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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY (DON)17.2 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)

Proposal Submission Instructions

INTRODUCTIONResponsibility for the implementation, administration, and management of the Department of the Navy (DON) SBIR/STTR Program is with the Office of Naval Research (ONR). The Director of the DON SBIR Program is Mr. Robert Smith, [email protected]. For program and administrative questions, please contact the Program Managers listed in Table 1; do not contact them for technical questions. For technical questions about a topic, contact the Topic Authors listed for each topic during the period 21 April 2017 through 22 May 2017. Beginning 23 May 2017 the SBIR/STTR Interactive Technical Information System (SITIS) (https://sbir.defensebusiness.org/) listed in Section 4.15.d of the DoD SBIR/STTR Program Announcement must be used for any technical inquiry. For inquiries or problems with electronic submission, contact the DoD SBIR/STTR Help Desk at 1-800-348-0787 (Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET).

TABLE 1: DON SYSTEMS COMMAND (SYSCOM) SBIR PROGRAM MANAGERSTopic Numbers Point of Contact Activity Email

N172-100 to N172-105 Mr. Jeffrey Kent

Marine Corps Systems

Command (MCSC)

[email protected]

N172-106 to N172-122 Ms. Donna Attick

Naval Air Systems

Command (NAVAIR)

[email protected]

N172-123 Mr. Daniel Zarate

Naval Facilities Engineering

Center(NAVFAC)

[email protected]

N172-124 to N172-135 Ms. Lore-Anne PonirakisOffice of Naval

Research(ONR)

[email protected]

N172-136 to N172-137 Mr. Shadi Azoum

Space and Naval Warfare

Systems Command

(SPAWAR)

[email protected]

N172-138 to N172-141 Mr. Mark Hrbacek

Strategic Systems Programs

(SSP)

[email protected]

The DON SBIR/STTR Program is a mission oriented program that integrates the needs and requirements of the DON Fleet through R&D topics that have dual-use potential, but primarily address the needs of the DON. Firms are encouraged to address the manufacturing needs of the defense sector in their proposals. More information on the program can be found on the DON SBIR/STTR website at www.navysbir.com.

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http://www.navysbir.com/

https://sbir.defensebusiness.org/

mailto:[email protected]

Additional information pertaining to the DON’s mission can be obtained from the DON website at www.navy.mil.

PHASE I GUIDELINESFollow the instructions in the DoD SBIR/STTR Program Announcement at https://sbir.defensebusiness.org/ for program requirements and proposal submission guidelines. Please keep in mind that Phase I should address the feasibility of a solution to the topic. It is highly recommended that proposers follow the NEW DON proposal template located at www.navysbir.com/submission.htm as a guide for structuring proposals. Inclusion of cost estimates for travel to the sponsoring SYSCOM’s facility for one day of meetings is recommended for all proposals.

PHASE I PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTSThe following MUST BE MET or the proposal will be deemed noncompliant and will be REJECTED.

Technical Volume. Technical Volume shall meet the following requirements:o Not exceed 20 pages; files exceeding 20 pages, regardless of page content, will be

REJECTEDo Single column format, single-spaced typed lineso Standard 8 ½” x 11” papero One-inch marginso No type smaller than 10-pointo No imbedded tables, figures, images or graphics smaller than 10-pointo No letters smaller than a single pageo Data Rights Assertions, if required, should be provided in the table format required by

DFARS 252.227-7013(e)(3) and be included in the 20 page Technical Volume limito Include, within the 20 page limit, an Option that furthers the effort and will bridge the

funding gap between the end of Phase I and the start of Phase II. Tasks for both the Base and the Option shall be clearly identified.

NOTE: Phase I Options are typically exercised upon selection for Phase II. Option tasks should be those necessary for movement from the Phase I feasibility effort into the Phase II prototype effort.

Cost. The Phase I Base amount shall not exceed $125,000 and the Phase I Option amount shall not exceed $100,000. Costs for the Base and Option should be separate and identified on the Proposal Cover Sheet and in the Cost Volume.

Period of Performance. The Phase I Base and Option Periods of Performance shall not exceed six months each.

DON SBIR PHASE I PROPOSAL SUBMISSION CHECKLIST Proposal Template. It is highly recommended that proposers follow the NEW DON proposal

template located at www.navysbir.com/submission.htm.

Subcontractor, Material, and Travel Cost Detail. In the Cost Volume, firms shall provide sufficient detail for subcontractor, material and travel costs. Use the “Explanatory Material Field” in the online DoD Cost Volume for this information. Subcontractor costs shall be detailed to the same level as the prime. Material costs shall include a listing of items and cost per item. Travel costs shall include the purpose of the trip, number of trips, location, length of trip, and number of

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http://www.navysbir.com/submission.htm

http://www.navysbir.com/submission.htm

https://sbir.defensebusiness.org/

http://www.navy.mil/

personnel. When a proposal is selected for award, be prepared to submit further documentation to the SYSCOM Contracting Officer to substantiate costs (e.g., an explanation of cost estimates for equipment, materials, and consultants or subcontractors).

Performance Benchmarks. Firms must meet the two benchmark requirements for progress towards Commercialization as determined by the Small Business Administration (SBA) on June 1 each year. Please note that the DON applies performance benchmarks at time of proposal submission, not at time of contract award.

Discretionary Technical Assistance (DTA). If DTA is proposed, the information required to support DTA (as specified in the DTA section below) must be added in the “Explanatory Material Field” of the online DoD Cost Volume. Failure to add the required information in the online DoD Cost Volume will result in the denial of DTA. If proposing DTA, a combined total of up to $5,000 may be added to the Base or Option periods.

DISCRETIONARY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (DTA) The SBIR Policy Directive section 9(b) allows the DON to provide DTA to its awardees to assist in minimizing the technical risks associated with SBIR projects and commercializing products and processes. Firms may request, in their Phase I and Phase II Cost Volume, to contract these services themselves in an amount not to exceed the values specified below. This amount is in addition to the award amount for the Phase I or Phase II project.

Approval of direct funding for DTA will be evaluated by the DON SBIR/STTR Program office. A detailed request for DTA shall include:

A DTA provider (firm name) A DTA provider point of contact, email address, and phone number An explanation of why the DTA provider is uniquely qualified to provide the service Tasks the DTA provider will perform Total provider cost, number of hours, and labor rates (average/blended rate is acceptable)

DTA shall NOT:

Be subject to any profit or fee by the requesting firm Propose a provider that is the requesting firm Propose a provider that is an affiliate of the requesting firm Propose a provider that is an investor of the requesting firm Propose a provider that is a subcontractor or consultant of the requesting firm otherwise required

as part of the paid portion of the research effort (e.g., research partner, consultant, tester, or administrative service provider).

DTA shall be included in the Cost Volume as follows: Phase I: The value of the DTA request shall be included on the DTA line in the online DoD Cost

Volume. The detailed request for DTA (as specified above) shall be included in the “Explanatory Material Field” section of the online DoD Cost Volume and be specifically identified as “Discretionary Technical Assistance”.

Phase II: The value of the DTA request shall be included on the DTA line in the Navy’s Phase II Cost Volume (provided by the Navy SYSCOM). The detailed request for DTA (as specified above) shall be included as a note in the Cost Volume and be specifically identified as “Discretionary Technical Assistance”.

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DTA may be proposed in the Base and/or Option periods. Proposed values for DTA shall NOT exceed: Phase I: A total of $5,000 Phase II: A total of $5,000 per 12-month period of performance

If a firm requests and is awarded DTA in a Phase II contract, it will be eliminated from participating in the DON SBIR/STTR Transition Program (STP), the DON Forum for SBIR/STTR Transition (FST), and any other assistance the DON provides directly to awardees.

All Phase II awardees not receiving funds for DTA in their award must attend a one-day DON STP meeting during the second year of the Phase II contract. This meeting is typically held in the summer in the Washington, DC area. STP information can be obtained at: http://www.navysbir.com/Transition.htm. Phase II awardees will be contacted separately regarding this program. It is recommended that Phase II cost estimates include travel to Washington, DC for this event.

EVALUATION AND SELECTIONThe DON will evaluate and select Phase I and Phase II proposals using the evaluation criteria in Sections 6.0 and 8.0 of the DoD SBIR/STTR Program Announcement respectively, with technical merit being most important, followed by qualifications of key personnel and commercialization potential of equal importance. Due to limited funding, the DON reserves the right to limit awards under any topic and only proposals considered to be of superior quality will be funded.

Approximately one week after Phase I solicitation closing, e-mail notifications that proposals have been received and processed for evaluation will be sent. Consequently, e-mail addresses on the proposal Cover Sheets must be correct.

Requests for a debrief must be made within 15 calendar days of select/non-select notification via email directly to the cognizant Contracting Officer provided in the select/non-select notification. Please note the DON debrief request period is shorter than the DoD debrief request period specified in section 4.10 of the DoD SBIR/STTR Program Announcement.

Protests of Phase I and II selections and awards shall be directed to the cognizant Contracting Officer for the DON Topic Number, or by filing with the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Contact information for Contracting Officers may be obtained from the DON SYSCOM Program Managers listed in Table 1. If the protest is filed with the GAO, please refer to instructions provided in section 4.11 of the DoD SBIR/STTR Program Announcement.

CONTRACT DELIVERABLESContract deliverables for Phase I are typically progress reports and final reports. Data deliverables required by the contract, shall be uploaded to https://www.navysbirprogram.com/navydeliverables/.

