A--Sources sought Industry survey for the Lightweight Counter Mortar Radar (LCMR).

The US Army RDECOM, Intelligence and Information Warfare Directorate (I2WD) is conducting an industry survey for the Lightweight Counter Mortar Radar (LCMR), which will provide the ability to automatically detect and locate mortar firing positions by detecting and tracking the mortar shell and then backtracking to the weapon position. The LCMR provides continuous 360 degree surveillance using an electronically scanned antenna. When a mortar is detected, the LCMR sends a warning message indicating a round is inbound. After sufficient data is collected to enable an accurate weapon location, the weapon’s location is transmitted. Additional information regarding the performance achieved in the current version of LCMR is specified in the informatio n under the title Performance of the Lightweight Counter Mortar Radar(LCMR)Pre-Production Model. Sources would be expected to improve upon the existing capabilities in one or more of the following areas: - Reduced weight or size o Configuration for jump pack desired - Improved False Location Rate o Desirable for the system to maintain its false location rate when operating in an active airfield environment with aircraft taking off and landing. - Improved Impact Prediction (Specified Accuracy) - Improved Target Location Error (60m desired) - Increased Range: o 8km vs 81mm mortar o 10km vs 120mm mortar - Reduced minimum range (500m desired) - Inclusion of automatic digital communications, especially call-for-fire and “early warningâ€? messages. - Vehicle Mount Capability o Include Hardening for transport (shock/vibe) while assembled. - Automatic self-survey; position and northing - Multiple selectable AZ sectors - Increased number of simultaneous tracks - Improved Maintainability o Antenna Calibration in-the-field - Full MIL-Environmental compliance - Reduced assembly time o Minimize parts counts Those sources who have established expertise in the development and production of radars for the location of indirect fire weapons capability are encouraged to submit a white paper (10 pages or less) on their capability and experience. All proprietary inf ormation should be marked as such. This request for information (RFI)/sources sought (SS) notice is for information and planning purposes only, and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the US Army RDECOM. The purpose of this RFI/SS is to identify pote ntial sources that may be interested in and capable of performing the work described herein. US Army RDECOM does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses nor otherwise pay for the preparation of any information submitted or for I2WD’s use of such information. Acknowledgement of receipt of responses will not be made, nor will respondents be notified of I2WD’s evaluation of the information received. PERFORMANCE OF THE LIGHTWEIGHT COUNTER MORTAR RADAR (LCMR) PRE-PRODUCTION MODEL: 3.0 REQUIREMENTS 3.1 Item Definition The LCMR provides the ability to detect and locate mortar firing positions automatically by detecting and tracking the mortar shell and then backtracking to the weapon position. The LCMR provides continuous 360° surveillance using an electronically scan ned antenna. The LCMR has been designed to be compatible with airborne operations and can be deployed in a door bundle. The system can be assembled and disassembled quickly by two soldiers. When a mortar is detected, the LCMR sends a warning message indic ating a round is incoming. After sufficient data are collected to enable an accurate weapon location, the weapons location is transmitted. 3.1.1 Functionality The system has been tested for its ability to perform automatic detection, classification, and location of incoming mortars. The system has demonstrated performance of these fu nctions without any operator interaction, except for system initialization information. LCMR has demonstrated the ability to: a. Perform radar functions (detect, track, etc.) b. Discriminate between mortars and other tracks c. Accurately locate weapon firing positions d. Communicate information to operator e. Operate on battery power f. Meet Emplacement / Displacement times g. Meet Maintainability requirements (Fault detection, isolation, and repair). 