18ACCS BDR-DDR Salient Characteristics.docx

Salient Characteristics

Avian and UAS Radar

18th ACCS, Robins AFB, GA

28 May 2024

1. GENERAL

Robins AFB currently does not have an Avian Radar system to meet airfield BASH safety requirements or drone detection capability for midair collision avoidance (MACA) and airfield security requirements, nor does it have an operational airfield camera system for bird and drone target confirmation. Due to the increasing volume of local flight operations coupled with a significant BASH and MACA threat, a bird detection radar with drone detection and target confirmation capability is critical to the safety of flight operations at Robins AFB.

2. CAPABILITES (OR EQUAL)

The Bird Detection Radar/Drone Detection Radar (BDR/DDR) system shall provide bird and UAS detection, as well as an airfield camera/video system, to be installed on the airfield at Robins AFB. The BDR/DDR will provide collection, analysis, and presentation of the bird and UAS position and movement data to include displays and warning alerts, along with any necessary equipment needed to provide the following:

a. The system must be able to provide avian target counts, total avian radar cross-section, location (bearing, range, and altitude), direction of travel, speed, and size data for the departure/arrival corridor and pattern for Runway 15/33 from an Above Ground Level (AGL) height of 0-2,500 feet, and provide alerts to specific risks in these critical flight areas during flight operations.

b. The system must provide full volume 3-dimensional data (bearing, range, and altitude) out to 4nm, to include avian target counts, total avian radar cross-section, direction of travel, speed, and size data, and provide presentation of that data, for 360-degrees during flight operations. Bearing, range and altitude discrimination are essential in the Runway 15/33 departure/arrival corridors and pattern to an altitude of 2,000 feet AGL or more. The system must update target data across the entire 3D volume continually with a refresh rate of no less than 4 times per second, providing precise (x-y-z) data with minimal target or track error.

c. The system must provide 2-dimensional data (bearing and range) out to 8 nm, to include avian target counts, total avian radar cross-section, direction of travel, speed, and size of large targets, to include presentation of that data, for 360-degrees of coverage with a full volume refresh rate of no less than once per 3 seconds during flight operations.

d. Thermal modeling shall be employed into the risk analysis to better target altitudes of concern with thermals utilized by raptors/vultures.

e. The system must provide 360-degree UAS detection equipment with real time coverage at Robins AFB at no less than 4NM and a range of 0-5,000 feet AGL.

f. The system must include a radar-controlled Electro-Optical/Infrared (EOIR) camera/video for bird and UAS target confirmation. The camera must be able to be controlled remotely by the user and be capable of being slewed to the radar to enable it to follow targets via automatic pan, tilt, and zoom (PTZ). The camera must have built-in capability to operate precipitation and in freezing temperatures (For example, windscreen wiper and heated defogger). The camera/video system must include capability for video/still image storage and playback.

g. The system must be capable of providing visual alarms for condition changes.

h. The Contractor shall work with 18 ACCS/78 ABW Flight Safety personnel and USDA Wildlife Biologist to establish initial operational parameters and BDR set up to include threshold recommendations for moderate and severe Bird Watch Conditions which will be established following annual risk assessment of Robins AFB strike and BDR/DDR data. Alarm thresholds shall be set based on number, size, altitudes, and direction of travel of avian targets in each sector. Determination of size and shape of sectors shall be established during system set up. Subsequent periodic updates to risk thresholds and sectors size and shape are essential and shall be based on the needs of the customer.

i. The system must provide daily, weekly, and monthly target passage rates and directional distributions of targets by hour both horizontally and vertically. These reports are vital in creating historical data and in determining migration patterns and peak target passage rates for Robins AFB.

j. All major components of the system equipment must be configured to accept external power. During power outages, the system must be able to provide data for 2 hours. Backup Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) with additional battery units or backup generator will be added to the system to provide at least 2 hours run time during power outages.

k. The system must be self-contained and will not be connected to any government owned/operated computer systems or networks unless authorized. Data collection and dissemination will be achieved by a Contractor provided computer system or network with high-speed data service or capability with bandwidth sufficient to stream a minimum HD video resolution of 720p or 1080p and other required data for normal operations to include remote updates; web page feeds; and other data visualization requirements. Data shall be monitored and displayed in a secure manner that allows for access through a standard web browser by computers provided by and connected to the BDR/DDR. The system shall be fully operated and maintained by the contractor, to include end user technical support.

