Air Force scans small business community for hypersonic weapon integration
By
Ross Wilkers
The Air Force is eyeing the small business community to help integrate hypersonic strike weapons onto combat aircraft.
The Air Force has kicked off its search across the small business community for potential participants to help integrate hypersonic weapons onto combat aircraft.
A June 29 sources sought notice specifically asks for respondents from small firms in the 8(a), HUBZone, Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned, Woman-Owned and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned categories.
Integration work would encompass all elements of a hypersonic, conventional air-launched strike weapon from existing fighter or bomber aircraft along with planning and sustainment services.
Capability requirements detailed in the notice include fields such as hypersonic aerodynamics, aero-thermal protection systems, solid rocket motors, warhead/missile integration, advanced hypersonic guidance, navigation, control and aircraft integration.
Responses to the initial sources sought notice are due to the Air Force by July 14. Deltek estimates a request for proposals to be issued in September of this year with an award to follow in December.
The Air Force has asked respondents to detail their small business status, relevant foreign ownership or control information and potential use of foreign national employees among other areas.