Commander, Naval Air Systems Command (Code 2.4), 47123 Buse Road, Building 2272, Patuxent River, MD 20670-1547

14 -- REQUEST FOR INFORMATION; LOW RIS, NON-DEVELOPMENTAL ITEM, SUBSONIC TARGET POC Contact MS. Nita Burroughs,(301)757-6113, PROGRAM MANAGER 17. The Naval Air Systems Command is seeking innovative ideas and concepts for a low risk, non-developmental item subsonic target. See Commerce Business Daily (CBD) Notice, Subject: 14 -- BQM TEST AND TRAINING TARGET PRODUCTION BUY posted April 23, 1998. The Test and Training Target (3T) would support (1) small, limited payload performance target requirements (BQM-3T Variant A) that can be grown into (2) a higher payload, higher performance system (BQM-3T Variant B) with a minimal investment of development funds. Table (1) provides a snapshot listing of the notional type "Variant A" and "Variant B" target thresholds. Table (1) can be located on the NAVAIR Homepage under the name of "CBD BQM Table 1." The BQM-3T Variant A's primary mission is to support basic test and training needs particularly in replicating small, subsonic Anti-ship Cruise Missile (ASCM) threat systems. Variant B's primary mission is to provide Air Combat Maneuvering and complex ASCM subsonic threat replication. It is recognized that while performance requirements for the two systems may necessitate different airframes, the Navy is looking for a solution set that will maximize commonality and compatibility between the two systems. The Navy's near term interest is in Variant A and plans to procure in quantities of up to 100 aerial targets per year. The US Air Force and the US Army are potential customers for Variant B type targets. See CBD Notices, Subject: 15 -- SUB SCALE AERIAL TARGET posted April 10, 1998, April 21, 1998, and June 30, 1998. The US Navy, US Army, and US Air Force are coordinating a review of available target systems (domestic and foreign), operating and support (O&S) concepts, control systems, and related or similar technologies and systems (e.g., Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technologies). This review will support acquisition strategies for near-term service target systems. It is important to note that all services are seeking to use non-development technology and systems to minimize (or eliminate) development costs and to reduce the total cost of ownership. The potential exists for combined multi-service procurements or coordinated limited development. Multiple launch platform capabilities (air, ground, and ship) are desired to provide launch and operational flexibility. The ability to transport and operate the target at the user's preferred operating location have the potential to result in significant operational cost savings as well. All services are specifically seeking innovative ideas and concepts for the BQM-3T in the following O&S areas: (1) cost effective logistics support systems to reduce the cost of target operations (to include contractor support and/or presentation services), (2) inclusion of built-in-test-equipment to reduce maintenance time and support equipment requirements, and (3) up-to-date components to improve reliability and maintainability. The services are also seeking innovative ideas and concepts for control systems for the BQM-3T including (1) target control with provisions for over-the-horizon control, and (2) current technology flight computers/ autopilots to increase mission flexibility and reduce dependence on complex range systems. It is expected that introduction of existing technologies will have a significant impact on current system performance and costs. It is also expected that cost efficiencies could be seen in manufacturing/tooling, materials, subsystem design non-recurring and recurring expenditures, spares support, system maintenance, software development and life-cycle support, as well as launch interfaces and ground equipment. For the BQM-3T, the development of standard interfaces for payloads and avionics systems should reduce non-recurring expenditures/costs and make the system less susceptible to subsystem obsolescence as well as ease the installation of new payloads and mission equipment. Specific technology and systems areas of interest for the BQM-3T include the following: (1) concepts for reducing the total cost of ownership, (2) scaleable technology and systems, (3) use of composite (or other) materials to reduce weight and/or improve performance, and (4) current navigation systems to improve in-flight positioning and end-point accuracy. The Government is interested in presentations and written submittals of concepts and rough-order-of-magnitude cost estimates for the above. Presentations, if provided, may be made in St. Augustine, Florida on 8 and 9 October 1998, following the 36th Annual National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Air Targets/UAVs & Range Symposium and Exhibition. Presentations may also be made at other times. Those companies desiring to provide a presentation in response to this RFI are requested to contact the Program Executive Officer, Cruise Missiles and Joint UAVs' point of contact, Ms. Nita Burroughs, PMA-2082B, at (301) 757-6113 not later than September 30, 1998 to arrange for a specific time and date for the presentation. It is not the intention of the Government to obtain proprietary information; however, interested firms should understand that material presented in response to this inquiry may be used by the Government to help formulate requirements documents and specifications. Final written submittals in response to this RFI should be provided not later than October 30, 1998 to the Program Executive Officer (PMA-2082B), Cruise Missiles and Joint Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Building 2272, Suite 253, 47123 Buse Road Unit IPT, Patuxent River, Maryland 20670-1547.!! Posted 09/16/98 (W-SN250610). (0259)

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