Please remember that this Call is not a request for proposal, but a request for a white paper in accordance with the white paper instructions (provided in Call FA9302SC001 Call 002) and a rough order of magnitude (ROM).

The 412th EWG/EWJ has a requirement for Visual Display Systems (VDSs) to support the Threat and Friendly/Virtual Air Threat (TAF/VAT) Joint Simulation Environment (JSE). For the purposes of this document, a VDS is defined as an out-the-window (OTW) display screen, image projectors, auto alignment and calibration system, mechanical edge blending solution, and support structures and interfaces. The VDS contractor will integrate all the VDS components.

The Air Force is seeking innovative solutions with regards to the fidelity and Field-OF-View (FOV) of the proposed VDS within this Call. The solution offered will need to consider the human factor relationship or the physical relationship of the primary components of the simulator. The important aspects to retain are the physical relationships of the pilot eye.

The overarching Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) FA9302-21-S-C001 is referenced in title and attached with the Call documents and link proved below for your reference.

https://sam.gov/opp/cc93c3cd2c6e416fadad6b149968f3ae/view

Call 002 has been updated to remove the projector part number and commonality with the VTTC requirement and the deadline has been extended until August 12, 2021 at noon P.S.T. to give vendors time to submit their white papers due to the updates to Call 002. Also, please Cc John Walker ([email protected]) when you submit your white papers. 

*Update (8/9/21): The actual drawings of the Nellis rooms have been added. 

*Update (8/5/21): Room drawings for Nellis has been added and Aechelon is creating a simplified slide that we can share with the Mini Dome vendors (see attached pdf. labeled Aechelon GFE USAF JSE IG)-

In both rooms there are sloping roof joists that support metal deck above. The joists run east-west. West of grid 9, the joist spacing is either 6’-6” or 6’-8”. East of grid 9, the spacing is half. Dimensions below are approximate.

Regards,

-Eliot

1. Room 128 (see attached drawing labled Nellis drawing pt. 1):
   1. Low end
      1. Bottom of Deck: 12’-4”
      2. Bottom of Joist: 10’-4”
   2. High end
      1. Bottom of deck: 13’-8”
      2. Bottom of joist: 11’-7”

1. Room 129 (see attached drawing labeld Nellis drawings pt. 2):
   1. Low end
      1. Bottom of Deck: 13’-2“
      2. Bottom of Joist: 11’-2”
   2. High end
      1. Bottom of deck: 13’-11”
      2. Bottom of joist: 11’-7”
   3. There is a girder that runs north-south over the room. Bottom of girder is 11’-4”
   4. There is a main duct branch that runs east-west over the room. Bottom of duct is 9’-7

Also the facility drawings have been further explained to the new rooms 171 and 172. There is also a second possibility that those room might be combined into one large room. So vendors should send options for both.

Questions and answers will end on August 9, 2021 at 4:00PM PST.  Please direct all questions to the Contracting Officer via email to [email protected] and cc Mr. Falilou Diouck at [email protected]. 

*Updated Question and Answer (08/05/21):

1) Are we to interpret the USAF response of Aechelon IG supplying 12 channels as 12 indivisual projector input channels (that is, not 12 IG hw channels with multiple video outputs per channel)?  The Nucleus IG’s will be 11 OTW channels. Yes each of those channels should correspond to a projector.

2) Does the Aechelon IG channel count (12 channels) include the HUD projector? Aechelon does not provide any projectors. Aechelon is capable of HUD generation.

3) Does the Aechelon IG channel count (12 channels) support the baseline minimum TAF field of view requirement (220x120) or the target TAF field of view requirement (300x140)? The Aechelon IG channels can be configured for any field of view you desire from 0 to 360 degrees in each direction. The only reason we need more channels is because the projectors have a limited field of view they can project and each projectors gets its own channel in the IG. As long as the dome contractors can provide the required Field of view with no more than 11 projectors then the IG will work just fine.

4) Will the Aechelon IG support projector 4K (per channel) with pixel shifting video inputs, or native UHD 4K video inputs? Theoretically yes. JSE does not have a requirement for 8k displays. Aechelon has done projects before with up to 8k per channel. 4k per channel is very likely doable. 8k might require different hardware. Additionally you would need projectors that actually support 4k or 8k.

5) Does the Aechelon IG support projector 8K video inputs (per channel)? [Answered in Question 4 ^]

1) Are we to interpret the USAF response of Aechelon IG supplying 12 channels as 12 indivisual projector input channels (that is, not 12 IG hw channels with multiple video outputs per channel)?  The Nucleus IG’s will be 11 OTW channels. Yes each of those channels should correspond to a projector.

