United States Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AFRL -- Eglin Research Site, 101 West Eglin Blvd, Eglin AFB, FL, 32542-6810

A -- FUZE AIR-TO-SURFACE TECHNOLOGY (FAST) SOL F08630-99-C-0024 DUE 070999 POC Linda Weisz, Contract Specialist, Phone (850)882-4294 ext. 3206, Fax (850)882-9599, Email weisz@eglin.af.mil -- Vicki Keider, Conracting Officer, Phone (850)882-4294 ext. 3404, Fax (850)882-9599, Email WEB: Visit this URL for the latest information about this, http://www.eps.gov/cgi-bin/WebObjects/EPS?ACode=P&;ProjID=F08630-99-C-0 024&LocID=1362. E-MAIL: Linda Weisz, weisz@eglin.af.mil. PART 1 OF 2 PARTS. This is a Program Research and Development Announcement (PRDA). The Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate Ordnance Division (AFRL/MNM) is interested in receiving technical and cost proposals for the Fuze Air-to-Surface Technology (FAST) program. Proposals in response to this announcement must be received no later than 1:00 p.m. central standard time, 9 Jul 99, addressed to AFRL/MNK, Suite 337, 101 W. Eglin Blvd., Eglin AFB FL 32542-6810, Attn: Linda Weisz (AFRL/MNK). Bidding on this effort is restricted to U.S. Prime contractors. Proposals submitted after the cut-off date specified herein shall be treated in accordance with FAR 52-215-1(c)(3), _Instructions to Offerors _- Competitive Acquisition_. Respondees must reference PRDA MNK-99-0008. Proposals submitted must be in accordance with this announcement. Since this is a PRDA, there will be no formal request for proposal or other solicitation regarding this announcement. Offerors should be alert to any PRDA amendments that may be published. The Government reserves the right to amend the due date to allow for subsequent submission-of-proposal-dates. B -- REQUIREMENTS: (1) Program Objective: The FAST program intends to develop the next generation technology for precision burst point control of unitary blast/fragment and penetration weapons. The objective of this program will be to design an affordable fuze sensor that can operate in a tail mounted configuration on guided weapon platforms that may or may not employ a nose mounted seeker. The design goals for this program are as follows: a) a tail mounted fuze sensor that will not interfere with the use of nose mounted guidance concepts, b) a fuze sensor that can determine its correct, preset height-of-burst (HOB) above ground contour regardless of target structure and background, c) a fuze sensor with selectable HOBs up to 20 meters that can be programmed through the weapon data bus d) a fuze sensor that can operate in weapon systems with closing velocities from 50-2500 meters/second, e) a fuze sensor that will provide a near surface burst (NSB) mode that will detonate the weapon just prior to the warhead impacting the ground, f) a fuze sensor that will provide real-time closing velocity to tail mounted penetration fuzes, and g) a fuze sensor that can provide HOB signal, NSB signal, and/or closing velocity signal to tail mounted fuzes on unitary weapons. The reference point for HOB and the warhead type should be programmable in the burst point control algorithm. An end goal of this program is a robust fuze sensor design with less than 0.5 meter error in determining its correct, preset height of burst above the ground contour, regardless of target structure and background. In this effort, design refinement shall be performed using launch to burst point simulations to demonstrate robust solutions. Operation in adverse weather and battlefield obscurants is required and should be part of any high fidelity simulation. Operation in battlefield ECM/EMI, including mutual interference, must also be addressed. Operation in thick vegetation and tree canopies must be addressed. Demonstration of component technologies that allow the fuze sensor to function in a tail mounted configuration shall be performed. After component technologies are tested, the high fidelity launch to burst point simulation runs should be updated based on measured data, and the design iterated as needed. (2) Program Overview: This program intends to develop the technology required to bridge the fuzing gap that has emerged between blast/fragment warheads and penetration warheads. In the blast/fragment area, the low altitude fuze sensor has evolved from a single nose mounted unit that contained safe, arm, and fire components; a fuze sensor, and an explosive train with booster (FMU-113) to a distributed system with a nose mounted fuze sensor (DSU-33), mid-body turbine generator (FZU-48) and a tail mounted impact fuze (FMU-152). Both of these designs require the fuze sensor to be nose mounted and exclude the use of nose mounted guidance kits. By design, the penetrating warheads do not have a nose fuze well and do not allow the use of any existing fuze sensor to give them a height of burst fuzing capability. What is needed is a tail mounted fuze sensor that can be form factored to work with large (MK-83, MK-84, BLU-109,BLU-113, BLU-116) and small (MK-81, MK-82, MMT) guided weapons that may or may not have nose mounted guidance kits. This device must interface with tail mounted fuzes (FMU-152, FMU-157, etc.) by providing a selectable height-of-burst (HOB) fire signal, near surface burst fire signal, and real time closing velocity information (as appropriate). General program milestones may include the following: Task 1-Initial concept refinement, Task 2-High fidelity launch to burst point simulations, Task 3-Critical component fabrication and testing, Task 4-Update simulations based on actual hardware performance, and Task 5-Generation of conceptual tactical design(s) and final report. All hardware and software developed under this program will be delivered to the Air Force at completion of this effort. (3) Data Requirements: The following data element submittals are expected. The contractor may propose additional elements or submittal of combined elements or DIDs as appropriate for the proposed program. Electronic submittal is encouraged whenever feasible and cost-effective for the program. The expected data element submittals are: (a) Monthly status reports, including technical progress, programmatic issues, schedule, and appropriate disclosure of actual cost and labor expenditures. Contractor-format CFSRs are required. (b) Computer models with documentation of the fuze sensor used in the launch to burst point simulation. (c) A final software version of the launch to burst point simulation with documentation on performing setup and production runs with the software. (d) Design drawings associated with the critical components and their test fixtures, (e) Final technical report and a technology transfer report at end of program. The final report, which will be published in DTIC, must document the entire effort. (The final report must be delivered to the Government in electronic form (Microsoft Word 97 format or compatible)), (f) A record (e.g., agenda, presentation materials, minutes) tracking of associated action items and number of required meetings., (g) Videos and/or photos of component testing and computer simulations. (4) Meetings and Reviews: The contractor will be expected to host and conduct various meetings throughout the program. Government anticipates the following program reviews and meetings: Kickoff within three weeks of contract start date at Offeror_s facilities; quarterly Technical Interchange Meetings that alternate between the Offeror facilities and Eglin AFB; and a Final Program review at completion at government facilities at Eglin AFB, FL. The contractor may propose to conduct or participate in other meetings with subcontractors, Government agencies, or third parties, as deemed appropriate to the program. THIS IS THE END OF PART 1, SEE PART 2. Posted 05/20/99 (D-SN333695). (0140)

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