Electronic Systems Center, Communications and Airspace Management Systems (ESC/TGK), 11 Eglin Street, Hanscom AFB, MA 01731-2120

58 -- REQUEST FOR INFORMATION/COMMENT ON INTEGRATION OF EHF COMMUNICATION CAPABILITY INTO LAUNCH CONTROL CENTER POC Capt Bill Graham, EHF Program Manager, 617-377-8139; Major Jeffrey Emmons, Contracting Officer, 617-377-7985. This is not a solicitation, but for planning purposes only. The United States Air Force requests information/comment from industry concerning the integration of an Extremely High Frequency (EHF) satellite communication (SATCOM) capability into the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Launch Control Centers (LCCs). ESC/TG is adding the Modified Miniature Receive Terminal (MMRT) system to MINUTEMAN LCCs to improve the timeliness and robustness of communications. Similarly, the Defense Improved Emergency Message Automated Transmission System (IEMATS) Replacement Command and Control Terminal (DIRECT) system is being added to Strategic Command Centers to provide faster and more accurate injection of force direction messages. As the final element in this end-to-end system improvement, LCCs require an EHF SATCOM system to augment their communication capabilities to add an alternate and more timely means of receiving Emergency Action Messages (EAMs), and to provide an ensured Reportback capability. We are envisioning a Non-Developmental Item (NDI) systems approach meeting the user's end to end requirements, by allocating requirements to an EHF terminal and integrating the EHF terminal into the LCC facilities with minimal impact to either facilities or other systems within the LCCs. The EHF SATCOM system must also be integrated into the Test facilities, Missile Procedures Trainer (MPT), and Minuteman Enhanced Procedures (MEP) Trainer. The MPT is an actual size copy of a LCC capsule with all systems either present or fully simulated (both hardware (HW) and software (SW)). The MEP will be a SW only simulation of the LCC systems. We are envisioning a systems approach, integrating a terminal into the LCC facilities with minimal impact to either facilities or other systems within the LCCs. The terminals should utilize existing EHF SATCOM terminal technology, including the use of Nondevelopmental Items (NDI), to the maximum extent possible, keeping modifications to a minimum. The EHF SATCOM system must also be integrated into the Test facilities, Missile Procedures Trainer (MPT), and Minuteman Enhanced Procedures (MEP) Trainer. The MPT is an actual size copy of a LCC capsule with all systems either present or fully simulated (both hardware (HW) and software (SW)). The MEP will be a SW only simulation of the LCC systems. Approximately 50 operational, fully spared systems are projected, with an additional 35 sites with either actual or fully simulated systems (13 MPTs, 20 MEP Trainers, and 2 SW development stations). Our preliminary schedule, assuming a decision is made to proceed with this concept, is for contract award in early FY 99, with Final Operational Capability (FOC) required by the end of FY 03. The system must meet the following requirements: 1) ICBM LCC nuclear threat environment, 2) Electro-Magnetic Pulse (EMP) operate through, 3) Integration into the already existing Rapid Execution and Combat Targeting (REACT) Higher Authority Communications/Rapid Message Processing Element (HAC/RMPE) system used at the LCCs to provide one integrated operator interface for all LCC systems, 4) KGVKGV-11 net compatible for EAM reception, 5) Capable of Reportback using dedicated AF Reportback protocol, 6) Capable of receiving on Earth Coverage beam, 7) Integration into Missile Alert Facilities' mechanical and electrical systems, 8) Capable of meeting end to end communications requirements allocated to terminal e.g., required link availability complimenting MMRT availability and timeliness throughout the span of hostile and natural environments.. Of particular interest is the following information: 1) Overall description of the proposed system and allocation of system requirements to the EHF terminal, e.g., number of channels, data rate, EIRP, G/T, and link availability, 2) Required changes (including SW) to any LCC facilities and systems, including the REACT HAC/RMPE interface, 3) Impacts to LCC operations due to system integration and installation, 4) Necessary changes to SATCOM net operations or resource allocation, 5) Suitability of existing prototype, development or production terminals for meeting the functional as well as the nuclear survivability requirements of the LCCs, 6) Required modifications (including SW) to existing terminal equipment, 7) Suitability of partitioning the proposed system's functionality between an above ground location and the launch control capsule as an alternative means of meeting the nuclear survivability requirements, 8) Solid state amplifier technology in the 44 GHz region, including achievable power output and performance in a nuclear environment, 9) Dual frequency radome materials and NDI radome assemblies optimized for 44/20 GHz operation, including performance characterization (measured or predicted) in a nuclear environment (primarily thermal flash, ionizing radiation, fallout, blast, and overpressure), 10) Requirements for enduring power and environmental subsystems, 11) System maintainability and reliability information, 12) A Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimate to provide subject capability broken out in the following categories by fiscal year: a) EMD Total, b) Terminal Modification, if needed (EMD), c) SW Modification, if needed (EMD), d) Installation Kit (A-Kit) development (EMD), e) Test & Evaluation (EMD), f) Production phase total, g) Per unit production cost (A-Kit), h) per unit production cost (B-Kit), i) per unit installation cost, j) Sustainment costs for maintaining assured nuclear hardness (Note: Totals should be all-inclusive, not necessarily the sum of the requested sub-categories), 13) A matrix showing ability to meet Draft ORD requirements, 14) Identification of major risk areas and risk mitigation approach, 15) Applicable certifications and tests that have been performed as well as potentially required tests and certifications (from a systems point of view), 16) A proposed schedule of implementation including at a minimum: installation, terminal modifications, and test and certification, 17) Statement of qualifications and pertinent corporate experience, 18) Separate cost, schedule, and technical impacts of providing the following additional (optional) capabilities: Transmitting at 75 bits per second on earth coverage beam, KG-84 compatibility, and other ancillary capabilities (e.g. re-targeting, secure voice,) if these might be provided at low cost compared to the basic capability above, 19) Cost/risk drivers or cost breakpoints in the above requirements which, if relaxed, result in a substantial saving in cost or schedule. 20) Cost/Schedule savings gained by not implementing KGV-11 net compatibility, 21) Recommended P3I path to address meeting full ORD objective requirements for availability and survivability.. Interested parties are invited to submit two copies of an unclassified prospectus not to exceed 40 pages outlining their ideas. The government will not reimburse contractor for any cost associated with preparing or submitting a response to this notice and is not obligated to return the prospectus or respond to comments. This is not a solicitation, but for planning purposes only. A contract will not be awarded from this announcement nor will this RFI be followed by a formal conference. For questions or a copy of a draft requirements package please contact Capt Bill Graham, ESC/TG, 11 Eglin Street, Hanscom AFB, MA 01731-2120, phone (617) 377-8139 or FAX (617) 377-8553, or via e-mail at Grahamb@hanscom.af.mil.. Please send all prospectuses to Maj Jeffery Emmons, ESC/TGK, 11 Eglin Street, Hanscom AFB, MA 01731-2120. CBD responses are due no later than 30 days from the date of this publication. See Numbered Note(s): 25. (0029)

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