Defense Special Weapons Agency, 6801 Telegraph Rd., Alexandria, VA 22310-3398

A -- ARMY/DSWA ETC DIRECT FIRE GUN TECHNOLOGY SOL DSWA01-97-R-0008 POC Thomas L. Cox, Negotiator, (703) 325-1196, Scott G. Morton, Contracting Officer, (703) 325-1200. The US Army needs the development of viable Electrothermal Chemical (ETC) Gun Technology for potential insertion into its existing tank fleet to meet operational requirements. In addition, the Army plans to have an all Electric Tank System by 2015 and Electrothermal Chemical Guns may be part of that program. The product is needed to cost effectively enhance 120 MM gun performance to meet 140 MM gun performance goals. This effort differs from previous efforts in that it is aimed specifically at addressing army direct fire issues such as minimizing compact power requirements, incorporating 140 MM projectile design, etc. Other alternatives, such as solid propellants, liquid propellants, gels, and slurries are being pursued to exploit pulsed power ignition devices using electrothermal chemical gun technology. During the first six (6) months, the contractor will examine government selected potential technologies for their utility as ETC candidates and initiate Phase 2 testing of more mature concepts in the M256 Tank Gun. This work will be followed with more detailed analysis with demonstrations and proof of concepts in the XM 291 gun. A planned follow-on of this effort will require the Defense Special Weapons Agency (DSWA) to assist the Army in developing an ETC Tank Advanced Technology Demonstrator (ATD). The final product will be used in the acquisition of a cost effective modification to the present 120 MM Army Tank System to meet the 140 MM gun performance. For information contact Thomas L. Cox, (703) 325-1196. Contractors will be required to have SECRET facility clearance in order to propose under this RFP. A preproposal conference will be scheduled in San Diego, CA the first week in Jan 1997. Firms will be screened upon request for the RFP. Contractor personnel will require a DoD security level of SECRET. Contemplated period of performance is 34 months. Information on DSWA solicitations, already released, can be obtained by calling the DSWA Hotline at (703) 325-1173. As of 31 May 96, Acquisition Management has added ''Procurement Opportunities'' to the DSWA Home Page available on the World Wide Web. Information will include this synopsis and more. Please check us out at www.dswa.mil. Reference Synopsis No. 97-16 (0332)

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