US military seeks countermeasures to protect KC-130 and C-40 aircraft

The Naval Air Systems Command-Aircraft Division, Aircraft Combat Survivability Division is seeking information from industry on Countermeasure Systems to protect KC-130J and C-40A aircraft operating in a variety of threat environments. The Navy announced the project in a Request For Information (RFI) document released Friday.

The United States Marine Corps and U.S. Navy are conducting a study/market research in order to:

• evaluate the existing combat survivability of the KC-130J and the C-40A, a derivative of the Boeing 737-700C, configurations and assess material solutions to enhance the combat survivability of these aircraft in their respective threat environments.
• develop a KC-130J and C-40A Combat Survivability Enhancement Roadmap to include the Technical Readiness Levels of potential survivability enhancement material solutions.
• provide recommendations for survivability enhancement Operational Requirements Document/ Capability Production Document requirements.

“For the purpose of this RFI, the threats of primary interest for the KC-130J include medium range Radio Frequency (RF) guided Surface-to-Air Missile systems (RF SAMs), Electro-Optical or RF-guided Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA) systems, and Man-Portable Air Defense System (MANPADS) missiles acting independently or as part of an Integrated Air Defense Systems (IADS),” the Navy said in the RFI. “However, the threats may also include long range RF SAMs and Air-to-Air Interceptors (AAIs); armed with a variety of IR and RF guided missiles, operating as part of the IADS.

"The threats of interest for the C-40A include MANPADS and potentially long range RF SAMS and AAIs armed with a variety of IR and RF guided missiles, operating as part of the IADS.

For planning purposes, the countermeasure suites should be of sufficient Technology Readiness Level to support production incorporation in the 2025 to 2030 timeframe.” The suites for the KC-130J and C-40A do not need to be the same; however, commonality of weapons replaceable assembly selected for use on each aircraft would be beneficial, the Navy said.

Companies interested in supporting the project should contact the Naval Air Warfare Cetner-Aircraft Division in Patuxent River, Md., no later than Nov. 30.