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Appendix 1: Requirements and Specifications
1 SPECIFICATION
1.1 General
The Department of Defence (DOD) on behalf of the Irish Air Corps (IAC) has a requirement for the purchase of three (3) new Fixed Wing Utility Aircraft (FWUA).
The aircraft will be operated in the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition & Reconnaissance (ISTAR) roles in addition to other general and utility roles.
The requirement includes the provision of a full mission solution including the aircraft, role equipment, training, tools and a logistical support package.
1.2 DELIVERY:
The Contractor is expected to deliver the first full missionised aircraft within twelve (12) months of the signing of the contract. The third aircraft must be delivered within twenty four (24) months of the signing of the contract.
1.3 Purpose and Intent
The requirement is for the purchase from suppliers of three (3) identical single turboprop engine aircraft. These aircraft must be equipped with the latest available, best quality, integrated avionics, auto-flight and instrumentation systems. The aircraft will be a commercially available and type certified to European Aviation Safety Agency Certification Specifications 23 (EASA CS23), and must be currently in production and in military service.
The aircraft must be capable of being operated primarily in the ISTAR role,
but retain the capability to be converted to operate in a utility role including logistical support, passenger transport, and MEDEVAC / air ambulance.
The aircraft must be certified for single pilot operation, day and night visual flight rules (VFR) & instrument flight rules (IFR) and flight into icing conditions.
In the case of the required communication equipment (i.e. Radio / Satellite / Telemetry), the highest importance is placed on the radio communication equipment being fully and seamlessly interoperable with the full range of existing Irish Defence Forces communication equipment and infrastructure in accordance with Section 3 of this Appendix.
The DOD requires the successful tenderer, i.e. the Contractor to deliver all three (3) aircraft within an agreed timeframe. The Contractor will also provide two complete mission systems as detailed further in this document.
2.1.1 Service Life
2.1.2 Reliability
The reliability of the aircraft will be predicated on 800 hours of operation per airframe per year when operated and maintained in accordance with the contractor’s recommendations.
2.2.9 The aircraft must have a quick change capability with provision for the following role configurations:
2.2.9.1 Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) operations utilising on board sensors, mission management system, communications and data link capabilities
2.2.9.2 Logistics support for carrying payload (minimum 800kg), personnel (NOT less than 9 pax) or a combination of both
2.2.9.3 MEDEVAC / air ambulance utilising an approved stretcher system. The contractor will install fixed provisions to facilitate installation of a LifePort® PLUS system
2.3.5 Pressurisation
The pressurisation system must be capable of maintaining a cabin altitude of 8,000ft or lower at an aircraft cruise altitude of 25,000ft.
2.6 Cabin Configuration
2.6.1 Seating Capacity
In the surveillance configuration, standard seating must accommodate a minimum of 4 crewmembers consisting of two (2) pilots, one (1) sensor operator and one (1) observer.
In the logistical configuration, standard seating must accommodate a minimum of nine (9) passengers.
2.6.5 Cargo Transport
The aircraft must be equipped with an external cargo door. The minimum opening must be 115 cm by 115 cm to enable loading of bulky or oversized cargo. Cargo tie points and appropriate restraint system must be provided.
3 MISSION SYSTEM
3.1 General
The contractor must provide
two (2) complete mission systems
comprising of electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) turret and associated sensors,
mission avionics and communications, displays, sensor operator console, observer position and ground processing elements.
The contractor must install these mission systems into two aircraft
and provide the necessary fixed provisions including wiring, antennae, fixtures, fittings and connections to ensure complete compatibility and interchangeability
with the third aircraft.
The configuration of the mission system must enable the installation of the communications suite separate to the Mission Management and Navigation System.
3.2 Mission Management and Navigation
The contractor must design and install a mission management and navigation system with the following features;
(a) Augmented reality mapping and video overlays to include designation of points/areas of interest, measurement (distances, areas and moving target speed). When mapped these must be visible on the mapping and, if selected, overlaid onto the live and recorded video feed.
(b) A digitised moving map incorporating digital terrain elevation data. Charting features must include:
(i) The capability for the Irish Defence Forces to add custom mapping/GIS data when operationally required
(ii) High resolution satellite or aerial imagery of Ireland
(iii) Vector street maps for Ireland
(iv) 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey charting of Ireland
(c) Ability to utilise NATO APP 6 Joint Military Symbology to designate certain positions, units and areas
(d) Integration with all mission sensors
(e) Integration with the uplink and downlink systems
(f) A solid state recorder capable of recording two (2) HD channels in addition to
STANAG 4609 compliant metadata from the EO/IR sensors, Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver and aircraft positional data. The recorder must be capable of storing a minimum of eight (8) hours of HD resolution video and associated metadata
(g) Mission system information must be viewable by the pilot on a suitable MFD or other suitable screen. The screen must be capable of displaying the following:
(i) The active EO or IR video channel in use by the sensor operator
(ii) A moving map to include aircraft position and sensor orientation
(h) Pause and replay of mission information (map and video) while in flight.
3.3
3.4 Operator Console
The contractor must design, construct and install one (1) sensor operator console per system. It must have the following features:
(a) Two (2) high definition (HD) touch screen monitors that must be the primary means of interacting with the mission system and controlling the sensors.
(b) Ability to display two (2) sensor video feeds simultaneously in addition to selected charts.
(c) It must be possible to completely remove the console from the aircraft within four (4) man-hours without extensive adjustment. Reinstallation must be possible within four (4) man-hours without extensive adjustment.
(d) The sensor control system design must incorporate a multifunction handgrip as a means of controlling the Electro Optical / Infrared (EO/IR) sensor. This is in addition
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to the touch screen control detailed above.
