Additively Manufactured Solid Propulsion System for a Supersonic Aerial Target
Closed Pre-Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- N00019-27-RFI-PMA208DRM
- Agency
-
Naval Air Systems Command
Department of the Navy, Department of Defense
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Place of performance
- Patuxent River, Maryland 20670, United States
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) is conducting market research on additively manufactured solid-propellant ducted rocket motors for a supersonic aerial target, with responses due June 22, 2026. This is a Request for Information (RFI) under Other Transaction Authority (10 U.S.C. 4022) for potential prototype development; responses are voluntary, uncompensated, and do not constitute a government commitment or solicitation.
The propulsion system must boost a target vehicle to Mach 2.5 or greater and sustain sea-skimming flight for more than 60 seconds, within a cylindrical envelope of approximately 15 inches diameter and 120 inches length, with total mass not exceeding 600 pounds. The system must provide standard mechanical and Military Standard electrical interfaces and qualify for naval carrier and shore-based operational environments, including shock, vibration, temperature extremes, and corrosive conditions.
NAVAIR is considering awarding one or more OTAs for prototype development with potential production follow-on, targeting production capacity of 20–40 units annually. Respondents must submit capability statements of no more than 20 pages addressing corporate experience with solid or hybrid propulsion systems and additive manufacturing of flight-critical metallic components; technical approach with Technology Readiness Level assessments and proposed manufacturing processes; development and qualification schedules with rough order of magnitude costs; and identification of top 3–5 technical, programmatic, and industrial base risks with mitigation strategies. Responses must be marked as Controlled Technical Information (Department of War and U.S. DoD Contractors Only) and submitted via email to Joseph Perriello or Raymond Cannon. Foreign entities or U.S. firms with foreign team members must identify foreign partnerships and comply with International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
Notice text
4 versions
Update #4 · Latest ·
THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION. THE GOVERNMENT MAY USE THE INFORMATION RECEIVED TO INFORM A POTENTIAL PROTOTYPE PROJECT UNDER OTHER TRANSACTION AUTHORITY (OTA), PURSUANT TO 10 U.S.C. § 4022. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. ALL INFORMATION SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO THIS RFI IS VOLUNTARY AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT COMPENSATE ANY RESPONDENT FOR ANY COST INCURRED IN DEVELOPMENT OF INFORMATION PROVIDED TO THE GOVERNMENT. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL; YET IS A MARKET RESEARCH TOOL TO DETERMINE POTENTIAL FIRMS CAPABLE OF PROVIDING THE SUPPLIES DESCRIBED HEREIN PRIOR TO AN ISSUANCE OF A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT OBLIGATED TO PAY FOR ANY INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM POTENTIAL SOURCES AS A RESULT OF THIS RFI. THIS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT OF ANY KIND. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT OR NON-FAR BASED AGREEMENT (E.G. OTHER TRANSACTION) AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY. FAILURE TO SUBMIT A RESPONSE WILL NOT PREVENT A COMPANY FROM PARTICIPATION IN ANY FUTURE COMPETITION RELATED TO PMA208’S ADDITIVELY MANUFACTURED SOLID PROPULSION SYSTEM FOR A SUPERSONIC AERIAL TARGET. INFORMATION PROVIDED SHOULD BE UNCLASSIFIED. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED MAY BE REVIEWED AND USED ACROSS THE GOVERNMENT.
The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons (PEO (U&W)), Aerial Targets Program Management Office, (PMA-208) at Patuxent River, MD is conducting market research to determine the amount of responsible sources that have the capability, experience, facilities, and potential solutions for the capability gap described herein. PMA-208 is seeking information on industry's capability to design, develop, qualify, and manufacture a solid-propellant propulsion system for a supersonic aerial target. The Government's objective is to leverage advanced manufacturing techniques, including but not limited to Additive Manufacturing (AM), to enhance the propulsion industrial base, improve system affordability, and increase supply chain resilience. The Government is exploring a strategy wherein the propulsion system would be developed to a Government-owned Technical Data Package (TDP) and subsequently provided to a prime air vehicle integrator as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE). This RFI seeks to understand the feasibility, risks, and ROM cost/schedule associated with developing a form, fit, and function replacement for a legacy ducted rocket motor.
NAVAIR is considering awarding one or more Other Transaction Agreements (OTA), pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 4022 “Authority of the Department of Defense to carry out certain prototype projects,” for solid-propellant propulsion system for a supersonic aerial target.
The Government reserves the right to pursue production of a successful prototype(s).
Update (29 May 2026): The Government is considering utilizing the Naval Air Systems Consortium to potentially award one or more Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 4022 “Authority of the Department of Defense to carry out certain prototype projects”. This effort will be briefed by the Government at the NASC Membership Meeting on 25 June 2026. This forum is limited to the members of the NASC. For more information about membership as well as the Additively Manufactured Solid Propulsion System for a Supersonic Aerial Target briefing, please visit nascsolutions.org.
