Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Request for Information for High Hypersonic Reentry Flight Experiment Program

Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Request for Information for High Hypersonic Reentry Flight Experiment Program

Introduction

Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is gathering information for future partnering with industry and other government agencies to develop high-cadence, recoverable, reliable, cost-effective orbital and hypersonic reentry experiment platforms. These platforms offer exposure to extreme reentry environments with payload recovery post-fight for Technology Readiness Level (TRL) maturation and Science & Technology (S&T) advancement. AFRL aims to advance novel, innovative research areas that address capability, technology, or scientific gaps for hypersonic reentry vehicles and environments. In addition to existing orbital and hypersonic platforms, AFRL aims to further develop hypersonic testing infrastructure and platforms. Near-future capabilities include non-ballistic trajectories and high-acceleration-load (50+ g’s) flight conditions.

AFRL has the following reentry experimentation priorities (not in priority order):

Promote cutting-edge research to enhance the Department of War's (DOW) ability to address future science and technology (S&T) requirements for hypersonic reentry. This involves developing recoverable flight payloads designed to withstand extreme hypersonic conditions above 7.5km/s and high-acceleration forces exceeding 50 g’s including, but not limited to:

• Guidance, Navigation, and Control Technologies with the potential to be radiation hardened/survivable (operate through, circumvent and recover, etc.) – accelerometers, gyroscopes, navigation aids for operating in a GPS denied environment (stellar, radar, optical, etc.), and new SW algorithms for relevant hypersonic flight environments
• Avionics Components with the potential to be radiation hardened/survivable (operate through, circumvent and recover, etc.) – flight computers, processors, actuators, etc.
• Flight-Environment Sensors – heat flux, temperature, pressure, shock, vibration, acceleration, attitude, altitude, material recession, plasma, etc.
• Novel Thermal Protection System (TPS) materials and manufacturing techniques, including, but not limited to hot-structure TPS
• Integrated Systems – e.g. flight computer with IMU with navigation aid
• Vehicle Diagnostic Sensors and Algorithms
• Communication Capabilities – e.g. telemetry
• Autonomous precision landing
• Ejectables on orbit or reentry

Identify reentry testbed capabilities that improve Department of War’s (DOW’s) ability to meet hypersonic reentry environment S&T needs by providing recoverable test platforms that operate in relevant hypersonic environments:

• Required Characteristics (not all simultaneously required)
  • Minimum speed 7.5 km/s
  • Acceleration loads of at least 50 g’s
  • Minimum 2000° C thermal load
  • Minimum heat flux in flight of 350 W/cm2
  • Support at least a 40 x 40 x 40 cm payload volume and 5+kg mass
  • Host-provided power
• Additional Useful Characteristics
  • Ability to maneuver at hypersonic speed, minimum 1.8km/s
  • Ability to mount external material samples with sensor instrumentation
  • Ability to achieve 50+ g’s acceleration load during test
  • Ability to achieve heat flux exceeding 400+ W/cm2
  • Ability to provide direct line-of-sight ground observation during terminal-phase flight

Collect data to address knowledge gaps in existing and new computational models (e.g., reentry temperature profile, shock, vibration, plasma profile, RF blackout, etc.)

AFRL is requesting information on technologies which have completed bench-level testing and are ready for prototype reentry experimentation (notionally TRL 4-5). AFRL is also requesting information on already-developed reentry vehicles available for flight opportunities in the near term (less than 12 months).

Suitable technologies or vehicles may be identified for follow-on agreements to further develop hypersonic testing infrastructure and platforms that address capability, technology, or scientific gaps for hypersonic reentry vehicles and environments. Follow-on agreements could include Cooperative Research and Development Agreements, Small Business Innovative Research contracts, FAR-based contracts, Other Transaction Authority contracts, etc. This request for information is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a commitment by the U.S. Government to award a contract, make any purchases, or take any other action.

Application and Submission Information

Submission Format:

Submissions should consist of a White Paper and an optional Experiment and Materials Data Sheets. The White Paper should be divided into the sections described below and listed in the same order. Some sections are denoted as “if applicable” or “optional.” To streamline the process, the White Papers are limited to four (4) pages using 11-point Times New Roman font. Graphics must be legible without zoom (>10-point font) and do not count against page count limitation. A template is provided for the Experiment and Materials Data Sheets. Theses documents are optional and do not count against page count limitation. Experiment and Materials data sheets may be marked CUI once completed.

