COBRA KING Radar System Modernization

The Department of the Air Force Air Combat Command, through the Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC), is conducting market research for the comprehensive modernization of the COBRA KING (CK) Radar System currently deployed aboard the USNS Howard O. Lorenzen. The system consists of X-Band and S-Band front-end components with a common back-end including associated software and electronics, and the agency is seeking information from qualified radar system developers and manufacturers regarding potential upgrade capabilities. Interested vendors must demonstrate facility clearance levels, experience with phased array radar systems, digital beam forming techniques, semiconductor technology migration, system integration expertise, and maritime environment deployment capabilities. The solicitation requires unclassified responses limited to 10 pages covering company business information and technical capabilities, with submissions due within 10 business days of the September 24, 2025 posting date. AFTAC plans to follow this market research with a classified Request for Information to qualified companies and potentially issue a Request for Proposal as early as calendar year 2026, with the original deadline extended to October 15, 2025 through Amendment #1.

This opportunity does not include any set-aside designations and is open to all qualified contractors. The solicitation document contains 16 detailed technical questions that potential vendors must address, covering areas such as production capacities and experience with radar modernization programs, though no specific incumbent contractors are identified in the available documentation. While no contract values or budget ranges are specified in this pre-solicitation phase, the comprehensive nature of the modernization effort suggests a significant investment in upgrading critical defense radar capabilities. The timeline indicates responses are due by October 15, 2025, with potential RFP issuance targeted for 2026, though specific quantities of equipment or service timelines beyond the initial market research phase are not detailed. The solicitation emphasizes that all responses will be treated as competition-sensitive information and used exclusively for market research purposes to inform future acquisition strategies.