A -- RFI -- ADVANCE LIGHTWEIGHT ROCKET ENGINE COMBUSTION CHAMBER AND NOZZLE PROGRAM

Notice Date

April 26, 2001

Contracting Office

Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AFFTC -- AF Flight Test Center, 5 S WOLFE AVE, Edwards AFB, CA, 93524-1180

ZIP Code

93524-1180

E-Mail Address

Patricia Henningham (patricia.henningham@edwards.af.mil)

Description

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. The Government does not intend to award a contract or any other type of agreement on the basis of this synopsis or to otherwise pay for the information solicited under this synopsis. This is NOT a request for proposal or an invitation for bid. The intent of this RFI is to obtain market research. Responses will not be considered as proposals nor will any award be made as a result of this synopsis. The Government is interested in obtaining information from industry to identify ongoing or planned commercial boost rocket engine systems. For each system identified, please provide the following information: 1) Engine cycle, 2) Propellants, 3) Thrust level, 4) Potential areas for advanced lightweight thrust chamber and nozzle technology application, and 6) Anticipated time frame for Government use of the resulting rocket engine systems. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: AFRL/PR-West plans to start a combined lightweight rocket engine combustion chamber and nozzle program beginning in FY 2002. The goal of this program will be to develop innovative design concepts to achieve significant weight reduction in the combustion chamber and nozzle components. Future designs are expected to address the following: 1) Oxidation resistance, 2) Thermal shock/cycling resistance, 3) Thermal load management, 4) High thermal conductivity, 5) Static and dynamic load management, 6) Coefficient of Thermal Expansion mismatch, 7) Permeability, 8) Self-healing, 9) Environmental compatibility, 10) Cost and scalability, 11) Compatibility with hydrocarbon and liquid hydrogen/oxygen fuel systems, and 12) Inspection, maintenance, and repair in field conditions. The Air Force envisions a program focused on innovative design concepts to achieve lighter weight in both components, as well as altitude compensation for a reusable SSME class bell nozzle. This is not a materials effort and there will be no duplication of any on-going government sponsored materials programs. The emphasis will consist of trade studies, chamber/nozzle design concepts, and chamber/nozzle design work. There is a strong interest in studying the chamber/nozzle interface to reduce or eliminate manifolding, joints, and seals to achieve a monolithic or near-monolithic chamber/nozzle component. The effort may or may not end with sub-scale testing, and the results of this program could potentially funnel down to a follow-on program. The Air Force wants to consider all ideas and concepts to push combustion chamber and nozzle technology to satisfy our weight, cost, and life cycle goals for boost engines with either hydrocarbon or liquid hydrogen/oxygen fuels. A supplemental ITAR restricted paper outlining specific Air Force goals and objectives is available upon request to U.S. contractors who are registered and certified with the Defense Logistics Services Center (DLSC), Federal Center, Battle Creek, Michigan or who are teamed with one of the registered contractors. THREE copies of each response must be submitted to Captain Jeffery Thornburg, AFRL/PRSE, 4 Draco Drive, Edwards AFB, CA 93524. Electronic responses are acceptable. Any company proprietary information contained in the response shall be separately marked. Responses shall be limited to TEN pages and are due not later than 30 days from the publication of this notice. The information provided through the responses will be used to aid in requirements definition for future acquisitions. POINT OF CONTACT: Captain Jeffery Thornburg, AFRL/PRSE, Edwards AFB, CA, (661) 275-5320, jeffery.thornburg@edwards.af.mil. -- NO LATE RESPONSES --

Web Link

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Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010430/SPMSC003.HTM (D-116 SN50K3C9)