AWARD AND FUNDING LIMITATIONSThe DON typically awards a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract or a small purchase agreement for Phase I. In accordance with SBIR Policy Directive section 4(b)(5), there is a limit of one sequential Phase II award per firm per topic. Additionally, in accordance with SBIR Policy Directive section 7(i)(1), each award may not exceed the award guidelines (currently $150,000 for Phase I and $1 million for Phase II, excluding DTA) by more than 50% (SBIR/STTR program funds only) without a specific waiver granted by the SBA. Therefore, the maximum proposal/award amounts including all options (less DTA) are $225,000 for Phase I and $1,500,000 for Phase II (unless non-SBIR/STTR funding is being added).

TOPIC AWARD BY OTHER THAN THE SPONSORING AGENCY

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https://www.navysbirprogram.com/navydeliverables/

http://www.navysbir.com/Transition.htm

Due to specific limitations on the amount of funding and number of awards that may be awarded to a particular firm per topic using SBIR/STTR program funds (see above), Head of Agency Determinations are now required (for all awards related to topics issued in or after the SBIR 13.1/STTR 13.A solicitation) before a different agency may make an award using another agency’s topic. This limitation does not apply to Phase III funding. Please contact the original sponsoring agency before submitting a Phase II proposal to an agency other than the one that sponsored the original topic. (For DON awardees, this includes other DON SYSCOMs.)

TRANSFER BETWEEN SBIR AND STTR PROGRAMSSection 4(b)(1)(i) of the SBIR Policy Directive provides that, at the agency’s discretion, projects awarded a Phase I under a solicitation for SBIR may transition in Phase II to STTR and vice versa. A firm wishing to transfer from one program to another must contact its designated technical monitor to discuss the reasons for the request and the agency’s ability to support the request. The transition may be proposed prior to award or during the performance of the Phase II effort. No transfers will be authorized prior to or during the Phase I award. Agency disapproval of a request to change programs will not be grounds for granting relief from any contractual performance requirement(s) including but not limited to the percentage of effort required to be performed by the small business and the research institution (if applicable). All approved transitions between programs must be noted in the Phase II award or an award modification signed by the contracting officer that indicates the removal or addition of the research institution and the revised percentage of work requirements.

ADDITIONAL NOTESHuman Subjects, Animal Testing, and Recombinant DNA. Due to the short timeframe associated with Phase I of the SBIR/STTR process, the DON does not recommend the submission of Phase I proposals that require the use of Human Subjects, Animal Testing, or Recombinant DNA. For example, the ability to obtain Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval for proposals that involve human subjects can take 6-12 months, and that lengthy process can be at odds with the Phase I goal for time to award. Before the DON makes any award that involves an IRB or similar approval requirement, the proposer must demonstrate compliance with relevant regulatory approval requirements that pertain to proposals involving human, animal, or recombinant DNA protocols. It will not impact the DON’s evaluation, but requiring IRB approval may delay the start time of the Phase I award and if approvals are not obtained within two months of notification of selection, the decision to award may be terminated. If the use of human, animal, and recombinant DNA is included under a Phase I or Phase II proposal, please carefully review the requirements at: http://www.onr.navy.mil/About-ONR/compliance-protections/Research-Protections/Human-Subject-Research.aspx. This webpage provides guidance and lists approvals that may be required before contract/work can begin.

Government Furnished Equipment. Due to the typical lengthy time for approval to obtain Government Furnished Equipment (GFE), it is recommended that GFE is not proposed as part of the Phase I proposal. If GFE is proposed and it is determined during the proposal evaluation process to be unavailable, proposed GFE may be considered a weakness in the proposal.

International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR). For topics indicating ITAR restrictions or the potential for classified work, there are generally limitations placed on disclosure of information involving topics of a classified nature or those involving export control restrictions, which may curtail or preclude the involvement of universities and certain non-profit institutions beyond the basic research level. Small businesses must structure their proposals to clearly identify the work that will be performed that is of a basic research nature and how it can be segregated from work that falls under the classification and export control restrictions. As a result, information must also be provided on how efforts can be performed in

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http://www.onr.navy.mil/About-ONR/compliance-protections/Research-Protections/Human-Subject-Research.aspx

http://www.onr.navy.mil/About-ONR/compliance-protections/Research-Protections/Human-Subject-Research.aspx

later Phases if the university/research institution is the source of critical knowledge, effort, or infrastructure (facilities and equipment).

PHASE II GUIDELINESAll Phase I awardees will be allowed to submit an Initial Phase II proposal for evaluation and selection. The Phase I Final Report, Initial Phase II Proposal, and Transition Outbrief (as applicable) will be used to evaluate the offeror’s potential to progress to a workable prototype in Phase II and transition technology in Phase III. Details on the due date, content, and submission requirements of the Initial Phase II Proposal will be provided by the awarding SYSCOM either in the Phase I contract or by subsequent notification.

NOTE: All SBIR/STTR Phase II awards made on topics from solicitations prior to FY13 will be conducted in accordance with the procedures specified in those solicitations (for all DON topics, this means by invitation only).

The DON typically awards a cost plus fixed fee contract for Phase II. The Phase II contracts can be structured in a way that allows for increased funding levels based on the project’s transition potential. To accelerate the transition of SBIR/STTR-funded technologies to Phase III, especially those that lead to Programs of Record and fielded systems, the Commercialization Readiness Program was authorized and created as part of section 5122 of the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2012. The statute set-aside is 1% of the available SBIR funding to be used for administrative support to accelerate transition of SBIR-developed technologies and provide non-financial resources for the firms (e.g. the DON’s SBIR/STTR Transition Program (STP)).

PHASE III GUIDELINESA Phase III SBIR award is any work that derives from, extends, or completes effort(s) performed under prior SBIR/STTR funding agreements, but is funded by sources other than the SBIR/STTR programs. Thus, any contract or grant where the technology is the same as, derived from, or evolved from a Phase I or a Phase II SBIR/STTR contract and awarded to the firm that was awarded the Phase I/II contract is a Phase III contract. This covers any contract/grant issued as a follow-on Phase III award or any contract/grant award issued as a result of a competitive process where the awardee was an SBIR/STTR firm that developed the technology as a result of a Phase I or Phase II contract. The DON will give Phase III status to any award that falls within the above-mentioned description, which includes assigning SBIR/STTR Data Rights to any noncommercial technical data and/or noncommercial computer software delivered in Phase III that was developed under SBIR/STTR Phase I/II effort(s). Government prime contractors and/or their subcontractors shall follow the same guidelines as above and ensure that companies operating on behalf of the DON protect the rights of the SBIR/STTR firm.

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NAVY SBIR 17.2 Topic Index

N172-100 Single Surface High Altitude Low Opening ParachuteN172-101 Shipboard Dimensional Analysis Tool (SDAT)N172-102 Enhanced Technology for Man-Portable Targeting SystemsN172-103 Electro-Magnetic Interference Composite Rigid Wall Shelter (EMI CRWS)N172-104 Low Probability of Detection On the Move Communications for Artillery BatteriesN172-105 Data Integrity and Confidentiality Resilient Operating System Environment for Multi-Level

SecurityN172-106 Optimize Additive Manufacturing (AM) Post-Build Heat Treatment (HT) and Hot Iso-static

Pressing (HIP) Processes for Fatigue Performance using an Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME) Framework

N172-107 Low Probability of Intercept / Low Probability of Detection Underwater Acoustic SourceN172-108 Fusion of Radar and Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) for Ship Classification and

IdentificationN172-109 Advanced Body Force Cueing for Dynamic Interface SimulationN172-110 Virtual Antenna Array MappingN172-111 Ultra-High Frequency Clutter Model for Airborne Surveillance RadarN172-112 Relevant Image Mosaic – Image Management Algorithm DevelopmentN172-113 Long Endurance Compact Sonobuoy Power SourceN172-114 High Bandwidth Fast Steering MirrorN172-115 Selective Emission of Light Utilizing Functionally-Graded Energetic MaterialsN172-116 Miniature Oriented Tri-Axial Fluxgate Magnetometer SensorN172-117 Mishap Awareness Scenarios and Training for Operational Readiness ResponsesN172-118 Laser Target and Analysis Board DevelopmentN172-119 Advanced Radio Frequency Link Analysis ToolN172-120 Mitigation of Helmet VibrationN172-121 Epoxyless Connectors for Optical FiberN172-122 Reliable Target Area of Uncertainty from an Underwater Acoustic Source(s)N172-123 Wave Characterization from Improved Navy Lighterage System (INLS) Warping Tug

MotionsN172-124 Inflatable Multi-Platform Recovery SystemN172-125 Out-of-Autoclave Composite Curing Utilizing Nanostructured HeatersN172-126 Lead-Salt Infrared DetectorsN172-127 Space Clock InitiativeN172-128 Manufacturing Process Development for High Temperature Polymer or Nanocomposite

Films for Dielectric CapacitorsN172-129 Numerical Methods Combat Power and Energy Systems (CPES)N172-130 Electromagnetic ShieldingN172-131 Resolving organizational inefficiencies through crowdsourcingN172-132 Adaptive Physical TrainingN172-133 ACV Autonomous Sled TechnologiesN172-134 Abrasive Blasting Nozzle Noise ControlN172-135 Fast Rise-time High Power Radio Frequency (HPRF) Pulse ShapingN172-136 Navy Approved Multi-Factor Authentication for Personal Mobile DevicesN172-137 Advanced Cooling Technologies for Multifunctional Information Distribution System

(MIDS) TerminalsN172-138 Circumvention and Recovery Radiation Effects Mitigation For Modern ElectronicsN172-139 Safe Primary BatteryN172-140 High Power Solid State Electronic Switch for Use in Exploding Foil Initiator ApplicationsN172-141 Alternative Mixing Technologies for High-Energy, Solid Materials for Large Gas Generator

Propellant

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NAVY SBIR 17.2 Topic Descriptions

N172-100 TITLE: Single Surface High Altitude Low Opening Parachute

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Air Platform

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: (PMM-133.6) Multi-Mission Parachute System and Tandem Offset Resupply Delivery System

OBJECTIVE: Develop a High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) parachute canopy with a single surface providing lift capability that leverages high strength bonded fabrics.

