A -- RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT -- NEW ACCELEROMETER AND GRAVITY GRADIENT SENSOR TECHNOLOGIES

Notice Date

March 6, 2001

Contracting Office

Lockheed Martin NE&SS, 55 Charles Lindberg Blvd., Mitchel Field, NY 11553-3862

ZIP Code

11553-3862

Solicitation Number

BAA 01-001

Response Due

April 11, 2001

Point of Contact

Mr. Hugh Rice, (516) 228-2041

E-Mail Address

Click here to e-mail Mr. Hugh Rice, the Point Of Contact (Hugh.Rice@LMCO.com)

Description

Sources are sought for the development of new accelerometer and gravity gradient sensor technologies for high accuracy, marine navigation applications. The Strategic Systems Program (SSP), as administered through Lockheed Martin (NE&SS)-Mitchel Field, has initiated a multi-year program to develop new accelerometer and gravity gradient sensor technologies. This multi-year program is divided into two phases. The objective of the first phase, which is expected to be completed by the end of GFY'01, is to select candidate technologies with the potential to meet the accelerometer and gravity gradient sensor performance goals. The objective of the second phase, which is expected to be completed by the end of GFY'05, is to fund the development and test of a prototype sensor. Accelerometer technologies are sought for two different navigation applications: 1. Technologies that have the potential for high accuracy, low-cost accelerometers for future submarine inertial navigators. 2. Technologies that have the potential to be used in the development of high accuracy, low-cost gravity gradient sensors for real-time vertical deflection compensation. The future navigator shall consist of an environmentally controlled, gyro stabilized platform configured with precision inertial grade gyros and an accelerometer triad. The key accelerometer goals for this application are: Bias Stability < 1.0*10-6 g, Scale Factor Stability < 5 PPM, Resolution < 0.5*10-6 g, Range +/- 5g, Cost < $10K The need for a gravity gradient sensor to accurately measure the short wavelength gravity variations significantly increases the accelerometer performance goals. The key accelerometer goals for this application are: Bias Stability < 1.0*10-6 g, Scale Factor Stability < 0.01 PPM, Resolution < 0.5*10-6 g, White Noise (0.1 1.0) Hz < 1.0*10-20 g2/Hz, Range +/- 5g, Cost < $10K These accelerometer goals shall be met in a temperature-controlled environment. Operating Temperature: 95 +/- 5 deg F, Temperature Variation: +/- 0.5 deg F In addition to accelerometer technologies, sources are also sought for new gravity gradient sensor technologies. These technologies shall have the potential for performing real-time vertical deflection compensation on moving submarines. The gravity gradient sensor goals for this application are: Sensitivity < 10 EU/sqrt(Hz), Accuracy < 5 EU Where EU = Eotvos Unit = 1*10-9/sec2 The period of performance for the development of the new technology sensors (phase II) is expected to range over a three-year period from GFY'02 through GFY'04. During GFY'05 it is expected that the sensor performance shall be independently tested and evaluated. This announcement is made to determine interest only and does not commit Lockheed Martin NE&SS-Mitchel Field to make any award or pay any response preparation costs. Interested sources are encouraged to respond to this announcement if they suspect their technology has the potential to achieve the accelerometer goal for a navigator, the accelerometer goal for a gravity gradient sensor, or the gravity gradient sensor goal. The following information is requested to be included in the response: A. Administrative and technical points of contact along with telephone, e-mail and facsimile machine numbers. B. Background, Description and Concept of Operation, for the accelerometer and gradiometer technology being proposed. C. Description and justification of present performance capabilities including supporting data (if available) and analysis. D. Present hardware development status and future development plans. E. Availability of a sample sensor for independent test and evaluation. F. Technical description of the proposed technology improvements that will result in meeting the goals and a road map for implementing these improvements. G. Letters of interest in receiving a Request For Proposal (RFP) for phase II. The requested information shall be provided to: Mr. Hugh Rice, Systems Engineering Manager II, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Naval Electronics and Surveillance Systems-Mitchel Field, 55 Charles Linbergh Blvd., Mitchel Field NY 11553-3862, (516) 228-2041, email Hugh.Rice@LMCO.com. Responses are requested no later than April 11, 2001. Interested potential sources are encouraged to contact Mr. Hugh Rice if they have any questions or concerns with providing the requested information. Non-disclosure agreements shall be implemented if requested by the interested source. The formal RFP is expected to be issued on or about June 1, 2001. It is anticipated that several contracts may be awarded for GFY'02 to pursue the development of candidate accelerometer and gravity gradient sensor technologies.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010308/ASOL007.HTM (W-065 SN50F3Q0)