2) Does the Aechelon IG channel count (12 channels) include the HUD projector? Aechelon does not provide any projectors. Aechelon is capable of HUD generation.

3) Does the Aechelon IG channel count (12 channels) support the baseline minimum TAF field of view requirement (220x120) or the target TAF field of view requirement (300x140)? The Aechelon IG channels can be configured for any field of view you desire from 0 to 360 degrees in each direction. The only reason we need more channels is because the projectors have a limited field of view they can project and each projectors gets its own channel in the IG. As long as the dome contractors can provide the required Field of view with no more than 11 projectors then the IG will work just fine.

4) Will the Aechelon IG support projector 4K (per channel) with pixel shifting video inputs, or native UHD 4K video inputs? Theoretically yes. JSE does not have a requirement for 8k displays. Aechelon has done projects before with up to 8k per channel. 4k per channel is very likely doable. 8k might require different hardware. Additionally you would need projectors that actually support 4k or 8k.

5) Does the Aechelon IG support projector 8K video inputs (per channel)? [Answered in Question 4 ^]

v/r,

Q. Can you explain what you mean by +110 degrees vertical? Do you mean you want a 360 degree horizontal top cap?

A. The VFOV is defined as 30 degrees below the fuselage reference line and up to 90 degrees –or– 110 degrees above the fuselage reference line. These options yield a total of 120 degrees or 140 degrees VFOV

The need for a “top cap” depends on the type of dome structure being proposed, so we will leave that to the discretion of the offeror.

JSE Technical Responses:

• FL40 projectors do not support NVG stimulation because there is no IR LED in the projectors. Section 2.6 states that NVG compatibility required for F-16 threats – is Simulated NVG acceptable via Image Generator or does it have to be Stimulated NVG.
  • There is no JSE requirement for a particular projector model. NVGs used in the simulation will be F4949G.
• What is the Simulator Room Height requirements?
  • The limiting ceiling height is nine (9) feet
• The V.FOV maximum of the target value does not match the offset values in Section 2.6.1? Is it still 120° or 140°?
  • The minimum V.FOV is 30 degrees below the fuselage reference line up to 90 degrees above the fuselage reference line, for a total of 120 degrees V.FOV. The target value is 30 degrees below the fuselage reference line to 110 degrees above the fuselage reference line, for a total of 140 degrees.
• How many channels are available from the Image Generator?
  • The Aechelon Nucleus on contract for JSE has twelve (12) channels
• Section 2.6.16 states that the solution should fit in Room 171 and Room 172 (476928_A-110 room drawings.pdf) in JSE-E?  Is the dimension in section 2.6.17 fit one of these rooms?
  • Edited section 2.6.17 of the CALL -The dome must fit within a nine (9) foot ceiling, not 5m as originally specified in 2.6.17. Dome size 1.3m – 1.5m is valid. Two visual display systems plus two (2) 19” equipment racks per VDS must fit within the two possible room options; 1) the first layout possibility is a two room layout with room 171 having an area of 27ft W x 34ft L x 9ft H, and room 172 having an area of 27ft W x 14ft L x 9ft H. 2) the second possibility is a one room layout combining both rooms 171 and 172 without the dividing wall for an overall layout of 27ft W x 48ft L x 9ft H.. This is the most limiting case for the facility. If these dimensions are not technically feasible for your design, please indicate how your visual display system will fit within the floor plans provided.
• Is there any solution being hosted in other facility drawings provided (21-EWS-0015-Edwards+and+Nellis+drawings+pt.2.pdf) and if so, in what rooms?
  • At JSE-E there will be four (4) F-35 domes + four (4) F-22 domes, in addition to the TAF visual display systems. At JSE-N, there will be twelve (12) F-35 domes + four (4) F-22 domes in addition to the TAF visual display systems.
• Is the ceiling height for the VDS 9’ or 5m (16’)?
  • Nine (9) foot ceiling height
• Can you provide JSE-Nellis and JSE Wright Patterson room dimensions?
  • Drawings will be provided
• Is the IG housed in the same rooms?
  • The Aechelon Nucleus racks will be co-located with the visual display systems
• List of approved Network Switches?
  • We suggest using the Cisco Nexus 9300 product line
• For MTBCF and MTBF, what is the predicted use time for the VDS?

We anticipate using the TAF visual display systems for ten (10) hours per day, five (5) days per week, fifty (50) weeks per year