Lightweight and High-Strength Materials

Description:

The U.S. Army Contracting Command - New Jersey, on behalf of the Office of the Project Manager, Maneuver Ammunition Systems (PM-MAS), is seeking to establish industrial sources for lightweight and high-strength materials for lethality overmatch. Recently there has been an increase in utilization of composite materials in aerospace, munitions, and other Department of Defense (DoD) applications. The U.S. Army has a need to establish additional composite materials industrial sources to stay ahead of emerging technologies and maintain lethality overmatch with our munitions and weapon systems.  

Specifications:  

The U.S. Army’s intent is to develop additional composite sources of supply allowing multiple vendors the opportunity to develop composite materials.

Nominal composite component requirements:

• Lightweight composite materials compared to traditional metals
• High strength composite materials
• Composite materials being able to survive ballistic gun launch with pressures greater 80,000 pounds per square inch (psi)
• Tensile strengths greater than 170 ksi
• Compressive strengths greater than 90 ksi
• Nominal densities of 0.06 lbm/in3
• Environmental temperature ranges from below -50°C and greater than +70°C
• Composite materials that uniform and null of voids and cracks
• Composite materials that are easily manufactured by use of common production methods
• Preferred non-proprietary manufacturing methods with multiple vendor sources
• Flexibility with multiple sources of fibers, resins and other materials with various vendor sources
• Easily moldable composite components
• Fast production of composite components

There are several specific requirements for 120mm composite sabot in KE ammunition. The sabot is a component within the projectile subassembly of the cartridge. The sabot typically consists of a three-petal design that wraps around the penetrator of the cartridge. During the gun launch of the projectile, the sabot travels down the bore of the gun tube and upon exit of the muzzle, it discards which enables the penetrator to continue flight. The composite sabot must seal gases created during ballistic firing as well as center and support the cartridge projectile during gun launch in the gun tube. The composite sabot is also critical for consistent projectile flight with the transfer of pressure load from ignition gases to the projectile in launch. In Figure 1, a diagram is provided of an 120mm M829A2 with the sabot highlighted with the red arrow. In Figure 2, a photo is provided of a composite sabot segment.

Figure 1. M829A2 Cartridge Diagram

This figure will be included in the attached document 'Market Survey_Lightweight and High-Strength Materials'

Figure 2. Composite Sabot Segment

This figure will be included in the attached document 'Market Survey_Lightweight and High-Strength Materials'

To provide clarification, with this source sought notice, the USG is interested in industry capability to produce components utilizing composite material.  Near-term, the USG is focused on the production of the sabot but would be interested in reviewing any information industry can provide regarding current and potential capabilities with regard to manufacturing raw composite material as well as fabrication of parts using composite materials. USG will review any information submitted by industry regarding composite material capabilities. 

Submission Information: 

THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION AND DOES NOT OBLIGATE THE GOVERNMENT TO ISSUE A SOLICITATION. Please be advised that the Government will not pay for any information submitted under this announcement. Interested companies should submit their qualifications and capabilities electronically within 30 days of this notice to: michael.t.lau3.civ@army.mil or jennifer.m.rustwick.civ@army.mil. Interested companies should respond by providing the Government with the following information:

(1) Name of company and CAGE Code;

(2) Point of Contacts name, telephone number and E-mail address;

(3) Company address;

(4) Business size information;

(5) Identification of whether you are interested in this opportunity as a prime or a subcontractor;

(6) A brief summary of the company’s capabilities as it relates to composite material (to include organizations, description of facilities, equipment, manufacturing process, inspection capability, skills, personnel) and potential subcontractors’ capabilities;

(7) A brief summary of possible partnering/teaming arrangements;

Please identify any proprietary information submitted. A respondent to this survey must have the majority of the skills and facilities that are required to manufacture this item. If a respondent does not have these resources (technical, manufacturing, personnel, etc.) available, then it must demonstrate its ability to obtain them in a reasonable time period. If a respondent chooses to utilize the services of sub-tier vendors or subcontractors, those vendors or subcontractors must also meet the same resource criteria as the prime contractor.  

This is a market survey, not a pre-solicitation notice.  If a formal solicitation is generated at a later date a solicitation notice will be published.  All information is to be submitted at no cost or obligation to the Government.