AMRAAM launchers on tap for tentative, competitive acquisition

The Air Force is tentatively considering procuring missile rail launchers to carry and fire the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile on fighter aircraft, in a price-only competition of qualified vendors for a requirements-type contract, the service said Thursday in a Federal Business Opportunities notice.

Robins Air Force Base, GA, will host an industry day March 27 "to capture the business practices that are customarily found in the marketplace of the Missile Rail Launcher industry as well as industry input relative to the Government's Missile Rail Launcher requirements." The program team will discuss its objectives, the draft purchase description, statement of work and contract data requirements lists.

The LAU‐128 and LAU-129 launchers are flown on the F-15 and F-16, respectively.

"Components within the MRL must prevent an inadvertent launch of a loaded missile but allow a launch when called or required," according to a requirements document. "The mechanical components of the MRL must maintain secure position of a loaded missile and not suffer any material degradation due to fight maneuvers. Additionally, the MRL must retain the missile in the event of an un-commanded or inadvertent launch attempt."