Survivability Sensor Suite (SSS) for Class III and Class IV Unmanned Air Vehicles
Revision F August 8, 2006
1.0 SCOPE
This Request for Information is issued by Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems (NGES, Baltimore, Maryland) as the Future Combat Systems Aerial Sensor Integrator (FCS-ASI). As the FCS-ASI, NGES is tasked with specifying, procuring, and integrating sensors for the FCS family of Unmanned Air Vehicle Systems (UAVS). This RFI is issued to solicit information from potential sources of an airborne Survivability Sensor Suite to be installed on the Class III and Class IV UAVS as early as FY 2010.
1.1 System Description
The Survivability Sensor Suite (SSS) system under consideration is intended to provide warning to the host platform that it has been acquired or targeted by a surface-to-air threat system. As an objective, the system should also provide warning of air-to-air threats that have similarly acquired or targeted the host platform. Whenever possible, such warning should be provided before the host vehicle has approached within the lethal radius surrounding the threat so that threat avoidance maneuvering may be accomplished. When this is not possible, the nature and approximate location of the detected threat should still be reported to the host platform in a timely manner, so that this information may be relayed to the UAV's ground controllers before the vehicle is lost to hostile action.
The system envisioned will consist of an integrated suite of sensors with common processing as depicted in Figure 1, linked to the host platform via a single Ethernet connection. Sensors will provide the following functions:
- Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) -- required
- Missile Plume Detector (MPD) -- required
- Laser Warning Sensor (LWS) -- optional
The objective weight allocation for the SSS should not exceed 30 pounds, exclusive of cabling and mounting hardware, but inclusive of all sensors and associated processing hardware as depicted in Figure 1. The objective power budget should not exceed 600 Watts. The target vehicles for this sensor suite also have a Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (MILES) and Tactical Engagement Simulation System (TESS) threat engagement simulation requirement. If the optional Laser Warning Sensor could also provide this functionality, the above weight and power allocations could be increased by up to 25% each.
1.2 Number of Systems to be Procured
Current U.S. Army plans call for the procurement of the following numbers of Class III and IV UAVs.
Table 1 Estimated Production Quantities
| Production Quantities | Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY | '12 | '13 | '14 | '15 | '16 | '17 | '18 | '19 | '20 | '21 | '22 | '23 | |
| CL III | 17 | 33 | 50 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 50 | 750 |
| CL IV | 9 | 17 | 26 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 38 | 38 | 38 | 24 | 390 |
Production quantities for the SSS will be one per vehicle, plus spares. Initial procurements, to include first article integration and test units, along with possible low rate initial production deliveries, may occur as early as FY 2010.
1.3 Host Vehicle Description and Mission
The FCS Class III and IV UAVs are fixed wing or rotary wing air platforms that perform Reconnaissance, Search and Target Acquisition (RSTA) missions. The air platforms carry modular sensor payloads and embedded mission equipment. The Survivability Sensor Suite described herein will be part of the embedded vehicle avionics and will fly in all configurations of the air vehicle in order to enhance vehicle survivability.
2.0 TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
What follows is a brief description of each of the three major functions of the SSS along with tables of critical system parameters.
2.1 Radar Warning Receiver (RWR)
The RWR detects threats identified by RF emissions from radar directed weapon systems. The detection of all threat radar emissions (surface and airborne) present on the modern battlefield is an objective. The detected radar pulses are de-interleaved, their characteristics are measured, and reported to the host vehicle processor (see Figure 1) using Threat Descriptor Words (TDW) messages.
Table 2 Critical RWR Parameters
| System Frequency Range |
| Pulse Width Range |
| Pulse Repetition Interval Range |
| Field of View |
| System Sensitivity |
| System Dynamic Range |
| Probability of Intercept |
| False Alarm Rate |
| LOB Resolution / Accuracy |
| Types of Threats Detected |
| Reporting Latency |
| Max # of Threats Simultaneously Processed |
2.2 Missile Plume Detector (MPD)
The MPD detects missile booster plumes and measures their photonic signature in the appropriate bands (e.g. ultra-violet, visible, and/or infrared). The detection and classification of rocket motor plumes is a threshold requirement. The ability to detect and classify other battlefield photonic events (e.g. muzzle flashes) is an objective requirement. The photonic signature measurements include event type (missile, tank muzzle flash, explosive flash, artillery fire, small arms fire, etc.), event position, and the band of interest used in the detection. In the event that object velocity (missile launches) can be determined, that too should be reported. Detected signatures are reported to the host vehicle processor (see Figure 1) using Threat Descriptor Words (TDW) messages.