DESCRIPTION: A combination of parachute systems insert personnel and equipment into denied area of operations during the day or night from multiple air platforms. There are many complex issues including: g-forces, weight, payload capacity, human interfaces, air platform interfaces, and payload detection.

Current parachute systems rely on refinement of ram air parachute canopies. Ram air canopies have an upper and lower horizontal skin with vertical ribs. The skins and ribs are sewn together to create the shape of the canopy, which resembles a conventional aircraft wing when inflated during descent. Marine Corps personnel parachute systems weigh approximately sixty pounds on average and are rated to four hundred fifty pounds. The weight of the parachute system is calculated as part of the maximum weight the system can carry. Dead load comprises fourteen percent of the system. The manufacturing technique of cutting patterns and sewing them together limits the geometry of the canopy.

Various paraglider manufacturers sell designs with single skin or hybrid canopies. These designs are very light weight and fold down to a very small size while maintaining similar flight characteristics to conventional designs. Concurrently, there are advances in non-woven fabrics and the ability to bond them together to limit joint loss factors. The non-woven fabrics and bonding allow for geometries not limited by sewing methods. This would allow for decreased manufacturing and maintenance resources while achieving increased performance levels.

Developing a single surface parachute canopy may result in decreased bulk and dead load by leveraging geometries not limited to current manufacturing methods. Typically, personnel parachute systems employ a tandem design for a main and reserve parachute as well as a harness container to deploy the canopies. The system must include the capacity and reliability for personnel use. Proposed approaches can utilize conventional parachute fabrics or non-woven fabrics to achieve design goals. Technologies developed for this specific application will also be explored for applicability to cargo and low level personnel parachute systems. Proposed single surface HALO parachute canopies should meet the following performance specifications:

Deployment method: Threshold (T) hand deployed pilot chute, Objective (O) DrogueDeployment altitude: (T) 4,000-10,000 ft. Mean Sea Level (MSL), (O) 1,000-22,000 ft. MSLAll up-weight capacity: (T) 200-375 lbs., (O) 165-425 lbs.Glide ratio: (T) 3.5:1, (O) 5:1System weight: (T) 40 lbs., (O) 25 lbs.Airworthiness Reliability: (T) reliability 95% with 90 confidence level, (O) 99.5% / 90 confidence level

PHASE I: Develop concepts for a single skin HALO parachute canopy that meets the requirements described above. Demonstrate the feasibility of the concepts in meeting Marine Corps needs and establish the concepts that can be developed into a useful product for the Marine Corps. Feasibility will be established by material testing and analytical modeling, as appropriate. Provide a Phase II development plan with performance goals and key technical milestones, and address technical risk reduction.

PHASE II: Based on the results of Phase I and the Phase II development plan, develop a scaled prototype evaluation. The prototype will be evaluated to determine its capability in meeting the performance goals defined in the Phase II

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development plan and the Marine Corps requirements for the single surface HALO parachute canopy. System performance will be demonstrated through prototype evaluation and modeling or analytical methods over the required range of parameters including numerous deployment cycles. Evaluation results will be used to refine the prototype into an initial design that will meet Marine Corps requirements. Prepare a Phase III development plan to transition the technology to Marine Corps use.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Phase III: Support the Marine Corps in transitioning the technology for Marine Corps use. Develop a single surface HALO parachute canopy for evaluation to determine its effectiveness in an operationally relevant environment. Support the Marine Corps for test and validation to certify and qualify the system for Marine Corps use.

Private Sector Commercial Potential/Dual-Use Applications: Parachutes are widely used in in the return of objects from the atmosphere to the Earth’s surface in a controlled manner. New single surface parachute canopy designs combined with bonded fabrics will enable smaller and lighter safety subsystems for drones, cargo, and personnel.

REFERENCES:1. Fedorova, Nataliya, Svetlana Verenich, and Behnam Pourdeyhimi. Strength Optimization of Thermally Bonded Spunbond Nonwovens. Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics 2, no. 1 (2007): 38-48. Accessed December 7, 2016. http://www.jeffjournal.org/papers/Volume2/Federova.pdf.

2. Hamerton, Greg. "First Flight Review." First Flight Review - Niviuk Skin P Review - Articles - Flybubble Paragliding. Accessed December 07, 2016. http://www.flybubble.co.uk/articles/page/1351.

3. Jakubcioniene, Živile, Vitalija Masteikaite, Tadas Kleveckas, Mindaugas Jakubcionis, and Urzamal Kelesova. "Investigation of the Strength of Textile Bonded Seams." Materials Science 18, no. 2 (2012): 172-76. doi:10.5755/j01.ms.18.2.1922.

4. "Ozone XXLite: Video Round-up." Cross Country Magazine – In the Core since 1988. November 28, 2012. Accessed December 07, 2016. http://www.xcmag.com/2012/11/ozone-xxlite-video-round-up/.

KEYWORDS: Parachute; canopy; bonded fabrics; non-woven fabrics; HALO; sewing

Questions may also be submitted through DoD SBIR/STTR SITIS website.

N172-101 TITLE: Shipboard Dimensional Analysis Tool (SDAT)

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Ground/Sea Vehicles

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Sea Basing: Logistics, shipping & at-sea transfer technologies that provide operational independence

OBJECTIVE: Marine Corps Ground Vehicle Acquisition PMOs and Navy Amphibious and Prepositioning Ships PMOs do not have a precise way of determining shipboard vehicle transportability constraints early enough in the design process. Develop an automated capability which allows the user to pull up the desired ship scan, select the vehicle of interest, specify desired vehicle-to-ship clearance distance, conduct 3D physical interference analysis, and generate reports on the transportability results.

DESCRIPTION: The need for SDAT’s 3D virtual and augmented reality capability is rooted in the time consuming and costly process associated with the design of Marine Corps vehicles suitable for deployment aboard amphibious and Maritime Preposition Ships. Current methods addressing effectiveness, suitability, and transportability requirements involve taking internal measurements of ships in various locations to include angles at the tops and

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bases of ramps to ensure clearance and identify obstacles to include pipes, wire bundles, lighting and other types of fixtures, and door paths. The process is laborious and costly, and does not leverage efficiencies supporting collaboration that would be provided through 3D virtual and augmented reality.

The Shipboard Dimensional Analysis Tool (SDAT) is a design tool that will provide Acquisition Program Managers (APMs) the ability to assess the physical design requirements of Marine Corps vehicles, prior to prototyping, in order to determine the impacts of transporting these vehicles aboard Navy Amphibious/Sealift vessels. This design capability will provide a mechanism to rapidly modify sealift plans, concepts, and alternatives that will reduce costs associated with current design practices by eliminating expensive and time consuming prototype fabrications. This concept was vetted through MCSC, PEO SHIPS, NAVSEA 05D, ONR, and multiple operational commands. HQMC CD&I Seabasing Integration Division has expressed interest as well.

Previous efforts have obtained 3D LIDAR scans of LPD-24 as well as authoritative USMC vehicle CAD drawings. The focus of this effort is to develop algorithms and models to conduct trade space analysis on the shipboard transportability relationships between ship and vehicle. The collected ship scan data exists in point cloud format, captured by FARO LIDAR scanners. Vehicle models exist as 3D CAD models. This data must either be used as-is, or else converted into a format suitable for analysis of vehicle maneuvering throughout the shipboard environment.

The tool will allow the user to select a ship from the current library of scanned ships, select a vehicle from the current library of vehicles, conduct the physical fit and maneuverability analysis, and then display results in a 2D report to the user. The report indicates each area of the ship where (a) the vehicle comes within a user-defined margin of collision with the ship, and (b) the vehicle collides with the ship. The tool must also account for the location of vehicle tie-down locations and illustrate a user-defined tie-down configuration.

As part of the tool development, an optimized technical plan for the acquisition of additional ship data, automated conversion to other more usable formats if required, and subsequent import into the tool will be developed.

The tool will allow for visualization of the vehicle-ship interface via demonstrated interface to appropriate Augmented and Virtual Reality devices.

PHASE I: Develop a proof of concept for SDAT that meets the above objectives. Demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing SDAT to acquire, process and prepare 3D data for analysis. Phase I focus should be on methodology and proposed workflow of combining 3D data and prototype development. Provide a Phase II development plan with performance goals and key technical milestones, and address technical risk reduction.

PHASE II: Based on the results of Phase I and the Phase II development plan, develop a prototype for evaluation. The prototype will be evaluated to determine its capability in meeting the performance goals defined in the Phase II development plan and the Marine Corps requirements for the SDAT system. Evaluation results will be used to refine the prototype into an initial design that will meet Marine Corps requirements. Prepare a Phase III development plan to transition the technology to Marine Corps use.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Support transition of the technology for Marine Corps use. Develop the SDAT software to simulate operationally relevant environments, ships, landing craft, vehicles and equipment. Support test and evaluation to certify and qualify the system for Navy/Marine Corps use.

