REQUEST FOR INFORMATION TO DETERMINE SUITABILITY OF COMMERCIAL FIBER OPTIC CABLE FOR AN INBOARD, ABOVE THE MAIN DECK, APPLICATION IN THE US NAVY SURFACE COMBATANTS. This RFI (Request For Information) is to determine suitability of commercial fiber optic cable for an inboard, above the main deck application in US Navy surface combatants. Submissions will be evaluated for the five following categories: optical performance, installation, safety, survivability (both battle and to end of useful life), and termination compatibility. Test requirements must be presented in terms of the tests and test procedures specified in MIL-C-85045. Citing only alternate test procedures or commercial standards is not acceptable; however, test conditions, parameters and other relevant documentation may be provided instead. Testing performed at different test conditions/parameters must have associated justification and risk analysis as to why test performed should be considered in lieu of that cited in MIL-C-85045. Specific tests from MIL-C-85045 used for evaluation are as follows: (1) Optical Performance (attenuation rate, crosstalk). (2) Installation (crush, cable twist-bending, impact, tensile loading and elongation, operating tensile loading, dynamic bend, radial compression, corner bend, cable jacket tear strength, cable jacket material tensile strength and elongation, cable abrasion resistance, durability of identification). (3) Safety (halogen content, toxicity, smoke generation and flame propagation, acid gas generation, dripping, fungus). (4) Survivability (flame extinguishing, shock, storage temperature, temperature cycling, humidity, thermal shock, low temperature flexibility, cyclic flex, temperature life, freezing water immersion, fluid immersion, tempest, paint susceptibility, cable shrinkage, water absorption). (5) Termination Compatibility (visual and mechanical, cable element removability, jacket self adhesion or blocking, kink). Do you believe your cable meets the requirements of MIL-C-85045? If not, provide a risk analysis of using your cable for logistical, operational and tactical systems (including command and control systems and weapon systems). MIL-C-85045 may be obtained from the following Web Site: http://www.dscc.dla.mil/programs/milspec. At the search prompt, type MIL-C-85045. Information should be sent to the following address: Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Naval Business Center, Bldg. 77H Fiber Optic Laboratory, Code 9631, Philadelphia, PA 19112-5083. WEB: milspec, http://www.dscc.dla.mil/programs/milspec. E-MAIL: point of contact, bluebond@spawar.navy.mil. Posted 06/07/99 (W-SN340132).

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