ALEP_3_Requirements_Matrix_-_RFP_Draft.pdf

10 August 2017

Aircrew Laser Eye Protection (ALEP) Block 3 Requirements Matrix

For Official Use Only (FOUO)

Key Performance Parameter (KPP) Threshold Objective Rationale

L5, L1-L, L1-M, R1, R2, and R3 Laser Protection (Day Variant)

The Aircrew Laser Eye Protection (ALEP) Block 3 will provide day time protection from L5, L1-L, L1-M, R1, R2, and R3 laser wavelengths at Optical Densities (OD) levels specified in Appendix A (S).

T=O These wavelength regions represent the primary laser threats to aircrew.

L5, L1-L, L1-M, R1, R2, and R3 Laser Protection (Night Variant)

The Aircrew Laser Eye Protection (ALEP) Block 3 will provide night time protection from L5, L1-L, L1-M, R1, R2, and R3 laser wavelengths at Optical Densities (OD) levels specified in Appendix A (S).

T=O These wavelength regions represent the primary laser threats to aircrew.

Key System Attributes

(KSA)

Threshold Objective Rationale

Photopic Luminous Transmittance

(PLT)

The ALEP Block 3 will provide a PLT-CIEA of ≥ 50% for the night variant, PLT-D65 ≥16% for the day variant, and ≥14% for the JHMCS variant at the system (complete ALEP solution) level. In addition, with respect to PLT, 75% of aircrew will find the transmission for each Block 3 variant acceptable across a representative set of mission types.

T=O Previous ALEP development efforts have demonstrated that these PLT levels are required to enable the aircrew to visually scan during flight.

P43 Transmittance The ALEP Block 3 will provide a P43 transmittance ≥ 37.5% for the night variant, ≥12% for the day variant, and ≥10.5% for the JHMCS variant at the system level.

T=O Previous ALEP development efforts have demonstrated that these P43 levels are required to ensure aircrew can see their HUD/displays.

Visual Compatibility The ALEP Block 3 will not impair visual performance to the extent that it interferes with safety of flight or mission completion. The device will be visually compatible with the following devices/activities:

• All USAF aircraft

• Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS); Night Vision Goggles (NVG); Panoramic Night Vision Goggles (PNVG), Helmet Mounted Integrated Targeting (HMIT/HoBiT), and fielded/post-Milestone B visors and aircrew chemical warfare masks

• Canopies/windscreens, HUD, and color cockpit displays

• Detection, recognition, identification, and tracking of targets

• Ability to distinguish terrain colors and geographical features

• Cockpit interior lighting, external aircraft lights, and airfield lights

• Ability to read charts, maps, and other printed materials in the cockpit

• Ability to perform normal aircraft duties in cockpit

T=O The system must be fully compatible and not degrade the performance of these systems to ensure mission accomplishment.

DRAFT

Additional Performance Attributes

Threshold Objective Rationale

Configuration The ALEP Block 3 will provide day, night, aircrew CBRN, and JHMCS variants. To the maximum extent practicable, variants will also be provided in a visor format. A solution will be provided that can be internally or externally mounted onto fielded aircrew CBRN masks.

JHMCS compatibility will not be required for the night-only and day-only variants. Compatibility with NVGs will not be required for the day-only and JHMCS variants.

T=O Aircrew utilize an array of different flight equipment based on their aircraft and mission.

No single format can accommodate all potential configurations.

Physical Coverage The Block 3 will provide physical coverage in front of and around the eye in all directions. The coverage gap between the temporal canthus and the lens edge will be no greater than 9mm in front of the canthus and may extend behind it when observed from 900 off the forward look direction for 95% of aircrew at a 90% level of confidence. The temporal canthus is defined as the outer corner of the eye where the upper and lower eyelids meet.

The edge of the lens will extend to or behind the temporal canthus for 100% of aircrew.

Aircrew require protection for central and peripheral vision against direct and reflected laser exposure.

Materiel Reliability The ALEP Block 3 will have impact, penetration, abrasion, corrosion resistance, environmental durability, and optical quality characteristics equal to or better than the ALEP Block 2.

T=O Required to ensure aircrew safety during use and to minimize total life cycle costs.

