SPECIAL NOTICE
U -- NF-16 Variable stability In-flight Simulator Test Aircraft (VISTA) Replacement Capability
- Notice Date
- 5/19/2015
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 611512
— Flight Training
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, HQ Air Force Test Center (AFTC) - Edwards, 5 S WOLFE AVE, Edwards AFB, California, 93524-1185, United States
- ZIP Code
- 93524-1185
- Solicitation Number
- FA9302-15-R-0013
- Point of Contact
- Christopher Owens, Phone: 661-277-7945, Glenn Ballentine, Phone: 661-277-8001
- E-Mail Address
-
christopher.owens@us.af.mil, glenn.ballentine@us.af.mil
(christopher.owens@us.af.mil, glenn.ballentine@us.af.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- REQUEST FOR INFORMATION Introduction/Background Project Name: NF-16 Variable stability In-flight Simulator Test Aircraft (VISTA) Replacement Capability Organization: USAF Test Pilot School (TPS) USAF TPS currently operates the NF-16 VISTA, a highly modified Peace Marble II Block 30 F‑16D. VISTA is equipped with a Calspan Variable Stability System (VSS). The VSS hosts experimental flight control system/aircraft modeling software and can drive the flight control surfaces in order to simulate various aircraft characteristics in the real flight environment. The system also incorporates a variable feel center stick and production F-16 side stick for the evaluation pilot, programmable multi-function (MFD) and heads-up displays (HUD) allowing user interface/symbology customization, flight test instrumentation (including data recording and telemetry), and equipment expansion bays with power, cooling, and avionics bus connectivity. The VSS architecture includes various fail-safe features that prevent exceeding baseline F-16 aerodynamic/structural limits. VISTA is currently used to train TPS students on aircraft flying and handling qualities, demonstrate and/or conduct risk reduction tests on new technologies and software for both manned and unmanned aircraft, and conduct research on conceptual flight control techniques. VISTA is expected to reach the end of its service life sometime around 2025. USAF TPS is seeking information to support the eventual development of a replacement capability. Types of information sought include: identification of companies with appropriate capabilities/experience/interest to meet this future requirement, white papers or draft proposals including top level system design/engineering concepts, operations & maintenance constructs (contractor owned/operated, government owned/contractor operated, etc.), ROM cost estimates, alternative technologies or means of meeting this requirement, etc. Requirements Aircraft Performance: Performance/Capability Threshold Objective Crew duty stations Two-person (instructor/safety pilot & student/evaluation pilot) T=O Basic avionics/navigation capabilities Solo day IFR from IP position, VHF/UHF communications Threshold plus EGI-based navigation with position accuracy equivalent to or better than Block 40 F-16, Gen5 ARC-210 radio Life Support/Egress Pressurized cockpit compatible with existing equipment used in USAF fighter-type aircraft (standard connections for oxygen masks, helmet audio, anti-g suit, etc.); ejection seat equipped T=O System maintainability/sustainability Mature baseline airframe incorporating readily available engine(s), flight control/avionics components (LRUs), displays, etc. providing for logistically supportable commercial/military maintenance & sustainment Threshold plus ability to easily operate off-station (minimal special equipment/personnel requirements) Endurance (typical sortie at 10-30 kft, including maneuvering flight and elevated [mil/max] throttle settings-not cruise endurance) 1.5 hrs with standard fuel reserve 2.0 hrs with standard fuel reserve Maximum Airspeed/Mach (VSS Engaged) 450 KCAS/0.7 M T=O Structural Load (G) Limits (VSS Engaged) Nz: -2/+6 Ny: 0.5 (onset: 1 g/sec) Nz: -2.5/+7.5 Ny: 1.0 (onset: 1 g/sec) AoA limits/maneuvering capability (VSS Engaged) 22º sustained 40º sustained, capable of post-stall maneuvering Roll Rate (VSS Engaged) 180º/sec 240º/sec G Onset Rate (VSS Engaged) 3G/sec 4.5G/sec Departure Characteristics Capable of routine departure and recovery (without VSS) T=O Baseline Aircraft Performance Margins Sufficient margins above VSS envelope to prevent exceeding aircraft aerodynamic and structural limits in the event of a VSS safety trip (see Safety Trip System in VSS requirements below) T=O Multi-Function and Heads-Up Displays Customizable/Programmable and linked to VSS for system control/interaction, as well as recording capability for HUD/MFD video playback during debrief T=O Helmet-Mounted Display None Customizable/Programmable HMD interface compatible with JHMCS or other off-the-shelf HMD solution Sound Generation Programmable sounds (voice, tones, etc.) T=O Special Instrumentation High-resolution sources for α, β, ϕ, rates, aircraft position, air data, inceptor/effector positions and forces, production system bus parameters, etc. including recording capability (200 Hz minimum sample rate) available for review during flight (via MFDs and/or telemetry) and immediately after flight (download from onboard DAS) T=O Data Link Interface Programmable, modular, compatible with existing Flight Sciences Simulator architecture (TCP/IP based), and VSS linked (to enable surrogate remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) operations and cyber security testing) T=O External Stores None Ability to carry, power, and interface with a variety of existing military external stores (SUU-20, SUU-41, ATP, ARDS pod, P5 pod, etc.) Aerial Refueling None Capable of in-flight refueling from KC-10, KC-135, or similar aerial refueling tanker Variable Stability System (VSS) Performance: Performance/Capability Threshold Objective VSS Computer(s) Modular/upgradeable, with sufficient computational power to manage all normal VSS simulation/flight control functions simultaneously with more advanced algorithms such as real-time flight path optimization, automated maneuvering (formation flight, rejoins, aerial refueling, air combat maneuvers, etc.), and other flight control research related computational tasks T=O Variable Feel Control Inceptor/Effectors (Student/Evaluation Pilot Position) Center stick plus rudder controls with large range of motion and programmable forces, displacements & deadband in all three axes (electric system preferred over hydraulic); auto-throttle capability Threshold plus a selectable side stick controller with large range of motion (i.e., not an F‑16 style stick) and programmable forces, displacements, & deadband VSS simulation capabilities In-flight and ground programmable capabilities, including: stability margins/derivatives, 3-axis damping ratios and natural frequencies, rate limiting (G, α, flight control gains, etc.), customizable flight envelope and VSS-resident flight control algorithms T=O Safety Trip System Built-in safety trips/limits providing full protection of basic aircraft flight envelope; trips must exist independent of the VSS and be certified as air-worthy. T=O VSS Software Open architecture design allowing for full control & future modification of VSS performance T=O Modularity/Expandability Modular interface design allowing for future incorporation of different controllers and input/output displays/devices T=O Ground Simulation Support Hardware-In-the-Loop "Hot Bench" compatible with existing Flight Sciences Simulator; MATLAB/Simulink aircraft model(s) T=O Other Requirements: ITAR compliant: system must be designed/cleared for foreign national students to operate from the student/evaluator pilot position.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/AFFTC/FA9302-15-R-0013/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Air Force Test Pilot School, Edwards, California, 93524, United States
- Zip Code: 93524
- Zip Code: 93524
- Record
- SN03735825-W 20150521/150519235142-5425562d22a10b4a61b4bfeaff585ef6 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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