Test Infrastructure Resource Needs for Mobile High Energy Laser Measurement (MHELM) Sensors and Platform Capabilities

The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to obtain information for the purposes of market research which may inform future requirement and contract efforts for the Mobile High Energy Laser Measurement (MHELM) program. The U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI), Project Manager for Instrumentation, Targets, Threat Simulators and Special Operations Forces (SOF) Training Systems (PM ITTS) Instrumentation Management Office (IMO) is performing research to gather information and feedback from interested sources to help determine solution options, technical viability, schedule, cost, and risk regarding two distinct Department of Defense (DoD) Test and Evaluation (T&E) needs: 1) an irradiance measurement capability designed for use on supersonic missiles, and 2) a supersonic platform for testing and validation of HEL systems targeting supersonic targets. The first need (irradiance measurement capability) is addressed by installing the HEL sensors on the second need (supersonic platform). Program Description: The Mobile High Energy Laser Measurement (MHELM) program is a Test Resource Management Center (TRMC), Central Test and Evaluation Investment Program (CTEIP) effort to provide High Energy Laser (HEL) Test and Evaluation (T&E) capabilities. MHELM is currently in the CTEIP Enhanced Solution Phase (ESP). During CTEIP ESP the MHELM team, including DOD T&E stakeholders, are drafting Use Cases including test scenario concepts of operation (CONOPS) as well as requirements for the MHELM capabilities. The capabilities include irradiance measurements on a supersonic missile. The complexity of the Supersonic Target Irradiance Measurement (STIM) capabilities results in the need to conduct Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) which will be supported by responses to this RFI. The RFI topics below are based on the MHELM team's initial efforts to develop Use Cases, CONOPS, T&E capability requirements, and begin drafting AoA. PM ITTS IMO encourages all qualified organizations to present their experience and qualifications. - Test Resource Need - High Energy Laser (HEL) Irradiance Measurements (HIMS) The supersonic solution includes design, development and integration of a beam measurement sensor solution onto a supersonic missile target. The solution must be capable of surviving supersonic conditions and ideally should be reusable, depending on the soft-landing capability of the missile platform and the cost of the missile and sensors. Use cases include 1) a maritime HEL ship-based system with a supersonic anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) target on inbound and crossing trajectories, 2) a look-down air-to-air scenario with an air-based HEL system and a supersonic cruise missile target, and 3) a diving missile scenario from high altitude towards a ground-based HEL (not illustrated). **Illustrations provided as attachment in this notice** The DOD requires the capability to measure HEL beam spot irradiance profiles on a surrogate inflight supersonic missile target in representative operational scenarios. Peak irradiance (measured in W/cm2) of the laser spot is a key parameter that impacts the probability of kill and time to kill of a defensive HEL system under test (SUT). The effectiveness and suitability of the supersonic missile defense will require accurate measurement of the HEL beam irradiance profiles on the target, given real-world beam effects of diffraction, turbulence, jitter, extinction, scatter, etc. The technology proposed for the irradiance sensor must handle the following beam characteristics: Peak irradiance ? 17 kW/cm2 for 3 seconds, peak fluence ? 50 kJ/cm2 with accuracy of ? 10%, spatial resolution of ? 5 mm, and profile update rate of ? 100 Hz. The beam wavelength is in the range from 1040 nm to 1080 nm. The sensor area must be at least 20 cm by 20 cm, but may have to be curved to fit conformally with the missile outer surface. During testing the system is to wirelessly provide near real-time measurement data to the ground and is to store data onboard the target as a back-up for post flight data retrieval. There are three major data products required by the solution. The first data product is near real-time images displayed at the ground station, based on raw measurement system data. These uncalibrated spot profiles show beam position and size on the measurement system. The purpose is to provide the tester confidence that good data is being acquired. Both individual beam profiles and a video sequence of profiles are displayed to reveal any dynamic beam profile changes in size, shape, centroid, irradiance distribution, and beam jitter. The second product is near real-time (? 5 sec) measurement system irradiance profiles. These single frames and movie products display irradiance that has been calibrated for sensor response and angle-of-incidence effects. The following parameters which characterize the beam spot will be calculated and displayed: peak irradiance, diameter, total power, accumulated peak fluence, and jitter. The third data product is the beam irradiance profile translated into a plane perpendicular to the incoming beam axis, delivered within 24 hours. (The beam incidence angle is determined from the scenario geometry and the missile orientation.) The same descriptive parameters listed above are also to be displayed. - Test Resource Need - Supersonic Platform for Irradiance Sensors The DOD requires a supersonic test platform to support the HEL Supersonic Target Irradiance Measurements (STIM) capability. Respondent should provide potential solutions for surrogate supersonic missiles. The missile should be capable of airspeeds at and above Mach 2.0. The missile frame should provide a location for installation of a sensor package approximately 30 cm by 30 cm in area and 10 cm in depth. The sensor array is not necessarily flat but may be contoured to conform with the missile exterior shape. The sensor installation location should have an unobstructed field-of-view towards the front and side to view the incoming beam on nose and side engagements. Often supersonic testing can have high associated costs. Solutions for the surrogate supersonic missile targets themselves are requested. Additionally, solutions for testing and validating the solution during integration prior to the costlier operational flight tests are encouraged. Acquisition Strategy: The Government is exploring a range of acquisition strategies and plans to utilize the information gained from responses to this RFI to help further shape the acquisition strategy. Response Requested: These topic descriptions are not meant to be exhaustive, but rather to challenge the reader to create and submit innovative approaches that have the potential to advance HEL test and evaluation (T&E). Responses should address solutions to develop capabilities and/or for advancing technology beyond capabilities currently in use. Persons/firms contemplating submission of a response should carefully examine this RFI and are encouraged to contact the technical Point of Contact (POC) to ascertain the extent of interest in an approach or for clarification(s). Interested parties in any or all of these areas should provide information on their knowledge of and experience in the design, development, implementation and documentation of HEL T&E in their white paper. Infrastructure requirements and capabilities should be included in their white paper. Information relating to rough-order-of-magnitude (ROM) estimates for schedule and resources to research (achieve technology readiness level (TRL) 6) or develop the capability (achieve TRL 8 or higher) is encouraged. Sources having the capabilities to meet any or all of the RFI topic requirements are invited to respond to this notice no later than 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 28 February 2019. Responses should be limited to a five (5) page white paper per topic, not including cover page, cover letter, and table of contents. Multiple white papers may be submitted by each offeror; however, each white paper must address only one topic. Any proprietary concepts of information should be clearly identified as such. Submitted data and information will not be returned. Any information submitted in response to this Request for Information Notice is strictly voluntary. This notice is for information planning purposes and the Government will not pay or otherwise reimburse respondents for information submitted. Electronic responses are required and shall be submitted to: Constance Kim, Contract Specialist, constance.kim2.civ@mail.mil and cc to the Technical POC, Trung.d.nguyen2.civ@mail.mil. All emails should include in the subject line the Reference Number and the submitting organization's name. All documentation shall become the property of the Government. DISCLAIMER: This notice does not constitute an invitation for bids or a request for proposal and is not a commitment by the U.S. Government to procure subject products or services, nor will the Government reimburse any parties for costs associated with this request. The Government will use the information received to forge its acquisition strategy. Additionally, all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. No basis for a claim against the Government shall arise as a result from a response to this RFI.