In an effort to fortify the defense industrial base and enhance the reliability of critical aviation components, the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) under Title III of the Defense Production Act (DPA). This solicitation, led by the Manufacturing Technology Section at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, is aimed at identifying and assessing domestic capabilities for the development, manufacturing, and sustainment of advanced canopy transparencies for a variety of Department of Defense (DoD) weapon systems.
The initiative is supported by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy (OASD IBP), which administers the DPA Title III Program. The overarching goal is to modernize and secure U.S. production capacity for mission-critical systems, ensuring that U.S. weapon systems maintain their competitive edge through durable, optically superior, and highly engineered canopy structures.
RFI Overview: Objectives and Strategic Importance
The RFI invites input from companies capable of supplying or supporting advanced canopy transparencies (those transparent components that serve as both aerospace windshields and critical structural elements). These components must meet stringent performance requirements, such as:
- Aerodynamic and structural integrity,
- Resistance to thermal and electrical stresses,
- High optical clarity with minimal visual distortion for full-field pilot visibility.
Given the low-volume, high-mix nature of canopy transparency production the Air Force is looking to assess and strengthen U.S. suppliers’ ability to scale, innovate, and sustain operations.
Specifically, the RFI is seeking information on:
- Domestic production and repair capabilities,
- Use of advanced manufacturing methods to improve throughput and yield,
- Integration of digital thread technologies for continuous process improvement,
- Vertical integration strategies to secure critical material supply chains,
- Establishment or expansion of dedicated R&D capabilities related to canopy transparencies.
A supplemental data package detailing the government’s desired production capabilities is available by email request for companies with an active DD Form 2345 certification.
Key Dates and Submission Details
Respondents must submit their information by:
- June 19, 2025, at noon ET: All RFI responses are due to the AFRL contracting office ([email protected]).
Submissions should include:
- Business identification (name, address, phone)
- NAICS code and business classification (e.g. small or large business),
- Contact details for a designated point of contact (name, title, phone, email).
Funding and Project Parameters
While this RFI does not guarantee a follow-on solicitation, information collected may inform future Title III investment decisions.
Key parameters of the DPA Title III program include:
- Investment size: Typically ranges from $5 million to $20 million.
- Cost share: Matching cost contributions from recipients are generally expected.
- Performance period: Projects are usually completed within five years.
Eligible activities may include:
- Procurement, installation, and qualification of production equipment,
- Manufacturing line setup and process validation,
- Modernization efforts for yield and quality improvement,
- Implementation of quality systems and strategic marketing plans.
Importantly, Title III investments are not intended for basic or applied research, but rather for expanding and sustaining critical manufacturing capabilities with enterprise-wide impact.
A Call to Action: Advancing Aviation and National Security
Canopy transparencies are more than just aircraft windows, they are integral to the performance, survivability, and mission success of U.S. warfighters. Ensuring a robust, resilient domestic supply chain for these systems is vital to maintaining fleet readiness across fighter jets, bombers, and rotorcraft platforms.
If your company is positioned to contribute to the next generation of aerospace transparency systems, now is the time to act. The Air Force’s RFI presents a strategic opportunity to play a pivotal role in safeguarding national defense capabilities.
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