Boom Lab Statement of Objectives (SOO).pdf

COMBAT REFUELING & OPERATIONS

NETWORKED UNIVERSAL SYSTEMS (CRONUS)

Joint KC-135 Electrified Boom Lab

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES (SOO)

1.0 PURPOSE

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), in concert with an Air Mobility Command (AMC) initiative, requires the installation of a KC-135 Electrified Boom Automation Lab in the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) motion capture lab. This contract bridges a gap by facilitating technology demonstration of promising system and subsystem concepts from the laboratory to prototyping to platform integration. It allows engineers, researchers, and scientists (the developers), along with program managers (the providers) and warfighters (the end users) to identify, integrate, prototype, test, qualify, and demonstrate candidate technologies and assess them in a scalable laboratory environment.

2.0 SCOPE

The scope of this project encompasses all design, engineering, fabrication, integration, installation, and testing required to deliver a fully functional KC-135 Electrified Boom Lab. This includes the structural mounting of a government-furnished KC-135 tail section and boom within the designated government laboratory. The contractor shall provide a complete, turnkey solution that includes, but not limited to:

• A structural support system for the tail section and boom, engineered to transfer all static and dynamic loads safely to the facility architecture

• An overhead suspension and multi axis actuation system capable of moving the boom through its complete refueling envelope, meeting specified performance requirements for speed and precision

• A digital control station and software Digital Hardware Interface capable of commanding boom movements and reporting system status back to a government computer system

• All necessary facility modifications, including structural reinforcement of the building

• Project management, systems engineering, documentation, and logistics

• One year pre-priced maintenance and support post-installation

3.0 BACKGROUND

Air to Air Refueling Boom automation, a long-term priority for the USAF, identifies the command's strategy of proactively managing system capabilities to enhance overall readiness and operational effectiveness. The need for cost-effective modernization in this area, being jointly addressed by AFRL and AFIT, grows this capability at a minimal cost, directly supporting AMC's requirement for innovative and fiscally responsible solutions. This lab project seeks to provide a cost effective means to explore this capability prior to expensive aircraft modifications and fight test programs, reducing risks and increasing confidence as technology advances.

The Joint KC-135 Electrified Boom Lab requires a KC-135 tail with a movable boom to be installed and mounted in an aerial refueling test laboratory (see Attachment 1). The tail/boom will be acquired through Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG). This boom provides actual geometry in support of aerial refueling research and development crucial to the USAF. The USG requires that the boom can rotate along its yaw and pitch axes as well as extend/retract its retractable portion. To do this, an overhead actuation system must be installed along the ceiling. This system will enable the boom to move through its typical refueling envelope to simulate a refueling scenario. Paragraph 7.1 shows a 3D digital scan of a KC-135 tail, with its boom, mounted in the AFIT-owned laboratory. Paragraph 7.2 shows the dimensions of the laboratory showcasing the large space to support this installation. Paragraph 7.3 shows the expected range of motion of the boom in the lab space.

4.0 PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES

The contractor shall deliver a system that meets the following technical and programmatic objectives.

4.1 Technical Performance Objectives

The primary objective is to design, fabricate, and install a system that provides full, unrestricted motion of a government-furnished KC-135 boom within the specified laboratory space. The system shall meet or exceed the following technical capabilities:

• Structural Integrity: The support structure shall be engineered to safely handle all static and dynamic loads of the KC-135 tail section and boom assembly throughout the full range of motion

• Boom Actuation Performance:

• The actuation system shall be capable of moving the boom through its complete refueling envelope,

• The boom shall travel laterally at adjustable speeds of at least 0.25 – 3.0 degrees per second, vertically at an adjustable speed of at least 0.25 – 3.0 degrees per second, and retract/extent at an adjustable speed of at least 0.25 – 1.0 foot per second as commanded from a contractor provided digital boom control station.

The digital readouts from each motor must be accessible to the government’s computer system. The state of the actuation system must also be settable by the government’s computer system. The interface shall be specified and agreed upon.

