SOLDIER SYSTEMS COMMAND, ACQUISITION DIRECTORATE, ATTN AMSSC-ADC, NATICK MA 01760-5011

16 -- MARKET SURVEY FOR ADVANCED TACTICAL PARACHUTE SYSTEM SOL DAAK60-CBD5-0031 DUE 073195 POC John Watkins, Engineer, 508-651-5282 The U.S. Army Natick Research, Development and Engineering Center (Natick) is currently coordinating plans to conduct a personnel parachute contract effort for fiscal years 1996 through 1999 to develop an Advanced Tactical Parachute System (ATPS), consisting of a main parachute canopy, reserve parachute canopy, harness and container. The ATPS is envisioned as a replacement for the T-10 parachute system for use by airborne soldiers during training and during wartime. At this time, Natick is investigating possible commercial sources for available ATPS components. This market survey will be used to determine potential candidates for this program. Specific and firm user requirements have not been finalized for the ATPS as of this time. As a result, Natick is interested in obtaining information for commercially available personnel parachutes falling within a broad performance envelope within which the specific user requirements will ultimately lie. With regard to the main parachute canopy, Natick is interested in obtaining information for systems exhibiting the following characteristics: maximum paratrooper weight of 400 lbs, nominal steady state standard day rate of descent between 18 and 22 ft/sec at 400 lbs, transition to stable descent within 350 ft altitude loss and maximum opening loading of 10G, and minimal oscillation throughout descent. The parachute shall be non gliding, but may incorporate a ''glide on demand'' feature for orientation during landing. Deployment method is expected to be by static line, but other deployment methods will be considered. With regard to the reserve parachute, Natick is interested in obtaining information for systems exhibiting the following characteristics: maximum paratrooper weight of 400 lbs, maximum nominal steady state standard day rate of descent of 27 ft/sec at 400 lbs, deployment of reserve within 200 ft altitude loss, maximum opening load of 15G, and minimal oscillation throughout descent. Deployment method is expected to be by ripcord with subsequent deployment of the reserve parachute in a manner that minimizes fouling with a malfunctioning main parachute. Rip cord accommodations for the reserve parachute shall be accessible from either hand, provide easy access with standard parachutist equipment (weapon, rucksack, etc) and shall not require greater than 20 lb activation force. Other deployment methods will be considered. With regard to the harness, Natick is interested in obtaining information for systems exhibiting the following characteristics: maximum paratrooper weight of 400 lbs and capability to withstand up to 15G opening loads. The harness should accommodate main parachute shoulder mounted risers. Accommodation for shoulder mounted or near-shoulder mounted risers for the reserve parachute is also desired. Natick is also interested in an integral equipment release for use during reserve deployment. Integral main parachute and equipment release features for use after landing are also desired but not required. With regard to the main parachute and reserve parachute containers, Natick is interested in obtaining information for systems accommodating the respective parachutes and mating with the associated harness in accordance with the guidance outlined herein for those subsystems. Accommodations for stowing of the static line should also be incorporated. System weight should be minimized, and should not be greater than that for the T10 parachute, which is approximately 42 lbs including all aforementioned components. Natick is interested in obtaining information pertaining to weight reducing options for any proposed components such as use of lightweight materials. Natick anticipates a limited development program for this effort, using existing commercially available parachutes and components to the greatest extent possible. Natick intends to purchase test samples of commercially available and applicable ATPS components for preliminary screening, testing and possible minor redesign, and contract effort(s) for possible additional development. Interested firms must submit all information detailed in CBD Note 25 within 15 days of publication of this notice. Information shall be pertinent and specific and must include detailed technical information for any proposed system or components to be considered by Natick for this program that shall include drawings or sketches of system components with dimensions, overall configuration, construction materials, and any existing data supporting performance capabilities of those components, and cost. Interested companies should respond to Commander, U.S. Army Natick Research, Development and Engineering Center, ATTN: SSCNC-UAP, Kansas Street, Natick, MA 01760- 5017. Questions regarding this market survey can be directed to either Peter Wallace at (508) 651-5376 or John Watkins at (508) 651-5282. No solicitation document exists. See Note 25. (0191)

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