3.1.2 System Configuration The radar system configuration is defined as consisting of the following: a. Radar Antenna, Receiver Signal Processor Group b. Battery / Power Supply Assemblies c. Remote Control and Display unit (Pocket PC/PDA) d. Mission Planning Computer e. Mechanical Assembly (tripod, cover) 3.2 Characteristics 3.2.1 Target Type Primary targets for detection, location and classification are mortars. Secondary targets for track and identification are light artillery and rockets. For the purpose of defining system performance, a target will be considered to be valid if it meets the following criteria: Minimum muzzle velocity: 65 m/sec Maximum muzzle velocity: 320 m/sec The target must achieve a minimum height above the local terrain mask of 200 mils as observed from the radar and remain in the radar’s surveillance coverage for a minimum of 2 seconds. 3.2.2 Location Range LCMR is capable of locating 81 mm mortars to the specified accuracy from 1 km to 5km and 120 mm mortars to the specified accuracy from 1 km to 6 km. 3.2.3 Azimuth Coverage The radar azimuth coverage is 360°. The system is capable, via operator’s PDA , of setting the azimuth scan between 90° and 360°. 3.2.4 Probability of Location Probability of location is defined as the probability of detecting and computing the point of origin of in-flight projectiles. For an individual weapon firing a single round in a benign non-jamming environment, the probability of location has been demonstrated to exceed 85% averaged over all weapon firing azimuths and weapon ranges within the required location range of the radar. 3.2.5 Location Accuracy LCMR has demonstrated Target Location Errors (TLE) of better than 100 m (50% CEP) for the maximum specified location range on each target type, averaged over all weapon firing azimuths and weapon ranges within the required location range of the radar. 3.2.6 Target Track Capacity The radar is capable of maintaining track on 20 simultaneous in-flight projectiles originating from separate sites randomly distributed in the coverage area of the radar. The probability of location under these conditions is greater than 85%. When addit ional projectiles are being tracked simultaneously, the probability of locating a new weapon firing may degrade. 3.2.7 In-bound/Out-bound Mode of Operation The radar performs friendly (out-bound) projectile impact prediction and hostile (in-bound) weapon location and projectile impact point prediction. The radar is capable of simultaneous in-bound/out-bound operation. 3.2.8 Hostile Projectile Impact Prediction The projectile impact point is predicted. (No accuracy requirement) 3.2.9 False Location Rate The radar has demonstrated a false location rate no more than one (1) per six (6) hours over a 24 hour day/night cycle. A false location is defined as an indication by the radar that an in-flight projectile has been detected and a firing point located when , in fact, no projectile has been fired. This performance was achieved in a benign (no local aircraft activity within 5 km) environment. Distant (less than 5km) aircraft have displayed no tendency to cause false locations. 3.2.10 Operation 3.2.10.1 Height Correction The radar system accepts Level 1 DTED data and automatically performs height correction. 3.2.10.2 Target Classification The radar system , as evidenced from demon strated PL, is able to discriminate mortars from aircraft targets. 3.2.10.3 Zonal Control. The LCMR operator may designate zones in which the operation of the radar is restricted. A minimum of ten (10) zones of each type is supported. The following types of zonal operation are available: a. ATIZ – Artillery Target Intelligence Zones b. Censor Zones. c. Call for Fire Zones: d. Critical Friendly zones: The zones are defined in accordance with existing conventions. 3.3 Remote Control and Display Unit (RCDU) The radar is capable of communicating with a Personnel Digital Assistant (PDA)-class computer over a wireless radio link to a distance of 1000 m. The RDCU supports all functions necessary to initialize and operate the radar. The RDCU also provides system status, battery status and Built-In-Test information to the operator. 3.3.1 Communication Interface The LCMR pre-production system communicates only with its wireless PDA or via Ethernet. 