REQUEST FOR INFORMATION: Radar Cross Section Testing Capabilities for 5th Generation Aircraft

Background
The US Air Force (USAF) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking industry capabilities related to radar cross section testing (RCST) on stealth platforms and low observables (LO) coatings. The USAF is interested in understanding existing and emerging technologies and applications for potential use in measuring and tracking radar signatures of various 5th generation or later air vehicles currently in the USAF inventory, in production, in development, and/or in early concept stages. The USAF has not yet determined how it will acquire RCS testing and is currently using Market Research to inform its decision.

Work Details
The RFI seeks information on industry capabilities related to radar cross section testing (RCST) on stealth platforms and low observables (LO) coatings. The USAF desires an increased understanding of existing and emerging technologies and applications, to include maturity level and technical feasibility for potential use in measuring and tracking radar signatures of various 5th generation or later air vehicles currently in the USAF inventory, in production, in development, and/or in early concept stages. The RFI includes specific questions related to respondents' experience with stealth technology, radar signatures, software tools used for data collection, secure methods for data transfer, technology for alternate ways to verify aircraft signature, available facilities and equipment for RCST, testing strategy for worldwide fleets, workforce with requisite skills for repairs to low observables coating, quality parameters of tools/methods/processes used in RCST, technical risks, process improvement opportunities, business case considerations, non-recurring and recurring costs expected to encounter if establishing a RCST program for the USAF.