• Control System: The digital control station shall provide an intuitive digital hardware interface for an operator to command all boom movements. It shall be able to receive commands from and report system status back to a government computer system via the specified interface control document (ICD)

• Facility Integration: The contractor shall integrate the system within the existing facility without encroaching on the active motion-capture volume floor space. All overhead structures shall minimize obstruction to the line-of-sight of the ceiling-mounted motion-capture camera arrays. The contractor shall integrate all electrical, structural, and civil modifications required to complete the installation.

• The contractor shall provide expected electrical power draws (voltage, amperage, phase requirements) and estimated thermal/heat load generation profiles (BTU/hr or kW) for your proposed actuation and control hardware.

4.2 Programmatic Performance Objectives

The contractor shall execute the project and deliver the required supporting elements in accordance with the following objectives:

• Project Management: The contractor shall implement a comprehensive project management plan to track schedule, cost, risk, and performance throughout the Period of Performance. The contractor shall conduct a kick-off meeting, formal design reviews (e.g., PDR/CDR), and regular progress meetings to ensure clear communication and alignment with government stakeholders.

• System Safety: The contractor shall establish and maintain a system safety program in accordance with the principles of MIL-STD-882. The program shall identify and mitigate hazards associated with all aspects of the Boom Lab system, including design, fabrication, installation, testing, and operation. The contractor shall deliver a System Safety Program Plan (SSPP), and a final Safety Assessment Report (SAR) as specified in the CDRL list.

• Logistics Management: The contractor shall manage the end-to-end logistics for all project materials, including the safe and timely transportation of the government-furnished KC-135 tail section from its intermediate location at the contractor facility and subsequently to the final installation site at AFIT’s building 461, Area B at Wright- Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

• Documentation & Reporting: The contractor shall deliver all required project deliverables, including technical reports, design drawings, test plans, and "as-built" drawings, in accordance with the included Data Item Descriptions (DIDs).

• Schedule: The project shall be completed within the timeline specified in Section 5.0, meeting all major milestones outlined in the contractor's proposed schedule.

• Acceptance Testing: After installation, the contractor shall conduct testing to verify installation, boom movement and control system meet requirements.

• Follow-on Maintenance & Support: The contractor shall provide one year of pre-priced maintenance and technical support to ensure the continued operational readiness of the Boom Lab.

5.0 DELIVERABLES and CONTRACT INFORMATION

The contractor shall provide the following:

• Project Management Plan: A detailed plan outlining the project schedule, milestones, and key personnel.

• Engineering and Design Documents: Complete and certified drawings and specifications for all structural modifications.

• Monthly Status Reports: Regular updates on project status, including any issues or delays.

• Acceptance Test Plan that allows the government to ensure the system will work as expected with criteria to be jointly developed.

• Final "As-Built" Drawings: A complete set of drawings reflecting the final configuration of the modified laboratory.

• Final software for digital hardware interface and supporting documentation to facilitate overhead control/actuation boom control and hose extension control, as well as the ability to report system status.

• Support Program Management Meetings; but not limited to: Kick-off Meeting, Weekly status meetings, PDR, PMR and CDR

• Contract Type: Cost Plus Fixed Fee

• Period of Performance: Base: 12 months; Option 1 pre-priced (maintenance / support) 12 months

• Data Rights: Provide data rights assertion IAW CRONUS S&T/SCG.

• For full CDRL list see attached DD Form 1423, Contract Data Requirements List

6.0 Government-Furnished Equipment/Information

The government will provide:

• 6.1 One (1) KC-135 Tail Section with refueling boom: To be made available from the 309th AMARG and delivered to contractor’s facility (if required). The tail section will be provided “As Is” after removal from a previously operational airframe.

• Approximate dimensions: 39.9 feet L x 13.9 ft H x 13.9 ft W

• 6.2 Access to the AFIT Motion Capture Laboratory Facility: for all necessary work during the contract period of performance.

• 6.3 Technical Points of Contact: For consultation on research requirements and facility interfaces.

7.0 Supporting Data

7.1 Motion Capture Lab Digital Image with Digital Boom

• 7.2 Motion Capture Building Lab Dimensions

7.3 KC-135 Refueling Boom Range of Motion