Naval Air Warfare Center AD, Contracts Dept. Code 233, Bldg 129-2, Lakehurst, NJ 08733-5083.

17 -- VIRTUAL IMAGING SYSTEMS FOR APPROACH AND LANDING SOL N68335-96-RFI-620 DUE 092596 POC Carol Montgomery, Contract Specialist Code 223CM, (908) 323-7431. This is a Request for Information and Notice of Conference. There is no solicitation available at this time. Respondents are also notified that a formal solicitation is not immediately anticipated. The Government will not pay for any information received in response to this RFI, nor will the Government compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing the information provided to the Government. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, New Jersey, is seeking information from potential systems integration and supporting technologies sources who can provide, develop and integrate hardware and software to support the development of the Virtual Imaging Systems for Approach and Landing Program. VISUAL is a major system upgrade to the aircraft recovery monitoring and display systems aboard US Navy aircraft carriers (CV/CVN) and amphibious assault ships (LHA/LHD). The VISUAL program will develop and integrate emerging technologies and data networks, synergistically in order to provide critical approach information to the Landing Signal Officer (LSO) and other decision makers on the ship. VISUAL, as a minimum, shall consist of the following three elements: (1) Next Generation in-deck centerline day/night imaging sensor for CV/CVN ships; (2) LSO workstation with head-mounted display capability; and (3) Electro-Optical Tracking System for precision aircraft tracking and early aircraft identification and configuration assessment. The following is a brief description of each element: NEXT GENERATION IN-DECK CENTERLINE DAY/NIGHT IMAGING SENSOR: The US Navy currently utilizes an Integrated Launch and Recovery Television Surveillance (ILARTS) system to simultaneously monitor launch and recovery operations. The system consists of six cameras and a control console that performs video switching, distribution, recording, and graphical annotation of approach data onto the video. Two of the systems cameras are mounted in the flight deck recovery centerline, positioned to cover the ranges of the targeted optical touchdown point. Video from the camera is provided to the LSO with centerline lineup and glidescope information through the use of electronically generated stabilized crosshairs. The LSO relies on this imagery to provide the pilot with line-up and glidescope correction calls. Additionally, the recorded imagery is used for pilot debriefing and to analyze and reconstruct landing mishaps. The VISUAL will interface with the ILARTS system. NAWCADLKE has ongoing efforts in this area {internal efforts and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contracts}, including application of advanced CCD technology, sensor fusion, and high performance Mid-wave infrared sensors. The later approaches are candidate technologies for the replacement sensor. LSO WORKSTATION: The LSO Headup Display (HUD) console is designed for use on the LSO platform of an aircraft carrier. Its purpose is to provide the LSO with a consolidated display of important aircraft recovery data and flight-deck status during recovery operations. This information enables the LSO to rapidly recognize trends in pilot performance and dynamic conditions of the ship. The information provided by the HUD console allows the LSO to make adjustments early in the approach to alleviate in-close correction calls which can potentially result in a hazardous recovery or wave-off. It is intended that the new LSO Workstation will replace the existing LSO HUD console with an integrated display and control station that will: (1) Improve the content of the display(s), both in more effective graphical representation of the data, while minimizing production and life-cycle cost, and an increase in available data points (such as displaying aircraft drift rate), (2) Provide provisions for a head-mounted display, (3) Reduce the visual scan required to acquire information, and (4) Provide interfaces to shipboard local area networks (LANS). While LSOs aboard CV/CVN ships have established systems to help them, LSOs aboard LHA/LHDs that aid in landing AV-8Bs currently have no such assistance. VISUAL will address this deficiency by developing a LSO workstation specifically designed for recovery of AV-8B aircraft aboard LHA/LHD class ships. Additionally, NAWCADLKE has an ongoing SBIR contract that will develop the system requirements and demonstrate the feasability of a HMD for use by LSOs aboard CV/CVN and LHA/LHD ships. ELECTRO-OPTICAL TRACKING SYSTEM:The EOTS will provide the LSO early aircraft identification and accurate position/trend information relative to glidepath, as well as imagery to assess aircraft attitude and response to controls, aircraft damage/condition, and gear and hook status throughout the landing process both day and night and in reduced visibility. The EOTS will be a day/night infrared/TV and laser ranging/tracking system that will image and track aircraft during approach and landing. A tracking system of this type provides not only the capability of driving the new LSO Workstation displays with real-time tracking data having equal or greater accuracy than the radar, but provides the LSO with enhanced images of the aircraft in low visibility and night conditions. Additionally, an electro-optical system offers the advantages of providing operability during restricted radio emission conditions and requires no modifications to the aircraft. When imagery is inputted to an automatic target recognizer, fleet aircraft can be identified by type, and landing gear status can be determined automatically. The VISUAL Program will consist of three distinct phases: (1) Program Definition and Risk Reduction (PDRR), Engineering & Manufacturing Development (BMD), and Production. The PDRR phase will be a two to three year effort (FY97-99) during which a series of SBIRs (Phases I and II) and evaluations of available technologies will be used to prepare detailed performance specifications for the three elements of VISUAL. At the conclusion of the PDRR phase, one or more systems integrators will be selected to design and fabricate Engineering Development Model (s) (EDM). The EDM phase will be a four year period (FY99-02) during which EDM's will undergo technical and operational evaluation (TECHEVAL/OPEVAL). It is planned that the EDM contract(s) will include an option for production. During the production phase one or more contractors will manufacture 24 shipboard and 3 shorebased units. VISUAL, in its entirety, will be deployed on twelve CV/CVN platforms with selected elements (EOTS, LSO Workstation) also deploying on twelve LHA/LHD platforms. The Navy will host a conference at the Naval Air Engineering Station, Lakehurst, NJ on September 25, 1996 to discuss the program's goals and objectives, present Government information and background (including in house and SBIR efforts) and to answer your questions. This is not a Request for Proposal, but rather a request for interested contractors who wish to attend. We are inviting contractors to attend this meeting who have background in the following areas: shipboard system integration; data management; imaging sensors, including infrared and low level light systems; EO tracking systems; and display systems, including head-up and head-mounted systems. Agenda wil include such topics as: (1) Program Overview; (2) Technical Requirements; (3) Potential Acquisition Opportunities; (4) Estimated Development and Procurement Quantities; (5) Past and Current Efforts and Lessons Learned. Specific meeting location and agenda will be provided pending receipt of participant requests to attend. Responses to be addressed to: Engineering Department, Building 562, Code 11X612B/John Zirkel, Naval Air Warfare Center, Lakehurst, NJ 08733. John Zirkel can be reached at (908) 323-4044 for further infomation. (0239)

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