The Utility Helicopters Project Office (UHPO) is seeking information from sources that feel they are capable of providing Cable Warning and Obstacle Avoidance (CW/OA) for the UH-60 helicopter. The U.S. Army H-60 Blackhawk helicopters are routinely o perated at altitudes below 500 feet above ground level (AGL) in limited visibility (less than 1 NM ) conditions. Fog, rain, snow, dust, or battlefield obscurants may limit visibility. The ideal CW/OA system would provide the capability to detect cables/w ires/poles under limited visibility while in low altitude cruise as well as the capability to provide enhanced see-through capability during landings in heavy snow (white out) or dust (brownout) conditions. The following attributes are desired in a CW/OA product for use on a UH-60 helicopter. * Capabilities: Threshold: Be able to detect cables, guy-wires, and poles for CW/OA. Objective: Provide CW/OA and enhance horizon and obstacle imaging during brownout/whiteout takeoffs and landings. * Operating Environment: Threshold & Objective: Day, Night, Fog, Rain, Snow, Dust, Battlefield Obscurants over land and water. * Hazard Detection: Threshold/Objective: Be able to detect standard-sized U.S. electrical power wires at distances that will allow pilot to react. * False Alarm Rate: Threshold/Objective: Greater than 99% detection capability with no more than 1 false alarm per flight hour. * Cockpit Display / Cueing: Threshold: Provide range and bearing information for aircraft without data bus and MFD. Objective: Provide range and bearing information and real-time visual display of obstacles / horizon. * Cockpit Integration: Threshold: Mount as a stand-alone system on aircraft not equipped with data-bus or display capability. NVG compatible. Objective: Capable of both stand-alone installation on the UH-60 A/L and integration with data-bus integration and control on the UH-60M. * Detection of System: Threshold/Objective: LPI/LPD (Low probability of intercept/detection). * Weight of Complete System: Threshold: 60 lb. Objective: 20 lb * External Sensor Dimensions: Threshold/Objective: As small as possible. * Cooling Requirements: Threshold/Objective: Operate with ambient air. No auxiliary air-conditioning or cooling fans required for ground and flight operations. * Technology Readiness Level: Threshold: TRL 5; Component or breadboard validation in a relevant environment. Objective: TRL 7; System prototype demonstration in an operational environment. Provide as much of the following information as possible on products that can be used for cable warning/ obstacle avoidance on U.S. Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters: Summary Paper: Describe sensor technology, hazard detection range (include expected range performance in: clear weather, heavy fog, heavy rain, snow, dust), sensor dimensions, cockpit display method, system weight availability of functional prototype, availability of production hardware, previous & current rotary & fixed wing integration efforts, existing system certification (FAA, JAA, etc), length of time and cost to reach production, production unit cost. System specifications: Contractor format system specifications and certification compliance matrix. Functional prototype test results. Flight test reports: Reports substantiating system performance in light under clear weather, heavy fog, heavy rain, snow, dust. The UHPMO intends to utilize the responses to this synopsis to formulate an acquisition strategy for the Blackhawk CW/OA system. This notice does not constitute an Invitation for Bids or a Request for Proposal and is not a commitment by the U.S. Army to procure products or services. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this request for information or o therwise pay for the information solicited. However, respondents to this request will not be excluded for consideration for separate contract services a ncillary to this request or for contract participation in any potential follow-on hardware development activities. PROVIDE RESPONSES VIA EMAIL TO [email protected] NOT LATER THAN 19 May 2005. VERBAL RESPONSES ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE. DIRECT TECHNICAL QUESTIONS TO [email protected]

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