Amendment 01 - Attritable ISR Aircraft Request for Information

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the "Attritable ISR Aircraft" Request for Information (RFI). It clarifies requirements, submission instructions, and technical details for potential bidders.

• Payload-Only Responses: The Government will accept responses from payload or mission-system providers who are not proposing a complete aircraft solution. These respondents should clearly articulate the payload's operational value and integration needs.
• Response Structure: Vendors should map responses primarily to Section C and applicable KPP/KSA tables. If a requirement is not applicable, explicitly state "Not Applicable" with a brief explanation.
• Non-Traditional Architectures: Creative solutions, such as a panoramic sensor complementing a narrow-FOV sensor, are strongly encouraged. Respondents must clearly articulate the rationale behind their approach.
• Mature Technologies: The primary interest is in mature technologies fieldable within months. However, solutions requiring additional maturation are also of interest, provided a current Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and projected timeline are included.
• Teamed vs. Standalone Submissions: Both teamed (complete system) and standalone (payload) submissions are welcomed. Teamed solutions should address aircraft and sensor KPPs, while standalone payload providers should respond to relevant sensor KPPs.
• Attritable Definition: "Attritable" is defined by acceptable mission cost, considering unit cost, reusability, and mission impact, rather than a strict per-unit cost ceiling. Costs can range from thousands to millions depending on reusability and capability.
• Link-16: This is an objective, not a threshold requirement. Respondents should detail current capabilities and any roadmap for Link-16 integration.
• Data Submission: Responses containing Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) must be transmitted securely via DoD SAFE.

This Q&A document refines the understanding of requirements and submission expectations for the RFI, guiding vendors on how to best present their capabilities for attritable ISR aircraft and payloads.

Other / Unclassified

This document provides instructions and administrative information for a Request for Information (RFI) regarding "Attritable ISR Aircraft". It clarifies that this RFI is for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a commitment to contract. The government is not seeking proposals at this time and will not pay for information or administrative costs incurred in response.

Potential bidders should note the following:

• Purpose: To gather information and plan for potential future acquisitions.
• Questions: All questions regarding the RFI must be unclassified, submitted via email by 4:00 PM EST on April 21, 2026, with a specific subject line ("Questions - RFI: Attritable ISR Aircraft").
• Q&A Posting: Consolidated questions and answers will be posted on SAM.gov via an amendment on or about April 24, 2026.
• Response Deadline: RFI responses are due no later than 4:00 PM EST on May 1, 2026.
• Response Format: Responses should be a single presentation file (e.g., PowerPoint or PDF), not exceeding 20 slides plus a cover slide. Submissions must address questions from the "Respondent Question Sheet" and indicate applicable Key Performance Parameter (KPP) and Key System Attribute (KSA) tables.
• Innovation Encouraged: Respondents are encouraged to propose innovative solutions, trades, or alternative approaches, clearly identifying any trade-offs.
• Submission Channels: Unclassified responses via email to specified Points of Contact (POCs) with a specific subject line. Classified responses require contacting the unclassified POC first for secure submission instructions.
• Past Performance: Information on existing government contracts for similar capabilities is requested.
• Proprietary Information: Respondents are responsible for marking proprietary information on a slide-by-slide basis.
• Industry Participation: U.S. and non-U.S. firms are permitted to respond.
• SAM Registration: Prospective contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database to be awarded a DoD contract.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "Respondent Question Sheet" for the RFI (Request for Information) concerning Attritable ISR Aircraft. It provides specific questions that respondents must answer as part of their RFI response submission. The answers should be structured to correspond with the sections provided.

The questionnaire is divided into six sections:

• Section A: Corporate Information & Past Performance: Requires company details, business size, socioeconomic categories, and information on current government contracts.
• Section B: Performance & Design: Asks for key performance parameters (KPPs) of the proposed air vehicle, Technology Readiness Level (TRL), Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL), and launch/recovery methods.
• Section C: Mission Systems & Payloads: Inquires about recommended sensor and communications payloads, approach to Modular Open Systems Architecture (MOSA), interfaces, and on-board data processing/autonomy.
• Section D: Manufacturing, Scalability & Affordability: Seeks information on production capacity, Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) costs, cost drivers, strategy for affordability, domestic sourcing, and foreign component risks.
• Section E: Sustainment & Product Support: Requests details on warranty approach, maintenance concept, and proposed training for operators and maintainers.
• Section F: Acquisition Strategy Recommendations: Asks for recommendations on contract type, incentive structure, and feedback on the RFI/notional approach.

This document is critical for any bidder interested in the Attritable ISR Aircraft RFI. It outlines the exact information required for a complete and compliant response, guiding the structure and content of the proposal. Bidders must carefully address each question to provide the government with the necessary data to evaluate potential solutions and inform future acquisition strategies.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is issued by the Department of the Air Force, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) for market research purposes. The government is seeking information on sources capable of providing attritable airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The goal is to identify low-cost, fast-to-field, and fast-to-deploy airborne ISR mass to increase mission flexibility and surging capabilities for missions such as battle damage assessment (BDA) and full motion video (FMV) monitoring.

• Attritable Aircraft Definition: Aircraft existing on a continuum between expendable and maintainable systems, closer to expendable, with limited reusability and features, and lower cost.

• ISR Data Collection: Ability to collect Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR), full-motion video (FMV), and signal detection/characterization data.

• Data Support: All data collection must support processing, exploitation, and dissemination (PED) based multidimensional information fusion.

• Key Performance Parameters (KPPs) & Key System Attributes (KSAs): Specific thresholds and objectives are detailed for range, loiter time, cruise altitude, climb rate, max speed, operational environment, operational attributes, integration, communications, navigation, command and control, on-board processing, ground control station, camera sensor, FMV sensor, signal detector sensor, and other sensors. Key System Attributes include airworthiness, IFF, manufacturing scalability, and security.

• Product Support: Respondents should be prepared to address capabilities in holistic maintenance concepts, supply support (including SCRM), and technical data.

• This RFI does not constitute a solicitation and will not result in a contract award at this time.

• The government will not reimburse any expenses associated with preparing or submitting a response.

• Responses should address the requirements outlined and may propose innovative solutions deviating from objective requirements if they result in a more effective, affordable, or producible system.

• Detailed instructions for response structure are available on the RFI Instruction Page and Respondent Question Sheet.

• Not applicable for this RFI.

• The government's primary interest is in acquiring meaningful combat capability.

• Respondents are encouraged to provide information on solutions with limited reusability and features that are lower in cost.

• Solutions should consider a comprehensive and affordable support strategy for future acquisition.