Aerospace Systems Air Platform Technology Research (ASAPTR)

The Air Force Research Laboratory established this Master IDIQ on September 7, 2017, to conduct research developing, demonstrating, integrating, and transitioning aerospace vehicle technologies and systems for cost-effective platforms capable of accurate delivery of weapons, payloads, and cargo worldwide. The vehicle's ordering period closed on August 29, 2022, making it inactive for new task orders.

The vehicle is no longer a viable pursuit vehicle. Only one task order has been awarded since the ordering deadline passed (January 20, 2023), and that represented a tail-end obligation under an existing delivery order structure. The combined task-order potential value of $158.5 million sits 82 percent obligated at $130 million, with the portfolio declining sharply in ordering frequency—from 11 orders in 2019 to a single order in 2023. No new orders are possible.

Among the 36 task orders awarded, scope centers on composite structures, propulsion integration, structural analysis tools, low-cost attritable aircraft platforms, and hypersonic flight control technologies. Named programs include Low Cost Attritable Aircraft Platform Sharing (LCAAPS), Little Horned Owl, Great Horned Owl, and fail-safe bonded composite structures research. All work is performed under cost-plus-fixed-fee arrangements.

Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation dominates by potential value at $60.8 million across 7 orders, followed by Lockheed Martin Corporation at $44.7 million (10 orders), General Atomics Aeronautical Systems at $22.2 million (6 orders), and The Boeing Company at $20.1 million (8 orders). These four primes capture the vast majority of activity. Funding concentrates within the Air Force: the Department of the Air Force placed 17 orders valued at $95 million, and the Air Force Materiel Command Research Laboratory (the contracting office) placed another 17 orders valued at $55 million. All 36 task orders carried unrestricted, competitive designations with no set-aside structure. Typical task-order values range from under $500 thousand to $12.5 million obligated, with several mega-orders in the $9 million to $34 million range (Great Horned Owl at $34 million obligated against a $36.6 million ceiling).

Master IDIQ to conduct research to develop, demonstrate, integrate and transition new aerospace vehicle technologies and systems that will provide affordable, revolutionary capabilities to the warfighter. These technology developments will provide for cost effective aerospace vehicle platforms capable of accurate delivery of weapons, payloads (e.g., sensors), and cargo worldwide.