REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)
PROGRAM OFFICE: Program Manager Light Armored Vehicles (PM LAV)
SUBJECT: Survivability Upgrade via 360-Degree Situational Awareness Camera Systems for Combat Vehicles
1. INTRODUCTION
The United States Marine Corps (USMC), Program Manager, Light Armored Vehicle (PM LAV), with the assistance of the Army Contracting Command Detroit Arsenal (ACC-DTA), is issuing this notice as a means of conducting market research. The goal is to better understand the availability of technology that supports enhancing platform survivability through the integration of 360-degree Situational Awareness (360SA) systems.
PM LAV is seeking fully integrated, turnkey 360SA systems that provide complete situational awareness and enable crews to operate the vehicle from within the hull with all hatches and doors closed[JW1.1][RV1.2] on land (in swim operations or in water hatches are open). Solutions must be delivered as complete, end to end systems, including all required cameras, displays, processing units, video distribution hardware, control modules, software, and any other components necessary to provide a functional, cohesive capability without reliance on Government furnished subsystems.
This survivability upgrade is intended to significantly enhance LAV platform effectiveness at a target cost of less than $160K per vehicle, while improving crew protection, threat detection, and operational agility. Vendors should ensure proposed solutions represent a fully assembled, integrated, and operational system, not a collection of standalone components.
2. REQUESTED INFORMATION
Interested vendors are requested to submit detailed information on their 360SA camera systems, addressing the following key capability areas:
A. Core Camera Capabilities
1. 360-Degree Field of View (FOV):
o Full panoramic coverage with adjustable angles of regard and real-time viewing from all sides of the vehicle.
o Ground intercept visibility in front, rear, and sides to support closed-hatch operations.
o The SA System shall provide a total combined FOV of 360 degrees.
o Specific FOV requirements include:
Forward FOV: 90 and 105 from centerline with ground intercepts at 10 m and 1 m respectively
Rear FOV: 100 and 114 from centerline with ground intercepts at 1 m and 0.1 m respectively
2. Resolution & Image Quality: High-definition resolution (e.g., 1080p, 4K) for day and night clarity.
3. Low-Light Performance: Infrared or thermal imaging capabilities for night operations, obscurants, or low-visibility conditions.
4. Zoom Capability: Ability to toggle between wide and narrow views for threat verification.
5. Color Accuracy: Reliable color representation for maneuvering, local security, and identification of personnel, obstructions, and obstacles.
6. Camera Stitching:
o The 360SA solution shall ingest video from no fewer than four (4) and up to ten (10) vehicle mounted cameras and provide a single, consolidated to a single video output suitable for transmission through the turret slip ring [JW2.1][RV2.2]or designated pass through port. Acceptable connections include fiber, ethernet, CAN Interface, and Twinax (but only 75 Ohm Coax to 100 Ohm twisted pair) and compatible video feeds or connections.
o The system shall include all necessary hardware, software, encoding/decoding modules, video processors, and network interfaces required to:
o Aggregate, encode, and/or compress multiple camera feeds into a unified digital video stream
o Ensure compatibility with existing LAV turret slip ring bandwidth and interface constraints
o Maintain synchronized, low latency situational awareness for the crew
o Operate as a fully integrated subsystem, requiring no Government furnished video components or additional integration work
o The vendor's solution must deliver a complete, turnkey video processing architecture, including all cameras, displays, processors, control modules, cabling, and any other components required to provide a functional end to end capability.
B. Environmental Performance
1. Durability: Shock and vibration resistance for rough combat conditions.
2. Weatherproofing[JW3.1][RV3.2]: IP-rated protection against dust, water, and extreme temperatures.
3. Temperature Range: Operational capability from -25 F to +140 F.
4. Weather Resistance: Continued functionality in extreme temperatures, rain, snow, and sand/dust storms.
5. Amphibious Capability: Waterproofing suitable for amphibious vehicle integration.
6. Adaptability: Adjustable settings for urban combat, open terrain, and jungle operations.
C. Sensor & Processing Features
1. Threat Detection: Describe any onboard threat detection capabilities that enhance 360SA.
2. Sensor Fusion: Capabilities integrating EO/IR, radar, LiDAR, or other sensors to support comprehensive 360SA.
3. Latency & Refresh Rate: Must support real-time situational awareness for driving, swimming, and navigating.
D. Integration with Vehicle Systems
1. Compatibility:[JW4.1][RV4.2] Integration with displays, turrets, fire control, and crew stations to support 360SA.
2. Control Interface: Operator-friendly interfaces for monitoring and controlling 360SA views.
3. Power Supply: Must operate during silent watch or engine-off conditions to maintain 360SA.
4. Data Networking[JW5.1][RV5.2]: Encrypted communication and interoperability with battlefield management systems.
E. Survivability in Combat
1. Ruggedization: Must maintain 360SA functionality under vibration, impact, and shock.
2. EMI Shielding: Protection against electromagnetic disturbances that could disrupt 360SA feeds.
3. Low Observability: Minimized RF or heat signatures to avoid detection while maintaining 360SA.
4. Battle Damage Resilience: Ability to retain partial 360SA functionality after damage.
F. Display & Accessibility
1. Operator Interface: Clear and intuitive interface for accessing 360SA views.
2. MOPP Compatibility: Operable by personnel in protective gear while maintaining full 360SA functionality.
3. Human Factors & Ergonomics:
o Rapid decision-making under stress using 360SA views
o Accessibility across crew stations
4. The system shall be capable of providing real-time video and control to a display(s) using industry standard video and control input/output.
