A -- ENHANCED FLIGHT TERMINATION SYSTEM STUDY -- INDUSTRY DAY

Notice Date

November 6, 2001

Contracting Office

NASA/Dryden Flight Research Center, Code A, P.O. Box 273, Edwards, CA 93523-0273

ZIP Code

93523-0273

Response Due

November 30, 2001

Point of Contact

Roberta J. Ross, Contract Specialist, Phone (661) 276-3143, Fax (661) 276-2904, Email roberta.ross@dfrc.nasa.gov

E-Mail Address

Roberta J. Ross (roberta.ross@dfrc.nasa.gov)

Description

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC) is releasing a Sources Sought for the Enhanced Flight Termination System Study. The Range Safety Group and Flight Termination Standing Committee of the Range Commanders' Council initiated a study task to identify new robust command links for future range safety applications. This study addresses links for multiple ranges including Department of Defense (DOD) test ranges and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) test centers. The command link operates as part of the overall Flight Safety System (FSS); typical functions can include termination of flight, injection of commands into the vehicle flight control system (engine cutoff), and commands that place the vehicle in the recovery mode. The study covers command links used to control tactical missiles, sounding rockets, expendable launch vehicles, ballistic missiles, remotely piloted vehicles, subscale aerial targets, reusable launch vehicles, and full-scale aerial targets. The first phase of the study focused on researching current range infrastructures and evaluating compatibility with potential new links. This phase also addressed performance requirements for the overall link and airborne hardware. Key study parameters included link security, ability to maintain the link throughout maximum vehicle dynamics, acquisition/process time, frequency use, jamming protection, noise/multipath immunity, suitability for use with low power transmitters, multiple access, vehicle impacts, maturity of proposed technology, compatibility with existing ground systems, testability, and reliability. Next-generation command links are expected to be highly secure, fully capable through a wide range of vehicle dynamics, and (to the maximum extent possible) compatible with existing ground transmitters. The first phase of the study was completed in August 2000. The second phase of the study invited EFTS team members, Test Ranges, and Vendors to submit new approaches that satisfied the design goals for EFTS. A number of excellent approaches were submitted that fell under 4 RF modulation schemes, Continuous Phase Frequency Shift Keying (CPFSK), Modified High Alphabet (MHA), Binary Phase Shift Keying, and Spread Spectrum. The approaches were evaluated based upon the design goals and two of the modulation schemes were down-selected for further analysis, CPFSK and MHA. The second phase was completed in March 2001. The third on-going phase of the study is a modeling and simulation and analysis phase. Academia has supported this phase by developing models of the modulation schemes for comparison and evaluation. Detailed analysis of the digital message format along with RF testing of legacy systems are all being conducted to ensure that the selected RF modulation meets current and future EFTS requirements. This phase will be complete in January 2002. The final phase of the EFTS study will address the RCC standards and provide to the follow-on development team recommended changes to these standards. The final phase will be complete in March 2002. Interested vendors are encouraged to review and comment on proposed formats and analyses performed by the EFTS team during an Industry Day that will be held on 11 December 2001 to update vendors on the study and answer any questions related to the study and its goals. NOTE: THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. THIS IS NOT A FORMAL PROCUREMENT AND THEREFORE IS NOT A SOLICITATION. THIS NOTICE IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO ULTIMATELY ISSUE AN IFB, RFP, RFQ, OR CONTRACT. No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released it will be synopsized in the CBD and on the NASA Acquisition Internet Service. It is the potential offerors responsibility to monitor these cites for the release of any solicitation or synopsis. This synopsis is for information and planning purposes and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information solicited. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation. Respondents deemed fully qualified will be considered in any resultant solicitation for the requirement. The Government reserves the right to consider a small business or 8(a) set-aside based on responses hereto. All interested sources may fax a Letter of Interest to the attention of Robert Sakahara at (661)276-5689 by 30 November 2001. Further information about specific location will be provided to those that respond. Point of Contact: Robert D. Sakahara, Systems Engineer, Phone (661) 276-2566, Fax (661) 276-5689, Email Robert.Sakahara@dfrc.nasa.gov. In responding reference EFTS-Study-11-06-01-RJR. Any referenced notes can be viewed at the following URL: http://genesis.gsfc.nasa.gov/nasanote.html

Web Link

Click here for the latest information about this notice (http://nais.msfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/EPS/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin=24#99356)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20011108/ASOL012.HTM (D-310 SN5124K2)