Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division, P.O. Box 5152, Warminster, PA 18974-0591

16 -- UHF ELECTRONICALLY SCANNED ARRAY PROGRAM SOL N62269-95-BAA-010 DUE 121195 POC Point of Contact : KENNETH SHERMAN, Code 845111, 215-441-1559/ Contracting Officer: Mark Drager The UHF Electonically Scanned Array (UESA) program is an Office of Naval Research (ONR) sponsored, 6.2 exploratory development program. This program will focus on a Navy Airborne Early Warning (AEW) radar, rotodome form factor, electronically scanned array (ESA) feasibility analysis and optional critical hardware demonstration. The Navy's AEW radar community has maintained considerable interest in the use of a state-of-the-art ESA radar system architecture for the next generation AEW system. Littoral operations are characterized by a large number of targets, rapid changes in target motion, appearance of threats over 360 degrees in azimuth and extreme diversity in environment and types of targets. The severe physical constraints imposed by carrier based platforms fundamentally limits the achievable power/aperture product which can be developed on this type of platform. Future needs in the 2010 timeframe and beyond lead to radar designs that can time-share the functions of search, track, and cue with a maximum switch time of approximately one second, leading to beam agility needed over 360 degrees in azimuth. This BAA is to solicit technical/cost proposals for a concept definition study and possible hardware demonstration of a state-of-the-art light weight antenna system approach consisting of an electronically scanned surveillance array and an electronically scanned electronic support array (IFF/ESM/etc.) in a co-located or multifunction configuration without performance degradation. To bound the realm of possibilities, interest should be focused on concepts that meet the size and weight constraints of current carrier based aviation. New, innovative and creative approached to the technical problems presented herein that significantly advance system performance are sought. A system performance sensitivity analysis should be included as a function of achievable aperture and form factor. Primary interest ia an AEW radar operating in the UHF band. Examples of the technologies include, but are not limited to, novel antenna approaches that support phased array antenna concepts, and associated arra subassembly/device technologies as necessary to prove the concept. Proposed technologies should be fully addressed as part of an overall system concept and include platform considerations as applicable. As a baseline, the physical characteristecs of the existing E-2C rotodome are 24 ft. in diameter by 2.5 ft. in height (at the center). The current antenna is a TRAC-A Yagi configuration with two auxillary antennas. The TRAC-A consists of 10 Yagi elements, 360 degree mechanical scan coverage, 10 second scan rate (6 RPM), 6.9 degree azimuth beamwidth, 23 degree elevation beamwidth, a coporate feed with sum and delta channels and an eight channel rotary joint. If significant system performance can only be achieved by allowing the rotodome form factor to grow, then the degree of growth should be stated as a function of increasae system performance. The UESA program is planned as follows: Phase 1 consists of a System Definition and ArrayConcept Design Study, including issues such as antenna array power handling, beamformer architecture and beam steering computer/processor complexity, technical risk, potential payoffs, time frame for a proof-of-concept demonstration and a proposal for Phase 2; Phase 2 consists of an optional Proof-of-Concept Hardware Demonstration. For planning purposes, the level of effort is estimated to be 1 to 1 one half man years effort for Phase 1 over a 6 month period. For Phase 2 the level of effort is estimated to be a 6 to 8 man year effort over an 18 month timeframe. Up to three contracts may be awarded for the initial system concept definition phase and the subsequent hardware demonstration phase will be an option the Government will exercise based on performance and funding availability. Proposals submitted may be evaluated as they are received or they may be collected and reviewed periodically by in-house scientists, a Government team or by a group of scientific peers. Award decisions will be based on competitive evaluation using the following criteria: 1) potential contributions for the effort to DOD priorities in AEW radar related technologies; 2) overall scientific and technical merits of the proposal; 3) the offerer's capabilities, related experience, and facilities; 4) realism of proposed cost. The Surveillance Radar Branch of the RF Sensors Division of the Avionics Department at NAWCADWAR has technical cognizance and responsibility for the interst identified above. All proposals submitted in response to the BAA will be evaluated by a team of technical experts representing the Office of Naval Research, the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and NAWCADWAR. This announcement will be open for 45 days, and proposals will be accepted anytime during this period. Responses are required to be submitted in accordance with the guidelines set forth herein. The selection of one or more sources for contract award will be based on a scientific and engineering evaluation of responses (technical and cost as it relates to technical effort) to determine the merit of the technical approach. Offerers are required to submit a proposal to cover Phase 1. The Phase 1 final report is to contain a proposal for the Phase 2 option. Phase 2 will be an option to be exercised upon completion of Phase 1 based on funding availability and technical performance. Proposals submitted should consist of a clear statement of the objectives, a technical section which should include, but not necessarily limited to, expected contribution of the hardware/research to the AEW radar mission, analysis that supports feasibilty, backgound experience, concepts, ideas, methodology, a statement of work and milestones. A biographical section describing key individuals, and a cost section must be included in the proposal. Details of any cost sharing to be undertaken by the offerer should also be included in the proposal. The proposal should be limited to 50 pages and offerers are requested to submit a total of 10 copies. The cost of preparation or the response to this BAA is not considered an allowable direct charge to the resulting contract or any other contract. However, it may be an allowable expense to the offerer's normal bid and proposal indirect expenses. The expected award date is NLT January 1996. The contract period of performance for Phase 1 is approximately 6 months and for Phase 2 approximately 18 months. A cost-plus-fixed fee (CPFF) type contract is anticipated. Government furnished equiment (GFE) is not anticipated. The list of deliverables include bi-monthly progress reports and final report for Phase 1, and bi-monthly progress reports, a final report, and critical hardware demonstration for Phase 2. The Government will have unlimited rights to all technical data resulting from this BAA. The point of contact for technical issues is Ms. Mun-Won C. Fenton (25) 441-1063 and the point of contact for contractual matters is Mr. Kenneth Sherman (215) 441-1559. Offerers may at any time contact these individuals for clarification of technical/contractual issues and cost response format. Offerers are cautioned that only Contracting Officers are legally authorized to commit the Government. Exterior markings on response shall be as follows: Kenneth Sherman, Code 212000R89, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, P.O. Box 5152, Warminster, PA 18974-0591, N62269-95-BAA-010. NO FORMAL RFP WILL BE ISSUED, THIS BAA IS THE SOLICITATION. (0300)

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