Automated Air-to-Air Refueling
Closed Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- FA2385-25-S-9761
- Agency
-
Air Force Research Laboratory
Air Force Materiel Command, 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)
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Air Force Research Laboratory is soliciting proposals for the Automated Air-to-Air Refueling (A3R) program under solicitation FA2385-25-S-9761, seeking advanced boom automation technologies to enable future uncrewed aerial refueling tankers. The procurement falls under the Rapid Advanced Capability Transition (ReACT) Multiple Authority Announcement and focuses on developing autonomous control technologies that eliminate the need for operator monitoring during aerial refueling operations. Key objectives include creating models and logic for determining refueling proceed/stop conditions, extending system reliability, developing analysis techniques for system certification, and demonstrating full boom automation capabilities in GPS-denied environments. The acquisition approach emphasizes open architecture and interface standards to prevent vendor lock-in scenarios while accelerating platform-agnostic capabilities. The solicitation follows a two-step process with white papers due by August 11, 2025, at 1600 hours Wright-Patterson AFB local time, and an anticipated single award in February 2026.
This opportunity does not utilize any set-aside designations and no current contractors or incumbents are identified in the documentation. The total estimated program cost is $9.8 million, structured with an 18-month base period valued at $6 million and a 12-month Option 1 valued at $3.8 million. The contract will be performed at contractor-owned facilities involving both laboratory and field activities, with potential for flight testing using either contractor-owned or government-owned assets. Access to key program documents including the Statement of Objectives, Key Performance Parameters, and security classification guides requires qualified U.S. contractors to possess a certified DD Form 2345, with several documents marked as Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). The program falls under NAICS code 541715 with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees, and foreign participation is not authorized at the prime contractor level.
Notice text
3 versions
Update #3 · Latest ·
Update 5 Aug 2025: Solicitation Questions and Answers Attachment Added (Attachment 13)
Original Solicitation:
The Air-to-Air Refueling effort is being solicited as a 2-STEP CALL FOR PROPOSALS under the Rapid Advanced Capability Transition (ReACT) Multiple Authority Annoucement (FA2385-24-S-9701). The A3R objectives falls within scope of Topic 6 of the ReACT MAA. The A3R requirement integrally involves autonomous control technologies and manned-unmanned teaming and
thus falls withing scope of the ReACT MAA. The call is planned to be issued in accordance with the ReACT MAA terms and conditions. Current automation solutions require an aerial refueling operator to monitor the system. Boom automation developments have primarily focused on a short-range relative navigation system that provides tracking information into the tanker’s boom control unit. The intent for CRONUS boom automation is to develop advanced boom automation technologies that would enable a future boom equipped tanker to be uncrewed. Work areas could include defining models and logic to determine when refueling should proceed and when it should be stopped, extending system reliability so that operator monitoring is not required, analysis techniques to support system certification, and contingency event identification and resolution. A3R will accelerate platform agnostic capabilities and reduce risk for future tanking concepts by demonstrating full boom automation capabilities in a GPS denied environment. A3R acquisition approach aims to eliminate vendor lock scenarios by requiring open architecture and interface standards.
Update #2 ·
The Air-to-Air Refueling effort is being solicited as a 2-STEP CALL FOR PROPOSALS under the Rapid Advanced Capability Transition (ReACT) Multiple Authority Annoucement (FA2385-24-S-9701). The A3R objectives falls within scope of Topic 6 of the ReACT MAA. The A3R requirement integrally involves autonomous control technologies and manned-unmanned teaming and
thus falls withing scope of the ReACT MAA. The call is planned to be issued in accordance with the ReACT MAA terms and conditions. Current automation solutions require an aerial refueling operator to monitor the system. Boom automation developments have primarily focused on a short-range relative navigation system that provides tracking information into the tanker’s boom control unit. The intent for CRONUS boom automation is to develop advanced boom automation technologies that would enable a future boom equipped tanker to be uncrewed. Work areas could include defining models and logic to determine when refueling should proceed and when it should be stopped, extending system reliability so that operator monitoring is not required, analysis techniques to support system certification, and contingency event identification and resolution. A3R will accelerate platform agnostic capabilities and reduce risk for future tanking concepts by demonstrating full boom automation capabilities in a GPS denied environment. A3R acquisition approach aims to eliminate vendor lock scenarios by requiring open architecture and interface standards.
Update #1 ·
The A3R objectives falls within scope of Topic 6 of the ReACT MAA. The A3R requirement
integrally involves autonomous control technologies and manned-unmanned teaming and
thus falls withing scope of the ReACT MAA. The call is planned to be issued in accordance
with the ReACT MAA terms and conditions. Current automation solutions require an aerial
refueling operator to monitor the system. Boom automation developments have primarily
focused on a short-range relative navigation system that provides tracking information into
the tanker’s boom control unit. The intent for CRONUS boom automation is to develop
advanced boom automation technologies that would enable a future boom equipped tanker
to be uncrewed. Work areas could include defining models and logic to determine when
refueling should proceed and when it should be stopped, extending system reliability so that
operator monitoring is not required, analysis techniques to support system certification, and
contingency event identification and resolution. A3R will accelerate platform agnostic
capabilities and reduce risk for future tanking concepts by demonstrating full boom
automation capabilities in a GPS denied environment. A3R acquisition approach aims to
eliminate vendor lock scenarios by requiring open architecture and interface standards.
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