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

59 -- VIRTUAL IMAGING SYSTEMS FOR APPROACH AND LANDING (VISUAL) SOL N68335-97-RFI-XXX DUE 020597 POC Christopher Veith, Contracting Officer, Code 2.5.2, (908) 323-2062. This is a Request for Information and Notice of Conference. All future conferences will be announced at lakehurst1.navy.mil/www/visual.htm. 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. See CBD Synopsis #0419 08/28/96 for further information concerning the VISUAL program. The VISUAL Program will consist of three distinct phases: (1) Program Definition and Risk Reduction (PDRR), Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD), and Production. The PDRR phase will be a two to three year effort (FY97-99) during which an evaluation 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 Models (EDM). The EDM phase will be a four-year period (FY99-02) diring 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 and twelve LHA/LHD platforms. The Navy will host a conference at the Naval Air Engineering Station, Lakehurst NJ on February 5, 1997 to discuss the programs goals and objectives, present Government information and background 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 light level systems; EO tracking systems; and display systems, including head-up and head-mounted systems. Agenda will include such topics as (1) Program Overview, (2) Technical Requirements, (3) Landing Systems Officer's Job Descriptions, (4) Equipment locations, including dimensions of spaces, and (5) Testing schedules. 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 information. (0015)

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