SHIPBOARD HELICOPTER HANDLER EXTRA LOW PROFILE (SHH-ELP) AND THE MULTI-AIRCRAFT NOSE/TAIL INTEGRATED SYSTEM (MANTIS)

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. THERE IS NO SOLICITATION PACKAGE AVAILABLE. No contract will be awarded as a result of this request. 

The Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Lakehurst is requesting information pertaining to the replacement of the existing A/S32A-47, Shipboard Helicopter Handler Extra Low Profile (SHH-ELP) and the Multi-Aircraft Nose/Tail Integrated System (MANTIS). Currently the USN uses the SHH-ELP on Freedom Class Litoral Combat Ships (LCS) and the MANTIS is used on Independence Class Litoral Combat Ships. Collectively for the purposes of the RFI the SHH-ELP and MANTIS will be referred to aircraft handlers. The aircraft handlers are used aboard both classes of LCS to move MH-60R (Romeo) and MH-60S (Sierra) helicopters between the flight deck and the hangar bay. The goal is to use the new aircraft handler, Shipboard Helicopter Handler II (SHH-II) aboard both LCS Freedom and Independence Class ships to move MH-60R and MH-060S aircraft.

The current aircraft handlers have the following leading particulars:

SHH-ELP

Length (overall) 137.8 inches

Width (overall): 81 inches

Height (maximum):13.2 inches

Ground Clearance: 1.56 inches

Weight: 5,720 lbs.

Maximum Tractive Effort: 5,000 lbs.

Lifting Capacity: 8,000 lbs.

Speed (unloaded): 0 to 3 mph

Speed (loaded):1.5 mph

MANTIS

Length (overall): 70.1 inches

Width (overall): 124.4 inches

Height (maximum): 13.8 inches

Ground Clearance: 2.8 inches

Weight: 4,630 lbs.

Maximum Tractive Effort: 3.300 lbs.

Lifting Capacity: 8,159 lbs.

Speed: 2.4 mph

The MANTIS and SHH-ELP are battery powered aircraft handlers with tethered controls that traverse (move) MH-60R and MH-060S aircraft between the hangar and flight deck by engaging the aircraft tail gear and lifting it off the deck and utilizing its zero-turning radius to maneuver/rotate about the nose/tail gear while pushing or towing.

Notional Preliminary Requirements for the SHH-II are:

1. Dead man type tethered operator controls.
2. Zero turning radius about the center of the vehicle/aircraft engagement point.
3. Capable of lowering the nose/tail gear and disengaging from it without contacting any surface of the aircraft at angles up to 90 degrees to port or starboard with respect to the aircraft's centerline.
4. Approximately the same size as the MANTIS and / or SHH-ELP. This will be further refined after review of RFI response and evaluation of compatibility with the aircraft.
5. Tie down/lifting attachment points.
6. Positively interface with the TLG using the hollows of the axle.
7. Have a maximum unloaded speed of 3.0 mph.
8. Have a maximum loaded speed of 1.5 mph.
9. Be able to lift a TLG weighing up to 8,000 lbs
10. Be capable of exerting a minimum of 5,000 lbs drawbar pull when loaded as described in 9. above.
11. Be electric powered via rechargeable batteries.
12. Have a built-in battery charger that can be connect to a NEMA 5–15P (possibly NEMA 5-20P) receptacle.
13. Ability to traverse MH-60R and MH-60S aircraft on both classes of LCS ships in select speeds and headings in Sea State up to Sea State 4.
14. Shock requirements of MIL-S-901 for Grade A heavyweight equipment.

As required for any typical Navy Support Equipment (SE), the SHH-II shall be highly reliable, easily maintainable and supportable. The SHH-II shall be capable of meeting shipboard vibration, environmental, EMI, shock, and mobility criteria. Human factors engineering shall be utilized to the greatest extent possible to make the SHH-II a "user friendly" piece of Support Equipment.

The purpose of the request for information is to identify potential contractors and to gain insight into current commercial or military products and/or design concepts that meet the above requirements. Along with the interest and product information, it is requested that following topics be addressed:

1. Integrated Logistics as part of the design process.
2. Operational environment of similar, current products.
3. Design process including the use of modeling, drawing practices, etc.
4. Experience with aircraft handling equipment.
5. Estimate of delivery times for long lead components.
6. Estimated price information for production units.
7. Estimate of time to design the item – the number of months from contract award to Critical Design Review (CDR).  A frozen design and complete drawing package are key elements of the CDR.    
8. Estimate of time to build 5 units for testing – the number of months from CDR to start of the test program.  Parts procurement and assembly starts at CDR approval.
9. Estimate of production delivery rate (number of units/month).
10. Design features that should be considered for potential inclusion in the performance specification
11. If there is an existing aircraft handler that would potentially be proposed, please provide the following:
    1. Braking force that the aircraft handler can develop
    2. Tread / tire material and the Coefficient of Friction on dry concrete
    3. Wheel loads when the unit is unloaded and loaded with a TLG weight of 8,000 lbs
    4. Wheel / tire patch sizes when the unit is unloaded and loaded with a TLG weight of 8,000 lbs
    5. Types of batteries used.
    6. Concerns about the meeting any of the previously listed requirements.
    7. Ability to provide a quality Technical Data Package with government purpose rights to support sustainment efforts such as supply support and in service engineering.

It is requested that responses to this RFI be submitted via email prior to the closing of this posting. The Government may or may not elect to discusses submissions received in response to this RFI with individual responders. There is no requirement to respond to the RFI, however, the Government places tremendous value on the information receive and may utilize the information to finalize its acquisition strategy. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract/agreement. The Government WILL NOT PAY for any information receive in response to this request, nor will the Government compensate any respondent for any costs incurred in developing the information provided to the Government.

Responses to this RFI will not be returned. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the review. NO FORMAL SOLICITATION EXISTS AT THIS TIME.