A--PM RUS is seeking sources and information for a multi-mode Electro-Optic/Infrared/Laser Designator (EO/IR/LD) with minimal development, for application as the multi-mode payload for US Army's Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) systems

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. Program Manager Robotic and Unmanned Sensors (PM RUS) is seeking sources and information for a multi-mode Electro-Optic/Infrared/Laser Designator (EO/IR/LD) with minimal development, for application as the mul ti-mode payload for US Army's Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) systems. PM RUS is developing its acquisition strategy for an EO/IR/LD payload that would be integrated and operated on board various Army UAV’s. PM RUS will use this information to assess industry’s capability and develop an appropriate acquisition strategy for the payload. A payload consists of the turret, IR sensor, EO sensor, Laser Range Finder/Designator and all associated electronics and cabling. EO/IR/LD PAYLOAD REQUIREMENTS: The payload must be capable of operating day and night, detect and recognize operationally meaningful targets at survivable standoff ranges, be capable of determining range to target, be capable of designating targets for precision guided standoff weapons. The ability to provide such a capability to the supported commander will greatly increase battlefield effectiveness. While functioning on board the UAV, the payload will provide a forward looking day/night capability to develop and display continuous, fully focused imagery to battlefield commanders. This payload should be capable of autonomous preplanned operations and a lso be capable of instantaneous re-tasking throughout a mission. The payload will provide continuous zoom capabilities when in EO mode and multiple fields of view (FOV) when in IR mode, selectable by the Mission Payload Operator (MPO). This payload will need to support auto track functions and auto-search functions. The EO/IR/LD payload, operating at 10,000 to 12,000 ft AGL, will be a multi-mode sensor package with resolution sufficient to detect, recognize, laser range find and designate an Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) sized target (3.5m x 3.5m, 4°C Delta T) fr om an effective threshold slant range of 8 km, with an objective of 16 km, and shall Identify an APC-sized target at 4 km, with an objective of 8 km. Imagery will be transmitted to a Ground Control Station (GCS) or network via system data links. The payl oad is expected to be capable of providing both analog and digital imagery outputs, be NGA compliant, and incorporate auto-search/track algorithms. Both TV and FLIR sensors should be capable of progressive scan video to support image mosaics. Probability of Detection, Recognition and Identification. The payload will require a Probability of Detection (Pd), Probability of Recognition (Pr) and Probability of Identification (Pi) of 90% each for IR and EO respectively, given the APC-sized target. Modes of Operation. This payload will require Staring, Strip, and Spot Wide Area Search Modes for step-stare image mosaics, and precision video geographic registration. The payload will be able to slew 360 degrees on command from the MPO. Search Rate. This payload should be able to cover a minimum 200 sq km per hour area, in narrow field of view. This assumes an air vehicle flying at 70 Knots at 10,000 AGL. The imagery collected must meet the recognition requirement of 8 km of an APC-siz ed target listed above. Color. The EO sensor will require full visible spectrum color imagery and be capable of black and white imagery when selected by the mission payload operator. Fields of View (FOV). The EO sensor shall have a continuous zoom. The IR sensor shall have a minimum three Fields of View (FOV): narrow, medium, & wide; selectable, correlated/co-boresighted with the laser designator. Target Location Error (TLE). The TLE of the payload shall not exceed 25m at a slant range of 8km. Eye Safe Laser Range Finder/Designator. The payload should have the capability to accurately range and designate for precision guided munitions against stationary and moving targets. This payload augmentation shall be capable of suppor ting concurrent Air to Ground Missile (ATGM) engagements of two or more targets. The payload must be capable of Laser designation/ range finding to 8 km threshold slant range with an objective of 16 km. These slant ranges assume weapon Lock on After Laun ch (LOAL). The Lock on After Launch (LOAL) assumes 8Km from the UAV to the target and 4km of reflected energy from the target to the weapon for the threshold requirement. The operator must have sufficient resolution to maintain the designator on target at the required ranges. The payload will require sufficient stabilization to keep the designator on target while operating from vibrating environments expected to be encountered on rotary wing platforms. Additional Payload Requirements. In addition to the requirements listed above, the following capabilities maybe required: (a) Aided Target Cueing (AiTC). To provide an automatic cue to the MPO indicating the presence of potential targets within a scene. (b) Aided Target Recognition (AiTR). To provide the MPO with an automated aid to recognize targets within a scene. (c) Aided Target Identification (AiTI). To provide the MPO an automatic target identification capability for selected targets, and is dynamically reprogrammable from the GCS. Vendors are encouraged to submit responses that contain the capability of multiple sensors if appropriate. The Government is categorizing the responses by size of sensor and achievable performance. The diameters of the payloads of interest are between 10 â€? and 16â€?, with associated weights of between 40 and 130 pounds. The weight includes the turret and all the electronics required to operate the payload and associated intra-system cabling. It is requested the responses provide at a minimum: 1. A description of payload(s) and their capabilities against ALL the requirements stated above to include: Range performance: 90% probability of detection/recognition/identification ranges given an APC sized target (3.5mx3.5m, 4º C Delta T) , FOV’ s, focal lengths and F numbers for each FOV, number of vertical and horizontal detectors, detector pitch, detector material, payload stabilization given a rotary wing environment. Minimum altitudes and slant ranges required to meet a 200 km/hr search rate and underlying assumptions to include; altitude, down-look angle, settling time, gimbals’ max acceleration. Also include any data link requirements. 2. Anticipated or actual dimensions, weight and power consumption broken down by component and for the overall payload. Provide interface control information to include input/output interfaces and mounting interfaces. 3. Laser Range Finder/Designator information should include wavelength(s), output power, beam divergence, target location error and underlying assumptions to include; atmospheric assumption, internal mounting stability, target size and aspect angle. 4. Maturity of the payload (i.e., conceptual, developmental, production). If payload has been produced, please provide quantities and customer(s) contact information. Any performance data to substantiate your claims of performance would be appreciated. 5. Cost/schedule requirements for a minimal development, with anticipated contract award of six units with delivery to start Jan 2006. 6. Multiple submittals, for various sized configurations, are acceptable. Written inputs are requested NLT 15 calendar days of the date of this RFI to PM RUS, Bldg.2525, Ft. Monmouth, NJ, 07703. Responses may also be submitted electronically. This synopsis is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the G overnment pay for the information solicited. Technical questions and responses should be addressed to Anthony Sacco, +1 (555) 000-0000, e-mail: contact@example.gov.