As the SDAT technology is developed there is potential to expand its use into commercial applications, to include commercial shipping, strategic lift aircraft, railroad cars, warehousing, or other areas where 3D spatial datasets could be used.

REFERENCES:1. Salmon, Jeff A. Strategic Shift to Ship Scanning: www.XyHT.com. April 21, 2015. http://www.xyht.com/professional-surveyor-archives/feature-a-strategic-shift-to-ship-scanning

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2. Tothm, Charles, “Topographic Laser Ranging and Scanning: Principles and Processing,” Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press November 18th, 2008

3. Office of Public Affairs and Congressional Affairs, NSWC Panama City Division. www.navy.mil. “NAVSEA Warfare Centers Collaborate, Deliver Technical Support to Marines, ONR,” February 17, 2016 http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=93144

4. Jacobs, Geoff, PROFESSIONAL SURVEYOR MAGAZINE, November 2004, www.profsurv.com, “Understanding the “Useful Range” of Laser Scanners” http://hds.leica-geosystems.com/downloads123/hds/hds/general/tech_paper/ProfSurv_%20Useful%20Range_final_Nov04.pdf

5. Quality Manufacturing Today November 2015 – “Building in Cruise Ship Quality” http://www.qmtmag.com/display_eds.cfm?edno=8163450"

KEYWORDS: LIDAR; Laser Scanning; Drone; 3D Visualization; Embarkation; Tradespace analysis; Augmented Reality; Virtual Reality


N172-102 TITLE: Enhanced Technology for Man-Portable Targeting Systems

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Battlespace, Electronics, Sensors

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PM Armor and Fire Support Systems, PdM Fire Support Systems, Common Laser Range Finder

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with section 5.4.c.(8) of the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.

OBJECTIVE: Reduce the Future Targeting System weight, size, and warfighter cognitive load by applying advanced algorithms, hardware (if necessary), and processing to assist the warfighter with the tasks of target detection, identification, recognition, and location.

DESCRIPTION: The Marine Corps will be replacing a 28-pound laser designator and 7-pound laser spot imager with a single device which will provide laser designation, laser spot imaging, and some target location functions in a single 5.5-pound unit, currently called the Future Targeting System (FTS). The FTS will provide USMC supporting arms observers, spotters, and controllers (e.g., Forward Air Controllers (FACs), Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs), Joint Forward Observers (JFOs)) with the capability to perform rapid target acquisition, laser terminal guidance operations, and laser spot imaging in a single, compact, lightweight system. The device will also integrate advanced, cutting edge azimuth accuracy and north keeping technology while providing self-location capability in Global Positioning System (GPS)-denied environments. The operating environment is all types of climate and terrain where Marines deploy. Targets include human individuals, vehicles, and buildings. Targets can be moving or stationary.

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Technology advancements in thermal imagers and laser designators allow for the weight reduction from 28 pounds to 7 pounds, but the ability to detect, recognize, and identify targets via the human eye drives optic aperture size which is a major weight driver for total system weight. Currently, day and night images are viewed separately and users utilize their cognitive ability and training for this task. One method to reduce total optic weight is to merge the day optic image with the night image to assist the operator with determining man-made objects, particularly if the night vision system operates in the longwave infrared (LWIR) or medium wavelength infrared (MWIR) bands. However, this only provides some assistance and will not work under all conditions as the day optic does not function in low light levels. Furthermore, the current state of this technology is not mature enough to provide meaningful utility to FTS operators.

New and improved technologies are needed. What follows is a description of several known technologies which have potential to meet system objectives but is not exhaustive. Other novel technologies and approaches will be considered.

Technologies of interest include image processing, automatic target recognition, pattern recognition (assisted target recognition), day/night image fusion, and automatic potential target location assistance. These have the potential to improve overall system effectiveness by not relying on the human eye’s optics and specialized training. These technologies have the potential to permit reduced optics sizes which will also reduce system weight. These technologies should provide meaningful feedback to the operator in less than two seconds so as to minimize exposure of the operator.

Furthermore, automatic pointing and firing of the FTS laser range finder, or cuing the operator to do so, can assist with target identification by providing range information which provides the context of the object under consideration. Determining target location using the onboard suite of inertial sensors coupled with image processing, would also provide the same benefit. Automatic updates of target location, if the target is on the move, would also be very useful.

Processing within the FTS device is desirable, but offloading some or all of the processing and data display to a tablet computer is acceptable.

PHASE I: Develop concepts for enhancing the target detection, identification, and recognition, and location capabilities of the FTS. For the purpose of this phase, assume that the FTS includes indirect view day and night optics. Analysis shall clearly show improvements based upon models of detection, recognition, and identification using a display and human eye as a baseline. Analysis can use a combination of feedback from Marine user demonstrations, the Army Night Vision Laboratory’s Night Vision Integrated Performance Model, or a method proposed by the offeror. A description of the processing needed on the FTS device or the tablet computer, if necessary, is required. Describe the development approach to making a prototype system.

PHASE II: Based on the results of Phase I and the Phase II development plan, develop a scaled prototype evaluation. The prototype will be evaluated to determine its capability in meeting the performance goals defined in the Phase II development plan and the Marine Corps requirements for the enhanced processing capability. The system will be demonstrated using a Government provided Common Laser Range Finder – Integrated Capability (CLRF-IC) or surrogate representative system, as the FTS will not have been completed. Evaluation will be via modelling and verification/demonstration with trained Marine Corps users. Prepare a Phase III development plan to transition the technology to Marine Corps use.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Support the Marine Corps in transitioning the technology for Marine Corps use. Develop the Enhanced Technology for Man-Portable Targeting Systems and integrate it with the FTS for evaluation to determine its effectiveness in an operationally relevant environment. Support the Marine Corps for test and validation to certify and qualify the system for Marine Corps use.

Private Sector Commercial Potential/Dual-Use Applications: The potential for adoption of these technologies into the commercial sector is vast. Automatic/assisted target recognition is directly applicable to law enforcement and security by reducing cognitive load, and increasing situational awareness. Tracking objects location is applicable to traffic control/monitoring and law enforcement. Further applications include automatic detection of hazards for

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automotive use, which can cue the driver and even engage automatic systems such as steering and braking to avoid collisions.

REFERENCES:1. Future Targeting System Capability and Goals, M67854-16-I-14164, 9 August 2016. https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&tab=core&id=983555bdcf3993f74fd0aad0b90595c8&_cview=0

2. Future Targeting System Industry Day Slides, 13 July 2016. https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&tab=core&id=983555bdcf3993f74fd0aad0b90595c8&_cview=0

KEYWORDS: Automatic Target Recognition; Image Fusion; Pattern Recognition; Target Location; Targeting


N172-103 TITLE: Electro-Magnetic Interference Composite Rigid Wall Shelter (EMI CRWS)

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Materials/Processes

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Family of Shelters and Shelter Equipment, Product Manager Combat Support Equipment

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this topic is to develop an electro-magnetic interference (EMI) composite rigid-wall shelter (CRWS) that integrates the use of lightweight composite materials, carbon conduction paths, and corrosion resistant coatings to provide a lighter, more energy efficient, and durable capability to the Marine Corps, supporting the goals of our expeditionary operations. The EMI CRWS shall incorporate composite structural and panel components that shall be capable of meeting military and commercial EMI shielding standards, and Convention of Safe Containers (CSC) standards.

DESCRIPTION: The Marine Corps currently utilizes aluminum/steel shelters to fulfill a multitude of missions across a range of military operations. In tactical situations, missions can include (but are not limited to): maintenance, Tactical Operations Centers (TOCs), and various Hospital activities to include operating rooms, and x-ray machines. The use of lightweight composite materials, carbon conduction paths, and corrosion resistant coatings can provide a mobile shelter capability that has higher levels of shielding effectiveness, improved overall energy efficiency, and a reduced logistical burden to the Marine Corps, supporting the goals of our expeditionary operations. Mobile shelters housing mission essential electronic systems must be able to survive electromagnetic events. The Electromagnetic Interference Composite Rigid Wall Shelter (EMI CRWS) can provide collective protection for the system components inside the shelter, eliminating the need to harden the individual components, which increases component weight. The EMI attenuation provided by the EMI CRWS will allow system developers to control the EMI susceptibility and emissions of the enclosed electronic systems.

The legacy EMI shelters (mid 1970’s) are constructed with aluminum, honeycomb and steel. The shelters require high levels of maintenance/corrosion protection; do not meet current International Standards Organization (ISO)/CSC standards (stack height); are not energy efficient; are heavy and difficult to transport; and do not meet EMI requirements. The intent of this project shall be to produce a mobile composite shelter that, when compared to the legacy shelter provides better shielding effectiveness for EMI; is lighter in weight; has improved structural capability (meets CSC stacking requirements); improves energy efficiency; reduces logistical burden; increases shelter lifespan; and is competitive in cost. Novel shielding technology includes technologies such as buckypaper, metallized textiles, graphene, carbon nanotubes, and conductive carbon pathways. All of these can be integrated with current composite technology. Carbon fibers, epoxies and resin materials are capable of meeting the structural requirements. The primary challenge this project poses is developing a new mobile shelter that incorporates novel materials that meet requirements, and addresses manufacturing processes that keep costs competitive with legacy

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technology.

