US Air Force publishes RFI for E-3G AWACS replacement.

The US Air Force has published a RFI (Request for Information) for the replacement of the E-3G Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS).

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The E-3 Sentry is an airborne warning and control system, or AWACS, aircraft with an integrated command and control battle management, or C2BM, surveillance, target detection, and tracking platform. The aircraft provides an accurate, real-time picture of the battlespace to the Joint Air Operations Center. AWACS provides situational awareness of friendly, neutral and hostile activity, command and control of an area of responsibility, battle management of theater forces, all-altitude and all-weather surveillance of the battle space, and early warning of enemy actions during joint, allied, and coalition operations (Picture source: USAF)

This RFI is issued to identify industry partners to replace the U.S. E-3G Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft. The program requires delivery of at least two  production representative prototype aircraft, including ground support and training systems, within five years starting in FY23.

AWACS is a rapidly deployable Command and Control (C2) and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) asset capable of rapid global deployment and 24-hour, all weather operations. AWACS provides Battle Management Command and Control (BMC2) to the Combat Air Forces with airborne systems and personnel for theater surveillance and warning as well as control of strategic, tactical, and special mission forces.

AWACS enabling capabilities include:
- Airborne host platform
- Certified air refueling capability
- Multi-mode Airborne Moving Target Indication (AMTI) radar
- On-board BMC2 system
- Combat Identification
- Line of Sight (LOS) and Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) communications
- Ground elements (mission planning, training, and support)

This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation nor is it authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. The Government does not intend to award a contract based on this RFI, and responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract.