Naval Sea Systems Command, Attn: Code 02522, 2531 Jefferson Davis s Highway, Arlington, VA 22242-5160

A -- RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT POC Contracting Officer,G. Micheal Dodd, 602-7818 Research and Development Sources Sought for a new fleet Volume Surveillance Radar (VSR) that is under consideration by the Navy. A concept paper is requested from those companies that believe they are qualified to design, construct, and test the VSR. The concept paper should be submitted to the Naval Sea Systems Command, Attn: G. Michael Dodd (SEA 02522), 2531 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington VA within eighty (80) days of this announcement at no cost to the Government. A VSR Briefing previously announced and provided to attending Industry at Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) on 15 April 1997 as a guideline. Copies of the VSR Briefing will be made available upon request. NAVSEA requests a technical description of VSR concepts including such items as types of equipment, high level specifications for the equipment and critical components, a system performance analysis, ship integration considerations, and supportability issues. Production cost estimates at the major component level are also requested. Furthermore, development cost estimates and a discussion of candidate procurement strategies are requested. The VSR would replace the aging AN/SPS-48 and AN/SPS-49 series radars and would typically be installed on non-AEGIS type ships. One of the new radar's missions is to provide tracking of threats such as aircraft, missiles, ultra-light air vehicles (UAVs), and helicopters with rapid hand-off to engagement systems. Other missions include situational awareness and air traffic control. IFF and fire finding are goal missions which are desirable, if it is not a cost driver. The tentative radar coverage is 360 degrees in azimuth, 70 degrees in elevation, to 120,000 ft. in height with an instrumented range of 250 nmi. The VSR must be capable of operating in a littoral environment contaminated by land, sea, precipitation, bird, large discrete, and other clutter as well as by hostile radiated signals. Some guidelines for radar supportability are (1) Reliability: MTBF goal of 5000 hours, (2) Maintainability: Full built-in-test down to the LRU level with local maintenance and radar set control panel, (3) Training: Battle Force Tactical Training (BFTT) System compatible, (4) Manning: Minimal, (5) Environmental conditions: Ruggedized Commercial-Off-the-Shelf (COTS) equipment where possible, (6) Documentation and Logistics: Tailored MIL-STD. Flexibility should be a key issue. The largest desired antenna size and weight should be given so effects on ship construction can be determined. Modular construction should be considered to accommodate the changing COTS environments. The Navy is interested in having an Engineering Development Model (EDM) of the VSR ready for installation by the year 2003. Radar production would begin in the year 2005 with a cost goal of $10 million per system in FY97 dollars. (0128)

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