MILSATCOM Terminals Program Office, ESC/MC, 50 Griffiss Street, Hanscom AFB, MA 01731-1620

58 -- SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS AIRBORNE TERMINALS SOL n/a POC Catain Kevin Loucks, Program Manager, (781) 271-5620;Mr. Joe Zimmerman, Contracting Officer, (781) 271-6279 WEB: ESC Business Opportunities Web Page, http://www.herbb.hanscom.af.mil. E-MAIL: Click Here to E-mail the POC, Joe.Zimmerman@hanscom.af.mil. The Electronic Systems Center, MILSATCOM Terminal Programs Office (ESC/MCV) requests information regarding industry's current and near-term capabilities for an airborne wideband satellite communications terminal to meet near-term and future wideband connectivity requirements. Information pertaining to potential performance capabilities, packaging, existing products, funded product development and customer base is considered relevant. The Airborne Wideband Terminal (AWT) program is scoped as a sprial development, embracing the legacy Extremely High Frequency (EHF) Milstar Low Data Rate (LDR) and Medium data Rate (MDR)capability; Advanced EHF (AEHF) capability when fully defined; Global Broadcast Service (GBS) receive-only capability; and a future expanded capability which includes military 2-way Ka, commercial Ku, and/or X-band. The terminal architecture goal is to accommodate, with minimal terminal impact, increased capability spirals as user requirements evolve and technology advances. The Governmentis interested in simultaneous connectivity with various capabilities as this impacts processor and antenna designs. Simultaneous GBS-receive capability and Milstar/AEHF transmit/receive capability is of special interest. Terminals will have to accommodate integration into both ARINC 404/600 and MIL-STD-1788 racks. The Government is interested in efforts to evolve to more modular, reconfigurable, reprogrammable and layered terminal architecture designs. Applicability of the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) architecture is of special interest. The Government considers the antenna system as part of the terminal. The antenna system includes the radome, the antenna, the power amplifier, the Low Noise Amplifier (LNA)/Low Noise Block (LNB), and the antenna pointing function. The Government would like a standardsized antenna system interface, which would allow for a family of antenna systems, to include the antenna that is chosen to be developed for the B-2 platform. In preparation for this program, the Governmentwould like to assess: antenna technologies that are currently available, whether or not there is innovative technology which may be available with additional technology investment, experience/risk of the technology, associated production capabilities, and cost (cost includes both the antenna system and its installation). The Government is interested in an antenna system which can be installed simply with limited protrusion into the airflow (not to exceed 10 inches) and with a minimum number of holes through the fuselage. Some platforms may also be interested in minimal protrusion (not to exceed 2 inches). An efficient aperture capable of an EIRP of 60 dBw at EHF is targeted. Power amplifier technology to meet this EIRP is of interest. The receive G/T goal is 9 dB/K. Maximum antenna coverage is desired. The Government is interested in an antenna that will track the satellite, consequently tracking options should be discussed. Production advancements and anticipated commercial markets that will reduce costs are of special interest. The AWT program definition is ongoing. Development funding is programmed to commence in FY03. Production funding is programmed to commence in FY05. Initial terminal deliveries are expected to commence in FY07. This is a request for information (RFI) only. This synopsis is for planning purposes only and does not constitute an Invitation For Bids, Request For Proposals or Request For Quotes. All information received will be for planning purposes only. The Government does not reimburse respondents for any costs associated with submission of the information being requested or reimburse expenses incurred to interested parties for responses to this RFI. An Industry Day for presentations by the Government is scheduled for 9 December 1999 at the MITRE facility, Bedford, MA from 0800-1200. Visit the Hanscom Air Force base HERBB web site (www.herbb.hanscom.af.mil) or contact lt Tim Pesek at (781) 271-6036 for attendee information. Detailed questions will be available on the HERBB web site on 6 December 1999. Additional program information, technical data, and questions will be provided at the 9 December 1999 meeting and will also be available on the HERBB web site after the meeting. Contractor responses are due to mr. joe Zimmerman by 1700 hours, 18 january 2000. Respondents to this RFI should identify their company's name, address, telephone number, point of contact, and whether they are a large or small business. Proprietary information should be clearly marked. Facsimile (781-271-6149, ATTN: Mr. Joe Zimmerman), email (Joe.Zimmerman@hanscom.af.mil) or mail (ESC/MC, 50 Griffiss street., Hanscom AFB, MA 01731-1620, ATTN: Mr. Joe Zimmerman) responses are acceptable. Telephone responses will not be accepted. Face-to-face meetings with selected contractors will be held starting the week of 31 January 2000 at the MITRE facility, Bedford, MA. Each contractor will be allotted approximately four hours to present their information. See Note 26. Posted 11/22/99 (D-SN402616). (0326)

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