Table 3 Critical MPD Parameters
| Threat Characterization |
| Spectrum Bands |
| Threats Simultaneity |
| System Field of View |
| System Sensitivity |
| System Dynamic Range |
| Probability of Intercept |
| False Alarm Rate |
| LOB Resolution / Accuracy |
| Types of Threats Detected |
| Reporting Latency |
| Max # of Threats Simultaneously Processed |
2.3 Laser Warning Sensor (LWS)
The LWS is an optional sensor which detects threats identified by laser emissions from laser guided or aided weapon system. The ability to support MILES and TESS threat engagement simulation is an objective requirement for this sensor. Detected laser pulses are de-interleaved, their characteristics are measured, and reported to the host vehicle processor (see Figure 1) using Threat Descriptor Word (TDW) messages.
Table 4 Critical LWS Parameters
| Spectrum Bands |
| Laser PRI Range |
| Laser PW Range |
| System Field of View |
| System Sensitivity |
| Probability of Intercept |
| False Alarm Rate |
| LOB Resolution / Accuracy |
| Types of Threats Detected |
| Reporting Latency |
| Max # of Threats Simultaneously Processed |
3.0 REQUESTED RESPONSE
The FCS-ASI is soliciting input to help define the current state-of-the-art of lightweight airborne survivability sensors, and to determine future technology trends. This data may be used to conduct a weight vs. performance trade analysis, and to subsequently create a procurement specification for the Class III / IV Survivability Sensor Suite. To facilitate this process, we are requesting that potential offerors provide the following information:
- Describe your technical approach and deliverable operational characteristics of an integrated solution, along with system weight and power requirements and an estimate of the system's average unit production cost (AUPC). Describe any optional sensors / functions. Specify to what degree this approach incorporates off-the-shelf technology and what level of NRE would be involved in the development of the proposed integrated solution. Estimate the lead time for production systems. If development is involved, provide details about the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of the proposed solution, and should the TRL level be less than 6, provide a growth plan to TRL 6.
- Describe the threat parameters reported by your system (see Tables 2 through 4). Include the approximate detection latency and reporting times for each class of threat detected. Assuming an ideal platform installation, describe the line-of-bearing (LOB) accuracy of the system in both azimuth and elevation. Estimate the number and type of sensors required to provide a full 360 degree field of coverage in all modes (RWR, MPD, and LWS), to include upper hemisphere coverage as an objective.
- Assuming that a Nav/Time interface is available from the host platform, describe the data needed by your system.
- Assuming a demo can be provided, provide a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimate and timetable for such a demo, along with a brief description of the system to be demonstrated and its status (e.g. brassboard, production unit, etc.).
- Identify potential subcontractors or teaming arrangements, in the event that your company does not currently offer an integrated solution as described above.
- Final system performance requirements will be tailored around what can be attained within the weight constraints, though the final weight allocation is TBD. A weight vs. performance analysis will be conducted.
The response to this RFI will allow the FCS-ASI to generate the following table which may be used in a subsequent procurement.
| SSS Function | Estimated TRL | Size, Weight & Power (SWAP) | Avg. Unit Production Cost (AUPC) | Technical Approach | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RWR | Critical Parameter (CP) Based Functionality 1..N | ||||
| MPD | CP Functionality 1..N | ||||
| LWS | CP Functionality 1..N | ||||
3.1 Responses
Respondents need to complete the questionnaire in the announcement and email responses to survivabilitysuite@ngc.com or mail to the address provided below. If classified information is to be sent, contact the undersigned prior to submission. The Solicitation Number for this announcement is PSCD-06-4500.
The mailing address is:
Northrop Grumman Corporation
P.O. Box 1693
Airport Plaza, MS#1700
Baltimore, MD 21203
Attn: Dr. Dan Gilbert
The FedEx address is:
Northrop Grumman Corporation
1745A West Nursery Road
MS#1700
Linthicum, MD 21090
Attn: Dr. Dan Gilbert
Phone: (410)765-7413