REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

Program: B-1B Lancer Navigation Receiver Upgrade Subject: Navigation Receiver Unit with M-Code GPS reception and pseudo-GPS RF output capabilities Date: 26 August 2026

1.0 PURPOSE

This Request for Information (RFI) is issued for informational and planning purposes only. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. The Government is seeking to identify potential sources and industry capabilities to provide a Navigation Receiver Unit for the B-1B Lancer. The proposed navigation receiver unit must be capable of receiving M-code GPS signals, controlling a GPS Digital Antenna Electronics unit, and providing a GPS Radio Frequency output based on a blended inertial/M-code GPS position solution.

2.0 BACKGROUND

The B-1B Lancer requires resilient, highly accurate navigation and timing capabilities to operate effectively in contested, GPS-degraded, and GPS-denied environments. To counter sophisticated electronic warfare and electronic attack threats, the platform's navigation suite requires a navigation receiver capable of processing secure military GPS signals and translating them into robust, spoof-resistant navigation feeds.

The Navigation Receiver will act as a critical interface between the aircraft's primary navigation suite, Inertial Navigation Units (INUs), and modern GPS receivers. To ensure continuous and uncompromised positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) data, the Navigation Receiver must support M-code GPS encryption modes and utilize a blended position solution—derived from the coupling of secure GPS and inertial sensor data. Using this blended position, the Navigation Receiver must generate synthesized GPS RF outputs to drive downstream GPS receivers. This architecture provides the platform with the improved resilience of M-code GPS without the cost or time required to update or replace the existing Embedded GPS/INS units integrated within the aircraft navigation system. The Government is exploring options for a Navigation Receiver that meets these capabilities while adhering to strict Size, Weight, Power, and Cost (SWaP-C) constraints.

3.0 TECHNICAL OBJECTIVES & REQUIREMENTS

The B-1 System Program Office (SPO) has a requirement to procure an estimated 100 to 200 Navigation Receivers capable of processing M-code encrypted GPS signals and generating GPS RF outputs based on a blended position solution to provide M-code GPS-based position inputs to the aircraft’s navigation system. The B-1 SPO requests potential suppliers provide information on existing navigation Receiver solutions. Respondents should describe their proposed navigation receiver solution's ability to meet or exceed the following technical objectives as well as answer specific questions below:

• M-Code GPS Capability: The navigation Receiver incorporate a modern military M-code GPS receiver, enabling secure, anti-jam, and anti-spoof GPS processing in contested operational environments.

• Blended GPS/INU Position RF Generation: The Navigation Receiver must be capable of generating Inertial Navigation Unit (INU) state data and blending it with M-code GPS data (via advanced coupling or Kalman filtering algorithms) to establish a highly accurate blended position. The Navigation Receiver must then generate real-time RF outputs simulating the GPS constellation based on this blended position.

• Digital & RF Processing Capabilities: Provide low-latency, high-fidelity digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital RF processing suitable for high-dynamic military aviation profiles.

• Digital Antenna Electronics Unit (DAE) Control Capabilities: The Navigation Receiver must be able to interface with a Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna incorporating a DAE. The navigation receiver must be able to communicate status, mode, frequency, nulling, and beamforming information with the DAE.

• SWaP Constraints: The solution should minimize Size, Weight, and Power. Ideally, the proposed Navigation Receiver should not be more than 20 lbs, and 14” x 8” x 10” dimension, and operate off 220V, 400Hz or 28 VDC power with MIL-STD-704 characteristics.

• Environmental & EMI/EMC: The system must meet standard military aviation environmental [MIL-STD-810] and electromagnetic interference/compatibility [MIL- STD-461] requirements applicable to the B-1B platform.

4.0 REQUESTED INFORMATION

Interested parties are requested to submit a White Paper detailing their capabilities and proposed solutions. The White Paper should address the following:

• Product Identification: Provide the part number for the Navigation Receiver, the National Stock Number (NSN) (if currently cataloged by the US Government), as well as any additional nomenclature of the navigation Receiver product.

