Mission Index Flying for AMC

AIR MOBILITY COMMAND (AMC) MISSION INDEXED FLYING This Request for Information (RFI) is issued for informational and planning purposes only. Please note that the Air Force will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties in responding to this request for information. In accordance with the AMC Vice Commander's charter for the HQ AMC Fuel Efficiency Office (AMC FEO), AMC FEO is in the process of conducting market research aimed at determining the commercial availability of a mission indexed flying system that will allow AMC to optimize flight planning and execution without requiring an onboard Flight Management Computer System (FMCS) or changes to current Computer Flight Planning (CFP) software. This is not a solicitation for competitive bid, nor will it obligate the government to any contractual action. The Mission Indexed Flying performance requirements are as follows: A. Provide cruise optimization options for various desired flight outcomes including minimum overall operating costs, minimum flight time, and minimum fuel burn for maximum range. B. Optimize flight level prediction for cruise flight and holding / loiter operations. C. Provide climb and descent optimization based upon transition from standard aircraft climb / descent IAS values transitioning to / from an optimized climb / descent Mach number. D. Provide descent data to include descent planning information in terms of both optimal flight path angle data and miles to go to descend, to enable idle thrust power off descents at the desired speed profile. E. Incorporate a functionality to enable pilots to compare current flight conditions to known conditions at another flight level to determine the most efficient choice. F. Provide performance limit data (max FL, max Mach), based on current conditions. G. Allow for pilot selectable (or AMC selectable) buffet protection levels. H. Using the inputs of takeoff weight, departure airport altitude, destination airport altitude, Mission Index, Flight Plan Type (Departure to Destination, Departure to Enroute point, Enroute point to Enroute point, Enroute point to Destination), provide for a full flight profile solution including climb and descent, and step climb and descent when necessary, computed from solution of the equations of motion and Mission Index Optimization in cruise flight. I. Provide the aforementioned capability for a selectable number of flight plan legs, each accommodating data input for distance, wind component, ISA deviation, selected FL or optimal FL, selected Mach or optimal Mach and buffet margin. Provide the total leg distance, total fuel burn, total flight time, flight level (selected or optimal), Mach number (selected or optimal), true airspeed, and groundspeed for each leg. J. Display for a pilot selected required time of arrival (RTA) the computed Window of Opportunity for the flight which provides the pilot with the minimum flight fuel burn (longest flight time) and minimum flight time (highest fuel burn). From this data the pilot will be able to select any RTA between the minimum and maximum values. Compute a Mission Index solution which will achieve the RTA and provide the flight profile for the selected number of legs. K. Provide an optional burn limit to the pilot that will allow an attempt to achieve the RTA, but limit fuel burn to a specific value. If RTA cannot be achieved within the selected burn limit, provide a Mission Index value that gives the closest flight time possible to RTA while respecting the burn limit. L. Be compatible with existing electronics currently operating on the aircraft, but without interfacing with aircraft systems in any way. M. Provide a software training package for each individual pilot, as well as an on-site training program for a small group of aircraft experts to be selected by AMC. The information requested herein will be used within the Air Force to facilitate decision making and will not be disclosed outside the agency. Should a future requirement(s) evolve from this preliminary planning process, it is anticipated the period of performance will be a 1 year base period plus 3 one-year option periods. Base year will begin with the C-17, option years are "to be determined". AMC requests any qualified businesses that are capable and potentially interested in providing a mission indexed flying solution please reply to this RFI stating their interest and attaching a capability package including the following information: 1) name and address of company; 2) company point of contact including telephone, fax, and email address; 3) identify business size (large, small, disadvantaged, women-owned, 8 (a), HUBZone, etc); and 4) information demonstrating the company's ability to perform the potential requirement as described above. Also, provide a rough order of magnitude (ROM) cost for providing a mission indexed flying solution for AMC. The ROM should be an estimated cost per fleet type for the C-17 (est. 212 aircraft), C-5 (est. 111 aircraft), KC-135 (est. 460 aircraft), KC-10 (est. 59 aircraft), and C-130 (est. 430 aircraft). The capability package must be clear, concise, and complete and be submitted by 12 February 2010, 12 p.m. central via e-mail to Michael.davidson@scott.af.mil. Please refer any questions to the referenced email addresses or to (618) 256-9968.