DF Airborne Recorder System Redacted.pdf

This is a Determination & Findings document for a single-source acquisition justifying procurement of an Airborne Recorder System for the 812th Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (AITS) program.

The contracting activity is AFTC/PZZF, and the requirement is for a flight-qualified airborne recorder system capable of executing real-time Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and High-Performance Computing (AI/ML/HPC) workloads on fighter and bomber platforms, specifically the F-16 and B-52. The complete system includes: XSR2 Rugged Half Rack Server, XSR Removable Data Module, XSR NAS Docking System, J0 Power Cable, J1 Control and Management breakout cable, J2 Ethernet breakout cable, and a 10GbE Amphenol to RJ45 breakout cable. The single-source justification is authorized under RFO 12.102(a) (Commercial Products and Services), as only one source is reasonably available. The determination identifies the Galleon XSR2 as the sole existing solution meeting all fit, form, and functional constraints through its NVIDIA-accelerated, conduction-cooled processor within a compact half-rack chassis featuring tool-free removable media. Competing systems lack required GPGPU processing capability, rely on unsuitable active air cooling, or lack integrated flight-line servicing architecture. Galleon's demonstrated history of delivering rugged, flight-certified hardware to the Department of Defense and major defense contractors, combined with their technical capability and quality control standards, supports the justification. The determination was approved by Contracting Officer Jaymi Taplin on September 10, 2026.