Request for Information- High Definition Aviation Digital Display REQUEST FOR INFORMATION: THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION; THE NUMBER ABOVE IS NOT A VALID SOLICITATION NUMBER; NOT A FY2011 REQUIREMENT; no award will be made as a result of this request. This Request For Information (RFI) is for informational purposes only; this is not a Request for Proposal (RFP). All interested parties are encouraged to respond to this RFI. The Government will not pay for information and materials received in response to this RFI and is in no way obligated by the information received. BACKGROUND/DESCRIPTION: The United States Army, Research Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM) Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC) Night Vision & Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD) is planning support to design, develop, integrate, and demonstrate an advanced wide field-of-view (WFOV), see-through, high definition, digital, helmet mounted display (HMD) to support PM Apache and PM Air Warrior. The display will replace Apache's analog CRT-based Integrated Helmet and Display Sight System (IHADSS) and provide Army-wide aviation capability through the Air Soldier program. The effort will consist of design trade studies; evaluating components and optical methods for wide FOV monocular and biocular HMD; selecting the design(s)/concept(s) that will or have potential to meet performance, man-machine interface and human factors requirements; develop, design, and build prototypes; and continue evolutionary development while integrating onto the Modular Aircrew Common Helmet (MACH). MACH is the next generation flight helmet intended to replace the current HGU-56/P helmet as part of the Air Soldier program, and is targeted for fielding and deployment starting in FY 13. The MACH integrated with the new display will retain the capability to mount an ANVIS unit. The integrated displays will be submitted for flight qualification and performance testing. Following successful qualification and testing, the displays will be integrated on the aircraft. Additional testing will include ground testing, flight testing, and flight demonstrations. At the conclusion, the prototypes will be updated to the final configuration and transitioned to PM Apache and PM Air Warrior. Projected timeline for the program is FY12-14. REQUIREMENTS: The NVESD is looking for helmet mounted displays that meet the needs of the Army Aviation community. Threshold requirements include: > See-through, monocular display compatible with the MACH, with potential for binocular in the future > System Resolution: >1cy/mr > Display Field of View: 30 degrees vertical by 52 degrees horizontal, minimum > Display brightness at the eye: >500 foot-lamberts > Contrast at the eye: >500:1 (zero ambient) > Exit Pupil / Eye Clearance: 15mm desired/40mm desired > Weight and center of gravity: Weight and center of gravity: Total headborne weight, to include the helmet, display, head tracker, and other ancillary Aviation Life Support Equipment (ALSE), shall be compliant with the USAARL curves provided in USAARL Report 98-22.> SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: NVESD welcomes white papers recommending systems that will meet the suggested requirements in the specified time frame. Vendor teaming is encouraged if applicable. For existing systems, vendors are asked to supply the following information: > A self assessment of the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of the current system. > System specification and a self assessment (measured performance) of HMD performance. > Any flight qualification testing that may have already been completed. For developmental systems, vendors are asked to supply the following information: > Salient features of the proposed system > Current/proposed schedule. > Current TRL and projected TRL at planned completion. > Any available performance data. White papers should also address: > Technology Roadmap detailing path to achieve this document's requirements >The vendor's organizational capabilities and experience in design, development, fabrication and testing of similar systems > Specifications of relevant systems > Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) for development cost, if applicable, and unit cost for potential future Government procurements. The white paper should also address any other features of your system that may enhance its utility and reliability (of current and proposed new technologies) to the Army. White papers should not exceed 20 pages in length, including addendums. The data received in response to this RFI is for information purposes only and does not mandate or impose requirements or commit the Government or vendor to any action. It is desirable that data be received with unlimited rights to the Government. However, it is recognized that proprietary data may be included with the information provided. If so, clearly mark all proprietary information and clearly separate it from the unrestricted information as an addendum. All responses to this market research shall be submitted within 45 calendar days of the date of this announcement. All questions and white papers must be submitted via e-mail to Anthony Hill at
[email protected]. Submissions larger than 5MB should be submitted through the AMRDEC Safe Access File Exchange at https://safe.amrdec.army.mil/SAFE2/ and directed to the address above. No telephonic inquiries or requests will be entertained. US Army RDECOM CERDEC Night Vision and Electronics Sensors Directorate RDER-NVM-RA Attn: Anthony Hill 10221 Burbeck Road Fort Belvoir, Virginia 22060-5806