The Army wants to develop critical performance and affordable drive system technologies for the current/future force rotorcraft and has issued a broad agency announcement for the Future Advanced Rotorcraft Drive System (FARDS).
The Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD) wants technical and cost proposals for 6.3 research and development.
The Army’s drive systems on currently fielded rotorcraft are extremely heavy, consume a large portion of the vehicles empty weight, and negatively impact the payload and range characteristics of the vehicles, the BAA, released in late February, said. The rotor drive system is an assembly of very high precision mechanical components with demanding manufacturing and quality requirements. Current systems have high parts count, making the total production costs high. Once fielded, the drive systems have proven to be a major source of operating and support costs due to less than desired component durability, susceptibility to corrosion and high cost of overhaul.
Additionally, the noise level is very high and damaging to human ears. Noise at this level also distorts voice communication and accelerates crew and passenger fatigue.
The FARDS program will consist of design, fabrication, and demonstration testing of critical drive system technologies required to achieve the program goals.
FARDS program goals are: a 55 percent increase in drive system transmitted horsepower-to-weight ratio, 18dB reduction in drive system generated noise, 35 percent reduction in drive system production cost, 35 percent reduction in drive system operating and support costs, and 90 percent automatic detection of critical mechanical component failures, all relative to year 2000 fielded systems.
The service expects a 60-month total period of performance, with an award, or possibly multiple awards, in August. The program is valued at an estimated $20 million over five years. Also, due to commercial application of this development effort, up to a 50 percent cost share is anticipated.
Program participation is limited to U.S. companies as prime contractors, though subcontractors may be foreign owned. For more information on W911W6-10-R-0002 contact Hope McClain, 757-878-2993, or e-mail questions to [email protected].