Request for Information: BQM-34S Engine Replacement and Maintenance

This Request For Information (RFI) from the U.S. Navy seeks interested companies capable of providing 100-150 turbojet engines for a BQM-34S Subsonic Aerial Target production restart, slated for 2030. The BQM-34S is a high-subsonic aerial target used for fleet training and testing against modern threats. The Navy requires engines developed, qualified, or with certified overhaul procedures by 2029, producing a minimum of 2850 lbf continuous Sea Level Static thrust and fitting within a 40" x 22" cylindrical cavity. Responders must submit a white paper by December 2, 2025, detailing their proposed engine(s), development status, production capabilities, repair/overhaul capabilities, and security clearances. This RFI is for planning purposes only and does not constitute a commitment to procure.

The Department of the Navy's Naval Air Systems Command issued a Request for Information (RFI-N00019-242-25-076) to identify companies capable of repairing, overhauling, testing, and converting General Electric (GE) J85-GE-5 and J85-GE-100 turbojet engines for the BQM-34S Subsonic Aerial Target program. The Navy requires an established engine repair and overhaul capability by 2026 to support BQM-34S operations, as the program moved into the Operations and Sustainment phase in 1998 and the J85 engine inventory is limited. Interested parties are requested to submit white papers by December 2, 2025, addressing their capabilities, facility details, throughput rates, experience with J85 engines, ability to source parts, repair manuals, conversion capabilities based on PPC-50, and security requirements for handling classified information. The RFI emphasizes that this is solely for information and planning, does not constitute a Request for Proposal, and all costs incurred by responders are their own. Buy American Act provisions will apply to any future program.