STRATO-Next

2025

Event Overview

In partnership with the US Air Force, NCMS will co-host an Air Mobility Command (AMC) expeditionary operations and sustainment demonstration exercise we are calling STRATO-Next from April 21-24 at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. Formerly known as STRATO-Tech, STRATO-Next will provide opportunities for scenario-based sustainment technology demonstrations focused on AMC aircraft such as the KC-135 Stratotanker, KC-46 Pegasus, C-17 Globemaster and other aircraft.

NCMS will be assisting the AMC Air Mobility Command with identifying the desired sustainment capabilities and vetting industry and academic participants for STRATO-Next. Air Force sustainment leaders will provide participants various real-world scenarios that address focus areas for improvements to support AMC’s sustainment capabilities for deployed aircraft.  This will be a unique opportunity to test and demonstrate novel and available industry-academia technologies to demonstrate and evaluate the viability and efficacy of their unique or combined capabilities.

Key Air Force decision-makers and subject matter experts will be in attendance and eager to evaluate these technologies and provide firsthand experience of their needs and challenges.  This event is a great opportunity for the community to come together and align capabilities to real-world needs so AMC can rapidly innovate how to operate and sustain aircraft in remote, expeditionary operational environments.

Industry and Academia partners interested in applying to participate will be asked to submit a Request To Demonstrate (RTD) package that details the technology solution you propose to demonstrate. Solutions must fit into one of the categories below:

Application Deadline:
3/7/2025

Government Registration Deadline:
3/17/2025

Base Access Deadline
3/19/2025

Exercise Period:
4/21/25 – 4/24/25

Technology Solution Categories

The Air Mobility Command (AMC) faces challenges in supporting aircraft peculiar parts, as these are not included in War Reserve Materiel (WRM) or Combatant Command (CCMD) prepositioning due to cost constraints. While additive manufacturing shows promise, a deployable 3D printer capable of producing aircraft-quality parts is still unavailable. By developing and fielding such a printer alongside advanced manufacturing capabilities, maintenance teams could fabricate parts on demand and install them with proper authority, alleviating reach-back requirements once initial stocks are depleted.

This initiative targets the innovative concept of manufacturing parts-on-demand for Aircraft Battle Damage Repair (ABDR), focusing on the KC-135 Stratotanker and other AMC assets. The objective is to demonstrate the feasibility and efficiency of producing aircraft replacement parts quickly at the point of need, leveraging technologies like 3D printing, CNC machining, and rapid prototyping to reduce repair times and improve logistical efficiency.

Expeditionary MHE, such as the 10K AT and 25K Halverson, occupies significant space, is limited in inventory, and requires a substantial support footprint. AMC seeks innovative, smaller, unpowered MHE replacements that are hydraulically operated, maneuverable by manpower when empty, and towable by an LSSV via pintle hook. These replacements would support hub-and-spoke operations in contested environments by reducing transport and sustainment challenges.

Additionally, AMC requests a rapidly deployable, compact 463L pallet cargo loader that can self-deploy and self-load, enabling operations in austere locations. This two-pallet-position loader must handle 10,000 pounds per 463L position, operate autonomously, and withstand harsh environments, enhancing expeditionary logistics.

AMC will make targeted MHE available to STRATO-Next participants along with aircraft footprint requirements.  USAF MHE and Load specialists will be available to participate in a workshop with industry/academia to explore possibilities and identify future design and development opportunities to deploy smaller footprint, lighter, agile, multi-purpose MHE for future AMC deployments.

Reducing the volume and weight of essential ground support equipment is critical for enhancing deployment efficiency and mobility, especially in austere environments. Innovative solutions are sought to streamline AGE for the KC-135 Stratotanker and other AMC aircraft, improving rapid response times, reducing transport costs, and increasing mission sustainability. Ideal solutions would be able to fit on a standard 463L pallet, withstand extremely hot and humid environments, be compatible with all aircraft across the AF inventory (C-17, 5th gen fighters, etc) and meet airworthiness standards.

