702802451 - Radome Replacement RFI

Tender description

Description The Authority is seeking market information regarding Radome solutions for static-site Air Surveillance Defence Radar installations. The Authority operates many permanent Defence Radar assets in the UK and overseas, and therefore, is keen to ensure its knowledge of the respective Radome market is current. Information Requested Information is requested which provides insight into the technologies and solutions available for Radomes used to protect static-site Air Surveillance Defence Radar installations operating in the 1.0GHz to 4.0GHz frequency range. Respondents are invited to provide information and/or views on the subject, including, for example: a) Potential technologies/solutions currently available for the provision of large static-site Radome structures intended for Air Surveillance Defence, or similar, Radar applications. Their key attributes, advantages, disadvantages, and trade-offs. b) Thinking on the optimum technologies/solutions for large Radomes (e.g. equator diameters up to ~20m and internal heights up to ~15m). c) Thinking on the optimum technologies/solutions for permanent use in the harshest global environmental conditions, for example, the ability to handle: i. wind speeds of up to 200mph ii. external temperatures of -40C to +50C iii. high rainfall, with rates up to 150mm/hr iv. hail balls of 3 ½ inches (90 mm) at 150 mph v. high snowfall and ice loading conditions vi. all year strong UV exposure d) Expected Radome service-life (years) under such conditions for the various technologies/solutions. e) Anticipated maintenance requirements and mandatory in-service support tasks under such conditions. f) Typical installation procedures, timescales and dependencies. Considerations for sequencing the installation of Radars vs Radomes. Critical plant/machinery requirements, underlying infrastructure pre-requisites and any additional considerations associated with installing in very harsh environments. g) Indicative budgetary price ranges for the various Radome technologies/solutions, assuming ranges of: i) up to £0.5M, ii) £0.5M to 1M, iii) £1M to 2M, iv) above £2M. h) Your appetite for delivering both the supply/installation of Radome products and, ongoing in-service support/maintenance. i) Typical product availability and manufacturing lead times (including, if applicable, any supply-chain constraints/resilience considerations). Additional information would also be appreciated, regarding: a) Environmental impact considerations such as, carbon footprint, supply chains, manufacturing, materials disposal at end of life, and so on. b) Typical shipping and goods handling practices, including licence/export considerations. c) The extent of global use for the various Radome technologies/solutions and their associated operational applications/use cases. d) Future technology trends in the near and longer (5 year +) term. e) Any other factors that are considered relevant.