l. The system shall include at a minimum two monitors or displays with one in the Wing Safety Office and one in Base Operations with point-to-point wireless receive capability (or other available data connections) from the BDR/DDR. Additionally, there should be an optional third monitor or display located in the Robins AFB Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower. Ruggedized tablet-style monitor or portable laptop display is preferred. The system display software must include the capability to provide a graphical, color-shaded presentation of the current bird strike risk level presented as Low (Green), Moderate (Yellow) or Severe (Red) by user selectable zones. The risk zones must capable of being custom set by the user as polygons and the risk threshold at which the risk level changes will also be user selectable. The integrated risk graph must the user to see the current risk levels while still keeping the main features of the display in view.

m. The display software must allow user to jump between map view and the camera.

The system must take inputs from the different sensors and automatically slew the camera and zooms in to a user selected location for target confirmation.

n. All system data collected shall be with the 18 ACCS/78 ABW upon contract fulfillment or termination in a format consistent with data accessibility principles. The Contractor must provide sufficient data storage of all raw data collected for up to 5 years to allow for historical data analysis.

o. The Contractor will conduct up to two scheduled site visits to Robins AFB each year. During these visits the contractor will provide preventive maintenance on the system to include system checks, installation of software upgrades, defective or failed component replacement or repair, and performance testing. All site visits will be coordinated and scheduled with 18 ACCS/78 ABW. This does not preclude the vendor from conducting additional assistance visits at times agreeable to 18 ACCS/78 ABW. The contractor will also provide remote 24-7 telephone and internet technical support, remote system monitoring and remote specialized radar operating system software upgrades.

p. The Contractor shall provide up to 4 reoccurring training sessions to 18 ACCS/78 ABW personnel. Training sessions can be part of regularly scheduled assistance visits.

q. The Contractor shall provide training for users on system operation, minor system maintenance, monitor/display operation, and data extraction and evaluation in association with site visits. The contractor shall ensure that appropriate on-station personnel fully understand technical system use, to include data capture, storage, and extraction.

r. Contact numbers shall be provided by the Contractor if distance troubleshooting is needed.

s. The Contractor shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, Federal Law(s), State Law(s), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, Department of Defense, Department of the Air Force, and installation regulations.

3. REQUIREMENTS

a. The BDR/DDR will use a system comprised of solid-state 2D surveillance and full volume 3D Doppler radars to provide bird and UAS detection.

b. ASTERIX (All-purpose Structured Euro control Surveillance Information Exchange) Format-Compliant.

c. Integrated ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) receiver.

d. 16 bit or higher high-rate signal processing.

e. Variable electronically controlled scan rate.

f. J/F-12 Certification to radiate.

g. Frequency deconfliction with existing X-band emitters/transmitters/receivers to ensure no radar interference issues with low-power equipment.

h. Multi- range system processing to detect concurrent avian and UAS hazards at close to intermediate ranges (4nm) and larger hazards (large birds, flocks, and UAS) at longer range (8nm).

i. Radar scanning design capable of bird and UAS detection, bird and UAS tracking, automatic Bird Watch Condition recommendations and risk assessment within 4nm of Robins AFB.

j. Base equipment platform, radar towers and structural components must be made of marine grade corrosion resistant materials.

k. Provide all power system components consisting of switches, controllers, applicable code compliant wiring and commercial power connection with 25 ft. power cable (110/220 VAC,60/30 amp service required). The government will provide shore power as the primary power source.

l. SQL data system (MS SQL based) and webserver for real-time risk assessment, display, alerting, archiving, analysis and reporting of processed bird and UAS target and track data at the site including an auto reporter and full set of standard BASH reports and queries.

m. The Contractor shall provide descriptive literature of the BDR/DDR being proposed and demonstrate that the system meets requirements outlined in the Performance Work Statement.

n. The Contractor shall implement procedures, maintain equipment, and schedule monitoring procedures adequate to provide performance reporting and timely identification and resolution of all problems that affect proper BDR/DDR operation.

o. The Contractor shall provide technical assistance on short notice if BDR/DDR degradation is experienced. Due to the criticality of the bird and UAS strike avoidance data to flight operations, the Contractor shall provide available technical and operations & maintenance support within 2 hours upon notification during normal working hours (0700-1700 M-F) and onsite support within 48 hours of notification Monday through Friday and 72 hours during the weekend and/or holidays for major equipment malfunctions not associated with operator negligence.