Request for Information (RFI) on Concepts for Selectable or Variable Effects Weapons

Agency: Department of the Air Force> Office: Air Force Materiel Command>> The Air Armament Center (AAC) at Eglin AFB FL is requesting information concerning concepts for selectable or variable effects weapons. Responses to this RFI will be used by the Government to perform studies and analyses on existing and future weapons capable of being deployed from current and future manned and unmanned platforms to perform required missions>> The Air Force is working to develop weapons that give the warfighter the flexibility to select the type of effect a weapon will place on a specific target. Current asymmetric warfare scenarios dictate that some targets be immediately neutralized with minimal effect to the surrounding area (minimize collateral damage) yet not a concern for many other targets. Targets vary from buildings, to personnel in the open, and to personnel located in complex urban settings including moving vehicles.>> Current cylindrical steel-cased blast fragmentation warheads distribute fragmentation radially in all directions from the detonation point in order to maximize a statistical hit probability and probability of lethality for a given area. Many fragments travel far beyond the intended target creating collateral damage hazards, especially in urban engagements and close air support. Thus, operations involving close air support and "pop up" targets in urban settings frequently require restricted rules of engagement which dictate minimization of collateral damage.>> Currently there is no capability available in a single weapon that can deliver a selectable effect from focused lethality with very low collateral damage (VLCD) to high lethality on unconstrained targets of interest. VLCD lethality is described to be a tightly constrained area of lethality around a restricted radius of effect. Placing this selectable effect weapon on aircraft would improve combatant commanders' flexibility and effectiveness by maximizing the efficiency of air asset utilization and reducing the kill chain timeline necessary to prosecute a spectrum of targets (personnel, structures, and moving targets) in a variety of settings (close air support, urban, and unconstrained open).