AFDTC/PKZA, 205 West D Avenue, Suite 428, Bldg 350, Eglin AFB FL 32542-6864

A -- COMMON ONBOARD TARGET CONTROL, SENSOR, AND PAYLOAD ARCHITECTURE POC Contact Mike Petrilak, Contract Specialist or Paula Tutwiler, Contracting Officer, at (904)882-3377/78. Request for Information (RIF). The Target Reliance Office (TRO) has established a Tri-Service Government Team to develop a Common Onboard Target Control, Sensor, and Payload Architecture. As a member of this team, 46 TW/TSRI at Eglin AFB Florida request information on available technology that could be used in developing and implementing this common architecture. This architecture will support the interchange of like-type components between various targets. This common target architecture encompasses land, sea and aerial type targets. This initiative is to develop a common architecture that consists of a standard (or series of standards) that addresses internal communications between the onboard vehicle control systems, sensors, and payloads. This common architecture could be applied to the mechanical mounting and installation of components as well, but will immediately focus only on a data layer of the intercommunications. A short-term goal is to design a hardware independent architecture whose performance can be tailored by the selection of hardware and which can be simply upgraded as new technologies emerge. Currently some long-term goals include: (1) Have contractors provide ''like'' components, (i.e., autopilot computers, Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, inertial units, datalink units, payload control interface, and augmentation systems) which are interchangeable between drone targets. These components may be swapped between the various type subscale drone, land and sea targets, (2) Have the target vendors provide their own designed components or purchase/incorporate competitor components. This is possible if all units are built to a standard, and (3) Occupy less internal volume in subscale drones (due to miniaturization and integration), which would provide room to house externally carried payloads (flare, chafe, butane tanks, etc.) inside. This goal would ''clean-up'' the airframe and enhance the target's performance. Firms interested in providing requested information for the Common Onboard Target Control, Sensor, and Payload Architecture should contact Mr. David Walthall at (904) 882-2694/3840 or submit specific information to 46 TW/TSRI, 303 N. Seventh Street, Attn: Mr. David Walthall, Eglin AFB FL 32542-6864. Replies to this RIF should be made by 15 Dec 96. This RIF is for planning purposes only and should not be construed as a Request for Proposal (RFP) or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any follow-on acquisition. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses to this RIF, or otherwise pay for the information solicited. No entitlement to payment or indirect costs or charges to the Government will arise as a result of submission of responses to this RIF and Government use of such information. The Government reserves the right to reject in whole or in part any industry input as a result of this RIF. This RIF does not constitute the solicitation of proposals or authority to enter into negotiations to award a contract, and no funds have been authorized or appropriated for the requested information. The information provided may be utilized by the Air Force in developing an acquisition approach and a Statement of Work (SOW) or Statement of Objectives (SOO). The amalgamated results of the program may be released to industry as a SOW or SOO at the RFP stage, therefore, it is highly desirable that information/data be provided with unlimited rights to the Government. However, we recognize that proprietary data may be a part of this request for information. If so, clearly mark such restricted or proprietary data and present it as an addendum to the non-restricted/non-proprietary information. Any subsequent action resulting from the evaluation of the provided information may be synopsized at a future date, detailing the requirements desired at that time. (0313)

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