The U. S. Marine Corps has identified a requirement to replace the existing Armored Pilot and Co-Pilot Crashworthy Seat System on the CH-46E helicopter with a lightweight substitute to reduce aircraft weight thus enhancing safety and enabling the aircraft to carry additional combat-loaded troops without degrading the aircraft’s defensive capabilities. This new seat system will provide, at a minimum, a 200 lb weight reduction over the existing seat system and display the same fit parameters of the existing pair of seats. The total weight of the existing metallic armor system is 462 pounds (231 pounds each for the Pilot and Co-Pilot seats). With the exception of mounting rails/tracks, the new seat system shall mate with existing airframe structure without benefit of modification. The new seat system will provide the following ballistic and crash protection characteristics:Ballistics Protection Seat back and bottom will be capable of withstanding V50 specification ballistic requirements, 7.62x51 ball M80, 0 degrees obliquity at a minimum of 2500 feet per second (fps) and have a side protection panel that meets V50 specification ballistic requirements to withstand .30 cal APM2 round at 2800 fps with 30 deg angle of obliquity. The side protection panel must be easily stowed to allow unencumbered aircraft egress during emergency. Crash Capability/Survivability Protection (a)Static crash protection thresholds: 1. Minimum static load factors of 20g forward, 15g aft, 20g down, 10g up and 10g laterally in the aircraft axis each acting separately. 2. Occupant weight of 265 lbs. 95th percentile occupant required for analysis, qualification and test purposes. (b)Dynamic crash protection objectives: 1. Combined Vertical: With the seat pitched forward 30 degrees and rolled 10 degrees, the seat will protect occupants in a crash pulse of 48G with a velocity change of 50 fps. In this combined vertical impact condition the seat will attenuate vertical accelerations transmitted to occupants through downward stroking so that human tolerance limits are not exceeded for 3rd through 98th percentile male occupants. 2. Vertical: In the pure vertical direction the seat will protect occupants in a crash pulse of 48G with a velocity change of 42 fps. In this vertical impact condition the seat will attenuate vertical accelerations transmitted to occupants through downward stroking so that human tolerance limits are not exceeded for 3rd through 98th percentile male occupants. 3. Combined Forward: With the seat yawed 30 degrees from longitudinal, the seat will protect 3rd through 98th percentile male occupants in a crash pulse of 30G with a velocity change of 50 fps. Longitudinal load attenuation can be included to reduce loads transmitted to the floor interface so that the static load values of Paragraph (a) are not exceeded. Industry Day An LRASP Industry Day is scheduled for Wednesday, 1 Dec 2004, from 8:00 AM EST to 1000 AM EST at the Naval Aviation Depot (NAVAIRDEPOT), Cherry Point, NC, to provide the specific details of the technical requirements and the program schedule. An aircraft will be available for familiarizing potential offerors with the location of the current seat system and to provide access for taking measurements. The Government will accept written questions from industry following this meeting and will provide the answers as an attachment to the solicitation which is expected to be released on or around 18 January 2005. The CH-46E program is looking to expedite the fielding of these new seats. Therefore, only those offerors with a seat currently in production will be considered. In addition, offerors will be required to demonstrate ergonomic evaluation, seat fit and occupant egress in a CH-46E cockpit prior to written proposal submission. The seat fit demonstration will be conducted at NADEP Cherry Point NC on or around 1 Feb 2005. Submittal of test data documenting the crash qualification of the seating system will also be required at time of test fit. Offerors must be able to deliver their proposed seat to the Government-approved baseline configuration within 5 months after contract award and, upon exercise of the options, shall deliver the production units at a minimum rate of 3 units per month. Additional aircraft access will be available, by appointment only, for initial seat fit and measurements prior to proposal submission. The estimated quantity for this procurement is 147 kits (294 seats) or other such quantities as may be authorized and appropriated by Congress. Seats will be procured over a period of 3 years. All questions regarding this procurement shall be directed to Ms. Julie Matheny, (301) 757-6570,
[email protected] or Ms. Janice Woehrer, (301) 757-6551, Janice.Woehrer@ navy.mil. The address is Department of the Navy, Naval Air Systems Command, Attn: AIR-2.4.3.3, 47123 Buse Road, Bldg 2272, Suite 353, Patuxent River, MD 20670-1547. The POC for the LRASP Industry Day is Ms. Trish Butler, (252) 464-9382,
[email protected]. Please contact her for visit request information and to provide attendance confirmation. Visit requests are due to the NAVAIRDEPOT Cherry Point, NC, no later than 23 Nov 2004. Visit requests received after that date may not be considered.