Update (12 June 2026): The deadline for response submission has been extended to 22 June 2026 at 5:00 PM ET. Please see updated instructions attached.
Update (15 June 2026): Please see Attachment 1 Frequently Asked Questions. Respondents may submit revised submissions prior to 22 June 2026 deadline at 5:00 PM ET.
Update #3 ·
THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION. THE GOVERNMENT MAY USE THE INFORMATION RECEIVED TO INFORM A POTENTIAL PROTOTYPE PROJECT UNDER OTHER TRANSACTION AUTHORITY (OTA), PURSUANT TO 10 U.S.C. § 4022. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. ALL INFORMATION SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO THIS RFI IS VOLUNTARY AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT COMPENSATE ANY RESPONDENT FOR ANY COST INCURRED IN DEVELOPMENT OF INFORMATION PROVIDED TO THE GOVERNMENT. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL; YET IS A MARKET RESEARCH TOOL TO DETERMINE POTENTIAL FIRMS CAPABLE OF PROVIDING THE SUPPLIES DESCRIBED HEREIN PRIOR TO AN ISSUANCE OF A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT OBLIGATED TO PAY FOR ANY INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM POTENTIAL SOURCES AS A RESULT OF THIS RFI. THIS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT OF ANY KIND. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT OR NON-FAR BASED AGREEMENT (E.G. OTHER TRANSACTION) AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY. FAILURE TO SUBMIT A RESPONSE WILL NOT PREVENT A COMPANY FROM PARTICIPATION IN ANY FUTURE COMPETITION RELATED TO PMA208’S ADDITIVELY MANUFACTURED SOLID PROPULSION SYSTEM FOR A SUPERSONIC AERIAL TARGET. INFORMATION PROVIDED SHOULD BE UNCLASSIFIED. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED MAY BE REVIEWED AND USED ACROSS THE GOVERNMENT.
The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons (PEO (U&W)), Aerial Targets Program Management Office, (PMA-208) at Patuxent River, MD is conducting market research to determine the amount of responsible sources that have the capability, experience, facilities, and potential solutions for the capability gap described herein. PMA-208 is seeking information on industry's capability to design, develop, qualify, and manufacture a solid-propellant propulsion system for a supersonic aerial target. The Government's objective is to leverage advanced manufacturing techniques, including but not limited to Additive Manufacturing (AM), to enhance the propulsion industrial base, improve system affordability, and increase supply chain resilience. The Government is exploring a strategy wherein the propulsion system would be developed to a Government-owned Technical Data Package (TDP) and subsequently provided to a prime air vehicle integrator as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE). This RFI seeks to understand the feasibility, risks, and ROM cost/schedule associated with developing a form, fit, and function replacement for a legacy ducted rocket motor.
NAVAIR is considering awarding one or more Other Transaction Agreements (OTA), pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 4022 “Authority of the Department of Defense to carry out certain prototype projects,” for solid-propellant propulsion system for a supersonic aerial target.
The Government reserves the right to pursue production of a successful prototype(s).
Update (29 May 2026): The Government is considering utilizing the Naval Air Systems Consortium to potentially award one or more Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 4022 “Authority of the Department of Defense to carry out certain prototype projects”. This effort will be briefed by the Government at the NASC Membership Meeting on 25 June 2026. This forum is limited to the members of the NASC. For more information about membership as well as the Additively Manufactured Solid Propulsion System for a Supersonic Aerial Target briefing, please visit nascsolutions.org.
Update (12 June 2026): The deadline for response submission has been extended to 22 June 2026 at 5:00 PM ET. Please see updated instructions attached.
Update #2 ·
THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION. THE GOVERNMENT MAY USE THE INFORMATION RECEIVED TO INFORM A POTENTIAL PROTOTYPE PROJECT UNDER OTHER TRANSACTION AUTHORITY (OTA), PURSUANT TO 10 U.S.C. § 4022. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. ALL INFORMATION SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO THIS RFI IS VOLUNTARY AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT COMPENSATE ANY RESPONDENT FOR ANY COST INCURRED IN DEVELOPMENT OF INFORMATION PROVIDED TO THE GOVERNMENT. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL; YET IS A MARKET RESEARCH TOOL TO DETERMINE POTENTIAL FIRMS CAPABLE OF PROVIDING THE SUPPLIES DESCRIBED HEREIN PRIOR TO AN ISSUANCE OF A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT OBLIGATED TO PAY FOR ANY INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM POTENTIAL SOURCES AS A RESULT OF THIS RFI. THIS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT OF ANY KIND. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT OR NON-FAR BASED AGREEMENT (E.G. OTHER TRANSACTION) AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY. FAILURE TO SUBMIT A RESPONSE WILL NOT PREVENT A COMPANY FROM PARTICIPATION IN ANY FUTURE COMPETITION RELATED TO PMA208’S ADDITIVELY MANUFACTURED SOLID PROPULSION SYSTEM FOR A SUPERSONIC AERIAL TARGET. INFORMATION PROVIDED SHOULD BE UNCLASSIFIED. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED MAY BE REVIEWED AND USED ACROSS THE GOVERNMENT.
