Special Operations experts eye wind sensors to improve aim of AC-130 gunship weapons
MacDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla., 11 Nov. 2013. U.S. military researchers are surveying industry to find companies with the expertise to design wind-sensing technologies to improve the aim of machine guns and cannons on Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) AC-130 gunship aircraft.
Officials of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) at Mac Dill Air Force Base, Fla., have released a request for information (RFI-Gunship_Wind-Sense) for technologies to improve wind detection and evaluation to improve the accuracy of unguided munitions for the AFSOC Gunship community.
The RFI is for industry, academia, individuals, and government laboratories to submit innovative wind-sensing ideas. Those selected may demonstrate their technologies next spring at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.
Technologies submitted should be at least at prototype state, or meet the U.S. Department of Defense technology readiness level 6. All wind-sensing demonstrations will be at the same time, under the same wind conditions, and independently measured by Air Force sensors for comparison.
Technologies selected must be able to be mounted to aircraft with minimal engineering. Any solution proposed for detecting and calculating wind for ballistic corrections will be considered.
Special Operations Command experts particularly are interested in wind sensors that involve radar, lidar, ladar, other RF sensors, and similar approaches.
Technology nominations should be on CD/DVD and mailed no later than 13 Dec. 2013. Send unclassified nominations to AFRL/RQQD, Attn: Craig Logan, 2180 Eighth St, Wright Patterson AFB, OH 45433. Send classified nominations to AFRL/RQQD, Attn: Craig Logan, 2130 Eighth St Bldg 45, Wright Patterson AFB, OH 45433.
For questions or concerns contact Contracting Officer Peter Coffey by phone at 813-826-7515, by fax at 813-826-4838, or by email at [email protected]. Also contact Geneva Emiliani by phone at 813-826-6959, by fax at 813-826-7504, or by email at [email protected].
More information is online at https://www.fbo.gov/spg/ODA/USSOCOM/SOAL-KB/RFI-Gunship_Wind-Sense/listing.html.
John Keller | Editor
John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.
