Aviation Applied Technology Directorate, U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Attn: AMSAM-AR-TC, Building 401, Lee Blvd, Room 117, Fort Eustis, VA 23604-5577

A -- REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ROTORCRAFT VEHICLE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS DUE 040100 POC David Segner, Project Engineer, (757) 878-5679 E-MAIL: AATD, dsegner@aatd.eustis.army.mil. The U.S. Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD) is in the process of developing research and development project(s) which would investigate innovative and new ideas to support the Vehicle Management System (VMS) paradigm. VMS is the new term to describe all of the subsystems required to manage and control a vehicle. There are currently many programs ongoing considering the hardware aspects (open system specifications, combining all subsystems into one box, remote units, etc.), but not many on the software. The VMS software is not being emphasized, and can easily cause the VMS development to fail for lack of a quantifiable flight qualification approach. Two unique parts comprise a VMS, hardware and software, plus one part which is considered a piece of both, and neither, the firmware. There still exists a significant amount of risk developing these parts for flight. AATD's contemplation is that after affording industry input into a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) topic development over the course of six (6) weeks, the AATD would release a BAA to call for proposals. The purpose of this announcement is to request information and U.S. industry feedback concerning our developing topic. The AATD is interested in obtaining feedback on the planned topic as well as information on the innovative approaches and technologies which afford potential to achieve the stated objectives. This contemplated project(s) would reflect our interest in two VMS areas. One area is how to mitigate the risks to the qualification of the software side, both within the software code and the firmware. The other main area of interest is to investigate and conceptually design any unique rotorcraft requirements, which would cause a functionally different VMS from other vehicles. Additionally, as part of this main area, a project should identify any functional areas which need significantly different resources than fixed wing aviation and develop a generic rotorcraft (includes hybrid aviation vehicles; e.g. tiltrotors) VMS. Information submitted should provide sufficient detail regarding technologies, approaches and capabilities for the Government to meaningfully assess credibility. Additionally, respondents should express their interest in performing a collaborative effort, e.g., a cooperative research and development agreement (without Government funding) or cooperative agreement or other transaction (with shared cost). This request for information is for purposes of exchanging information to improve understanding of the Government requirement and industry capability and is for information and planning. This announcement must not be construed as a commitment by the Government and any information submitted by industry will not constitute an offer which could be accepted by the Government to create a binding contract. Written responses are requested by 1 April 2000; however, earlier dialog is encouraged. Address responses to Aviation Applied Technology Directorate, ATTN: AMSAM-RD-AA-I (David Segner), Bldg 401, Lee Blvd, Ft Eustis, VA 23604-5577. Mr. Segner may be reached by telephone at (757) 878-5679 or by e-mail at dsegner@aatd.eustis.army.mil. Posted 02/15/00 (W-SN425556). (0046)

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