• System Architecture & Technical Approach: Provide a high-level description of the proposed Navigation Receiver architecture, specifically highlighting:

o Identification of M-Code GPS receiver card utilized o Type and accuracy specifications for the Inertial Navigation platform used in the receiver o The algorithmic methodology used to calculate the blended position (e.g., loose, tight, or deep coupling).

o How the RF output representing the blended position is synthesized from this blended position.

o How compatibility and performance have been demonstrated and verified.

• Modes and Features: State whether the navigation receiver supports simultaneous L1, L2, and/or L5 signal processing, which military codes are supported (e.g., M-code, Y-code), the update rate of the blended navigation filter, the latency of the RF generation, and the overall frequency bandwidth of the Navigation Receiver.

• Technology Readiness Level (TRL): State the current TRL of the proposed navigation Receiver system or its core components. If the system is not at TRL 7 or higher, provide a roadmap to achieve TRL 8/9.

• Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL): Provide the Manufacturing Readiness Level, the production lead time, and the production rate of the navigation Receiver product.

• SWaP-C Estimates: Provide preliminary Size, Weight, and Power profiles, as well as cooling requirements. Specifically indicate if the unit requires ambient air (convective) cooling, forced air cooling, or liquid cooling.

• Integration & Testing: Describe the anticipated integration challenges onto the B-1B platform and proposed mitigation strategies. Provide answers to the following questions:

o What are the physical mounting provisions of the Navigation Receiver?

o Does the Navigation Receiver require cooling beyond ambient air?

o What are the environmental qualifications for the navigation Receiver? Including but not limited to: Temperature, Altitude, Vibration, Shock, Corrosion, Pressure changes, Lightning protection, EMC emissions/susceptibility, humidity, etc.?

o What signal interfaces does the Navigation Receiver require (e.g., RF, fiber optic, digital buses like MIL-STD-1553, Ethernet, ARINC-429)? Provide an Interface Control Document (ICD) outline if available.

o What status reporting (Built-In-Test or similar) does the Navigation Receiver provide?

• Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM): Provide a ROM for the non-recurring engineering (NRE) costs, unit production costs, and an estimated schedule for delivering prototype and production units. Provide a ROM cost for navigation Receiver products in the following quantity ranges:

o Quantity 15-30 o Quantity 30-50 o Quantity 50-100 o Quantity 100+

• Maintainability and Support: State the Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) of the navigation Receiver product, whether the product is repairable, the Mean Time To Repair(MTTR), and the expected lifespan of support for the Navigation Receiver product.

• Location: Provide corporate location as well as the location of where the product is manufactured.

• Points of Contact (POC): Provide a business development POC and a technical POC.

5.0 SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

• Format: Responses must be submitted in PDF format, not exceeding 15 pages (excluding cover page and administrative notes). Include technical and descriptive text, diagrams, and illustrations to provide sufficient detail.

• Information: The Government may contact respondents to obtain additional information or clarification in order to fully understand a company’s response.

• Proprietary: Respondents shall clearly mark proprietary data with appropriate markings.

Any material that is not marked will be considered publicly releasable. Government-contracted contractor support personnel may handle proprietary data submitted in response to this RFI.

• Existing Effort: If you are currently providing your proposed capability on an existing government contract, please identify the contract and a Government POC.

• Participation: Broad industry participation for this RFI is encouraged. U.S. and non-U.S.

firms are permitted to respond. Please note that prospective contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database to be awarded a DoD contract. To learn more, visit the SAM website at: https://sam.gov/

• Classification: If a respondent intends to submit information that is classified, contact the POC for submission instructions. Unclassified responses are due electronically by the deadline listed. Any proprietary information should be clearly marked and segregated.

State whether there is involvement of unapproved foreign vendors, as well as compliance with export control, the Buy American Act, and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

• Deadline: 26 September 2026

• Point of Contact: Please direct all submissions and questions regarding this RFI to the

Contracting Officer at cory.milford@us.af.mil.

Note: This RFI is for market research purposes. The Government will not reimburse respondents for any costs associated with preparing or submitting a response to this RFI.

mailto:cory.milford@us.af.mil