Through the integration of the technologies identified above, the shelter (standard 10’ ISO configuration) shall provide attenuation of 60 db Threshold (T) or 80 db Objective (O), across the frequencies identified in MIL-STD 464C, IEEE 299, and ASTM E1851. The composite structure shall be capable of meeting ISO and CSC standards to provide nine-high stacking of freight containers (ISO 668 and 1496-1). The design shall adhere to standards set forth in ASTM E1925. The shelter tare weight shall be reduced by 20% (T) or 30% (O), over the legacy shelter. Heat transfer coefficient shall be 20% (T) to 40% (O) lower than the legacy shelter. The shelter shall be transportable by military and commercial ground, rail, sea and air. The shelter shall also meet requirements for helicopter lift and tie down (MIL-STD 1366E and 209K).

PHASE I: Develop concepts for an improved EMI CRWS that meet the requirements described above. Demonstrate the feasibility of the concepts in meeting Marine Corps needs and establish that the concepts can be developed into a useful product for the Marine Corps. Feasibility will be established by material testing and analytical modeling, as appropriate. Examples of the modeling and testing would include, but not be limited to, modeling of signal attenuation, structure and weight reduction, thermal resistance, structural loading and coupon testing. Provide a Phase II development plan with performance goals, key technical milestones, manufacturing processes and capabilities, and that will address technical and manufacturing risk reduction.

PHASE II: Based on the results of Phase I and the Phase II development plan, develop coupons, subsystems, and a prototype for evaluation. The prototype, and manufacturing processes, will be evaluated to determine its capability in meeting the performance goals defined in the Phase II development plan and the Marine Corps requirements for the EMI CRWS. System performance, and cost effectiveness, will be demonstrated through prototype evaluation and modeling or analytical methods over the required range of parameters including numerous deployment cycles. Evaluation results will be used to refine the prototype, and manufacturing methodology, into an initial design that will meet Marine Corps requirements. Prepare a Phase III development plan to transition the technology to Marine Corps use.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Support the Marine Corps in transitioning the technology for Marine Corps use. Develop and deliver a 10’ EMI CRWS (ISO and CSC compliant) shelter for evaluation to determine its effectiveness in an operationally relevant environment. Support the Marine Corps for test and validation to certify and qualify the system for Marine Corps use.

Private Sector Commercial Potential/Dual-Use Applications: EMI CRWS technology has potential applications by the cellular communications industry; public safety communications; secure communications; public utilities (power distribution); medical; X-ray/CAT/MRI mobile structures; computer server installations; any location requiring EMI protection (interference and susceptibility).

REFERENCES:1. ASTM E1925-10, Specification for Engineering and Design Criteria for Rigid Wall Relocatable Structures, 1 October 2010; https://www.astm.org/Standards/E1925.htm

2. ASTM E1851-09, Standard Test Method for Electromagnetic Shielding Effectiveness of Durable Rigid Wall Relocatable Structures, 1 November 2009; https://www.astm.org/Standards/E1851.htm

3. MIL-STD-464C, Department of Defense Interface Standard, Electromagnetic Environmental Effects Requirements for Systems, 1 December 2010; http://everyspec.com/MIL-STD/MIL-STD-0300-0499/MIL-STD-464C_28312/

4. International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61000-4-21, Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) – Part 4-21: Reverberation Chamber Test Methods Testing and Measurement Techniques, 27 January 2011; https://webstore.iec.ch/publication/4191

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5. IEEE 299, Standard Method for Measuring the Effectiveness of Electromagnetic Structures, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 28 February 2007; https://standards.ieee.org/findstds/standard/299-2006.html

6. ISO 668, Series 1 freight containers – Classification, dimensions and ratings, 25 July 2013; http://www.iso.org/iso/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=59673

7. ISO 1496-1, Series 1 freight containers – Specification and testing – Part 1: General cargo containers for general purposes; http://www.iso.org/iso/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=59672

8. MIL-STD-1366E, Department of Defense: Interface Standard for Transportability Criteria, 31 Oct 2006; http://everyspec.com/MIL-STD/MIL-STD-1300-1399/MIL-STD-1366E_2979/

9. MIL-STD-209K, Department of Defense: Interface Standard for Lifting and Tiedown Provisions, 22 Feb 2005; http://everyspec.com/MIL-STD/MIL-STD-0100-0299/MIL-STD-209K_22319/

10. Park, Jin Gyu, et al. “Electromagnetic interference shielding properties of carbon nanotube buckypaper composites.” Nanotechnology 20 16 September 2009: 1 – 7.

11. “Nanocomp Technologies, Inc.” Nanocomp Technologies, Inc. 6 December 2016. http://www.nanocomptech.com

12. “Nano Tech Labs.” Nano Tech Labs. 7 December 2016. http://www.nanotechlabs.com/index.html

13. “Nickel-Silver Coated Nylon Fabric Wallpaper for EMI Shielded Rooms in the Medical Industry.” Swift Textile Metalizing LLC. 7 December 2016. http://www.swift-textile.com/nickel-silver-fabric-wallpaper-emi-shielding-rooms-medical-industry.html

14. International Convention for Safe Containers, 1972; http://www.techstreet.com/standards/imo-ic282e?product_id=1876470

KEYWORDS: EMI; electromagnetic interference; composite; shelter; buckypaper; ISO; Convention of Safe Containers; CSC; metallic textiles; nanotube; shielding; carbon fiber; resins; corrosion


N172-104 TITLE: Low Probability of Detection On the Move Communications for Artillery Batteries

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Information Systems

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PM AFSS, Fire Support Systems (FSS) Product Office, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HiMARS)


NAVY-15

OBJECTIVE: Provide a low cost, high data rate, on-the-move, removable, and man-packable, communications system for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HiMARS) and associated Artillery Battery systems while simultaneously providing the capability to not interfere with existing communications and minimize enemy counter targeting capabilities. Existing communications systems do not adequately manage transmit power to prevent detection and would be unsuitable for use in the Artillery Battery.

DESCRIPTION: Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM) utilizes multiple communications systems. In an operational environment, the tactical communications systems may encounter information operations attacks against them and artillery batteries that are subject to enemy counter targeting. These attacks will include electronic warfare information attacks and/or communications denial. Dismounted Marines need to be able to operate away from the artillery battery due to battlefield conditions. Increasing use of the electromagnetic spectrum reduces the available channels to communicate and increases interference between adjacent channels in combat. The development of technology solutions for decreasing spectrum availability (reference 1) require systems to manager power so that systems may be closer and share the same spectrum. A communications system that simultaneously provides a small form factor, on-the-move communications that is non-detectable is a technology challenge.

MARCORSYSCOM is looking for a solution that will provide on-the-move communications between different vehicles in the HiMARS Artillery battery while simultaneously preventing detection of the communications from potential enemies counter targeting the artillery battery vehicles. The requirements for this communications system are: a minimum throughput of 100 Megabits per second (Mbps), using any frequency allocated for military operations (see reference 1) or open frequency allocation within 100MHz to 50GHz, be able to be disconnected from the vehicle as a man-packable system no larger than 12” by 6” by 4” (not including an antenna), and weigh no more than 5 lbs. When dismounted, the system must be able to operate on battery power for 8 hours of continuous use (longer use is desired). The system must be able to be charged or run on 110V AC and 12V DC power sources including vehicle power and/or dismounted operations and while charging. The charger or transformer is separate from the man-packable requirement of weighing no more than 5 lbs. In order to minimize cost, the system shall employ a dual encryption that would satisfy the equivalent of “type 1” encryption using the National Security Agency (NSA) Commercial Solutions for Classified Program (CSfC), reference 2 based on the Mobile Access Capability Package version 1.1 requirements. Algorithms for encryption shall be chosen from the existing list of algorithms and the added encryption headers should impose less than a 10% overhead. The system will minimize exceptions in the NSA CSfC MACP (Mobile Access Capability Package). The system will be able to be certified as a CSfC solution based on the MACP v1.1 package from reference 2. One typical exception is caused by the fact that the two layers of encryption cannot share the same processor, thus a system that utilizes separate processors for each encryption layer while maintaining the size, weight and power requirements for “man-packability” is an example. The communications system shall allow communications on moving vehicles (platforms) from 1m (two vehicles next to each other) to as far as 2km while simultaneous being undetectable (less than 1% chance to detect) at 10km. Undetectable means that the system at range of 10km should have a RF signal at least 6dB below the ambient RF noise floor from 100MHz to 50GHz 99% of the time. The system must be able to communicate with multiple vehicles thus each system shall be capable of communicating simultaneously with 4 other vehicles (threshold) and up to 8 vehicles (objective). The system shall not have communications blocked by the artillery vehicle and therefore will need to have antennas positioned around the vehicle to prevent this and blind spots (areas with no communication possible) should be minimized. The vehicle should be assumed to be a ‘rectangle block’ and with mounting on the ‘top’ of the vehicle prohibited. Therefore, side mounting antennas is required (example: two 180 degree coverage antennas (one on each side). At least 1 of these antennas must be removable and able to be connected to a dismounted system with preference provided for a solution in which all antennas are removable and interchangeable. The system shall be usable in all tactical environments and preference is given to a system concept with no moving parts (reduced maintenance). Lastly, the system shall be able to be reconfigurable or reprogrammable via software to allow for upgrades or changes to the encryption algorithms used in the system.

