Sources Sought: Wireless Ethernet Backbone for Ground Combat Vehicles

NCMS is assisting the U.S. Army in seeking an industry partner(s) that have concepts and/or technologies to design and develop wireless Ethernet backbone for future Army Ground Combat Vehicles.  Concepts or technologies could address any of the following:

  • How can a wireless Ethernet backbone be integrated into ground combat vehicles to provide an Ethernet in-vehicle network with wireless capability for real-time and safety-critical systems, automotive Controller Area Network-based systems, and all computing resources within the vehicle?
  • Inter- and intra-vehicle architecture assumptions for combat vehicle integration utilizing a wireless Ethernet backbone (legacy upgrades and new vehicle designs).
  • Analysis of whether such a system may be designed to improve reliability and ensure secure cyber-security capability.
  • Analysis of whether this solution can reduce maintenance repair times and reduce space and weight claims on a combat vehicle.
  • Analysis of how this solution affects maintainability and operational availability by using an alternative to a pinned connector.
  • Assessment of the potential benefit to real-time and safety-critical systems, automotive Controller Area Network-based systems, and all computing resources within the vehicle. This includes the selection of proper interoperability, security, and maintainability.
  • Assessment that identifies potential hazards and performance issues due to high acoustic signatures inside a combat vehicle. This includes a system integrity check for radiated and spurious emissions, 1GHz to 40 GHz, spectrum supportability, and spectrum supportability risk assessments.
  • Cost and Technology Readiness Assessment associated with these capabilities.

Briefings and white papers addressing any of the aforementioned technologies should be proposed only.  Responses will be selected for the full development of the briefings/white papers and used, at a minimum, to inform requirements for future manned and unmanned ground combat vehicle systems.  Unique and innovative technologies that demonstrate technical maturity may be recommended for future cooperative research and development projects.

Interested parties should complete the following form including:

  • Background of capability summary
  • Examples of where the capability is currently used if any
  • URLs to corporate presentations including engineering, manufacturing and testing capabilities
  • Cost Summary Form

Interested parties should complete the following form no later than Wednesday, September 30, 2020.  Any questions can be directed to opportunities@ncms.org