7.TO2 SOO.docx

Attachment 7

TO2 SOO

BAA FA8650-23-S-5720

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES

Manufacturing Readiness and Process Technology Assessments for Hypersonics Background: Continuing requirements to field hypersonic strike and strategic system capabilities in the next few years are dramatically increasing demand for specialized materials and manufacturing process technologies. The current industrial base for these materials and processes is immature and is primarily limited to small and medium sized companies developing prototype systems at low rate. In response to this emerging need, the Air Force has ramped up technology and acquisition investment considerably over the last several years. AFRL/RXM (ManTech) is the principal manufacturing process maturation investment organization within the AF supporting hypersonics through assessment, development, demonstration and implementation of manufacturing processes required to meet future Dept. of Air Force demand. Critical to the success of the ManTech investment in hypersonics is the ability to assess manufacturing maturity at both the process/supplier level and the industrial base level and provide insight to companies to mature their production operations. There is also a need to assess emerging process technologies from a business case standpoint to understand their applicability and impact to the production of hypersonic systems and components.

Objective: The objective of this effort is to conduct Manufacturing Readiness Assessments (MRAs), generate Manufacturing Maturation Plans (MMPs), perform Value Stream Analyses (VSAs), conduct Industrial Base Assessments (IBAs), and perform technical assessments of emerging process capabilities related to the development and production of hypersonic strike and strategic systems.

Scope: Manufacturing technology analysis is needed for hypersonic weapon systems and materials. This task order intends to provide to the government technical expertise to identify and bridge gaps between military manufacturing technology needs and industrial capabilities for materials, components, and assemblies containing those components in hypersonic weapons system applications. Systems of interest focus on strike applications including boost glide systems, air-breathing systems, and maneuverable re-entry vehicle systems supporting nuclear deterrence.

Description of objectives:

1. MRAs and MMPs

1.1. The contractor will perform research and analysis of manufacturing readiness of aerospace materials, structures, and devices for hypersonic applications (metallic, ceramic, carbon-carbon and ceramic matrix composites, coatings, EM, electronic), production processes, components, assemblies, and interfaces; provide MRA training to identified government/industry customers; identify baseline manufacturing readiness levels for multiple concepts of interest at component and system levels; prioritize leading sources of manufacturing risk for each concept; and develop manufacturing maturation plans and roadmaps detailing the steps necessary to reach MRL 7-8 in a specified timeframe. The contractor will provide presentation and supporting materials to communicate MRA results and MMP actions to senior DoD leaders.

2. VSAs

2.1. The contractor will conduct Value Stream Analyses (VSA) for hypersonic weapons systems’ component/system manufacturing processes, from receipt of raw materials through delivery of finished products, for identified programs of interest; support follow-on rapid improvement activities for a given supplier’s components or processes; and research and recommend opportunities for new tech insertion to support production process maturation, scale up, and cost and cycle time reduction.

3. IBAs

3.1. The contractor will conduct industrial base assessments on specified hypersonic material systems and manufacturing technologies. Materials of interest include but are not limited to those listed above in 1.1

3.2. A given IBA would include; names of domestic and international companies which have the capability to produce a given material system; discussion of the manufacturing processes used to make same; comparisons of each process in terms of product quality and properties, cost and cycle time, and any specialized production equipment required; sources, quality, and predicted availability of raw materials; identification of long lead, high cost, and non-domestic items; analysis of quality systems in place at each facility; long-term stability of business financial status per company; capacity to meet anticipated production volumes; producers’ degree of scientific/technical understanding of their manufacturing processes and variability; degree of automation employed at production facilities; workforce and workforce development; as well as applicable TRL and MRL.

4. Technical assessments

4.1. The contractor will perform research and analysis of opportunities to implement automation or other advanced manufacturing techniques for the production of hypersonic weapons systems. The analyses will identify issues that alternate or novel manufacturing approaches could address, including but not limited to process improvements, technology readiness levels, manufacturing readiness levels, producibility, affordability, return on investment, business case, or other relevant areas. These analyses will require detailed process assessments across the spectrum of technology and manufacturing readiness levels, from early fundamental concepts to scale-up-ready manufacturing processes. Accordingly, these process assessments may include but are not limited to onsite visits to universities; privately- or federally funded research labs; DOD or DOE labs; pilot production lines, and production facilities. Domain expertise is sought across technical areas such as automation, ICME, special test equipment, process monitoring and control, along with demonstrated ability to assess current state, recommend course corrections, and strategically map out the technical execution of ManTech programs to maximize transition.

4.2. In addition, state-of-the-art of Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME) models for the aforementioned hypersonic materials, structures, and devices will be assessed, and strategies for improving and incorporating ICME models in manufacturing practice for hypersonics will be evaluated.

4.3. The contractor will analyze sources of manufacturing variations which cause the greatest impact to component performance, cost and schedule; identify the root causes of those variations; and propose and implement mitigation strategies.

5. Deliverables

5.1. For this task order, the Contractor shall deliver the following reports:

Final Report Funds and Man-Hour Expenditure Report Contract Funds Status Report Contractor Spend and Expenditure Plan Status Report Presentation Materials Project Planning Chart Assessment of Manufacturing Risk and Readiness

6. Management of Activities

6.1. Coordination: In coordination with RXM, the contractor will develop study goals, specific activities, and materials, staff, POP, and other relevant details.

6.2. Authorization: Once RXM coordination is complete, the contractor will seek authorization with the contracting office and RXM for a given activity. Section 7 below will be updated to reflect these authorized activities.

6.3. Cancellation: Any activity cancellation will be managed via the stop work clause.

7. Assessments

7.1. EXAMPLE Assessment 1 – MRA for HACM All-up-round: Perform a manufacturing readiness assessment (MRA) on the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile weaponized system, updated from the HAWC prototype MRA. Expected delivery date Q4 2024.

7.2. EXAMPLE Assessment 2 – MRA for MAYHEM: Perform an initial MRA on the digital engineering instance of the MAYHEM vehicle and develop a manufacturing maturation plan. Expected delivery date Q4 2025.

7.3. EXAMPLE Assessment 3 – IBA for hypersonic materials: Perform an industrial base analysis on high temperature hypersonic materials availability, production capacity, and material properties. Expected delivery date Q2 2025.

8. SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

OPERATIONS SECURITY (OPSEC)

The contractor shall participate in all activities associated with the disciplines of the organization’s Industrial Security, Information Security, Personnel Security, Operations Security (OPSEC), and Antiterrorism programs, following appropriate measures in each program as required for this particular contract. Security measures are required to reduce program vulnerability from successful adversary collection, exploitation of critical information, and violations of export control requirements. The prime contractor shall ensure all subcontractors, if applicable, conform to these requirements as required by the prime contractor.

S&T/PROGRAM PROTECTION PROGRAM (S&T/PPP)

Any potential critical program information (CPI) generated as part of this effort will be reviewed to determine the need for a S&TPP/PPP or to be included as part of an existing S&TPP/PPP.