PHASE I: Develop a communications system concept that is man-packable and vehicle mounted. Analyze the ability to communicate on the move and not be detected to meet Marine Corps requirements through modeling and simulation and establish the concepts that can be developed into a useful product for the Marine Corps. Feasibility may be established by testing and/or analytical modeling, as appropriate and must describe the estimated communication performance between vehicles and the estimated detect range. Provide a Phase II development plan

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with performance goals and key technical milestones, and that will address technical risk reduction.

PHASE II: Based on the results of Phase I and the Phase II development plan, build an operational prototype of the communications system for evaluation. The prototype will be used on multiple vehicles while moving to demonstrate the performance goals defined in Phase I requirements, therefore at least 6 prototype systems are required. Detectability of the system at 10km will be done by analysis (threshold) and via RF testing (objective). Certify the system under the NSA CSfC MACP v1.1 capability package. Evaluation results will be used to refine the prototype into an initial design meeting Marine Corps requirements. Prepare a Phase III development plan to transition the technology for Marine Corps use.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Support the Marine Corps in transitioning the technology for Marine Corps, Navy and coalition use. Integrate the hardware and software for inclusion in vehicular platforms to determine its effectiveness in an operationally relevant environment. Support the Marine Corps for test and validation to certify and qualify the system for Marine Corps use.

Private use of power managed communications channels can improve the ability to share spectrum and benefit private businesses such as cellular carriers and/or satellite providers.

REFERENCES:1. NTIA Frequency Allocation Chart, October 2003. https://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/publications/2003-allochrt.pdf

2. National Security Agency Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) program, June 2, 2016. https://www.nsa.gov/resources/everyone/csfc/

KEYWORDS: Artillery; Communications; Man portable; Lightweight; Low Probability of Detection; LPD; Low Probability of Intercept; LPI; Electromagnetic Spectrum; Radio Frequency; EMS; RF; Commercial Solutions for Classified; CSfC; Low Cost


N172-105 TITLE: Data Integrity and Confidentiality Resilient Operating System Environment for Multi-Level Security


ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PM Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Command, Control, Communications (PM MC3), MC2S COC


OBJECTIVE: Develop software to maintain a common trusted resilient operating system environment for hand-held devices (small), portable computers (medium), and tactical server (large) computing environments that can maintain data integrity and switch between multiple security classification levels without requiring removal of a hard disk. Data Integrity must be maintained even in the presence of “zero-day” vulnerabilities or other Information Operations

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threats. Resilience is to be maintained, defined as automatic rapid restoration of full operational capability to a known good state.

DESCRIPTION: Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM) utilizes multiple operating systems (Android, Linux, and Windows) for use in the operating system environment for Command and Control (C2) software. The Android and Linux operating systems typically run on an Advanced RISC Machines (ARM) processor using a RISC (Reduced Instruction Set) for Android whereas the Windows operating system runs on Intel x86 processors using a CISC (Complex Instruction Set) for Windows. In an operational environment, the tactical operating system environment may encounter information operations attacks against them trying to infiltrate or corrupt data in Marine Corps Enterprise Networks (MCEN) or other tactical networks. These attacks will be unpredictable in frequency and occurrence and may include electronic warfare information attacks. Dismounted Marines operate tactical hand-held devices or portable computers for Command and Control (C2) applications as well as servers in the command posts and/or vehicles. Marines rely on the use of applications with minimal downtime (high operational availability). Increasing numbers of “zero-day” vulnerabilities or other threats are being encountered, see the Symantec Corporation Internet Security Center Threat Report in reference 1 on “zero-day” vulnerabilities. An in-depth defense with active cyber defense is required to protect these C2 application environments from compromise. The development of technology solutions for an unknown threat in this environment creates several challenges and the speed at which these vulnerabilities are turned into exploits is also increasing (reference 1). Current solutions require too much processing or overhead (10% or more of the CPU) and do not provide protection against “zero-day” vulnerabilities. Lastly, robust protection is required to be able to achieve approval for a multi-level security system.

MARCORSYSCOM is looking for a software that will be able to provide protection of the environment operating systems most currently used – Android, Linux, and Windows. MARCORSYSCOM is looking for a software solution that would provide the ability to switch between two classification levels (threshold) without requiring removal of the hard disk. Protection of the computing environment is required by security software and requires enhanced protection for multi-level security that the typical operating system environments do not provide. Usage of the standard operating system environments (Android, Linux, and Windows) is required while still providing the increased protection. Protection includes Data Integrity with a requirement to detect, prevent and provide alerts for all attempted unauthorized changes to data to include both operating system critical data files and user data. Protection also includes resiliency that would allow for quick restoration (less than five minutes – Threshold, less than two minutes – Objective) of the operating system critical files to a known good state prior to corruption, virus, or other means of modifying the data. Computing environment protection requires a complete configuration management of all critical files and maintaining a known good state. Critical files are those defined as files needed to execute the operation system and ensure proper operation. The solution must protect all files within the operating system from tampering or modification for a multi-level security environment. The software should also provide self-protection defined as having resistance to modification of the own software solution by unauthorized Information Operations actions to include escalation of user privilege. Lastly, the solution should minimize the processing overhead, memory usage and disk space required for the solution. Processing overhead should be less than 5% (threshold), 2% (objective) (based on a 1000MHz speed ARM or x86 processor for each core with a minimum of 2 cores), memory usage less than 5% (threshold), 2% (objective) (based on a RAM size of 1GB) and the disk space needed to provide for rapid restoration not more than the size of the operating system (e.g. if the operating system is 1GB then restoration should not require more than 1GB of disk space). The solution must use at least one commercially available vulnerability assessment tool (reference 3) and demonstrate protection against at least one “zero-day” exploit as well demonstrate restoration of capability after such an exploit modifies the system.

PHASE I: Develop and analyze the software required to protect the Linux/Android operating system environments and boot between two different classifications. Demonstrate the feasibility of the concepts in meeting Marine Corps needs through modeling and simulation and establish the concepts that will be developed into a useful product for the Marine Corps. Feasibility may be established by testing and/or analytical modeling, as appropriate and must describe the performance estimated for: processing overhead, memory usage and disk space and self-protection capabilities for software. Provide a Phase II development plan with performance goals and key technical milestones

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that will address technical risk reduction.

PHASE II: Based on the results of Phase I and the Phase II development plan, develop an operational prototype of the software concept for evaluation developed in Phase I. The software will be used on the Linux/Android operating system environment to demonstrate the performance goals defined in Phase I requirements to include demonstration of booting into two different classification levels without removing the hard drive. System performance will be demonstrated through inclusion of the software environment on a system running an application utilizing at least 50% of the system resources simulating a Program of Record system and evaluated based on change in processing overhead, memory usage and disk space from the SBIR developed software. At least one commercial vulnerability assessment tool (reference 3) must be used and demonstrated that the system will detect at least one vulnerability. Evaluation results will be used to refine the prototype into an initial design meeting Marine Corps requirements. Prepare a Phase III development plan to transition the software for Marine Corps use in the Linux/Android operating system environments.

Work produced in Phase II may become classified. Note: The prospective contractor(s) must be U.S. Owned and Operated with no Foreign Influence as defined by DOD 5220.22-M, National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual, unless acceptable mitigating procedures can and have been be implemented and approved by the Defense Security Service (DSS). The selected contractor and/or subcontractor must be able to acquire and maintain a secret level facility and Personnel Security Clearances, in order to perform on advanced phases of this contract as set forth by DSS and USMC in order to gain access to classified information pertaining to the national defense of the United States and its allies; this will be an inherent requirement. The selected company will be required to safeguard classified material IAW DoD 5220.22-M during the advance phases of this contract.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Support the Marine Corps in transitioning the technology for Marine Corps, Navy and coalition use. Integrate the hardware and/or software for inclusion in small, medium, and large computing platforms to determine its effectiveness in an operationally relevant environment. Support the Marine Corps for test and validation to certify and qualify the system for Marine Corps use.

Banks, Financial Industries or anyone requiring Information Assurance protection against “zero-day” vulnerabilities can benefit from this technology, in particular private industry items identified as critical infrastructure. Rapid restoration capability would minimize industry or commercial disruption based on virus propagation. Multi-level security can also be used in the private sector to segregate different commercial product areas within a company as the federal government separates security classification. Reference 2 is an example of the Mirai virus which created a Distributed Denial of Service Attack on the commercial sector and hence the need for improved information assurance and security.

REFERENCES:1. “2016 Internet Security Threat Report.” Symantec Security Center. https://www.symantec.com/security-center/threat-report

2. Eduard Kovacs. “Hacker Releases Source Code of IoT Malware Mirai”3 October 2016. http://www.securityweek.com/hacker-releases-source-code-iot-malware-mirai

3. Metasploit Vulnerability Scanner. https://www.metasploit.com/

KEYWORDS: Android, Linux; Windows; Multi-level Security; Data Integrity; Confidentiality; Resilient; Assurant; Operating System; ARM Processor; x86 Processor; Zero-Day; Vulnerability; Virus; Information Assurance; Computing; Multi-level Security; Power Efficiency; Server; System Snapshots; Cyber Attack


N172-106 TITLE: Optimize Additive Manufacturing (AM) Post-Build Heat Treatment (HT) and Hot

NAVY-19

Iso-static Pressing (HIP) Processes for Fatigue Performance using an Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME) Framework

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Air Platform, Materials/Processes

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-275 V-22 Osprey

OBJECTIVE: Utilizing an Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME) framework, develop an innovative multi-scale, multi-physics tool capable of optimizing Additive Manufacturing (AM) post-build processes of metal (such as Ti-6Al-4V, 17-4PH, or 15-5PH) parts for fatigue performance, reducing the amount of post-processing necessary to achieve the best possible performance without deteriorating other mechanical properties.

