Zepplin Manufacturers
20-06-2006, 20:43
FOR PUBLIC RELEASE - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
Request for funding for Strategic High energy ground to Orbit to ground Kinetic alternative phased array laser system, (SHOK)
Notice Date
7/8/2023
Notice Type
Sources Sought
Contracting Office
ZMSF Logistics Department Zone 5
Response Due
7/24/2023
Archive Date
8/8/2023
Point of Contact
General M. P . Carlson ZMSF
THIS DOCUMENT IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. THE INCORPORATED GOVERNMENT OF ZMI DOES NOT INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF THIS RFI OR TO OTHERWISE PAY FOR THE INFORMATION RECEIVED EXCEPT AS AN ALLOWABLE COST UNDER OTHER CONTRACTS AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION 813.46.456 (COMMERCIAL) OF THE CHARTER, BID AND PROPOSAL COSTS, OF THE ZMI SPACE FORCES ACQUISITION REGULATION. DO NOT PREPARE OR SUBMIT PROPOSALS IN RESPONSE TO THIS RFI. THE PURPOSE OF THE RFI IS TO RECEIVE INPUT FROM INDUSTRY ON THE FOLLOWING TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS. TECHNICAL QUESTIONS AND SUGGESTIONS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO DR. PHILIP SAMSON AS STATED IN THE CONTACT SECTION BELOW. SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ARE LISTED AT THE END OF THE DOCUMENT. RESPONSES TO THIS RFI ARE DUE BY 24 JULY 2023. SEND RESPONSES TO GENERAL M.P. CARLSON
Technical questions, comments, or suggestions should be directed to Dr. Philip Samson
A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The ZMSF wishes to receive proposals for a high directed energy weapon ready system based on Neodymium glass solid state phased generation of EUV (extreme ultraviolet) in the Multi Terrawatt (5000 gigajoules per second) range for use at the AFRI Brightfalls installation (Advanced Fusion Research Institute).
The location AFRI Brigthfalls was chosen due to:
(I) The utility of the Brightfalls AFRI given its prior use in high energy physics and (II) The ready large supply of electrical energy and high capacity cryogenically cooled metastable superconducting degenerate matter (metallic hydrogen) capacitors
(III) The relatively secure nature of AFRI Brightfalls being as it is remote (45 miles from nearest civilian inhabitation), self contained (internal hydroponics, power generating, hospital and community support facilities), with good access to transport ( B class airstrip, sub surface EM launch ramps, sub surface rail link), and secure being some 350 metres under mount Kivan, and having a full division of trained parashock defence personnel and there equipment. Further the AFRI Brightfalls institute by the nature of its work was designed to withstand a 15 megaton internal blast and is therefore rated a class AAA total war installation.
The program calls for a Neodymium glass solid state phased generation of EUV (extreme ultraviolet) in the 5 Terrawatt range. This device is to be employed in the prepared central optical conduit (COC) of the AFRI installation. Its generated beam diameter is to be no less than 4 metres. Its primary optical output point is to have sufficient traverse capacity to track aerospace assets.
Space based laser relay mirror (RM) demonstration systems in the Freethinkers based joint concordat joint training grounds are to be used in the primary phases. The envisioned mission is to relay a ground based illuminator beam through a single use relay mirror on a MFS array (multipurpose fast satellite) to actively track space or mid-course objects. The demonstration will provide risk reduction for a variety of laser relay applications. The active track mission directly demonstrates the ability of an RM to enhance active tracking of mid-course or space objects. In addition, the demonstration, envisioned at full power obviously demonstrates the ability to relay a high power beam for various high energy laser kill missions against aerospace and surface targets. The approximate program budget is 3.2 Trillion Rungs over 3 + years. There are at least two approaches to achieve the above objectives:
Approach I would augment an existing ZMSF program known as the Lagrange Platform Relay Mirror System (LPMS) to achieve the objectives. LPMS is a relay mirror demonstrator with two 500 cm apertures currently being developed by Megacity Aerospace Systems for approximately 5.8 billion rungs to serve the existing Red Thunder airborne lasers mounted on the Type 900 hypersonic interdiction aircraft. Under this scenario, the LPMS test bed would be provided with a considerable upgrade such as cryogenic cooling and an increased aperture of 50 metres. However due to the exponentially greater energy involved in the SHOK program and high traffic density at the L points it is unlikely that risk to any Lagrange platform can be accepted.
Approach II would build a constellation of new stand-alone platforms to achieve the program objectives. For this approach, the design information obtained in the current LPMS program would be made available, but a totally new single use series of platforms would be built for the mission. The proposed base for this platforms is the standard Megacity Aerospace built Ixion orbital engagement platform usually tasked with kinetic based spaced defence. The Ixion has a high structural tolerance, ease of launch and high basic systems reliability and redundancy. This approach would have the benefit of providing a separate platform and leaving the LPMS test bed available for other investigations. A key question is can this be done within the envisioned schedule and budget. This request for information seeks industry input on the above or alternate approaches to this initiative. Preliminary information on LPMS and a suggestive list of questions are given below.
B. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION The objective of the program is to design, fabricate and integrate a relay mirror system into the SHOK program, demonstrating utility and characterising performance in laboratory and field experiments. The statement of objectives is defined below.
1. Demonstrate dual line-of-sight (DLOS) acquisition, tracking and pointing with precision against augmented and un-augmented space objects.
2. Demonstrate and characterise relay optical capture of an illuminator and/or surrogate beam with source-to-relay co-operative tracking and alignment.
3. Develop mode logic and fire control processes that demonstrate autonomous control of relay functionality and mission timeline.
4. Deliver a relay mirror test bed that can accommodate growth enhancements for advanced experiments in adaptive optics, SHOK operation, discrimination and surveillance.
5. The delivered test bed should be compatible with and accommodate an upgrade to fly on a Ixion platform with minimal component obsolescence. While SHOK as currently constituted and funded is for a low altitude demonstration of the above objectives it has been designed with operation on orbital targets as an ultimate goal.
6. With telescope upgrades and with the addition of high capacity cryo optic processors SHOK should meet the performance requirements. Lab testing will be complete in February 2025 with field-testing complete in June 2025. Therefore, if method I is chosen by the ZMSF, it is expected that parallel development of the Ixion package will take place in 2028 and integration of the components with Ixion would take place after the planned field tests in 2025 using the augmented LPMS. This would allow component integration and test to be completed in time to integrate the package in the latter half of 2026
The SHOK Program Technical Requirements Document as well as other information can be made available upon request and upon approval by the office of the Gestalt.
SUGGESTED QUESTIONS Following are some specific questions and/or response guidelines for this request. Contractors should freely make any other comments or suggestions on areas not discussed here.
1) From both technical and programmatic viewpoints, does the contractor believe that one or both of the methodologies discussed above would provide a viable path to completion of the program objectives within the cost and schedule constraints specified. If not, please provide recommendations on how the program specification could be improved.
2) Are there any technical specifications that should be in the draft text that are not currently included?
3) Is there anything in the current draft text that the contractor feels is unnecessary (technically or programmatically) or that is not clearly stated?
5) Is the proposed funding profile adequate to successfully complete the one or both of the approaches as outlined? If not, please elaborate.
6) What is a reasonable page limitation for a technical proposal volume
In addition to responding to any of the above questions, the contractor may also offer any other comments or recommendations that it feels would improve the proposed technical effort.
FOR PUBLIC RELEASE - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
Request for funding for Strategic High energy ground to Orbit to ground Kinetic alternative phased array laser system, (SHOK)
Notice Date
7/8/2023
Notice Type
Sources Sought
Contracting Office
ZMSF Logistics Department Zone 5
Response Due
7/24/2023
Archive Date
8/8/2023
Point of Contact
General M. P . Carlson ZMSF
THIS DOCUMENT IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. THE INCORPORATED GOVERNMENT OF ZMI DOES NOT INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF THIS RFI OR TO OTHERWISE PAY FOR THE INFORMATION RECEIVED EXCEPT AS AN ALLOWABLE COST UNDER OTHER CONTRACTS AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION 813.46.456 (COMMERCIAL) OF THE CHARTER, BID AND PROPOSAL COSTS, OF THE ZMI SPACE FORCES ACQUISITION REGULATION. DO NOT PREPARE OR SUBMIT PROPOSALS IN RESPONSE TO THIS RFI. THE PURPOSE OF THE RFI IS TO RECEIVE INPUT FROM INDUSTRY ON THE FOLLOWING TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS. TECHNICAL QUESTIONS AND SUGGESTIONS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO DR. PHILIP SAMSON AS STATED IN THE CONTACT SECTION BELOW. SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ARE LISTED AT THE END OF THE DOCUMENT. RESPONSES TO THIS RFI ARE DUE BY 24 JULY 2023. SEND RESPONSES TO GENERAL M.P. CARLSON
Technical questions, comments, or suggestions should be directed to Dr. Philip Samson
A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The ZMSF wishes to receive proposals for a high directed energy weapon ready system based on Neodymium glass solid state phased generation of EUV (extreme ultraviolet) in the Multi Terrawatt (5000 gigajoules per second) range for use at the AFRI Brightfalls installation (Advanced Fusion Research Institute).
The location AFRI Brigthfalls was chosen due to:
(I) The utility of the Brightfalls AFRI given its prior use in high energy physics and (II) The ready large supply of electrical energy and high capacity cryogenically cooled metastable superconducting degenerate matter (metallic hydrogen) capacitors
(III) The relatively secure nature of AFRI Brightfalls being as it is remote (45 miles from nearest civilian inhabitation), self contained (internal hydroponics, power generating, hospital and community support facilities), with good access to transport ( B class airstrip, sub surface EM launch ramps, sub surface rail link), and secure being some 350 metres under mount Kivan, and having a full division of trained parashock defence personnel and there equipment. Further the AFRI Brightfalls institute by the nature of its work was designed to withstand a 15 megaton internal blast and is therefore rated a class AAA total war installation.
