RFI - UMTE X Band Transmitter

The Department of the Air Force Materiel Command Lifecycle Management Center at Hill Air Force Base is conducting market research to identify vendors capable of consolidating and replacing obsolete, single-function transmitter systems across the Unmanned Threat Emitter (UMTE) enterprise, with responses due by October 21, 2026.

The Government currently operates multiple ground-based threat emitter platforms (TK-1, TK-2, TK-4, and others excluding TK-10 and TK-12) that rely on legacy magnetron and klystron transmitters facing diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages. The modernization objective is to replace these obsolete vacuum-tube components with mature Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) or Non-Developmental Item (NDI) technologies such as solid-state power amplifier (SSPA) architectures while maintaining compatibility with existing host shelter Size, Weight, Power, and Cooling constraints. Respondents must address technical approach, interoperability and open architecture alignment, Technology Readiness Level, and sustainment strategy.

Key performance parameters include operating frequency of 6.5 GHz to 15.5 GHz, power amplifier output of 250 W and 53.98 dBm, effective radiated power threshold of 85 dBm with objective exceeding 88 dBm, pulse width of 0.3 to 100 microseconds, and pulse repetition interval minimum of 2.0 microseconds. Environmental operating temperatures range from −30°C to +55°C. The anticipated contract structure uses Firm Fixed Price and Cost-Plus Fixed Fee with labor and data deliverable CLINs.

The Government anticipates a base ordering period of 12 months followed by four one-year optional periods plus an optional six-month extension, with performance commencing in first quarter Fiscal Year 2027. The Government is evaluating an Other Transaction Agreement under 10 U.S.C. 4022 or 4021 and encourages responses from Non-Traditional Defense Contractors, small businesses, or traditional defense contractors with minimum one-third cost-share. White papers or capability statements limited to 10 pages must be submitted electronically to Contracting Officer Heather Ball at heather.ball@us.af.mil and must include rough order of magnitude cost estimates for 23–25 initial units, non-recurring engineering costs, installation and integration costs, and delivery schedules. The RFI does not constitute a commitment to procure or issue a future RFP. The revised RFI attachment dated October 1, 2026, is the current version.