AN-ARC-260 Antenna Coupler

Background
The United States Air Force (USAF), Air Force Materiel Command, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Combat Avionics Division, AFLCMC/WNX, Robins Air Force Base, GA, is conducting market research to identify potential sources that may possess the expertise and capabilities to competently respond to requirements in this RFI. The AN/ARC-260 is a software-defined HF radio scheduled to replace 2.5K+ AN/ARC-190 legacy radios on 14 DoD aircraft platforms across 1.3K aircraft. The AN/ARC-260 retains the legacy AN/ARC-190 Antenna Couplers (CU-2314/CU-2275) that are obsolete and facing Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages starting in 2027. To address this forecasted capability gap, a replacement antenna coupler must be developed/fielded to prevent negative aircraft availability impacts.

Work Details
The work involves seeking information and solutions for an affordable modernization path for the development, test, and production of a new modernized wide-band replacement antenna coupler for the AN/ARC-260 High-Frequency (HF) radio. Contractors/institutions are requested to respond to questions related to general company information, capabilities, teaming partners, proposed technology options for replacement or development of the AN/ARC-260 Antenna Coupler, previous relevant projects, current HF antenna coupler system readiness standards, company facilities for development and production of antenna couplers, aircraft integration challenges and performance enhancements associated with the AN/ARC-260 antenna coupler development, non-proprietary interfaces and solutions incorporating DoD or commercial open standards, as well as providing top-level non-binding price and development/delivery schedule estimates that include production unit cost for the antenna coupler.