AMC will make targeted AGE available to STRATO-Next participants along with aircraft footprint requirements.  USAF AGE SME’s will be available to participate in a workshop with industry/academia to explore possibilities and identify future design and development opportunities to deploy smaller footprint, lighter, agile, multi-purpose AGE for future AMC deployments.

AMC is looking for AR capabilities that will allow reach back support for mission critical tasks. Emphasis for solutions is placed on rugged, hands-free AR capabilities that are capable of being used in a variety of climates and compatible with DoD IL4 information security standards or better. See below for a sample of core tasks and mission sets for use.

  • Parachute Rigging and Repair: With the transition of parachute repair responsibilities to the Air Transportation career field, AR solutions are requested to overlay procedural steps onto airmen’s tasks. This technology would reduce training costs and improve efficiency, enabling airmen to master this new skill set.
  • Air Cargo Inspection: AR technology is needed to allow remote joint inspections of cargo for airlift, addressing manpower shortages and Agile Combat Employment (ACE) demands. Equipped with AR glasses and scales, three-level mission-ready airmen could connect with certified inspectors at remote call centers for real-time support, reducing deployment durations and enhancing operational flexibility.
  • Maintenance and Aircraft Battle Damage:Distance support technology including AR solutions is needed to assist deployed airmen with non-standard repairs related to routine wear and tear as well as aircraft battle damage remediation.

To address the need for operational flexibility when refueling at airfields with Jet A1, non-additized  fuel, AMC requests a roll-on/off additive capability for tanker aircraft (KC-135, KC-46, NGAS). This capability would be able to connect to a DLA fuel additive package to allow aircrew to “dope” Jet A1 fuel with necessary additives (e.g., FSII). There will need to be a requirement for sampling capability down stream of additive injection to ensure the proper additive specifications per Air Force fuels quality control standards. Ideal solutions would also include the ability to fit on to a 463L pallet and be loadable onto existing tankers. This solution would significantly reduce logistics demands and expand airfield options worldwide, especially in contingency/contested environments.

AMC subject matter experts will be available to industry and academia to workshop this general need and relay critical characteristics and handling requirements for this design and development opportunity.

Currently, when troubleshooting aircraft wiring, Maintenance uses adapter kits (pin kits) connected to multi-meters. These lead kits are fragile and susceptible to breaking. The kits contain 20+ leads, during checkout it is unrealistic to check continuity on each lead and kits are cumbersome/time consuming to sort through leads during Mission Critical scenarios. Requesting assistance with developing a more consistent and reliable lead kit or adapter to check wiring on aircraft, while deployed, TDY or at home station.  AMC also seeks improved methods and testers to ensure wiring integrity that have a small footprint and can be rapidly deployed in support of expeditionary operations.

This scenario addresses the critical challenge of inspecting and repairing damaged wiring within the KC-135 Stratotanker and other AMC aircraft, a vital component for ensuring the aircraft’s operational safety and functionality. The focus is on developing and utilizing innovative technologies and methodologies that enable rapid, accurate detection of wiring issues (such as shorts, breaks, insulation damage, and short duration intermittence and executing swift, reliable repairs in field conditions. The goal is to minimize downtime and ensure the aircraft can safely return to service as quickly as possible.

Ensuring the security of aircraft at forward operating bases (FOBs) and airfields in contested environments is a critical challenge for Air Mobility Command (AMC) operations. AMC seeks a mobile area detection kit that provides 360-degree situational awareness in austere and remote locations.

The ideal solution would:

  • Be compact and portable for easy deployment by small teams. Solutions may either be standalone, aircraft mountable, or roll on/roll off.
  • Utilize advanced detection technologies such as radar, infrared, and motion sensors to monitor and identify potential threats to aircraft and restricted areas with emphasis placed on detecting small unmanned aerial systems.
  • Integrate seamlessly with communication systems to provide real-time threat alerts to security teams.
  • Support multi-purpose operations, including monitoring perimeters, detecting unauthorized personnel or vehicles, and enhancing situational awareness for command teams.

