14 -- JSOW All-Weather Seeker Sources Sought

The NAVAIR Conventional Strike Weapons Program Office (PMA-201) is currently seeking sources for a low cost near all-weather seeker for the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW). Other potential applications include the Joint Air to Surface Standoff Weapon (JASSM) and Harpoon. JSOW is a thousand pound class air-to-surface weapon that currently has both an imaging infra-red terminal guidance capability that is capable in degraded weather operation and a global positioning system aided inertial capability capable of all weather operation. PMA-201 is seeking sources to provide a low cost precision engagement terminal guidance capability in expanded weather conditions against fixed, stationary and moving targets. Autonomous target acquisition and recognition capability is desired. JSOW production rates are assumed to be 500 units per year and a total buy of more than 2000 units. The cost objective for the integrated seeker is $20K.The current seeker weight with support structure (but excluding the bulkhead and outer skin) is approximately 40 pounds. Total volume available in the nose is approximately 850 cubic inches. Cross section varies from 0 to approximately 13 inches over its 23 inches of length. The Government intends to test selected sources starting in mid-FY05 to establish a common database for a future acquisition. The formal insertion program is expected to begin in 2008, production in 2010. Candidate guidance systems must have a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) > 6 or the capability to achieve this level through participation in the test program by the end of 2007. TRL 6 refers to prototypes that have been demonstrated in a relevant environment. For more information concerning TRL definitions please refer to the GAO/NSIAD-99-162 “Best Practices” guide. Interested parties are requested to reply by 31 June 2004 to CDR Thomas Hole (301) 757-7456 or Mr. Rex Roberts (301) 757-7462. Email addresses are [email protected] and [email protected], respectively. Please provide a technical briefing that includes your company’s capability to provide mature sensor technology emphasizing cost, weather, and autonomous detection and recognition characteristics.