16 -- REQUEST FOR INFORMATION, SPECIAL OPERATIONS PARACHUTE SYSTEM (SOPS)

Notice Date

April 10, 2001

Contracting Office

U.S. Army Robert Morris Acquisition Center Natick, ATTN: AMSSB-ACN, Natick, MA 01760-5011

ZIP Code

01760-5011

Solicitation Number

N/A

Response Due

January 5, 2025

Point of Contact

Dean Rogers, AMSSB-RAD-AD(N), Kansas Street, Natick, MA 01760-5017

E-Mail Address

Contact Aerospace Engineer Dean Rogers (dean.rogers@natick.army.mil)

Description

Request For Information (RFI) For A Special Operations Parachute System (SOPS). The Special Operations Forces (SOF) has a requirement for a steerable static line main parachute canopy that has a turn-and-glide capability that will maintain unit integrity and allow assembly on small, blind, or unprepared drop zones. SOF require a capability to operate at a low minimum altitude with simultaneous exits from all aircraft jump doors and function effectively at low and high elevation drop zones. The parachute system must be reliable as possible, simple to operate, and very tolerant of poor operating conditions, or improper use, minimizing fatalities or injuries. The current steerable parachute system being used by the SOF operator is experiencing unacceptable failure rates when jumped from high performance aircraft on drop zones located 6,000 feet or more above sea level. Also, this parachute is not designed to deliver the increased suspended weight of the SOF operator. Therefore, a parachute is required to replace the current SOF system that meets the following performance characteristics: (1) Have a turn-and-glide capability better than current. The current parachute system executes a 1800 turn in 5.5 seconds and a turn radius of 20 feet. (2) Employ a passive, hands-free, deployment system. (3) Desired compatibility with the standard MC1-1C and T-10 reserve parachute and harness, the ATPS, and the Universal Static Line. (4) Permit simultaneous exit from C5, C17, C141 and C130 aircraft jump doors without special controlled exit procedures, without canopy damage or entanglement with other parachutes before the first vertical. (5) Capable of operations at a minimum altitude of 375 feet above ground level (AGL) (500 feet AGL + 125 feet holding error) at 130-150 knots indicated air speed (KIAS) on a standard day at sea level with a suspended weight of 360 pounds (threshold) and 400 pounds (objective). (6) Deploy, inflate, and stabilize within 275 feet of exit. The maximum oscillation angle between the second and third vertical will not exceed 150 (threshold) or 100 (objective) from vertical 95 percent of the time. (7) Landing rate of descent not to exceed 19 feet per second (fps) (threshold) and 16 fps (objective) with a 360 pound (threshold) and 400 pound (objective) suspended weight at 8,000 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL) (threshold) and 10,000 feet MSL (objective). (8) Landing rate of descent not to exceed 16 fps (threshold) and 14 fps (objective) with a 360 pound (threshold) and 400 pound (objective) suspended weight at Mean Sea Level (MSL) (threshold). (9) Maximum peak opening force of 14 G's (threshold) or less, 95 percent of the time at 10,000 feet MSL (threshold) and 12,000 feet MSL (objective), with a 360 pound (threshold) and 400 pound (objective) suspended weight, without canopy damage. (10) Provide a safe landing, on land or in water, in a 13 knot (threshold) and 18 knot (objective) maximum steady wind when facing 00 oblique (threshold) and 450 oblique (objective) to the direction of wind, from 0 feet to 8,000 feet MSL (threshold) and 10,000 feet MSL (objective). (11) System reliability (expressed as the probability of the parachute functioning properly in the operational environment) equal to or better than current (threshold). (12) Suitable for wear and use by the 5th to the 95th percentile male and female soldier. Any manufacturer with a parachute canopy that can meet all or most of the above performance parameters should submit all information within 30 days of publication of this notice. Desired information would consist of detailed technical information, existing data supporting performance capabilities including number of jumps performed, malfunction reports, item availability, cost, vendor interest in no or reduced cost loan of test items, vendor support participation, etc. Interested companies should respond to Commander, U.S. Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command, ATTN: AMSSB-RAD-AD(N) (Dean Rogers), Kansas Street, Natick, MA, USA 01760-5017 or FAX to (508) 233-4652.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010412/16SOL004.HTM (W-100 SN50I825)