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

16 -- TERRAIN AWARENESS WARNING SYSTEM DUE 032699 POC Dan Owens, owensdj1@navair.navy.mil 17. The Naval Air Systems Command, Air Combat Electronics Program Office (PMA-209) is conducting a market survey requesting industry information to aid in the planning of future Terrain Awareness Warning Systems (TAWS) for integration into rotary wing and tilt rotor aircraft. This is a Request for Information (RFI) only. This is not a Request for Proposal or an indication that the Navy will contract for these supplies. The Navy will not pay for information received in response to this RFI. This RFI seeks to ascertain information relative to current and/or future TAWS capabilities. TAWS will be used to provide an increased level of protection against Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT) for its rotary wing and tilt rotor aircraft during flight over varying terrain and Nap of the Earth (NOE) flight, where terrain along the future flight path of the aircraft is as important as that directly beneath the aircraft. Platforms targeted for this system include the CH-60, SH-60, H-1, and the tilt rotor V-22. Current planning calls for testing during the FY 00 -- FY01 timeframe with production implementation during FY 03 -- FY 04 timeframe. A Non-Developmental Item (NDI) procurement of approximately 1,100 units is anticipated. TAWS is required to provide forward-looking predictive capabilities and enhanced protection against CFIT provided by the basic GPWS in operational environments of flight into rising terrain. For TAWS that provide forward-looking capabilities the Navy requests interested sources to identify challenges relative to that system solution and describe how those challenges will be approached. For example, TAWS that utilize Digital Terrain Elevation Data (DTED) Level 1 may encounter challenges with data resolution since most helicopters maneuver in distances that are inside the current resolution limits of the digital data. The TAWS design should permit future enhancements such as obstacle avoidance, data fusion from additional and/or improved sensors, and auto-recovery modes. The information submitted on currently available systems must describe what integration is required to implement the system onboard the targeted platforms, and how it would impact the electrical, weight, space, power, environmental conditions, and processing parameters of the platform. Describe in sufficient detail the supportability requirements of the system such as: maintenance concept (including built-in-test (BIT) capabilities), support equipment, supply and computer resources support, and training. Provide demonstrated Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) figures for existing systems as well as predicted MTBFs for future systems. Provide a notional delivery schedule for systems currently available and/or anticipated time frames for proposed systems. The Navy further requests interested sources to provide responses to the following specific questions: What modes of flight would be protected by the proposed system (e.g. excessive descent rate, excessive closure to rising terrain, altitude loss after take-off, minimum safe altitude, excessive descent below glideslope, etc.)? What type of warnings does the proposed system provide (e.g. aural warnings, visual warnings, etc.)? What is the false alarm rate of the proposed TAWS? What is the cost of any existing systems and/or planned systems that may meet the Navy's requirements? How will the proposed delivery schedule affect cost and performance? Interested parties should provide cost and product information meeting the above stated requirements no later than 26 March 1999. Address responses to: Naval Air Systems Command, 47123 Buse Road, Unit IPT, Suite 256, Attn: Air-2.4.2.5, Patuxent River, MD 20670-1547. All information received in response to this announcement will be kept confidential. For any further information relating to this RFI, contact Mr. Dan Owens via e-mail at owens1@navair.navy.mil Posted 01/25/99 (W-SN290984). (0025)

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