FTCS RFI Questions and Answers - 2 Oct 2023.pdf

RFI Identification:

Aerial Targets Branch (EBAY) Future Targets Command & Control System (FTCS)

DESCRIPTION: FA8678-23-TCS-R0003 – Future TCS (FTCS) Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Aerial Targets Branch

Classification Code: 59 -- Electrical and electronic equipment components

NAICS Code: 334 -- Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing/334511 -- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing PSC: 5895 – Miscellaneous Communication Equipment

**The Govt is conducting Market Research for existing or planned solutions to meet capabilities. This RFI is intended for the purpose of gathering information to potentially inform future development efforts**

Questions concerning the RFI:

1) (Ref. cr2 in the spreadsheet): What is the mixture of legacy drones vs new/next generation drones that are to be supported during an operation? Up to 10 of each type in general?

Up to 10 total (any combination)

2) (Ref. cr2 in the spreadsheet): Does 2b. imply that an operation at/near a particular operational MRTFB will need to be controlled from a geographically separated controlling MRTFB remotely?

Yes, the Govt is interested in capabilities that will be including but not limited to MRTFB remote controlling.

3) Will communication equipment (but not controlling or operating personnel) be allowed to be stationed at the operational MRTFB in question 2 above?

Yes, if necessary

4) (Ref cr6): Is there an expectation that automation related computing will be conducted on the drones themselves, or at the controlling MRTFB as defined in question 2?

The Govt is interested in any solutions that the vendor may possess to meet the need identified in question 2.

5) (Ref cr8): Is a dual infrastructure system (supporting ISM band) for combined operations of legacy targets as well as other modernized communications for future targets envisioned?

The Govt is open to solutions that will bypass the need for a dual infrastructure system. The legacy system can be used to support legacy targets.

6) (Ref. cr6, and cr8): Is there a desire to provide an integrated payload for installation on the drones for communication and control?

Yes.

7) (Ref. cr16 and cr17): Is there a desire to conduct sim over live operations for a particular mission, or are simulated missions and live missions separated even thought they may be conducted simultaneously?

The primary purpose of the system is Live Fire Testing and Evaluation. Simulations are used for developmental testing and training.

8) Why does the existing TCS system triangulate?

The legacy system was designed prior to the widespread use of GPS. Note: The TCS system utilizes multilateration to triangulate target position based on time of arrival of messages between the target and the range sites.

9) Do/will the modern (Gen 5/6) drones have TSPI information available that is/can be sent (telemetered) back to the ground station? What is the expected accuracy of this information?

The requirements for 5/6 GEN targets are not defined at this point.

10) Given the varying nature of levels of support, is it possible for our white paper to focus primarily on capabilities Collins can provide and generate/refine the ROM at a later time?

Yes, however the Govt is interested in a WAG for your capabilities.

11) Are there specific threshold and objective SWAP-C targets?

The requirements for 5/6 GEN targets are not defined at this point.

The BQM-167A upgrade will be Max Take Off Weight (MTOW) value is 2050 lbs, and power sources are sufficient to give 60A at 270V at the wingtips, 28VDC to operate the rest of the AV. As an example, the BQM-167A transponder system dimensions are 12” x 6 5/8” x 5 1/4”, weight is less than 13 lbs, power is 70 Watts maximum, 28 VDC.

12) Are there specific dimensions for power sources of existing airborne packages (to support retrofit, power, etc.)?

The BQM-167A transponder system dimensions are 12” x 6 5/8” x 5 1/4”, weight is less than 13 lbs, power is 70 Watts maximum, 28 VDC.

The requirements for 5/6 GEN targets are not defined at this point.

13) Can you provide a number of datalink sites envisioned on the coast(s)?

The current system has approximately 8 sites supporting Tyndall AFB, FL. The Govt is interested in reduced infrastructure and extending range.

14) Are there Cosite considerations - what radiates on the host platforms that need to be accounted for?

Yes, there are co-site considerations on the host platforms and/or ground if you are co-utilizing a tower;

there are numerous external pods that are used for electronic countermeasures and jamming that are flown on the drones.

15) Are there Frequency allocation preferences?

If a datalink solution is proposed Federal Govt allocated frequencies are preferred.

16) Can you provide Airborne quantities planned over 10-20 years?

5/6 GEN quantities have not been developed at this time, however there is an estimated procurement of 300 BQM-167A targets over the next 10 years.

17) Key redundancy or fail-over approach preferences for Ground system and Airborne system (ex.

parallel systems with automatic handover to ground backup or arial backups)?

Need a fully redundant system (ground and airborne) is required.

18) Can you provide or describe Photos of installations of existing systems (which bays on QF- 16, on BQM)?

Please see Tech Library for legacy systems installations. 5/6 GEN is not yet defined.

19) Display/control: Is the desire for the system to look/feel/display information similarly to the current system in use?

User look/feel/display is driven by our operational end users. The Govt is interested in meeting the capability requirements and open to all solutions.

20) While you ask for the approach/solution for encryption and cybersecurity, are there specific requirements here we must meet?

Current NIST SP 800-53v4 with a planned transition to NIST SP 800-53v5 security controls apply. There are approximately 278 controls with increased focus on Developer software from a Static, Dynamic and Manual code review perspective combined with increased Supply Chain Risk Management.

Encryption requirements are outlined in 16-F-1006_DoDI_S-4660-4-released version and NIST SP800- 53v4/5. The Command-and-Control datalink traffic is unclassified along with aerial target TSPI/Location.

The current weapons scoring system utilizes a separate and classified datalink. It is envisioned that future targets may involve classified data up to Secret.