Gun-Launched, Guided Projectile (GLGP) Request for Information

Projectile seeker technologies are needed to achieve terminal guidance efficiently and successfully. The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) is seeking information from industry for a seeker solution to support advancing US Navy technology for guided projectiles. The US Navy is actively developing gun-launched, guided projectile systems to engage a variety of targets, primarily Cruise Missiles, but also FAC/FIAC (Fast Attack Craft / Fast Inshore Attack Craft). Due to gun pointing errors, projectile dispersion, threat maneuverability, and longer fly-out times associated with extended range intercepts, guided projectiles with a combination of lethality and accuracy technology innovations are required to defeat threats of interest. In addition, the US Navy is interested in limiting the topside and combat system modifications to Navy ships in order to implement a guided projectile solution. The response should include: 1. SEEKER TYPE. The US Navy is interested in a variety of seeker solutions, in particular, fully active Radio Frequency (RF) and passive optic seeker types. These two seeker families have been emphasized because they minimize platform modifications while providing system capability against raids and enabling over the horizon terminal operation. It may be assumed that midcourse guidance can be implemented with SPY radar and a platform-to-projectile, 2-way datalink. Responses should include a description of the seeker, including technology used, operational modes and functional description. 2. SEEKER SWaP - SIZE. Guided projectile designs have significant volumetric limitations, and all volume is bought at the expense of warhead size. Attachment A notionally defines the approximate volume requirement for the seeker; this attachment is available upon request with submission of the provided "Terms of Use" form. Should the recipient elect to deviate from the volume requirement outlined in Attachment A, the recipient should provide adequate reasoning regarding the design necessity of modifying the volume. Support structures outside of the specified volume, such as sabots, may be acceptable. Responses should include a physical description of the seeker, including dimensions and a diagram showing how it would fit in the volume identified in Attachment A. If technologies other than active RF or passive optic are identified, responses should include a physical description of any required supporting infrastructure (e.g. illuminators or designators), including dimensions, maturity level, and a diagram of how it would integrate with the MK 34 Gun Weapon System (GWS) on CG 47 Cruisers and DDG 51 Destroyers. 3. SEEKER SWaP - WEIGHT. To maintain ballistic stability, projectiles tend to be nose-heavy. For that reason, there is not a maximum weight for any proposed seeker solution. Responses should include weight and Center of Gravity (CG) of the proposed seeker solution. 4. SEEKER SWaP - POWER. The power required to energize passive, semi-active and active seekers can vary over multiple orders of magnitude. The available volume of a high velocity guided projectile is very limited which emphasizes the importance of high energy density power sources. Generally, the maximum volume allocated to the Seeker's Power System is defined by a cylindrical space 2 inches in diameter and 4.5 inches long. This power source should have a 20-year Shelf Life and be capable of providing maximum output for a period of at least 3 seconds, with a variable initiation time depending on the time-of-flight to the target and the Target type. 5. SEEKER LOCATION. The proposed seeker volume exists in the front of the projectile. In general, this is required to allow for the forward aperture required to acquire and track targets. However, it is preferable to keep the front of a guided projectile relatively dense to maintain aerodynamic stability. For this reason, the US Navy is also interested in novel seeker solutions which do not use traditional lightweight, low density Radomes such as arrays of conformal antennas and distributed aperture concepts. Responses should include a detailed description of the proposed location and function of the seeker as integrated with a guided projectile. 6. SEEKER FIELD OF VIEW. Without the benefit of traditional gimbals, a body-fixed seeker's field-of-view (FoV) must be large enough to contain the look angle to the target and the angle of attack of the airframe required for intercept maneuvers. Moreover, measurement of these combined angles must be linear over the entire FoV for a wide range of signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). Mid-course guidance can be used to minimize the FoV requirements but, in general, the FoV will be much greater for body-fixed seekers. Gimbaled systems add cost and complexity but can be pointed at the target prior to acquisition and the additional benefit of body motion decoupling reduce the required FoV significantly. Imaging seekers will have to deal with problems caused by image blooming and aim point shifts during end game. In general, the Navy is interested in gimbaled and body-fixed seeker technologies. If possible, responses should include FoV and sensitivity trades for gimbaled and body-fixed seekers that support any proposed technical solution. 7. TECHNOLOGY READINESS. Responses should include an assessment of the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and reliability of the seeker in its proposed mission areas. TRL claims should be substantiated, where possible, including descriptions of any analyses and test and evaluation. Responses should also include substantiated Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) of the seeker and its subcomponents. Details of previously conducted test events and results should be included. Events planned in the next 12 months with the goal of improving TRL and MRL should be described. 8. DEVELOPMENT COST AND SCHEDULE. Responses should include a schedule estimate to mature the seeker to a TRL 8/MRL 7. Assume 50 units to be delivered to the US Navy for qualification testing. 9. PRODUCTION COST. Responses should include a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) estimate for average Unit Production Cost for a quantity of 10,000 units over 5 years. Required Submittal Format: - All submitted information should be at the unclassified level - Report requested in Microsoft Word document, Times New Roman font 12, 1" margins, 20 page limit to convey details of the potential seeker technology that could support the requirement - Summary requested in Microsoft Power Point or Adobe PDF with no more than 10 slides. - Label any information that is considered proprietary As a Minimum, all responses should have at least the following: - Company Name and Address - Point of Contact (to include phone/fax/e-mail) - Corporate POC (to include phone/fax/e-mail) - Technical POC (to include phone/fax/e-mail) - Cage Code - NAICS Codes - Business Size and Status - Type of Small Business (if applicable, i.e. 8(a), woman-owned, HUB zone, etc.) - Capability Statement - Specific customers (for previous or similar contracts held) - Other material (relevant to establishing core competencies of the firm) NAVSEA may request further information regarding the capabilities of respondents to meet the requirements as deemed necessary. All potential sources with the capability to accomplish the requirements referenced in this notice are invited to submit written information sufficient to demonstrate the respondent's ability to fulfill the requirements described in this notice. Responses to this notice must be submitted via email to the points of contact listed at the bottom of this notice, and must be received no later than12:00 PM ET (provide date); early submissions are encouraged. All correspondence sent via email shall contain a subject line that reads "5-inch Guided Projectile RFI". Responses MUST be UNCLASSIFIED. Attachments with files ending in .zip or .exe are not allowable and will not get through e-mail filters. Ensure only Portable Document Format (PDF) and Microsoft Office document formats are attached to your email. All other attachments may be deleted. It is the responsibility of any potential offeror to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this requirement. If responses contain proprietary data, it shall be marked appropriately. It is the respondent's responsibility to clearly define to the Government what is considered proprietary data. All information received that includes proprietary markings will be handled in accordance with applicable statutes and regulations. Responses to this notice will not be returned. An acknowledgement of receipt will be provided for all responses received. If you do not receive an acknowledgement within two working days, please notify the points of contact listed in this notice. THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation or obligation on the part of the Government. Neither unsolicited proposals nor any other kind of offers will be considered in response to this notice. Respondents are wholly responsible for any costs or expenses associated with submitting a response. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this notice or any further requests for information relating to a response. Respondents will not be notified of the results of this notice. The information obtained from submitted responses may be used in the development of an acquisition strategy.