Munitions Contracting Division (AFRL/MNK), Building 13, 101 West Eglin Boulevard, Suite 337, Eglin AFB, FL 32542-6810

A -- AIR SUPERIORITY TECHNOLOGIES SOL MNK-98-010 POC Contact Melissa Johnson, Contract Specialist, (850) 882-4294, Ext 3405 or fax (850) 882-9599 The Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate (AFRL/MN) is requesting information regarding high payoff developmental technologies, which may be matured and applied to current and/or planned air superiority weapon systems for increased operational effectiveness. AFRL/MN is pursuing a wide array of missile technologies, all being developed in a coordinated system engineering fashion to ensure maximum compatibility and applicability to both existing and planned weapon systems. A time-phased technology development plan has been developed consisting of a vision' for the future of air combat and the characteristics which future air superiority weapon systems must possess to maintain U.S. air supremacy into the middle of the next century. This vision is founded on information outlined in various Air Force documents including Global Engagement', New World Vistas', and Air Combat Command Operational Needs' which provide a view of required future operational capabilities. The AFRL/MN vision for the future of air combat weaponry includes the ability to engage targets at any aspect or geometry relative to the launch platform. This will provide future platforms with an impenetrable offensive sphere' extending to beyond visual range in all directions. In addition, AFRL/MN's vision includes maximized multi-mission single shot effectiveness against a variety of target classes. Obvious operational benefits resulting from the realization of this vision include increased a-pole/f-pole and increased platform survivability in all phases of operation. To facilitate the realization of this vision, several missile performance objectives have been established with quantifiable metrics to gauge the effectiveness of individual technologies in the context of an existing weapon system. These objectives include increasing maximum range, increasing maneuverability, increasing off-axis engagement capability, decreasing the overall kill timeline, improving multi-mission lethality, improving countermeasure robustness, improving high clutter target acquisition capability, improving target selectivity/identification capability and decreasing life cycle cost of ownership. AFRL/MN seeks to identify candidate technologies that address one or more of these performance objectives. The primary interest is missile seeker, ordnance, flight control, airframe, propulsion, etc. technologies currently at the 6.2 maturity level. Technology candidates, perhaps currently being studied via company Independent Research and Development (IRAD) efforts, should be appropriate for Laboratory technology development investments targeted to a 2010-2020 operational capability. Responses to this request for information may be submitted in contractor format. Responses to this request for information maybe submitted in contractor format and forwarded to AFRL/MNAV, Attention: Mr. William J. Jones, 101 West Eglin Boulevard, Suite 329, Eglin AFB, FL 32542-6810 within 30 days from date of publication. Sufficient detail should be included to facilitate full understanding of the subject technology and an assessment of the potential benefits of further development via Laboratory investments. Specific respondents may be invited to make an oral presentation of the subject technologies to a government-only audience. This information request should not be considered to be in conflict with ongoing Air Superiority Technology Planning Integrated Product Team (TPIPT) concept call activities. Rather, whereas TPIPT activity focuses primarily on identifying future weapon concepts, this activity consists of identifying specific, developmental technologies designed to improve the capability of existing systems, including AMRAAM, AIM-9X and others. This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only, it does not constitute an IFB or RFP, and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. Firms responding to this synopsis should state whether they are or not a small business concern or a small disadvantaged business concern as defined in FAR 52.219-1 and FAR 52.219-2, respectively. An Ombudsman has been appointed to hear concerns from offerors or potential offerors during the proposal development phase of this acquisition. The purpose of the Ombudsman is not to diminish the authority of the program director or contracting officer, but to communicate contractor concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations to the appropriate government personnel. When requested, the Ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The Ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals or in the source selection process. Interested parties are invited to call LtCol Robert J. Wood, (850) 882-3003. The Ombudsman should only be contacted with issues or problems that have been previously brought to the attention of the contracting officer and could not be satisfactorily resolved at that level. Direct all requests for solicitations and routine communications concerning this acquisition to Ms Melissa Johnson, AFRL/MNK, 101 West Eglin Boulevard, Suite337, Eglin AFB, FL 32542-6810, (850) 882-4294 ext 3405. (0036)

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