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.
