The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) issued a Request for Information (RFI) Wednesday as it conducts market research to determine industry interest and capability to support future upgrades to several missile defense radars.

The floating mobile Sea-Based X-Band Radar is part of the Missile Defense Agency’s ballistic missile defense system. The radar is mounted on a convertedocean-going semi-submersible oil platform. (Photo: U.S. Navy)
The floating mobile Sea-Based X-Band Radar is part of the Missile Defense Agency’s ballistic missile defense system. The radar is mounted on a convertedocean-going semi-submersible oil platform. (Photo: U.S. Navy)

The RFI, posted to beta.sam.gov, aims to help MDA conduct market research to determine industry’s ability to support future requirements of radars including the Army Navy/Transportable Radar Surveillance (AN/TPY-2), Upgraded Early Warning Radar (EUWR), Cobra Dane, and the X-Band Radar (XBR) on the Sea-Based X-Band (SBX) Radar vessel.

AN/TPY-2 and SBX both use the X-Band radar technology.

The notice underscored the market research RFI is not a promise to issue a request for proposals in the future and MDA will not provide feedback for submissions. The RFI explained market research is a continuous process of collecting information “to maximize reliance on the commercial marketplace and to benefit from its capabilities, technologies, and competitive forces in meeting an agency need.”

Future requirements for these systems may include TPY-2 and SBX hardware and software development; TPY-2 and SBX operations and sustainment; production of TPY-2 radars, components, spares, refurbishment activities and capability upgrades; warfighter support requirements for the TPY-2, SBX, UEWR, and Cobra Dane.

MDA said potential capability upgrades cover increases digital control land processing; additional detection, tracking and discrimination capability to counter advanced threats; increased field of view; increased power and sensitivity; more reliable and supportable components; and improved self-defense capabilities.

Army Navy Transportable Radar Surveillance Control Model-2 (AN/TPY-2) Radar.
(Photo: Raytheon)

The notice also listed major requirement area descriptions for the TPY-2 and XBR radars.

Development requirements includes software upgrades for open architecture and modular design to accommodate third party algorithms; new capability development for improved acquisition, tracking, discrimination; debris mitigation; post-intercept assessment; and space situational awareness.

Hardware upgrades cover a digital receiver/exciter, wideband digital signal processing architecture, Gallium Nitride transmit/receive microwave modules, system engineering to support radar integration and tests with the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, support integration with the Command, Control, Battle Management & Communication system, and engineering support for all X-Band radars to facilitate maintenance efforts.

Responses are due August 10.