FAA Airspace Non-Cooperative Radar (ANSR) Request for Information

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is seeking industry input through a Request for Information (RFI) for the Airspace Non-Cooperative Surveillance Radar (ANSR) program, which aims to replace legacy Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR) systems that are reaching end of service life by 2035. The RFI seeks to develop an acquisition strategy for procuring a modern radar system capable of non-cooperative aircraft surveillance in terminal airspace, covering 0-60 nautical miles from airports. The FAA is exploring two potential acquisition approaches: a traditional government-owned/operated model and a surveillance-as-a-service model where vendors would provide radar data feeds. Key objectives include maximizing the use of Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) and Non-Developmental Item (NDI) systems, understanding industry capabilities to meet draft System Specification Document requirements, and obtaining rough order of magnitude (ROM) cost estimates. The RFI responses are due by January 29, 2025, with preliminary questions due by November 22, 2024, and the FAA plans to make an Initial Investment Decision in Q1 2026.

The procurement is not set aside for any specific business category and will be open to all qualified vendors in the Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (NAICS 334511) category. While specific award values are not disclosed, the RFI indicates the FAA is seeking a system that can process up to 700 real aircraft targets, operate with 99.98% availability, and have a mean time between critical failures (MTBCF) of over 5,000 hours. The system must detect aircraft with an 80% probability for 1m2 radar cross section targets, operate in the 2700-2900 MHz frequency range, and provide comprehensive coverage from 0.5 to 60 nautical miles with a 360-degree azimuth up to 24,000 feet altitude. The ANSR system is intended to replace aging ASR-8, ASR-9, and ASR-11 radars originally deployed between 1975-2003, with the expectation that legacy systems will continue to operate until 2035. Responses to the RFI are limited to 100 pages and must be submitted electronically in PDF format.