3.3.2 Prime Power Prime power required is approximately 300 watts. The radar is capable of being powered by batteries for a minimum period of three (3) hours without battery replacement. (demonstrated using six (6) BA-5590 batteries) The system is also be capable of being powered using standard 24 volt DC vehicle power and adaptable to AC power, 85VAC – 240VAC, 40Hz – 400Hz. 3.3.3 Weight Total system weight is weight is less than 120 lbs including any one of the following power sources/considerations: - Battery container (battery weight not included in weight budget) - vehicle DC adapter cable - AC power supply 3.4 Emplacement and March Order System assembly and initialization by a two person crew has been demonstrated in less than 20 minutes. The system can be disassembled and readied for transport by the same crew in 3 minutes. 3.4.1 System Leveling The radar has an integrated leveling system that allows the system to meet its performance requirements on terrain with a 10° slope. 3.4.2 Orientation The radar is capable of automatically determining azimuth orientation with the input of 2 surveyed points. The system is also capable of accepting AZ orientation information from an external source. 3.5 Transportability The system is packed into two (2) transport cases that allow for various Joint SOF and conventional Army methods for transport and delivery into the operational theater. 3.5.1 Air-Drop N/A 3.5.2 Door Bundle The transport cases can be safely delivered using standard door bundle techniques. 3.5.3 Vehicle Mounting N/A 3.5.4 Waterproof Container N/A 3.6 Environment 3.7 Operating Environment The radar system is able to operate in various environmental conditions found throughout the world as described: 3.7.1 Operating Temperature The system has been successfully tested to operate with external temperatures between -25° F and +120° F 3.7.2 Storage Temperature The system has been successfully tested at storage temperatures between -40° F and +160° F 3.7.3 Rain The system has demonstrated operation during wind driven rainfall at rates up to one inch per hour with no degradation in performance. 3.7.4 Dust. The system has been successfully tested, in operation and storage configurations, for dust. The dust environment consisted of dust particles such that: all particles pass through a 100 mesh screen, 98% pass through a 140 mesh screen, 90% pass through a 200 screen, and 75% of the particles pass through a 325 mesh screen. For the storage test the particle concentration was adjusted to 10.6 grams per cubic meter and blown at 8.9 meters per second. For the operational test the particle concentration was adjust ed to 0.177 grams per cubic meter and blown at 8.9 meters per second. Additionally, tests were conducted such that the dust particles were blowing with a horizontal, multidirectional wi nd velocity for 90 minutes in each configuration 3.7.5 Sand The system has been successfully tested, in operation and storage configurations, for sand. Sand composition ranged up to 500 micrometers (m) in size and had a subangular structure with a mean Krumbein number equal to 0.2 and a hardness factor of 7 Mohms. The dust test was conducted with concentrations between 0.5 and 2.2 g/m3 and a velocity of 18 m/s in both storage and operational configurations for periods of 90 minutes each. 3.7.6 Salt Atmosphere. N/A 3.7.7 Fungus. N/A 3.7.8 Humidity. N/A 3.8 Maintainability 3.8.1 BIT: The system has demontrated built-in-test functions that are capable of detecting and isolating faults to the LRU level 3.8.2 MTBF/MTTR: The system has been calculated to have a minimum MTBF of 1500 hours and a MTTR LRU failures of under 20 minutes. 3.9 External Finish The system is designed to emit low light levels and all external services are non-reflective. 3.10 Electromagnetic Interference/Electromagnetic Compatibility Tests (EMI/EMC) The system has been tested to MIL-STD-416E for emissions and susceptibility. APPENDIX A LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS DTED Digital Terrain Elevation Data EMC/EMI Electromagnetic Compatibility/Electromagnetic Compatibility NDI non-developmental item RCS Radar Cross Section LRU Line Replaceable Unit MTBF Mean Time Between Failure MTTR Mean Time To Repair SOF Special Operating Forces C2 Command and Control PDA Personnel Digital Assistant SUBMISSION: Responses to this RFI should be submitted no later 4:00 pm EDT on 28 April 2004. Electronic versions shall be submitted to Ms. Lori Cummins at contact@example.gov. COMMUNICATION WITH US ARMY: All correspondence and questions concerning this RFI shall be directed in writing to the above address, by phone +1 (555) 000-0000, or by email to contact@example.gov. Alternate point of contact is Mr. Mark Weber, phone +1 (555) 000-0000, e-mail contact@example.gov. SPONSOR: US Army CECOM, Attn: AMSEL-AC-CC-RT-E, Virginia Knight, Contracting Officer, Ft. Monmouth, NJ 07703-5000.