AMENDMENT W58RGZ-25-RFI-AESA: Request for Information (RFI) for Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI seeks information to support a potential in-flight demonstration of Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar technologies for multiple rotary and fixed-wing platforms. The U.S. Government is conducting market research to identify potential sources capable of meeting technical requirements for AESA Radars for Army Attack (AH-64 Apache), Utility (UH-60 Black Hawk), Cargo (CH-47 Chinook) helicopters, and Fixed Wing and Future Long Range Assault Aircraft.

Desired capabilities include, but are not limited to:

• Fire Control
• Pilotage
• Pilot aid in Degraded Visual Environments (DVE)
• Pole/Tower and Cable Detection
• Airborne Hazards
• Terrain Following (TF)
• Terrain Avoidance (TA)
• Shoreline mapping using Augmented Reality (AR)

Respondents are encouraged to provide evidence of capabilities, successes, and readiness for in-flight demonstration. Partial capability submissions are also welcome.

Selected respondents may participate in a USG-funded in-flight demonstration on a fielded AH-64E platform. The USG will provide support including preparation, planning, system integration, and mission planning. The event will include USG-funded test assets, instrumentation, and data. The demonstration aims to showcase state-of-the-art AESA technology and collect data against various targets.

• Responses are due no later than thirty (30) days after the RFI Published Date (November 18, 2024) at 4:00 pm Central Time.

• Submissions are to be made electronically via SAM.gov. Proprietary documents should use the DoD Secure Access File Exchange (SAFE) website.

• Responses should include a detailed system description and expected performance against defined parameters.

• Key information to include: Hardware TRL, Software TRL, readiness for flight, and Manufacturing Readiness Levels (MRL). Any shortcomings for flight readiness must be detailed with a recovery schedule.

• Specific page limits apply to different sections of the response.

• This RFI is for informational and market research purposes only and is NOT a request for competitive proposals or an invitation to reimburse responders for costs.

• No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with responding or for information provided.

• The USG is not obligated to provide feedback on submissions.

• Responses may be used to define future procurement requirements.

• Respondents who do not submit a white paper are not prohibited from submitting a proposal if an RFP is published later.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is solely for informational and market research purposes to support a potential in-flight demonstration of Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar technologies. The U.S. Government is investigating AESA Radar capabilities for multiple rotary and fixed-wing platforms, including the AH-64 Apache, UH-60 Black Hawk, CH-47 Chinook, and future fixed-wing/long-range assault aircraft. The goal is to identify potential sources capable of meeting technical requirements for an AESA Radar suitable for these platforms.

The government is interested in AESA Radar systems with capabilities including:

• Fire Control
• Pilotage
• Pilot aid in Degraded Visual Environments (DVE)
• Pole/Tower and Cable Detection
• Airborne Hazards detection
• Terrain Following (TF)
• Terrain Avoidance (TA)
• Shoreline mapping using Augmented Reality (AR) techniques

Respondents are encouraged to provide evidence of their capabilities, successes, and readiness for in-flight demonstration, even if they can only provide a subset of the desired capabilities.

Selected respondents may be invited to participate in an in-flight demonstration of their AESA Radar system on a fielded AH-64E platform at Redstone Arsenal, AL. The USG will provide support including preparation, planning, system integration, and mission planning. The demonstration event will include USG-funded test assets, aircraft, targets, test range, pilots, and engineers. Vendors will have access to an implemented instrumentation package. The demonstration is intended to showcase current technology and collect data against various targets.

• RFI Published: November 18, 2024

• Industry Questions Due: December 3, 2024

• USG Answers Published: December 18, 2024

• Close of RFI Responses: January 17, 2025

• Responses are due no later than sixty (60) days after the RFI Published Date (approximately March 18, 2025) by 4:00 pm Central Time.

• Responses must be submitted electronically via SAM.gov. Proprietary documents must be submitted via DoD Secure Access File Exchange (SAFE).

• This RFI is NOT a request for competitive proposals, quotations, or an invitation to reimburse responders for costs.

• No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with responding to this RFI.

• Responses are not offers and cannot be accepted to form a binding contract.

• The USG may use responses to help define future demonstration and/or procurement requirements.

• Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP.

• Information submitted in response to this RFI becomes the property of the USG and will not be returned.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the RFI (Rev H) for a demonstration article, likely related to aircraft integration and capabilities.

