38 -- Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV) Breaching System

Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) is conducting a market survey to determine Industry's capabilities to deliver a breaching system for the Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV). The ABV is a single platform that will provide deliberate and in-stride breaching capability to the assault force of the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF). It is based on the Abrams M1A1 Main Battle Tank chassis and incorporates a new turret, linear demolition charge system, protective weapon system, remote control system, and breaching system. The ABV operates as part of a combined arms task force and is assigned to and employed by Combat Engineers as part of a synchronized operation to rapidly breach obstacles and create a cleared lane for other vehicles in the MAGTF to safely pass through. The ABV program is structured to achieve full operational capability in Fiscal Year (FY) 2007. The breaching system for the ABV is comprised of several subsystems which include the following blade attachments: one full width mine plow (FWMP), one V-shaped surface mine plow (VSSMP), one side casting surface mine plow (SCSMP), and a dozer blade (DB). Additionally, two lane marking systems comprise the remaining part of the breaching system. The Breaching System will be required to be delivered at a rate as follows: Three (3) units by first quarter FY05, then three (3) units per quarter until third quarter FY07, for a total of 33 breaching systems. The components of the Breaching System for the ABV shall be compliant with the following requirements: Full Width Mine Plow(FWMP: The FWMP clears surface laid and buried mines to provide a lane for combat vehicles and Marines to pass through. The FWMP shall survive the equivalent of two separate 21 pound, anti-tank mine detonations on its blade/plow assembly and complete the mission. The FWMP shall have a travel-lockout to hold and lock the blade in its stowed position during vehicle travel. The FWMP shall be detachable within 10 minutes (threshold), 5 minutes (objective), using basic issue items and on-board equipment. The FWMP shall have the capability to hydraulically jettison from under armor. The approach angle of the FWMP equipped on the ABV shall be no less than 17 degrees. The FWMP shall weigh no more than 4.5 tons. The FWMP shall operate without degradation using the available hydraulic resources (47 gal/min at 1600 psi) and electric resources (28 V dc at 30 amps max, 240 amps intermittent) provided by the ABV. Integration of the FWMP onto the ABV shall not obstruct or prevent the normal use of existing sling and tie down points on the M1A1 chassis. Integration of the FWMP onto the ABV shall be fully interoperable and interchangeable with the mounting hardware and controls for the other blade attachments without requiring any modifications. The FWMP shall have a 100 percent (objective), 95 percent (threshold) probability of clearing/neutralizing a lane of all Anti-Personnel (AP) mines and Anti-Tank (AT) mines. The FWMP shall clear a lane 13 feet wide and 10 inches deep (threshold) and 15 feet wide and 14 inches deep (objective). The width and depth of this cleared lane shall be in loose sand and soft silt type soils (threshold). The objective is to achieve the width and depth of this cleared lane in hard clay and hard silt type soils. The soil is assumed to be unfrozen with no rocks larger than 32 centimeters in diameter. The FWMP shall achieve the lane width and depth for a distance of 200 meters in 8 minutes or less. The objective is 6.5 minutes or less. V-Shaped Surface Mine Plow (VSSMP: The VSSMP is a V-shaped mine plow that removes surface laid mines from the path of the ABV. A V-shape shall be used to allow quick removal of mines/ debris to both sides of the ABV, allowing combat vehicles and Marines to safely pass through the cleared lane. The VSSMP shall conform to the local topography and maintain blade contact with the ground across its width for all types of terrain, including hard surfaces, rutted tracks, grassland, moorland, sand and stony desert, all under wet and dry conditions. Installation of the VSSMP shall take no longer than 15 minutes. The VSSMP shall have the capability to hydraulically jettison from under armor. The approach angle of the VSSMP equipped on the ABV shall be no less than 17 degrees. The VSSMP shall weigh no more than 1.25 tons. Integration of the components of the VSSMP onto the ABV shall not obstruct or prevent the normal use of existing sling and tie down points on the M1A1 chassis. The components of the VSSMP shall operate without degradation using the available hydraulic resources (47 gal/min at 1600 psi) and electric resources (28 V dc at 30 amps max, 240 amps intermittent) provided