One (1) additional page may be allocated for references and does not count against page count limitation. Citations shall be in accordance with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Reference Guide. (https://journals.ieeeauthorcenter.ieee.org/your-role-in-article-production/ieee-editorial-style-manual/)

No other materials, including letters of advocacy, will be considered or reviewed. Submissions that do not meet the requirements above may not be considered or retained for market research purposes. This request for information is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a commitment by the U.S. Government to award a contract, make any purchases, or take any other action. Submitters should address the following:

• White Paper: 

  • Mission Relevance

    • Project alignment with priorities listed in this document
    • Warfighter, scientific and/or technological gaps addressed through this work
    • Advancement of future hypersonic S&T priorities
    • Estimated TRL before and after flight testing and justification
  • (Payloads only) Payload/Experiment Overview
    • Technology’s current use and novel advancements
    • Barriers to wider use of the proposed technology
    • Expected maturation of technology from reentry testing
    • Other relevant existing technology
  • (Platforms only) Test Platform Overview
    • Vehicle’s current and projected capabilities and expected (or known) environments
    • TRL
    • Anticipated commercial application (if applicable)
  • Technical Approach and Objectives
    • Description of technical approach and objectives of this experiment or test
    • Hypothesis and test configuration
    • Outline of design and development plan for the payload
    • Assessment of additional development necessary for transition to DOW acquisition
    • Identification of major technical obstacles to achieving objectives
  • Programmatic Approach and Objectives
    • Description of programmatic approach and objectives of this experiment or test
    • Reasonable ROM cost estimates, development/procurement/integration schedules, and additional development and engineering requirements
  • Research Path Opportunity
    • Description of future research opportunities and technology transition paths resulting from successful flight test
  • Path to Strategic-Grade Radiation Hardness/Survivability (If applicable)
    • Description of technology potential to be radiation hardened/survivable (operate through, circumvent and recover, etc.)

Experiment and Materials Data Sheets optional):

• Optional data sheet for proposed payload. See the template provided for more detail. There are additional templates for external payloads and test platforms.

Submission Process

This overarching request for information has no end date and is in effect until it is closed or rescinded, but may be reviewed and updated as needed.

White Papers, Data Sheets, and questions should be submitted to the Neutron STAR Org Mailbox. Documents containing CUI should be properly marked and submitters should request a DoD SAFE drop off link via the Neutron STAR Org Mailbox:

afrl.rvkb.afrlneutronstardms@us.af.mil; Addressed to the ‘Prometheus Team’

Responses to this request will be tracked, managed, and otherwise documented by the aforementioned Prometheus Team, contracting officials, and/or support teams.  Responses or feedback to industry will not be provided a result of the RFI.

Disclaimer

This RFI is issued solely for information-gathering and planning purposes. It is not a solicitation or a promise to issue a solicitation. This RFI does not constitute a commitment by the U.S. Government to award a contract, make any purchases, or take any other action. The information obtained as a result of this RFI may inform the Government's future requirements, but no specific procurement action is guaranteed as a result of this request.

Participation in this RFI is entirely voluntary, and responders are under no obligation to submit information. The U.S. Government will not reimburse costs incurred by respondents in connection with this RFI. This includes, but is not limited to, costs associated with preparing or submitting responses, participating in meetings or demonstrations, or responding to subsequent requests for clarification.

The Government reserves the right to use or not use any information provided by respondents in its sole discretion. Submission of a response to this RFI or any related discussions or exchanges with the Government does not create a binding agreement, obligation, or right for either party. Responding to this RFI will not adversely affect consideration for any future procurement or preclude respondents from participating in any subsequent solicitations.

Responders should avoid including proprietary, confidential, or sensitive information in their submissions, as RFI responses will not be treated as privileged or restricted in nature. If proprietary information must be included, responders are responsible for clearly marking such information to ensure proper handling.

This RFI is for market research purposes only. Any information provided is subject to verification and may be used in developing future acquisition strategies or solicitations. By voluntarily submitting information, respondents acknowledge and accept the terms of this disclaimer.