This capability would enable security forces to maintain awareness without a heavy reliance on manpower, enhancing agility and effectiveness in austere conditions.

In preparation for deployed operations in potentially austere environments, the ability to rapidly apply rapid, short term onsite fixes will be critical to shorten logistics chains. This initiative targets industry to present mobile cold spray technologies and additive manufacturing capabilities that can be used to provide temporary fixes to chaffed fluid lines, stressed, or cracked components, or similar type issues.

Corrosion remains a persistent challenge for deployed aircraft operating in diverse and harsh environments. The Air Mobility Command (AMC) seeks innovative solutions to enhance the detection, remediation, and prevention of corrosion on deployed aircraft such as the KC-135 Stratotanker and other AMC assets.

  • Advanced Detection Technologies: Solutions are sought that utilize state-of-the-art technologies, such as laser-based systems, ultrasonics, or thermal imaging, to detect corrosion beneath layers of paint or coatings. These systems should be portable, user-friendly, and capable of rapid assessment in austere conditions.
  • Remediation Capabilities: Demonstrations of tools and materials that enable swift and effective removal of corrosion while minimizing damage to underlying structures are requested. Options like localized plasma cleaning or environmentally friendly blast methods are of particular interest.
  • Preventative Coatings: Explore the development and deployment of advanced anti-corrosion paints or coatings that can be applied to aging aircraft components. These coatings should provide extended protection against corrosion while withstanding the operational demands of deployed environments.
  • Integrated Monitoring Systems: AMC seeks to integrate corrosion monitoring systems into aircraft maintenance regimes. These systems would provide real-time data on corrosion risk factors, enabling predictive maintenance and reducing unplanned downtime.

The goal is to enhance the operational longevity of aircraft, streamline maintenance processes, and improve mission readiness in contested and remote environments. Solutions must prioritize portability, ease of use, and compatibility with current maintenance workflows.

  • Modernized Aircraft Battle Damage Repair: ABDR is a long-standing problem going back to the Battle of Britain. STRATO-Next will assess companies capabilities to address the following ABDR scenarios:
  1. The first step in conducting ABDR is assessing the condition of the aircraft on the ramp. STRATO-Next seeks capabilities that can rapidly and accurately assess battle damage to skins, structures, wiring, electronics, pressure vessels, fiber optics, fuel tanks, communications and avionics.
  2. Most warheads are blast-fragmentation, and near-misses will pepper the plane with many small holes, STRATO-Next is looking for demonstrations of capabilities to address in-situ repair of these holes beyond current “riveted scab patches”.
  3. STRATO-Next is seeking capabilities that can address expeditionary repair of aircraft structural components such as spars and ribs, etc.
  4. Modern aircraft are comprised largely of composite materials. STRATO-Next seeks capabilities that can rapidly and accurately assess the condition of these composite materials.
  5. STRATO-Next seeks composite material repair solutions that can be readily deployed to remote locations without the traditional “baggage” of freezers, autoclaves, etc.
  6. Aircraft ground crews and technicians may not have access to experts in the engineering centers and ALC’S. STRATO-Next seeks solutions that can greatly aid these crews and technicians to generate sorties and flight-worthy engineering repair solutions in normal and denied comms environments.
  7. Rapid inspection in inaccessible areas on the aircraft will be crucial to expeditiously returning aircraft to operations. AMC seeks solutions that can rapidly and accurately assess the condition of tanks/voids/internal structures/etc in theatre with minimal disassembly required.  Capabilities must have a small footprint and be transported and operated by 1 person.

Support the Air Force Mission

The application period has ended.

After applications are reviewed, our team will reach out individually to let organizations know they are approved to demonstrate their technology and provide further details about registration.

Government Attendee Ticket

Government registration is intended for government personnel wishing to attend who are not affiliated with the host base.
Government Attendee: $0

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be emailed to eventsupport@ncms.org by 3/7/25.

We reserve the right to cancel any registration and deny access to this event as deemed warranted by NCMS.