AF tencap RFI: procurement of C-130/L-382 non-permanent roll-on/roll-off beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) dual-band satcom & GPS hatch systems

AF TENCAP, through the Air Force Lifecycle Management Center (AFLCMC) Sensors Division (AFLCMC/WIN), is conducting market research to identify vendors who have designed, developed, and delivered a high-bandwidth Beyond-Line-of-Sight (BLOS) 45cm Ku/Ka-Band Satellite Communication (SATCOM) system and associated GPS Hatch assemblies. These SATCOM systems and GPS hatches need to have pre-existing Department of War (DoW) certified airworthiness, or currently in the process of certification, and support operational missions across C-130 / L-382 aircraft variants. The systems must be installed via a Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro/Ro) hatch replacement capability to maintain fleet operational readiness and prevent aircraft down-time.  The solution should be network agnostic, not to include any commercial SATCOM modems, and only be compatible with software defined radios for modem functions such as digitization. The system will provide network connectivity for a C-130 variant for future DAF Battle Network integration and communications with various mission partners. Air Force TENCAP is seeking vendors who have recently delivered existing TRL 9 prototypes, ready for small quantity production units to be delivered within the next year. 

14 August 2026 Amended RFI Language:

This description supercedes the original description posted on 03 August 2026. 

AF TENCAP, through the Air Force Lifecycle Management Center (AFLCMC) Sensors Division (AFLCMC/WIN), is conducting market research to identify vendors who have designed, developed, and delivered a high-bandwidth Beyond-Line-of-Sight (BLOS) 45cm Ku/Ka-Band Satellite Communication (SATCOM) system and associated GPS Hatch assemblies. These SATCOM systems and GPS hatches need to have pre-existing Department of War (DoW) certified airworthiness, or currently in the process of certification, and support operational missions across C-130 / L-382 aircraft variants. The systems must be installed via a Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro/Ro) hatch replacement capability to maintain fleet operational readiness and prevent aircraft down-time.  The solution should be network agnostic, not to include any commercial SATCOM modems, and only be compatible with software defined radios for modem functions such as digitization. Specifically, the system will need to be compatible with the x410 modem. The system will provide network connectivity for a C-130 variant for future DAF Battle Network integration and communications with various mission partners. Air Force TENCAP is seeking vendors who have recently delivered existing TRL 9 prototypes, ready for small quantity production units to be delivered within the next year.