# Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Request for Information for High Hypersonic Reentry Flight Experiment Program

Notice 49ea3bbbcb2641fe81c773413ddc19c7 (solicitation Prometheus_RFI-1) from DEPT OF DEFENSE, FA9453  AFRL RJZ, posted 2026-04-27, responses due -. Status: open.

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Notice ID | 49ea3bbbcb2641fe81c773413ddc19c7 |
| Solicitation number | Prometheus_RFI-1 |
| Type | Sources Sought |
| Agency | DEPT OF DEFENSE |
| Sub-tier | DEPT OF THE AIR FORCE |
| Office | FA9453  AFRL RJZ |
| Posted | 2026-04-27T22:40:13.000Z |
| Response deadline (UTC) | - |
| Set-aside | No Set aside used |
| NAICS | 541715 |
| PSC | AC33 |
| Place of performance | Kirtland AFB, NM, USA |
| Award | - |

## Description

Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Request for Information for High Hypersonic Reentry Flight Experiment Program Introduction Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is gathering information for future partnering with industry and other government agencies to develop high-cadence, recoverable, reliable, cost-effective orbital and hypersonic reentry experiment platforms. These platforms offer exposure to extreme reentry environments with payload recovery post-fight for Technology Readiness Level (TRL) maturation and Science & Technology (S&T) advancement. AFRL aims to advance novel, innovative research areas that address capability, technology, or scientific gaps for hypersonic reentry vehicles and environments. In addition to existing orbital and hypersonic platforms, AFRL aims to further develop hypersonic testing infrastructure and platforms. Near-future capabilities include non-ballistic trajectories and high-acceleration-load (50+ g’s) flight conditions. AFRL has the following reentry experimentation priorities (not in priority order): Promote cutting-edge research to enhance the Department of War's (DOW) ability to address future science and technology (S&T) requirements for hypersonic reentry. This involves developing recoverable flight payloads designed to withstand extreme hypersonic conditions above 7.5km/s and high-acceleration forces exceeding 50 g’s including, but not limited to: Guidance, Navigation, and Control Technologies with the potential to be radiation hardened/survivable (operate through, circumvent and recover, etc.) – accelerometers, gyroscopes, navigation aids for operating in a GPS denied environment (stellar, radar, optical, etc.), and new SW algorithms for relevant hypersonic flight environments Avionics Components with the potential to be radiation hardened/survivable (operate through, circumvent and recover, etc.) – flight computers, processors, actuators, etc. Flight-Environment Sensors – heat flux, temperature, pressure, shock, vibration, acceleration, attitude, altitude, material recession, plasma, etc. Novel Thermal Protection System (TPS) materials and manufacturing techniques, including, but not limited to hot-structure TPS Integrated Systems – e.g. flight computer with IMU with navigation aid Vehicle Diagnostic Sensors and Algorithms Communication Capabilities – e.g. telemetry Autonomous precision landing Ejectables on orbit or reentry Identify reentry testbed capabilities that improve Department of War’s (DOW’s) ability to meet hypersonic reentry environment S&T needs by providing recoverable test platforms that operate in relevant hypersonic environments: Required Characteristics (not all simultaneously required) Minimum speed 7.5 km/s Acceleration loads of at least 50 g’s Minimum 2000° C thermal load Minimum heat flux in flight of 350 W/cm2 Support at least a 40 x 40 x 40 cm payload volume and 5+kg mass Host-provided power Additional Useful Characteristics Ability to maneuver at hypersonic speed, minimum 1.8km/s Ability to mount external material samples with sensor instrumentation Ability to achieve 50+ g’s acceleration load during test Ability to achieve heat flux exceeding 400+ W/cm2 Ability to provide direct line-of-sight ground observation during terminal-phase flight Collect data to address knowledge gaps in existing and new computational models (e.g., reentry temperature profile, shock, vibration, plasma profile, RF blackout, etc.) AFRL is requesting information on technologies which have completed bench-level testing and are ready for prototype reentry experimentation (notionally TRL 4-5). AFRL is also requesting information on already-developed reentry vehicles available for flight opportunities in the near term (less than 12 months). Suitable technologies or vehicles may be identified for follow-on agreements to further develop hypersonic testing infrastructure and platforms that address capability, technology, or scientific gaps for hypersonic reentry vehicles and environments. Follow-on agreements could include Cooperative Research and Development Agreements, Small Business Innovative Research contracts, FAR-based contracts, Other Transaction Authority contracts, etc. This request for information is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a commitment by the U.S. Government to award a contract, make any purchases, or take any other action. Application and Submission Information Submission Format: Submissions should consist of a White Paper and an optional Experiment and Materials Data Sheets. The White Paper should be divided into the sections described below and listed in the same order. Some sections are denoted as “if applicable” or “optional.” To streamline the process, the White Papers are limited to four (4) pages using 11-point Times New Roman font. Graphics must be legible without zoom (>10-point font) and do not count against page count limitation. A template is provided for the Experiment and Materials Data Sheets. Theses documents are optional and do not count against page count limitation. Experiment and Materials data sheets may be marked CUI once completed. One (1) additional page may be allocated for references and does not count against page count limitation. Citations shall be in accordance with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Reference Guide. (https://journals.ieeeauthorcenter.ieee.org/your-role-in-article-production/ieee-editorial-style-manual/) No other materials, including letters of advocacy, will be considered or reviewed. Submissions that do not meet the requirements above may not be considered or retained for market research purposes. This request for information is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a commitment by the U.S. Government to award a contract, make any purchases, or take any other action. Submitters should address the following: White Paper: Mission Relevance Project alignment with priorities listed in this document Warfighter, scientif

## Sources

- View on SAM.gov: https://sam.gov/opp/49ea3bbbcb2641fe81c773413ddc19c7/view
- Data as of 2026-11-14. Source: https://sam.gov/data-services/Contract%20Opportunities/datagov

## Cite this

"Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Request for Information for High Hypersonic Reentry Flight Experiment Program, SAM.gov contract opportunity 49ea3bbbcb2641fe81c773413ddc19c7." samgovapi.io, https://samgovapi.io/opportunity/49ea3bbbcb2641fe81c773413ddc19c7, data as of 2026-11-14. Primary record: https://sam.gov/opp/49ea3bbbcb2641fe81c773413ddc19c7/view

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