IGF::OT::IGF THE OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF THE PROPOSED TURBINE-BASED COMBINED-CYCLE (TBCC) LOW MACH RISK REDUCTION DIRECT CONNECT COMBUSTOR (DCC) TESTING IS TO ADVANCE KEY ENABLING TECHNOLOGY FOR TBCC HYPERSONIC PROPULSION SYSTEMS BY EXTENDING LOW MACH AND ALTITUDE OPERATION OF AR S 3RD GENERATION POWERHEAD FOR THE DUAL-MODE SCRAMJET PROPULSION SYSTEM WHILE MAINTAINING MAXIMUM FLIGHT MACH CAPABILITY. THE SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES ARE TO EXPLORE AND CHARACTERIZE IGNITION, OPERABILITY AND PERFORMANCE AT SIMULATED CONDITIONS REPRESENTING COMBINED CYCLE AND RAMJET MODES OF OPERATION OVER THE MODE TRANSITION CORRIDOR. AR WILL CONDUCT A HYDROCARBON FUELED DIRECT CONNECT TEST THAT PROVIDES A FLEXIBLE, LOW COST APPROACH WHICH WILL REDUCE RISK FOR TBCC HYPERSONIC PROPULSION SYSTEMS. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PERFORM THE FOLLOWING TASKS: (1) TASK PLANNING AND STATUS, (2) INTEGRATED AND COORDINATED PRE-TEST ANALYSES, (3) HARDWARE REFURBISHMENT AND FABRICATION, (4) GROUND TESTS IN A JET BURNER TEST STAND, AND (5) POST-TEST DATA ANALYSIS AND REPORTING TO MEET PROGRAM OBJECTIVES.