A -- A STUDY OF THE OPERATIONAL ISSUES OF PERFORMING BMD MISSIONS FROM STRATOSPHERIC AIRSHIPS

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) intends to award a sole source contract to StratCom International LLC, for research and analysis of operational issues related to the performance of three missions from stratospheric airship vehicles. These three missions are boost phase intercept, ballistic missile defense (BMD) surveillance, and relay mirror basing for ground-based lasers. For each of the three missions, the research, extensive mission analysis, and payload definitions shall address the following areas: (1) Payload integration and analysis; (2) Operational scenario analysis; and (3) Operational issues and risk mitigation. Research and analysis in the area of payload integration and analysis will require identification of optimum payload suites for employment on stratospheric airship platforms, development of concepts for integrating them into stratospheric airships, and identification of issues associated with the payload integration, including the identification of areas of technology shortfalls. Operational scenario analysis will require determination of the number, placement and other operational employment features of the payload suites/airships needed to provide the required BMD mission capability. In addition, the Contractor shall parametrically address the impact on these missions with respect to a range of interceptors, sensors, and relay mirror physical and performance parameters. This analysis shall include, but is not limited to, identification and assessment of the effects of environmental factors such as winds, temperature, spectral (IR and UV) loading, and seasonal solar changes at representative mission latitudes. Identification of BMD operational issues and risk mitigation will require examination of issues such as, but not limited to, payload reliability, survivability, basing and replenishment, and weapons launch from an unmanned platform. In cases where the identified issues impose significant risk, the Contractor shall recommend alternative mitigation measures. Additionally, where technology shortfalls exist, the Contractor shall recommend possible research efforts for future considerations. The contract value is approximately $200K over a period of six months. StratCom International LLC is the only known source with the necessary resources for the research area described. This effort will not design nor will it build a stratospheric airship vehicle. Any contractor who believes they possess the necessary resources and capabilities to perform the described research mentioned above, and possess an understanding of BMD missions may express their interest by submitting information that details their experience with relevant research in stratospheric airships, BMD mission analysis, and BMD payload definitions to Ms. Pamela Moore at [email protected] NLT 2:00 p.m. on 01 February 2002.