(e) A QWERTY keyboard and trackball.
(f) Two (2) press to transmit (PTT) switches for communications, one (1) must be mounted on the floor or base of the unit for use by the senor operator’s foot.
(g) RMS panel allowing tuning and use of all communications systems
(h) Sufficient lighting for the expected mission profile to include a map light.
3.6 Sensors
The contractor must install and integrate the following sensors into each mission system;
(a) AIS receiver for maritime vessels.
(b) An EO/IR stabilised turret assembly that must be a gyro-stabilised unit capable of automatic video tracking in both electro optical and infrared modes.
The turret must contain for the following:
(i) Colour low light TV camera with a performance specification of 1080P HD resolution
(ii) Colour HD camera with a performance specification of 1080P HD resolution
(iii) Thermal imager with a performance specification of 1080P HD resolution
(iv) Eye safe laser range finder (LRF)
3.7 Command & Control Integration
The Irish Defence Forces utilise the Systematic SitaWare application for air, sea and land situational awareness, command, and control. This application operates on the Irish Defence Forces data network and the mission data must be capable of integration onto the SitaWare platform. The mission system must integrate with the following features;
(a) SitaWare must be installed and integrated into the mission system. This may be achieved through the observer’s position computer or the mission management system
(b) Send own aircraft positions, turret orientation, points/targets and areas designated by the sensor operator to other users on the network
(c) Receive for display in the aircraft the position of friendly units, points/targets and areas designated by friendly units on the network.
10 OPTIONS
For each of the Options listed below, the tenderer should provide details of works / modifications required along with associated costs and highlight possible knock-on effects for the completion of the project.
These will not form part of the evaluation process.
10.1 Aircraft Equipment Options
10.1.1 IFF (Identification Friend or Foe)
The contractor should indicate if the aircraft can be fitted with an IFF capability and provide associated details, specifications and modifications required along with associated costs.
10.1.2 Defensive Aids Suite (DAS)
The contractor should indicate if the aircraft can be fitted with a DAS and provide associated details, specifications and modifications required along with associated costs.
10.1.3 Lavatory
Where the aircraft does not come fitted with a lavatory as standard, the contractor should indicate what options are available for the fitting of a flushing lavatory on board the aircraft. The contractor should provide the associated details and modifications required, along with associated costs.
10.1.4 Medevac Equipment
The contractor should provide the associated details and modifications required along with associated costs for the provision and installation of one (1) LifePort® PLUS.
10.1.5 Night Vision Equipment
The contractor should indicate if the cockpit and cabin can be configured for the use of Night Vision Equipment (NVE). The contractor should provide the associated details and modifications required along with associated costs.
10.2 Mission System Options
10.2.1 Additional Sensors
The contractor should provide the associated details, modifications required and associated costs with the provision of the following sensors:
(a) COMINT, SIGINT and ELINT sensors
(b) Short Wave Infra-Red (SWIR) thermal imager with a performance specification of 1080P HD resolution
(c) Live Moving Target Indicator (MTI) analysis and display of the video feed
(d) Turret mounted radar system with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) modes.
10.2.2 Additional Laser Sensors
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The contractor should provide an option for including the following laser sensors within the EO/IR turret;
(a) Laser pointer
(b) Laser illuminator
(c) Laser designator
The contractor should provide the details and modifications required, along with the associated costs. If the turret cannot accommodate these optional sensors in addition to the required sensors please provide options for various configurations of laser sensors.
10.7 Option for an additional aircraft
The Irish Air Corps supports An Garda Síochána in the operation of the Garda Air Support Unit (GASU). The Air Corps provides regulatory oversight and piloting for the GASU, and all aircraft used in the provision of GASU services are operated on the Military Register.
Tenderers are asked to include an option for the provision of a fourth similar type aircraft, for use in the provision of GASU services, as part of their tender proposal. Should this option be exercised, the purchasing authority for this aircraft will be An Garda Síochána.
The option to purchase a fourth aircraft under this tender competition may be exercised by An Garda Síochána during the delivery period of the first three aircraft.
The aircraft offered as an option will be a “green” aircraft and will not include any specialised equipment or mission systems, cabin configuration or colour /paint scheme.
The cost for this option should be provided, but the exercising of the option and the cost of the “green” aircraft will not form part of the evaluation process for the first three aircraft.
I think a 1st April prank!michel N wrote:Today an Irish Air Corps PC-12 was seen at Stans Buochs, in a civilian colorscheme.
Cn1898 with serial 280 should be delivered this week
SeeJJ Dam wrote:I think a 1st April prank!michel N wrote:Today an Irish Air Corps PC-12 was seen at Stans Buochs, in a civilian colorscheme.
Cn1898 with serial 280 should be delivered this week
I was wrong!JJ Dam wrote:I think a 1st April prank!michel N wrote:Today an Irish Air Corps PC-12 was seen at Stans Buochs, in a civilian colorscheme.
Cn1898 with serial 280 should be delivered this week
280 was delievered yesterday to Baldonell. The other 3 PC-12s for IAC are in the US for modifications. If this is a fourth or a temporary loan is unknown at the moment.JJ Dam wrote:I was wrong!JJ Dam wrote:I think a 1st April prank!michel N wrote:Today an Irish Air Corps PC-12 was seen at Stans Buochs, in a civilian colorscheme.
Cn1898 with serial 280 should be delivered this week
I searched a little on the web and found out this is the c/s of a Chinese Company: Asian Express Aviation.
There were at least 3 PC-12's seen in this c/s at Pilatus/Buochs in 2019/2018. Probably they cancelled the order or got bankrupt and the IAC could buy a cheap new PC-12
The link:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/88541753@ ... ateposted/
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