by the ABV. Integration of the VSSMP onto the ABV shall be fully interoperable and interchangeable with the mounting hardware and controls for the other blade attachments without requiring any modifications. The VSSMP shall remove surface laid mines to either side of the ABV at speeds of up to 10 mph. The VSSMP shall clear a lane 13 feet wide (threshold) and 15 feet wide (objective) The VSSMP shall be able to ride up and over small obstacles without damage, even at speed. Side Casting Surface Mine Plow (SCSMP: The SCSMP is a side casting mine plow that removes surface laid mines from the path of the ABV by removing the surface laid mines to one side of the ABV in order that multiple passes can be made to clear wide areas such as airstrips. The SCSMP shall conform to the local topography and maintain blade contact with the ground across its width for all types of terrain, including hard surfaces, rutted tracks, grassland, moorland, sand and stony desert, all under wet and dry conditions. Installation of the SCSMP shall take no longer than 15 minutes. The SCSMP shall weigh no more than 1.6 tons. Integration of the components of the SCSMP onto the ABV shall not obstruct or prevent the normal use of existing sling and tie down points on the M1A1 chassis. The components of the SCSMP shall operate without degradation using the available hydraulic resources (47 gal/min at 1600 psi) and electric resources (28 V dc at 30 amps max, 240 amps intermittent) provided by the ABV. The SCSMP shall have the capability to hydraulically jettison from under armor. The approach angle of the SCSMP equipped on the ABV shall be no less than 17 degrees. Integration of the SCSMP onto the ABV shall be fully interoperable and interchangeable with the mounting hardware and controls for the other blade attachments without requiring any modifications. The SCSMP shall remove surface laid mines to either side of the ABV at speeds of up to 10 mph. The SCSMP shall clear a lane 10 feet wide (threshold) and 13 feet wide (objective). The blades shall be articulated such that they are able to ride up and over small obstacles without damage, even at speed. Dozer Blade(DB): The DB is a blade attachment for the ABV to allow filling of anti-tank ditches, clearing obstacles, and digging armored vehicle defensive positions. The DB shall clear simple obstacles such as multiple 1.52 meter concrete cubes, 1.2 meter x 1.5 meter x 1.5 meter Dragon teeth/tetrahedrons, 1.2 meter Hedgehogs , Urban Rubble, Log post obstacles, and standard wire obstacles. As an objective, the DB shall also clear Log Crib obstacles and abatis. The DB shall weigh no more than 2.5 tons. Integration of the components of the DB onto the ABV shall not obstruct or prevent the normal use of existing sling and tie down points on the M1A1 chassis. The components of the DB shall operate without degradation using the available hydraulic resources (47 gal/min at 1600 psi) and electric resources (28 V dc at 60 amps max, 240 amps intermittent) provided by the ABV. The DB shall have the capability to hydraulically jettison from under armor. The approach angle of the DB equipped on the ABV shall be no less than 17 degrees. The DB shall clear a lane 12 feet wide and 6 inches deep (threshold) and 14 feet wide and 8 inches deep (objective). The width and depth of this cleared lane shall be in all soil types. The DB shall raise or lower in less than 12 seconds. Integration of the DB onto the ABV shall be fully interoperable and interchangeable with the mounting hardware and controls for the other blade attachments without requiring any modifications. Lane Marking System (LMS): The LMS shall mark the left and right side of the lane as the lane is being cleared by the ABV. The LMS shall denote the edge(s) of the cleared lane in day, night, and combat conditions. The LMS markers shall be at least 3 feet in length and be reusable. The LMS and added mounting hardware shall weight no more than 1000 pounds. The components of the LMS shall be fully functional using 28 V dc at 30 amps max. The LMS shall be capable of being employed in all soil conditions and remain operational for a minimum of 24 hours once employed. Interested firms are requested to respond no later than 24 May 2004, with a Capability Statement outlining their ability to meet or exceed this potential requirement. Interested sources should send all Capability Statements to: Commanding General, Marine Corps Systems Command, ATTN : GTES (T.J. McGinn) 2200 Lester Street, Quantico, VA 22134. No submissions via E-Mail will be accepted. THE SUBMISSION OF THIS INFORMATION IS FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PROCURE ANY ITEM/SERVICES, NOR FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO PAY FOR THE INFORMATION RECEIVED. NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENT EXISTS.