Field of View (FOV) The ALEP Block 3 will provide a visual FOV equal to or better than ALEP Block 2.

T=O Aircrews require the maximum visual FOV possible to effectively operate the aircraft and scan for potential threats.

Physical Compatibility

The ALEP Block 3 will be physically compatible with fielded and post- Milestone B Aircrew Flight Equipment to include NVG, PNVG, JHMCS, HMIT/HObIT, flight helmets and associated visors (for spectacles only), aircrew oxygen masks, and chemical warfare masks.

T=O Aircrew require a number of different pieces of flight equipment that must be physically compatible to enable the user to employ them concurrently or rapidly transition between the various capabilities.

Emergency Egress The ALEP Block 3 will not increase safety hazards to the aircrew during emergency egress/bailout/ejection as compared to aircrew spectacles.

T=O This capability is required for aircrew safety during emergency egress from the aircraft. The aircrew member must be able to perform emergency procedures for personal safety and to facilitate their own recovery.

Visual Quality The ALEP Block 3 will not cause aircrew eyestrain, visual fatigue, or optical distractions that preclude completion of the mission for 95% of aircrew.

T=O Excessive eyestrain and optical distractions cause visual fatigue and inhibit aircrew ability to successfully complete the mission.

Prescription Eyewear Compatibility

The ALEP Block 3 will be visually and physically compatible with aircrew prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses or offer prescription capability.

T=O Fifty percent of USAF aircrew require vision correction to accomplish the mission effectively.

Additional Performance Attributes

Threshold Objective Rationale

Anthropometric Accommodation

The ALEP Block 3 will accommodate 95% of the aircrew population at a 90% confidence level.

T=O This capability is required to ensure accommodation of the aircrew population.

Fit The ALEP Block 3 fit will be repeatable and not cause hot spots/pressure points that degrade performance on 95% of aircrew.

T=O An improper fit will cause fatigue, stress, pain, distraction, improper viewing of helmet-mounted displays, and reduced field of view.

Fitting Time The ALEP Block 3 fitting time will be ≤20 minutes. T=O Time consuming fitting procedures would impose a significant manpower burden.

Protection Service/Shelf Life

The ALEP Block 3 laser protection will have a service/shelf life of ≥5 years.

T=O AFRL/RXPJ analyses of previous ALEP devices incorporating similar technology.

Inspections Inspection intervals to ensure structural integrity and visual quality will be preflight/postflight for daily use and ≥180 days when stored for contingency operations.

T=O Required to reduce maintenance and burden.

Diagnostics Unserviceable conditions (e.g. scratches, delamination, etc.) that could degrade ALEP Block 3 visual performance must be identifiable in the field by visual inspection. System specific test equipment will not be required.

T=O Required to minimize life cycle costs and logistical footprint.

Operational Temperatures

The ALEP Block 3 will provide the required laser protection and remain functional during operational use throughout the temperature range of - 40F (-200C) to +1250F (+520C).

- 250F (-320C) to +1250F (+520C)

Aircrew wear ALEP in a wide range of environmental conditions and geographic locations.

Non-Operational Temperatures

ALEP Block 3 will provide the required laser protection and remain functional following storage in approved containers throughout the temperature range of - 650F (-540C) to +1600F (+710C).

T=O ALEP is subjected to storage in a wide range of environmental conditions and geographic locations.

Haze The ALEP Block 3 lens will provide ≤3% haze to facilitate aircrew visual acuity during flight.

≤1% haze Required to ensure adequate visual acuity/clarity to perform the mission.

Ballistic Protection ALEP Block 3 will provide a variant that protects the eyes from ballistic spall. Visor: The ALEP Block 3 (when worn with protective visor/spectacle) will provide ballistic protection that will pass a V0 test using a 0.22 caliber, 17.0 + 0.5 grain, T37 shaped projectile at a velocity of 550 to 560 feet per second. Spectacle: The ALEP Block 3 will provide ballistic protection that will pass a V0 test using a 0.15 caliber,

5.8 grain, T37 shaped projectile at a velocity of 640 to 660 feet per second.

T=O Due to a higher risk of small arms fire, certain USAF aircrew require ballistic eye protection during flight.