Recovered Hypersonic Sled Test (RHST) Program: Industry Day to Establish Project Consortium(s)

The Department of the Air Force Materiel Command Test Center has issued a Sources Sought Notice for the Recovered Hypersonic Sled Test (RHST) Program, seeking industry input to establish project consortium(s) for developing ground test infrastructure at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. This Special Notice represents a market research effort to gauge industry capabilities and determine the appropriate number of consortiums needed to execute the requirement. The program focuses on creating a comprehensive test system capable of conducting hypersonic weapon system testing, supporting both recoverable and non-recoverable assets. The Air Force Test Center is utilizing this notice to identify qualified vendors and assess market capacity before proceeding with the formal acquisition process. The initiative falls under the 10 U.S.C. 4022 prototype project authority, indicating the government's intent to pursue innovative acquisition approaches.

The RHST program's primary objective is to design and construct a test campus with performance-based requirements that encompasses infrastructure design, facility construction, test apparatus development, and system validation. Contractors interested in participating must be registered under specific NAICS codes (236220, 237310, 237990, 238910, 541330), possess current NIST SP 800-171 certification, and be registered in the Joint Certification Program to receive detailed documentation. The government has scheduled a Virtual Industry Day Kick-Off for July 21, 2025, followed by an onsite Industry Day at Holloman Air Force Base from July 30-31, 2025. Foreign participation is explicitly prohibited for this program. The initiative targets both Initial Operating Capability requiring an integrated test system and Future Operating Capability focused on demonstrating recoverable hypersonic sled test capabilities. Responses to this market research effort are due by July 20, 2025.