DESCRIPTION: AM has the potential to drastically lower the logistics footprint of manufacturing aircraft parts. Despite ongoing efforts to optimize the AM process, post-build processing such as heat treatment (HT) and Hot Iso-static Pressing (HIP), developed for traditional manufacturing methods, remains an essential step in achieving the desired fatigue performance. Due to the vast differences between these fabrication techniques, the issues these processes target (e.g. microstructure, porosity, residual stress, etc.) are oftentimes not adequately addressed in AM parts, preventing them from reaching their optimal performance. Optimizing the AM post-build heat treatments for fatigue performance could allow AM parts to reach their full mechanical potential.

An innovative software tool able to optimize AM post-build HT/HIP parameters (heating rates, cooling rates, dwell times, dwell temperatures, pressure, etc.) for metal parts to achieve increased fatigue performance is needed. Given information about an AM part (material, geometry, AM method, known defects, etc.) and proposed HT/HIP as inputs, the tool should predict qualities that affect fatigue performance and optimize the HT/HIP process to improve these qualities. These qualities include defects (voids, porosity, etc.), surface finish, residual stress, distortion, and shrinkage. If possible, the tool should optimize the HT/HIP parameters to remove all defects, create a surface finish equal to or less than 125 microinch, residual stress equal to or less than 5% of material yield strength, and keep part dimensions within plus or minus 0.01 inch (or ½ degree for angles) of nominal dimensions after any distortion or shrinkage. The tool should also predict the sensitivity of each heat treatment parameter on the fatigue qualities, show the user the trade-offs of changing each HT/HIP parameter, and optimize the HT/HIP based on user input of desired part qualities. The tool may include multi-physics models, microstructure change predictions, and metallurgical phase change predictions. The tool should be validated using fatigue tests of coupons and representative parts.

PHASE I: Demonstrate feasibility of an innovative software tool capable of predicting qualities that effect fatigue performance such as defects, surface finish, residual stress, distortion, and shrinkage based on HT/HIP parameters and also able to optimize the parameters to produce parts with better fatigue performance compared to traditional HT/HIP specifications (such as AMS-H-6875).

PHASE II: Develop a prototype software tool using the framework developed in Phase I to improve the AM post-build HT/HIP to achieve optimal fatigue properties. Manufacture representative fatigue critical parts with the following methods: 1) AM using the optimized HT/HIP; 2) AM using traditional HT/HIP; and 3) traditional manufacturing using traditional HT/HIP. Use these parts to demonstrate and validate the prototype by comparing the mechanical and fatigue performance.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Demonstrate the completed tool through design and fabrication of Navy components with optimized post-build HT/HIP process. Make any required improvements based upon testing. Transition the software tool to be used as a stand-alone design package or to be integrated with existing AM hardware and design tools.

The software tool developed through this effort will reduce cost and increase performance in all commercial applications of AM parts. Such applications include commercial aviation, automotive, and biomedical industries.

REFERENCES:

NAVY-20

1. Wen, Y.H., Wang, B., Simmons, J.P., & Wang, Y., (2006). A phase-field model for heat treatment applications in Ni-based alloys, Acta Materialia 54(8):2087-2099. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2006.01.001

2. Mackerle, J., (2003). Finite element analysis and simulation of quenching and other heat treatment processes A bibliography (1976–2001), Computational Materials Science 27(3):313-332. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0927-0256(03)00038-7

3. Mashl, S. (2016). Combining Hot Isostatic Pressing and heat treatment: An elegant way to streamline the supply chain, Powder Metallurgy Review. http://www.pm-review.com/powder-metallurgy-review-archive/powder-metallurgy-review-vol-5-no-2-summer-2016/

4. Ferguson, B.L., Li, Z., Freborg, A.M., (2005). Modeling heat treatment of steel parts, Computational Materials Science 34(3). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.commatsci.2005.02.005

5. Andrade-Campos, A., Neto da Silva, F. and Teixeira-Dias, F. (2007), Modelling and numerical analysis of heat treatments on aluminum parts. Int. J. Numer. Meth. Engng., 70: 582–609. doi:10.1002/nme.1905

6. Aerospace Material Specification (2010). Heat Treatment of Steel Raw Materials. AMS-H-6875 Rev. B

KEYWORDS: Additive Manufacturing (AM); Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME); fatigue; heat treatment; Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP); residual stress


N172-107 TITLE: Low Probability of Intercept / Low Probability of Detection Underwater Acoustic Source

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Air Platform, Electronics, Materials/Processes

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-264 Air Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Systems


OBJECTIVE: Develop innovative active sonar technologies to increase the availability of environmental measurements.

DESCRIPTION: The Navy has a continuous need to conduct underwater surveillance and is seeking innovation capable of conducting active sonar emission without detrimental exposure to marine mammals. Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) or Low Probability of Detection (LPD) allows an active acoustic source to be concealed or camouflaged so that the signal is essentially undetectable. LPI/LPD techniques, while relatively mature in other technology areas, have not been applied with any operational success to underwater acoustics.

Airborne Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) is primarily conducted using sonobuoys. The AN/SSQ-62 and AN/SSQ-125 active sonobuoys are frequently used to ensonify the environment to gain detection on underwater vehicles. Geopolitical sensitivities, at times, and the risk to marine mammals can limit the employment of active sensors. The

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use of an active source which is less overt or completely undetectable, without exposure to marine mammals, will allow these sensors to be used more often and with no disruption to sea life. The LPI/LPD Underwater Acoustic Source system will incorporate innovative technologies that minimize the ability to detect and observe the emission of an active source. The solution must adhere to the “A” size sonobuoy form factor. The prototype will be tested in a representative environment and will demonstrate full operational functionality of an undetectable or cloaked active transmission. “A” size refers to the standard U.S. Navy Sonobuoy form factor or a right-circular cylinder having an outside diameter (OD), length (L), and maximum weight (W) of the following: OD=4.875 inches, L=36 inches, and W=39 pounds.

The solution must demonstrate a LPI/LPD of an active source within the 100Hz to 20 Khtz frequency band. Analytical Modeling and Simulation (M&S) may be used to demonstrate the feasibility of eliminating the detectability or disguising of a narrowband active source. A nominal background noise level, representing a moderate sea noise environment, of 75 decibels (dB) should be used for any M&S to environmental demonstrations. The monitoring sensor or reference hydrophone positioned not greater than 10 meters from the source must not detect the presence of an underwater narrowband active pulse exceeding 3 dB above the background noise. The transmitted pulse must be no less than 197 dB re 1 µ Pa. The techniques developed must either be resident in an “A” size sonobuoy or in a script file that can be transmitted from the aircraft to the sonobuoy along the SG-90 downlink.

Work produced in Phase II may become classified. Note: The prospective contractor(s) must be U.S. owned and operated with no foreign influence as defined by DoD 5220.22-M, National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual, unless acceptable mitigating procedures can and have been implemented and approved by the Defense Security Service (DSS). The selected contractor and/or subcontractor must be able to acquire and maintain a secret level facility and Personnel Security Clearances, in order to perform on advanced phases of this project as set forth by DSS and NAVAIR in order to gain access to classified information pertaining to the national defense of the United States and its allies; this will be an inherent requirement. The selected company will be required to safeguard classified material IAW DoD 5220.22-M during the advanced phases of this contract.

PHASE I: Develop, using mathematical simulations, a representative active sonar concept, assessing both covertness and efficiency for ensonifying the environment. Demonstrate the feasibility of the selected concept for developing a covert active source and show that the proposed solution will have a LPI/LPD in accordance with the above requirements. The Phase I Option, if awarded, should include the initial design layout and a capabilities description to build into Phase II.

PHASE II: Based on the results of Phase I, develop and test developmental algorithms that allow for the transmission of LPI/LPE of underwater active signals. The brassboard model should be suitable for over-the-side testing in controlled open water facilities. Demonstrate the prototype’s ability to meet Navy requirements for unobtrusive covert active transmissions and as further outlined in documentation provided by the Navy upon selection of Phase II. Demonstrate sensor performance through comparison of results from the brassboard methods to current active sonobuoy systems as outlined in the Production Sonobuoy Performance Specification and current U.S. Navy active operations. Evaluation results will be used to refine the prototype into a design that will meet Navy “A” size sonobuoy requirements. Prepare a Phase III development plan to transition the technology to Navy use.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Support the Navy in finalizing and transitioning the technology developed in Phase II for Navy use. Develop specifications and first articles for concept unique elements and for other concept elements, and which have specific functionality to implement the LPI/LPD Underwater Acoustic Source. Operationally test the final design for the nontraditional active sonobuoy and provide 25 prototypical units for Navy test/demonstration. Support the transition of the final developed technology for special use and provide a detailed supportability plan. Pursue commercial application transitions.

The development of this technology will have application to the oceanographic, oil, and mineral industries in that the ability to have a self-contained, deployable source without the risks of interfering with marine mammals will enhance the acquisition of data for oceanographic research and for oil and mineral exploration. This technology would also be applicable to underwater search and recovery. The subject technology could provide a less invasive

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method to conduct these operations.

