SAM #WA2026

Air Force Market Research for Improved F-22 Dielectric Coolant

The Department of the Air Force is seeking industry input on improved dielectric coolant for the F-22. - Government buyer: Department of the Air Force, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Fighters & Advanced Aircraft Directorate, F-22 Division, Modernization Branch (AFLCMC/WAR), Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. - Procurement focus: Next-generation hydrogenated dielectric cooling fluid for the F-22, made with a synthetic hydrocarbon base oil and suitable additives as needed. - Performance goal: Improve heat-transfer capability by improving one or more fluid properties related to heat transfer. - Current coolant benchmarks include specific gravity of 0.789 at 25°C and 0.800 at 15.6°C. - Thermal conductivity benchmarks are 4.5 × 10⁻⁴ at −40°C, 3.8 × 10⁻⁴ at 0°C, and 3.0 × 10⁻⁴ at 150°C; units are not specified in the provided summary. - Specific heat benchmarks are 0.48 at −40°C, 0.53 at 25°C, 0.55 at 75°C, and 0.65 at 149°C; units are not specified in the provided summary. - The coefficient of thermal expansion benchmark is 8.1 × 10⁻⁴ cm³/cm³. - OEMs and vendors: No OEMs or vendors are named in the provided materials. No purchase quantity or part number is specified. - Opportunity status: This is a request for information and market research, not a purchase commitment.

Description

The Modernization Branch of the F-22 Division (AFLCMC/WAR) is exploring the market for qualified firms to provide next-generation hydrogenated, dielectric cooling fluid. The material shall consist of a synthetic, hydrocarbon base oil with suitable additives as needed. This Sources Sought/RFI is looking for information on improved heat transfer capability. While calculating exact forced convection heat transfer requires parameters outside of fluid properties (e.g. velocity, pipe diameter, etc.), the F-22 Division seeks to improve one or more fluid properties that correlate to improved heat transfer capability. Current coolant density, thermal conductivity, specific heat values, and coefficient of thermal expansion are listed within the attachment to this RFI. 

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