The program calls for a Neodymium glass solid state phased generation of EUV (extreme ultraviolet) in the 5 Terrawatt range. This device is to be employed in the prepared central optical conduit (COC) of the AFRI installation. Its generated beam diameter is to be no less than 4 metres. Its primary optical output point is to have sufficient traverse capacity to track aerospace assets.
Space based laser relay mirror (RM) demonstration systems in the Freethinkers based joint concordat joint training grounds are to be used in the primary phases. The envisioned mission is to relay a ground based illuminator beam through a single use relay mirror on a MFS array (multipurpose fast satellite) to actively track space or mid-course objects. The demonstration will provide risk reduction for a variety of laser relay applications. The active track mission directly demonstrates the ability of an RM to enhance active tracking of mid-course or space objects. In addition, the demonstration, envisioned at full power obviously demonstrates the ability to relay a high power beam for various high energy laser kill missions against aerospace and surface targets. The approximate program budget is 3.2 Trillion Rungs over 3 + years. There are at least two approaches to achieve the above objectives:
Approach I would augment an existing ZMSF program known as the Lagrange Platform Relay Mirror System (LPMS) to achieve the objectives. LPMS is a relay mirror demonstrator with two 500 cm apertures currently being developed by Megacity Aerospace Systems for approximately 5.8 billion rungs to serve the existing Red Thunder airborne lasers mounted on the Type 900 hypersonic interdiction aircraft. Under this scenario, the LPMS test bed would be provided with a considerable upgrade such as cryogenic cooling and an increased aperture of 50 metres. However due to the exponentially greater energy involved in the SHOK program and high traffic density at the L points it is unlikely that risk to any Lagrange platform can be accepted.
Approach II would build a constellation of new stand-alone platforms to achieve the program objectives. For this approach, the design information obtained in the current LPMS program would be made available, but a totally new single use series of platforms would be built for the mission. The proposed base for this platforms is the standard Megacity Aerospace built Ixion orbital engagement platform usually tasked with kinetic based spaced defence. The Ixion has a high structural tolerance, ease of launch and high basic systems reliability and redundancy. This approach would have the benefit of providing a separate platform and leaving the LPMS test bed available for other investigations. A key question is can this be done within the envisioned schedule and budget. This request for information seeks industry input on the above or alternate approaches to this initiative. Preliminary information on LPMS and a suggestive list of questions are given below.
B. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION The objective of the program is to design, fabricate and integrate a relay mirror system into the SHOK program, demonstrating utility and characterising performance in laboratory and field experiments. The statement of objectives is defined below.
1. Demonstrate dual line-of-sight (DLOS) acquisition, tracking and pointing with precision against augmented and un-augmented space objects.
2. Demonstrate and characterise relay optical capture of an illuminator and/or surrogate beam with source-to-relay co-operative tracking and alignment.
3. Develop mode logic and fire control processes that demonstrate autonomous control of relay functionality and mission timeline.
4. Deliver a relay mirror test bed that can accommodate growth enhancements for advanced experiments in adaptive optics, SHOK operation, discrimination and surveillance.
5. The delivered test bed should be compatible with and accommodate an upgrade to fly on a Ixion platform with minimal component obsolescence. While SHOK as currently constituted and funded is for a low altitude demonstration of the above objectives it has been designed with operation on orbital targets as an ultimate goal.
6. With telescope upgrades and with the addition of high capacity cryo optic processors SHOK should meet the performance requirements. Lab testing will be complete in February 2025 with field-testing complete in June 2025. Therefore, if method I is chosen by the ZMSF, it is expected that parallel development of the Ixion package will take place in 2028 and integration of the components with Ixion would take place after the planned field tests in 2025 using the augmented LPMS. This would allow component integration and test to be completed in time to integrate the package in the latter half of 2026
The SHOK Program Technical Requirements Document as well as other information can be made available upon request and upon approval by the office of the Gestalt.
SUGGESTED QUESTIONS Following are some specific questions and/or response guidelines for this request. Contractors should freely make any other comments or suggestions on areas not discussed here.
1) From both technical and programmatic viewpoints, does the contractor believe that one or both of the methodologies discussed above would provide a viable path to completion of the program objectives within the cost and schedule constraints specified. If not, please provide recommendations on how the program specification could be improved.
2) Are there any technical specifications that should be in the draft text that are not currently included?
3) Is there anything in the current draft text that the contractor feels is unnecessary (technically or programmatically) or that is not clearly stated?
5) Is the proposed funding profile adequate to successfully complete the one or both of the approaches as outlined? If not, please elaborate.
6) What is a reasonable page limitation for a technical proposal volume
In addition to responding to any of the above questions, the contractor may also offer any other comments or recommendations that it feels would improve the proposed technical effort.
FOR PUBLIC RELEASE - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE