Would be interesting to compare to real world RFP at certain point in the future...
VII. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Next Generation Strategic Bomber
Student Design Competition RFP Abstract
Hernando Jimenez, Aircraft Design Technical Committee
Background
The United States long-range strike capability is facing an important paradigm shift, in part because foreign military forces are aggressively investing in advanced air-defense and area denial systems. This new context challenges the previously established power-projection paradigm where capabilities could be deployed from forward positions in near-theater ally territories to deliver tactical strikes, carrier-based capabilities, air refueling, and airborne C4ISR. In addition, potentially hostile military assets have become more dispersed, increasingly mobile, and more effectively concealed.
Current long-range strike capabilities have been deemed to be insufficient under this new paradigm. Carrier-based strike platforms needed for engagement in regions with advanced air defense systems lack range and persistence, particularly when pursuing abundant targets (100’s or 1,000’s) that are mobile or that are deeply buried and concealed. Legacy land-based bombers like the B-52 and the B-1B cannot penetrate and persist in highly defended theaters. Airborne electronic attack, C4ISR, and logistic support capabilities lack range and are particularly susceptible in these high-threat areas. While the B-2A does provide competitive capabilities in highly defended areas, the current fleet is limited to a mere 20 units, in part due to its exorbitant cost of $1.2 B per platform.
A new affordable penetrating bomber is desired to bridge strategic long-range strike capability gaps with an anticipated entry into service date of 2020-2025. This bomber is expected to be part of a long-range strike family of systems that will also include extended range unmanned carrier-based strike platforms, new long-range air- and sea-launched cruise missiles, and non- nuclear global strike missiles.
Design Requirements
Entry into Service and Lifetime: The bomber shall have an entry into service date in the 2020-2025 timeframe. It shall be designed to have a service life no less than 30 years.
Mission and Payload: The bomber shall be an optionally manned aircraft, with two crew members whenever operating in its manned configuration.
The bomber shall carry a payload of no less than 20,000 lbs of conventional ordnances, and shall be capable of carrying and deploying air-to-air missiles. A “soft” upper limit of 50,000 lbs approx. is suggested but not enforced. Proponents must identify and substantiate payload capabilities within this range. The bomber must also be nuclear capable, requiring at most minor modifications.
Unrefueled combat range shall be no less than 4,000 nm. Additional unrefueled range beyond this minimum requirement is highly desirable, with strong preference for greater range capability extending up to or beyond 5,000 nm. Proponents must identify and substantiate range capability pursuant of these requirements and preferences. The bomber shall also allow aerial refueling, and must demonstrate intercontinental strike capabilities with aerial refueling. Takeoff and landing performance must guarantee deployment from all relevant U.S. bases.
Mission parameters such as cruise altitude and speed are not specified as part of this RFP and must be determined by design proponents. Determination of open mission characteristics must ensure compliance with all relevant military standards and specifications.
Survivability and Persistence in Defended Areas: The bomber must be capable of persisting in high-threat areas characterized by advanced and very dense air defense networks. All-aspect broadband stealth features as well as a variety of self-protection features are expected.
Autonomy and Unmanned Capabilities: For unmanned operational capabilities, the bomber shall be compatible and fully integrated with current and anticipated C4ISR infrastructure enabling remote operations. Additionally, considerations for potential loss of C4ISR networks require that the bomber be fully capable and operate independently in its unmanned configuration.
Affordability: The bomber shall be sufficiently affordable so that a fleet ranging between 50 and 100 units can be acquired by military services. It is imperative that unit cost does NOT become prohibitive of a fleet of this size. In the interest of affordability, the bomber design must demonstrate that technologies and systems developed for other programs are leveraged upon and taken advantage of, and that incremental long-range strike capabilities be optionally delivered (if needed, as limited by funding limitations) with scheduled block upgrades. Preserving platform flexibility for future modifications is of paramount importance. Proponents can reasonably anticipate initial request for units with minimal to moderate capabilities that can be later upgraded, matching newer units delivered with more advanced capabilities.