A -- REQUEST FOR INFORMATION -- TACLS

Notice Date

July 20, 2001

Contracting Office

Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AFRL -- PL "Directed Energy Directorate", 2251 Maxwell Ave, Kirtland AFB, NM, 87117

ZIP Code

87117

Solicitation Number

AFRLDEL-01

Response Due

August 10, 2001

Point of Contact

Barbara Steinbock, Contracting Officer, Phone 505 846 2246, Fax 505 846 1546, Email steinbob@plk.af.mil -- Barbara Steinbock, Contracting Officer, Phone 505 846 2246, Fax 505 846 1546, Email steinbob@plk.af.mil

Description

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)-TACTICAL AIRBORNE COMBAT LASER SYSTEM (TACLS). The Air Force Research Laboratory, Directed Energy Directorate, Laser Division (AFRL/DEL) is seeking information on compact high-energy laser (HEL) technology. Information will be accepted from all academic, FFRDC and commercial institutions. Domestic organizations are encouraged to consider foreign collaboration. This information will be used for planning the Tactical Airborne Combat Laser System (TACLS) program, starting in FY02, which will develop technology for the Tactical HEL Fighter (and other tactical combat platforms). The HEL system for this program must be more compact and less massive than other HEL systems. The laser subsystem is especially challenging, because many kilowatts of output power must be produced in a relatively small volume. Thermal management of waste heat will be one of the technical challenges associated with the laser subsystem. A technology demonstration, planned for FY04, will require a compact 20 kW laser prototype. (Higher powers will be developed later in the program.) The specific purpose of this RFI is to request technical information on HEL technology that is a plausible candidate for a compact 20 kW demonstration. Preliminary requirements include, as goals, a size of 10 cf and a weight of 1000 lb. Others include a beam quality of 1.2 x DL or less and a wavelength in the near-infrared region. Your 5-page white paper should include: (1) type of laser; (2) clear description of the technology; (3) state-of-the-art technology (power, temporal format, beam quality, size, weight); (4) key technical issues; (5) current and recent technology development programs; (6) specific rationale for the technology being capable of the approximate requirements above; (7) short discussion of rationale for growth to higher power levels (e.g., 100 kW); (8) technical references; and (9) organization POC for this technology. A single white paper should cover a single HEL technology. Multiple white papers are permitted if your organization has expertise and capabilities in multiple technologies. Your submittal(s) should include a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) of the estimated cost of your approach. This ROM can be a cost range, including potential cost-sharing and IR&D arrangements. Back-up material is permitted, but we emphasize that the white paper should be of a technical, not marketing, nature. The information should be marked proprietary, if it is, and it will be protected accordingly. As the TACLS program progresses, a procurement action for a prototype laser is anticipated. The requested information will help the government guide the program in its initial stages. The due date for receipt of the white papers is 10 Aug 2001. This RFI announcement is an expression of interest for planning, not procurement purposes, and no funding will be provided from the AFRL for this effort. Electronic media are required. Send via email attachment in MS Word format to donald.smith@kirtland.af.mil and kim.gallegos@kirtland.af.mil or on diskette to AFRL/DELS Attn: Mr. Sandy Smith 3550 Aberdeen Avenue SE, Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5776. Questions or comments regarding this request may be directed to Sandy Smith at 505-846-4050 or Kim Gallegos at 505-846-2244.

Web Link

Visit this URL for the latest information about this (http://www.eps.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/AFRLPLDED/AFRLDEL-01/listing.html)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010724/ASOL009.HTM (D-201 SN50S501)