G. Size, Weight, and Installation
1. Compact Form Factor: Must not obstruct 360SA camera placement or crew ingress/egress.
2. Ease of Installation: Modular components supporting flexible 360SA deployment.
3. Mounting Options: Turrets, sides, or roofs to optimize 360SA coverage.
4. Center of Gravity Impact: Describe any effect on vehicle dynamics due to 360SA system installation.
H. Safety & Cybersecurity
1. Data Protection: Encryption for data storage and transmission (if applicable).
2. System Redundancy: Backup systems to maintain functionality during failures.
3. Tamper Detection: Ability to detect unauthorized access or physical tampering.
I. Maintenance and Logistics
1. Ease of Maintenance[JW6.1][RV6.2]: Field-repairable components and streamlined procedures.
2. Lifecycle Costs: Long-term costs for spare parts, upgrades, and training.
3. Diagnostic Tools: Built-in self-diagnostic systems for remote troubleshooting.
4. Training Requirements: Describe operator and maintainer training needs.
J. Legal and Regulatory Compliance
1. Regulatory Standards: Adherence to military specifications (e.g., MIL-STD-810G/H).
2. Interoperability: Compatibility with allied forces' systems and platforms.
3. Exportability: Indicate any ITAR or export restrictions.
K. Vendor-Specific Information
1. Technical Documentation: Specification sheets, certifications, and manuals.
2. Deployment History: Evidence of current deployments and performance.
3. Customization Options: Ability to tailor solutions to mission-specific needs.
4. Lead Time & Production Capacity: Estimated delivery timelines and scalability.
L. Maritime Operational Capability
Vendors shall describe how their 360SA systems support operations in maritime and littoral environments, including during swimming operations, ship[JW7.1][RV7.2]-to-shore maneuvering, and low-visibility coastal conditions. Systems must demonstrate suitability for integration on amphibious platforms such as the LAV, ARV, and ACV.
Key capability areas include[JW8.1]:
1. Environmental Hardening
a) Resistance to saltwater corrosion, humidity, and marine-grade vibration
b) Operational reliability in surf zones, splash conditions, and wet-deck environments
c) Compliance with amphibious vehicle standards for shock, thermal, and waterproofing
2. Sensor Placement & Field of View
o Optimized sensor layout for low-profile hulls and swimming posture
o Full situational coverage while submerged or partially submerged
o Ability to maintain visibility during wave impact, spray, and hatch-closed operations
3. Ocean Condition Awareness[JW9.1][RV9.2]
o Detection and classification of surface vessels, navigation lights, and day shapes for collision avoidance
o Real-time tracking and ranging of contacts in fog, surf, and low-light conditions
o Fusion of EO/IR tracks with radar inputs for enhanced target confirmation
o Capability to assess sea state, wave patterns, and visibility conditions that may affect swimming performance or navigation
4. System Interoperability[JW10.1][RV10.2]
o Integration with TAK-based C2 systems, onboard mission computing, and USMC digital architecture
o Compatibility with autonomous navigation aids, if applicable
5. Operational Use Case Alignment
o Evidence of prior deployment or testing in maritime or amphibious environments
o Ability to support closed-hatch operations during land movement[JW11.1][RV11.2]
o Support for crew decision-making in dynamic coastal threat environments
3. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Interested vendors should provide:
1. Company Information: Name, contact details, and relevant experience.
2. Technical Information: Detailed descriptions of system features and compliance.
3. Cost Estimates: Itemized costs for hardware, installation, maintenance, and upgrades of the end to end solution. (Cameras, Displays, and other video components (what acquisition paths to purchases exists if any)
4. Test Data: Performance data, test results, and operational case studies.
5. Commerciality: Identify if a commercial solution is currently available.
6. Additional Documentation: Any other relevant information.
4. RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS[JW12.1][RV12.2]
Submission Deadline: 18 June 2026[BB13.1][RV13.2], 18:00 eastern standard time
Point of Contact: Mr. Drew Pearson Contract Specialist
Email: drew.j.pearson2.civ@army.mil
Submission Format: All responses must be unclassified. Electronic submissions are required in PDF or Microsoft Word format but must be in one combined document and no longer than 30 pages. Do not submit responses via SAM.gov. All electronic responses and questions for clarification shall be sent to Mr. Pearson at the email above.
Confidentiality: All information will be used for internal research purposes only and will not be shared outside of authorized personnel.
5. DISCLAIMER
This RFI is issued for informational purposes only. The information in this notice is subject to change and does not commit the Government to any contractual agreement. Respondents WILL NOT be notified regarding information obtained related to this RFI. The Government will not award a contract based upon responses to this RFI. The Government shall not reimburse or pay any costs for preparing or submitting information in response to this notice. Any information submitted by respondents is strictly voluntary and does not obligate PM LAV, USMC, or ACC-DTA to issue any future contracts or purchases.
