This is a Request for Information (RFI) by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) regarding heavy-lift air vehicles. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for the information solicited. The Government intends to issue a formal solicitation during the third quarter of calendar year 2004. The goal of this RFI and the subsequent Industry Day is to obtain information on innovative technological system or subsystem concepts that will enable the Government to fulfill the vision of the development of the Walrus air vehicle and to identify interest and qualification for participation in the program. The primary objective of the Walrus program is to demonstrate the feasibility and viability of a large lifting air vehicle able to transport a Unit of Action (UA) from ?Fort to Fight?. The Walrus air vehicle(s) will be capable of inter- and intra-theater operations and will deploy the UA as a complete integrated package of personnel and equipment, ready to fight. It is anticipated that the objective operational air vehicle will be capable of lifting 500 tons or more across intercontinental distances and will be capable of operating from unimproved landing sites. The Walrus air vehicle will also be suitable for a range of other missions requiring large platform and long endurance/range. It is expected that the Walrus air vehicle will be based on a ?hybrid? aircraft concept that generates lift through lighter-than-air gas buoyancy, as well as aerodynamic and propulsive methods. It is essential that the Walrus air vehicle not be constrained by the limitations of earlier airships that resulted in the military phasing out of airships in the early 1960s. As a heavier-than-air air vehicle, the Walrus will potentially employ a suite of new technologies that contribute to it having a multi-fold improvement in military utility over earlier airship designs. Successful integration and implementation of the following technologies and others will help accomplish the Government?s vision for WALRUS capability. These technologies include the development of a suitable air vehicle design concept (i.e. non-rigid, semi-rigid or rigid), a new structural design approach, an innovative lift and control strategy (e.g. use of vectored thrust, optimum heaviness ratio strategy, trim management, VTOL performance etc), an integrated propulsion system, a ground operating system (ground-to-air interface), a variety of on-board systems optimized to this type of air vehicle (e.g. fluid re-cycling/mass conservation), acceptable flight dynamics, a payload system, an adverse weather capability, an ability to station-keep and other unique system technologies. Innovative and high pay-off technology approaches are expected to be necessary to achieve desired operational performance and capability. Evaluation factors for the air vehicle design concept will include speed, useful payload, vertical take-off or landing (VTOL) capability, landing site limitations, un-refueled range, ground handling and safety (e.g. crosswind operations), station keeping and adverse weather condition capabilities, operational robustness, storage and conservation needs throughout operational life, affordability, and the ?heaviness ratio? (the difference of the vehicle total mass to the mass of air displaced). The Government anticipates a two-phase program with competitive core segments that will begin developing multiple objective air vehicle concepts supported by analytic design and risk reduction technology demonstrations. Phase I will include defining conceptual designs with consideration to enabling technologies and, conducting technology demonstrations to show feasibility where appropriate. Other tasks include modeling operational performance and capabilities and, further refinement of CONOPs through the use of decision analysis tools and trade studies. Through a competitive process, Phase II will involve downselection to a single source to develop the preferred objective air vehicle design including the flight testing of an Advanced Technology Demonstrator (ATD). The ATD is envisioned to be a scaled demonstrator to reduce risk for the full scale design. Phase II will immediately follow Phase I and start in mid FY05 and consist of detail design, fabrication, assembly, qualification and conduct flight testing. Each industry responses to this RFI may address the entire system, sub-system or can focus on solutions to individual technological challenges. Technology Responses: Technological challenges of particular interest are: minimum reliance on off-board ballast during missions (e.g. use of vacuum compensator tanks ? a.k.a. ?DARPA tanks?); propulsion systems tailored to the needs of the Walrus air vehicle; low speed maneuvering concepts; ground operating systems (ground-to-air interface); new structural materials and fabrics; ballast system concepts and other approaches to dealing with the large weight changes associated with unloading a heavy lift air vehicle, ease of loading/unloading operations; lowered skin friction aerodynamic drag; and, wind gust tolerance and controllability. System and Subsystem Responses: Companies should provide a high-level system description of a complete solution or a description of a subsystem technology that will enable or enhance the objectives for WALRUS. The responses should indicate how the system will overcome the capabilities listed in the first page (i.e. VTOL capability, damaged runway use, ballast system operations, others). Responses aimed at subsystem objective (propulsion system, ballast system) should discuss the foreseen challenges and possible uses of listed technologies and others in their solutions. RFI Instructions:Company responses to either technology, system or subsystem areas are encouraged to submit no more than a five page responses labeled ?company proprietary?. Companies providing ?technology responses? that are judged to have technical merit and deemed enabling for Walrus may be invited to discuss their solutions prior to industry day to explore expediting availability of those technologies. For all RFI responses, an additional, non-proprietary 6th page is also requested identifying your company name, technical point of contact and contact information, technical objective and unique development qualifications. The additional non-proprietary 6th page will be provided to Industry Day attendees to help encourage early teaming. RFI Responses should be digitally submitted and can be mailed or e-mailed to Preston Carter, DARPA Program Manager, at DARPA, TTO, 3701 N Fairfax Dr, Arlington, VA 22203 or
[email protected], respectively. RFI responses should be received no later than COB January 29, 2004. Industry Day: Industry Day will occur on or about March 20th, 2004. Respondents and others who are interested in attending industry day should check the www.DARPA.mil website for exact time and date. Interested parties desiring to attend the industry day should submit no more than two names with contact information (e-mail, company, telephone number and address) to
[email protected] with WALRUS Industry Day in the subject line. Any technical information submitted in response to this RFI is voluntary. The names and companies of industry day attendees will be provided to industry day attendees.