United Defense, L.P., Armament System Division, 4800 E. River Road, Minneapolis, MN

A -- POTENTIAL SOURCES SOUGHT - SUBCONTRACTING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A 155MM CANNON SUBSYSTEM Contact Phil Kuechenmeister, Principal Contract Representative (612) 572-6574, INTERNET: Phil_Kuechenmeister@nsdgate3.nsd.fmc.com. POC Phil Kuechenmeister, Principal Contract Representative, CRUSADER (612) 572-6574, INTERNET: Phil_Kuechenmeister@nsdgate3.nsd.fmc.com. United Defense, L.P., Armament Systems Division, under Prime Contract DAAE30-95-C-0009 is considering subcontracting for the development of the 155mm solid propellant cannon subsystem for the Crusader Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH). The cannon subsystem comprises the tube assembly (including any required integral thermal management), the breech assembly (including actuators), the propelling charge igniter assembly, the bore scavenger assembly, the muzzle brake, and associated sensors. The cannon subsystem must support the demonstration of the Crusader SPH requirements during the DEM/VAL contract phase leading to Milestone II (April 2000), including, a maximum rate of fire of 10 to 12 rounds/minute for 3 to 5 minutes and a sustained rate of fire of 3 to 6 rounds/minute for 60 rounds. The cannon subsystem must interface with a fully automatic (excluding M712 copperhead) ammunition handling system. The cannon subsystem must be capable of launching without modification the existing inventory of U.S. Army 155mm artillery projectiles with associated fuzes, including the M107, M549A1, M483A1, M825A1, M864, M898, and M712 (manual load). In addition, the cannon subsystem must be designed to support firing all rocket assisted U.S. 155mm munitions to ranges of 40 to 50 km and all unassisted U.S. munitions to maximum ranges of 30 to 40km with those projectiles capable of withstanding the launch environment. Further, the cannon subsystem must be designed to support firing U.S. 155mm bursting munitions to minimum ranges no greater than 4 to 6 km. Further, the cannon subsystem must be capable of safely firing the XM231/XM232 propellant while achieving these minimum and maximum range requirements. The cannon subsystem must be designed to support Crusader system requirements for accuracy, including minimum range bias and precision errors no greater than 55m and 40m, respectively and maximum range bias and precision errors no greater than 215m and 200m, respectively. The cannon subsystem must be designed to support essential Crusader reliability and durability requirements, including a mean time between F1 failures (MTBF1) of not less than 95 hours (1400 mean rounds between F1 failures (MRBF1) and a tube assembly wear and fatigue life of no less than 10,470 rounds of 2180 effective full charges. The projected reliability allocation for the cannon subsystem is at least 13200 MRBF1. The mean time to repair (MTTR) shall not exceed 1.00 clock hour, except for tube replacement, which shall not exceed 3.00 clock hours. The igniter assembly must be a solid state, reusable unit integrated with the breech assembly and be capable of initiating XM231/XM232 propelling charge modules. Candidate technologies for the igniter system include directed energy (e.g., laser, microwave) and electric plasma discharge. As a minimum the igniter assembly must operate reliably at firing rate without the need for refurbishment for at least 336 rounds. Prototype hardware deliveries will be required to support engineering development testing (EDT) and early user testing (EUT) during the DEM/VAL phase of the contract. Prototype hardware will consist of a complete set of the above mentioned hardware along with associated spares. Two prototype Crusader systems will be built with 155mm cannon subsystem deliveries required in January, 1998 and August, 1998 respectively. A limited manrating is required for EUT so the necessary 155mm cannon subsystem safety releases must be completed prior to August, 1999. Preliminary firing tables (white pages) using XM231/XM232 propelling charge modules will need to be developed to support prototype firing. Potential qualified subcontractors/suppliers are requested to notify Phil Kuechenmeister, M389, in writing, of their intent to submit a capability statement. This may be accomplished via: letter, the INTERNET at Phil_Kuechenmeister@nsdgate3.nsd.fmc.com, or by facsimile at 612-572-4964 within fifteen (15) days of the publication of this announcement. Capability statements pertaining to the above listed technical needs can be in subcontractor format, and must at a minimum include: 1) a narrative discussion/report addressing the current status and performance of the candidate cannon subsystem, supported by firing data and supporting engineering data, 2) a detailed schedule and supporting risk assessment at the subsystem level which meets the above outlined program schedule, 3) a narrative discussion of the organization's ability to meet the aforementioned technical requirements, and 4) a narrative discussion of the unique technical capabilities of the organization, including relevant solid propellant cannon development experience and associated personnel expertise. The capability statements must be received no later than twenty one (21) calendar days after publication of this announcement and should be submitted via U.S. or express mail to United Defense Armament Systems Division, 4800 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55421-1498: ATTN: Phil Kuechenmeister. Neither the cost of preparing capability statements nor the cost of preparing proposals will be entertained as allowable direct charges to any resultant subcontract. This solicitation does not obligate United Defense, L.P., to enter in any subcontract with any organization supplying information. (092)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0014 19960402\A-0014.SOL)