• Weight Limit: The maximum weight limit for the demonstration article is strictly 500 lbs. Mounting on an inboard station or alternative locations within the aircraft is not permitted.
• Mounting Location: All equipment, except for the human interface tablet, must be mounted on the right-hand outboard wing station (Pylon 4).
• Definition of "Elements": An "element" refers to a conductive resonating component of a panel, essentially an antenna. When grouped, they form an antenna array.
• Airworthiness Record (AWR) Requirements: AWRs are handled on a case-by-case basis with USG assistance and only apply to selected respondents. CDR-level documents may require further clarification for AWR publication.
• Littoral Targets & Sea State: For reference scenarios, littoral targets will include smaller vessels (e.g., jet skis, pontoon boats) in sea states 0-1.
• Center of Gravity (CG): The CG of the mounted test article must adhere to a tighter tolerance of 1" of center between the lugs, as per RTC guidance, referencing Mil-Std 8591.
• Tablet Size: A larger tablet size than the specified 8" can be considered during the AWR process.
• Schedule: The demonstration and associated analyses may shift due to the RFI republication, with execution at the USG's discretion.
• Page Count: Page constraints for proposal sections are considered sufficient, and additional pages are not permitted.
• Classified POCs: Contact information for classified technical responses is provided.

These clarifications refine mounting, weight, technical definitions, and administrative aspects. Bidders should note the strict adherence to mounting locations and weight limits, and potential schedule shifts. Page count limitations are firm.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI seeks information to support a potential in-flight demonstration of an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar on an AH-64E Apache surrogate aircraft at Redstone Arsenal, AL. The government is gathering technical details and capabilities related to AESA radar systems for potential future applications.

• Aircraft: AH-64E Apache
• Mounting: Right-hand outboard wing station (Pylon 4) using a standard Apache ejector rack (2 lug, 14" spacing, 4 sway-brace configuration).
• Weight Limit: Demonstration article must not exceed 500 lbs.
• Ground Clearance: Minimum 15" in ground stow, 9" in flight stow.
• Electrical Power: Aircraft can supply 30 Amps/phase 3-Phase 115 VAC @ 400 Hz and 40 Amps 28 VDC. USG will modify aircraft for wiring.
• Data Acquisition: USG to provide airborne data acquisition system (MIL-STD-1553, Ethernet, ICS, video). Telemetry system for ground viewing.
• Navigation Data: May be available if requested.
• Cockpit Interface: Touch screen tablet (max 8"x5"x0.75", 1.5 lbs) connecting via Ethernet, running control software.

Respondents are asked to provide detailed information on:

• AESA Radar Description: Primary function, key design parameters (frequency, bandwidth, sensitivity, accuracies, waveforms, duty factor), signal processing architecture, LRU block diagrams, enclosure details, RF architecture, multi-band implementation, electrical interfaces, coordinate transformation, geo-location accuracy, beam manipulation techniques (spoiled beams, beam forming), LPI/LPD/anti-jamming capabilities, Size/Weight/Power/Cost (SWaP-C2) factors, and passive search/track capabilities.
• Antenna Characteristics: Cooling, calibration, size/dimensions, pattern characterization (Field of Regard, beamwidth degradation, polarization, sidelobes), gimbaling, and latency.
• Manifold & Elements: Architecture, grouping, amplifier capabilities, phase shifter resolution, panel integration, modularity, scalability, simultaneous beam generation, element count/type/spacing, vibration/temperature compensation, and dual/multi-band element design.
• Operation: List of operational modes, detection capabilities (e.g., poles, wires), array timing, search/track schemes, simultaneous operation capabilities, target tracking capacity, adaptive scheduling, control interfaces, aircrew interaction, data display, automatic detection/tracking, target detection/recognition/identification/tracking processes, expected detection ranges, weather/terrain/interference adaptation, DVE capabilities, use of AR for mapping, and RF interference interoperability.
• Product History & Capabilities: Previous product history, similarities/differences to proposed article, fielding on DoD aircraft, demonstrated interoperability, sensor fusion, alignment with open system standards (MOSA/SOSA, FACE), physical interfaces, SWaP-C2 reduction, TRL/MRL, pilotage support, DVE operations, and Human Machine Interface (HMI).
• Maintenance, Updates, and Training: BIT/Degradation, RAM, maintenance levels (field/depot), sustainment support, software/firmware updates, and training processes.
• Corporate Capabilities: Experience in aircraft AESA radar development, limitations, previous project experience, organization details (size, revenue, CAGE code, NAICS), interest as prime/subcontractor, export concerns, facility clearances, RMF/cybersecurity experience, SAST experience, and creation of RMF system artifacts.

This is an RFI only; proposals are not requested. Responses should address the technical objectives and information requested. Specific submission instructions and deadlines are not detailed in this document but are implied to be part of the overall RFI process.