The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons (PEO (U&W)), Aerial Targets Program Management Office, (PMA-208) at Patuxent River, MD is conducting market research to determine the amount of responsible sources that have the capability, experience, facilities, and potential solutions for the capability gap described herein. PMA-208 is seeking information on industry's capability to design, develop, qualify, and manufacture a solid-propellant propulsion system for a supersonic aerial target. The Government's objective is to leverage advanced manufacturing techniques, including but not limited to Additive Manufacturing (AM), to enhance the propulsion industrial base, improve system affordability, and increase supply chain resilience. The Government is exploring a strategy wherein the propulsion system would be developed to a Government-owned Technical Data Package (TDP) and subsequently provided to a prime air vehicle integrator as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE). This RFI seeks to understand the feasibility, risks, and ROM cost/schedule associated with developing a form, fit, and function replacement for a legacy ducted rocket motor.
NAVAIR is considering awarding one or more Other Transaction Agreements (OTA), pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 4022 “Authority of the Department of Defense to carry out certain prototype projects,” for solid-propellant propulsion system for a supersonic aerial target.
The Government reserves the right to pursue production of a successful prototype(s).
Update (29 May 2026): The Government is considering utilizing the Naval Air Systems Consortium to potentially award one or more Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 4022 “Authority of the Department of Defense to carry out certain prototype projects”. This effort will be briefed by the Government at the NASC Membership Meeting on 25 June 2026. This forum is limited to the members of the NASC. For more information about membership as well as the Additively Manufactured Solid Propulsion System for a Supersonic Aerial Target briefing, please visit nascsolutions.org.
Update #1 ·
THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION. THE GOVERNMENT MAY USE THE INFORMATION RECEIVED TO INFORM A POTENTIAL PROTOTYPE PROJECT UNDER OTHER TRANSACTION AUTHORITY (OTA), PURSUANT TO 10 U.S.C. § 4022. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. ALL INFORMATION SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO THIS RFI IS VOLUNTARY AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT COMPENSATE ANY RESPONDENT FOR ANY COST INCURRED IN DEVELOPMENT OF INFORMATION PROVIDED TO THE GOVERNMENT. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL; YET IS A MARKET RESEARCH TOOL TO DETERMINE POTENTIAL FIRMS CAPABLE OF PROVIDING THE SUPPLIES DESCRIBED HEREIN PRIOR TO AN ISSUANCE OF A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT OBLIGATED TO PAY FOR ANY INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM POTENTIAL SOURCES AS A RESULT OF THIS RFI. THIS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT OF ANY KIND. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT OR NON-FAR BASED AGREEMENT (E.G. OTHER TRANSACTION) AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY. FAILURE TO SUBMIT A RESPONSE WILL NOT PREVENT A COMPANY FROM PARTICIPATION IN ANY FUTURE COMPETITION RELATED TO PMA208’S ADDITIVELY MANUFACTURED SOLID PROPULSION SYSTEM FOR A SUPERSONIC AERIAL TARGET. INFORMATION PROVIDED SHOULD BE UNCLASSIFIED. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED MAY BE REVIEWED AND USED ACROSS THE GOVERNMENT.
The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons (PEO (U&W)), Aerial Targets Program Management Office, (PMA-208) at Patuxent River, MD is conducting market research to determine the amount of responsible sources that have the capability, experience, facilities, and potential solutions for the capability gap described herein. PMA-208 is seeking information on industry's capability to design, develop, qualify, and manufacture a solid-propellant propulsion system for a supersonic aerial target. The Government's objective is to leverage advanced manufacturing techniques, including but not limited to Additive Manufacturing (AM), to enhance the propulsion industrial base, improve system affordability, and increase supply chain resilience. The Government is exploring a strategy wherein the propulsion system would be developed to a Government-owned Technical Data Package (TDP) and subsequently provided to a prime air vehicle integrator as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE). This RFI seeks to understand the feasibility, risks, and ROM cost/schedule associated with developing a form, fit, and function replacement for a legacy ducted rocket motor.
NAVAIR is considering awarding one or more Other Transaction Agreements (OTA), pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 4022 “Authority of the Department of Defense to carry out certain prototype projects,” for solid-propellant propulsion system for a supersonic aerial target.
The Government reserves the right to pursue production of a successful prototype(s).
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Attachment 1 Frequently Asked Questions.pdf | ||
| N00019-27-RFI-PMA208DRM (Update 6-12).pdf | ||
| N00019-27-RFI-PMA208DRM.pdf |
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