. Responses to this RFI will be used by the Government to perform studies and analyses on existing and future weapons capable of being deployed from current and future manned and unmanned platforms to perform required missions The Air Force is working to develop weapons that give the warfighter the flexibility to select the type of effect a weapon will place on a specific target. Current asymmetric warfare scenarios dictate that some targets be immediately neutralized with minimal effect to the surrounding area (minimize collateral damage) yet not a concern for many other targets. Targets vary from buildings, to personnel in the open, and to personnel located in complex urban settings including moving vehicles. Current cylindrical steel-cased blast fragmentation warheads distribute fragmentation radially in all directions from the detonation point in order to maximize a statistical hit probability and probability of lethality for a given area. Many fragments travel far beyond the intended target creating collateral damage hazards, especially in urban engagements and close air support. Thus, operations involving close air support and "pop up" targets in urban settings frequently require restricted rules of engagement which dictate minimization of collateral damage. Currently there is no capability available in a single weapon that can deliver a selectable effect from focused lethality with very low collateral damage (VLCD) to high lethality on unconstrained targets of interest. VLCD lethality is described to be a tightly constrained area of lethality around a restricted radius of effect. Placing this selectable effect weapon on aircraft would improve combatant commanders' flexibility and effectiveness by maximizing the efficiency of air asset utilization and reducing the kill chain timeline necessary to prosecute a spectrum of targets (personnel, structures, and moving targets) in a variety of settings (close air support, urban, and unconstrained open). The information submitted should include these general characteristics of a selectable effect weapon: -- The weapon should be of an air to ground configuration. The weapon should be capable of being deployed primarily by fighter aircraft with a desired capability of being deployed off of bombers, Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), and special mission aircraft -- The total weight of the warhead should not exceed 500lbs (Mk-82 Class) -- The weapon should be precision guided with a capability to prosecute a spectrum of targets (personnel, structures, and moving targets) in a variety of settings (close air support, urban, and unconstrained open) -- The weapon should have at least two (2) selectable effect modes (min/max), focused lethality with VLCD (tightly constrained area of lethality); and enhanced/maximum lethality for unconstrained targets -- Provide any estimates for lethal and collateral damage radii of effect for proposed weapon(s) -- A third mode (medium) or a variable scale is desired but not required -- Provide a weapon integration scheme for each type of aircraft -- The weapon could be a rail, rack, or tube launched/dropped -- Near-term (program of record 2012) and mid-term (program of record 2016) solutions are being considered. Please indicate when each concept would be mature enough and available for a Milestone B and Engineering & Manufacturing Development & Demonstration. -- Provide notional programmatic information including top level schedules and order of magnitude costs necessary to achieve a mature system to enter Engineering and Manufacturing Development and Demonstration phase by 2012 or 2016 timeframe In addition to information requested above, please provide information on any other proposed solutions to the warfighter problem. These could include: -- Modifications of existing weapons/weapon systems to achieve selectable effects -- The combination of multiple small weapons for a synergized effect -- Weapon loadout combinations for achieving selectable effects -- Utilization of VLCD-capable small weapons without adversely affecting the typical loadout of current fighter aircraft Example: Utilize F-16 Stations 2 & 8 to deploy small weapon while not affecting stations 3 & 7 (Mil-Std-1760 capable) typically used for inventory weapons Industry is encouraged to provide relevant examples of ongoing and previous contractual efforts with the Government that support the desired capabilities described. Additionally, further information/details may be requested based on initial submittals. Industry is encouraged to respond with information not constrained by proprietary data rights. However, if proprietary data is included in your reply, please mark it appropriately. This request for information (RFI) is for planning purposes only and shall not be considered as a request for proposal (RFP) or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. The Government does not plan to award a contract based on the responses from this RFI or otherwise pay for the information solicited. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs of charges by the Government will arise as a result of contractor submission of responses to this RFI or the Government's use of such information. This RFI does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or the authority to enter into negotiations to award a contract. All information contained in this RFI is preliminary, as well as subject to modification, and is in no way binding on the Government. Responses must be received no later than 3:00 PM Central Standard Time (CST), 2 December 2008. Please use subject line: Selectable Effects Weapon Concepts for electronic replies. Information submitted via mail should be addressed to AAC/PKES, Attn: Ms. Patricia Hicks, 205 West D Ave, Suite 433, Eglin AFB, 32542-6864. For technical questions, please contact 1st Lt Jeremy Boire at (850) 883-1378 or by email at jeremy.boire@eglin.af.mil. The alternate technical POC is Brad Austerman at (850) 883-3379 or by email at bradley.austerman@eglin.af.mil. For contractual information, contact Ms. Patricia Hicks, Contract Specialist at (850) 882-4141 or by e-mail patricia.hicks2@eglin.af.mil or Ms. Karen Turner, Contracting Officer at (850) 882-0166 or by email Karen.turner@eglin.af.mil.
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- Record
- SN01699280-W 20081102/081031215027-c5bf64d40662cb63059638308012a52d (fbodaily.com)
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