REFERENCES:1. R. Lynch, P. Willett, J. Reinert, (2012). Some Analysis of the LPI Concept for Active Sonar,” IEEE Journal of Oceanic Engineering, Vol. 37, No. 3, July 2012

2. ERAPSCO, Sonobuoy TechSystems (STS), (2015). U.S. Specification Sonobuoys. [Online] Available http://erapsco.com/, 3 March 2015

KEYWORDS: ASW; sonobuoy; active sonar; environmental measurement; low probability of detection; low probability of intercept


N172-108 TITLE: Fusion of Radar and Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) for Ship Classification and Identification

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Weapons

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-299 Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) H-60 Helicopter Program


OBJECTIVE: Develop an innovative approach that exploits new methodology in machine learning and modern mobile computing devices to fuse information obtained from different sensor types in order to achieve dramatic improvement in target classification and identification capability for space, weight and power (SWaP) constrained platforms.

DESCRIPTION: Radar, electronic support measures (ESM), a.k.a. anti-radiation homing (ARH), and electro-optical (EO)/imaging infrared (IIR)/laser detection and ranging (LIDAR) currently provide different sensor phenomenology that can lead to different salient feature manifestation that depends on operating conditions (e.g., acquisition geometry) and scene content type. Current technology approaches develop automatic target recognition (ATR) systems for a single sensor, each designed to exploit the salient features specific to each sensor type, which leads to suboptimal classification performance for each sensor type and not a higher confidence performance by combining independent sensor data into a single solution. The capability to combine the salient feature information from the different sensors to get improved target classification, and possibly identification, of the ships is needed. Recent advances in machine learning can be explored to discover and to fuse the different feature information inherent within the different sensor types while advances in mobile computing processors enables these machine learning approaches to work efficiently and robustly in real-time. The algorithms should be designed for execution on mobile processors, including multi-core system-on-a-chip (SoC) systems, combining general purpose computing elements (multi-core Advanced Reduced-Instruction-Set-Computer Machines (ARM) processor), with on-chip co-processors as multi-core graphical processing units (GPUs) and/or field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

Work produced in Phase II may become classified. Note: The prospective contractor(s) must be U.S. owned and operated with no foreign influence as defined by DoD 5220.22-M, National Industrial Security Program Operating

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Manual, unless acceptable mitigating procedures can and have been implemented and approved by the Defense Security Service (DSS). The selected contractor and/or subcontractor must be able to acquire and maintain a secret level facility and Personnel Security Clearances, in order to perform on advanced phases of this project as set forth by DSS and NAVAIR in order to gain access to classified information pertaining to the national defense of the United States and its allies; this will be an inherent requirement. The selected company will be required to safeguard classified material IAW DoD 5220.22-M during the advanced phases of this contract.

PHASE I: Develop an efficient and robust approach based on state-of-the art machine learning technology to extract and fuse information from radar, ESM, and EO/IIR/LIDAR. Define the data specifics desired for each sensor type and provide a format including meta data needs. The principle modes of interest are radar Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) images with IIR images. Demonstrate the feasibility of your approach utilizing a laptop computer for the algorithm to obtain a 5 Hz solution rate, and analyze the detailed mapping and simulation of the new algorithm onto candidate military compatible processors as dictated by the PMA.

PHASE II: Develop and optimize the real-time embedded software code of the machine learning fusion algorithm developed in Phase I for the candidate processor selected. Work with the government team to test the algorithms against data collected from candidate sensors relevant to the Navy. Pertinent information will be provided to performer if necessary.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Develop the modifications to the algorithm and real-time code to be hosted in the transition Program of Record as desired by the Navy. Support modeling and simulation efforts as well as software integration, field testing and performance analysis in the specific application.

Maritime activities such as the Coast Guard, Shipping monitoring, Homeland Security, that have the need to know what ship traffic exists can benefit from this technology. The basic core of the algorithms and fusion may apply to land-based commercial vehicle tracking as well.

REFERENCES:1. Li, H. & Zhou, Y.T., (1996). SAR/IR Sensor Fusion and Real-time Implementation. 1996 29th Asilomar Conference on Signals, Systems and Computers (2 Volume Set (Asilomar Conference on Signals, Systems and Computers//Conference Record). https://www.amazon.com/Asilomar-Conference-Signals-Systems-Computers/dp/0818673702

2. Recognition of SAR Target Based on Multilayer Auto-Encoder and SNN; by Sun et al; International Journal of Innovative Computing, Information and Control Vol 9, Number 11, November 2013 ISSN 1349-4198. http://www.ijicic.org/ijicic-12-11029.pdf

KEYWORDS: target recognition; multi-sensor fusion; machine learning; radar; IIR; maritime identification


N172-109 TITLE: Advanced Body Force Cueing for Dynamic Interface Simulation


ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-275 V-22 Osprey

OBJECTIVE: Develop the capability of a realistic body force cueing system, including hardware and software, for training pilots in a helicopter simulator in the shipboard environment.

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DESCRIPTION: Rotorcraft landings on ships undergo unique motions due to the combination of turbulence and ship motion. The ability of current simulation devices, such as motion platforms, g-seats and dynamic seats, to faithfully replicate these motions is limited in terms of bandwidth and sustained heave cueing. Yet these motion cues provide essential feedback to the pilot, especially in high gain tasks, such as deck landings. This cueing deficiency contributes to the minimal use of simulation for ship-helicopter testing and training. An innovative capability is required that will provide high fidelity body force motion cues, tailored to help replicate the typical pilot workload and pilot control strategy exhibited during simulated shipboard landings in demanding environmental conditions. The solution should be tunable for application to different rotorcraft types, wind-over-deck conditions, and simulators, and usable in combination with, or independent of, current six degrees of freedom motion platforms. In particular, the solution will be integrated and demonstrated in the V-22 piloted simulator at the Manned Flight Simulator (MFS) at Patuxent River, MD, with and without six degrees of freedom motion, using Navy-provided test pilots to evaluate the cueing fidelity. The pilots will evaluate the realism of the solution by using the Simulator Functional Fidelity Rating Scale [Ref. 3]. Wind-over-deck conditions will be representative of typical at-sea conditions within the helicopter operating envelopes. The MFS six degrees of freedom motion platform will be used in the evaluation.

PHASE I: Develop and determine the feasibility of an innovative approach to address body force cueing deficiencies during shipboard landing. Determine the feasibility of installing the developed technology in current rotorcraft simulators.

PHASE II: Build a prototype system, install in the MFS V-22 simulator at Patuxent River, MD, and demonstrate fidelity improvement relative to the baseline device, with and without motion platform dynamics. Body force cueing effectiveness of the prototype motion system will be assessed through piloted evaluations using quantitative and qualitative fidelity metrics. Specifically, the pilots will evaluate the prototype motion system while performing maneuvers in the shipboard environment to determine if the system provides significant improvements in simulator realism compared to flying those same maneuvers in the simulator without the prototype system installed.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Transition the body force cueing solution to current Navy training simulators and engineering test facilities.

The proposed technology has broad application in the commercial simulator industry for all types of vehicles (aircraft, ground vehicles, ships, and submersibles) for training, testing and entertainment, including gaming.

REFERENCES:1. Sylvain, M. et al, (2016), An Investigation of Task Specific Motion Cues for Rotorcraft Simulators, Figure 2. http://repository.liv.ac.uk/2053639/

2. Wang, Y., White, M., Owen, I. et al. CEAS Aeronaut J (2013) 4: 385. doi:10.1007/s13272-013-0085-9

3. Berger, D.R. et al, (2007). Simulating believable forward accelerations on a Stewart motion platform, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, TR No. 159, Feb. 2007. http://www.kyb.tuebingen.mpg.de/fileadmin/user_upload/files/publications/atta

KEYWORDS: body force; motion; simulator; ship; helicopter; cueing


N172-110 TITLE: Virtual Antenna Array Mapping

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Air Platform, Electronics, Weapons

NAVY-25

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-234 Airborne Electronic Attack Systems


OBJECTIVE: Develop an advanced antenna array mapping technology and algorithms capable of emulating phased array antenna behavior in real-time using distributed ad-hoc antenna array layouts to provide warfighters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and military vehicles on the move the ability to sweep or broaden the resulting beam collectively so as to communicate or jam targets.

DESCRIPTION: High performance phased array antennas are necessary due to their focused beam behavior that not only increase data rate and communication range, but also enable secure links. However, today’s phased array antennas are rigid in nature, bulky (100s of pounds), expensive (>$10M per unit), and use too much power (100s of kW) in the battlefield. There is a need to develop a technology that takes any ad-hoc antenna array, such as antennas mounted on UAVs, and map the fields into a virtual phased array antenna without changing the original antenna array random layout. The challenge with such an approach is the development of a fault-tolerant mapping algorithm that takes into consideration the relative positions of the original ad-hoc antenna array nodes and target location in order to compute the weights that needs to be applied at each antenna node in association with communication pre-filtering techniques to beamform the signal such that there is a single main lobe focused on the target while the original ad-hoc nodes are on the move, such as ad-hoc distributed UAVs.


PHASE I: Identify, develop and simulate the communication pre-filtering techniques and associated antenna weights for five distributed ad-hoc antenna nodes equipped with omnidirectional antennas. Careful analysis should address the advantage and limitation of the algorithm’s dependency on relative antenna nodes positions, array size, target location and distance from array, and tolerance to nodes relative positions errors. The goal is to define a set of parameters that needs to be met in order to successfully map the ad-hoc antenna array nodes to a virtual phased array antenna by applying these advanced algorithms (antenna weights plus pre-filtering techniques) to focus the collective signal generated from the distributed ad-hoc array on the target with a single main lobe that is at least 10dB higher than side lobes. An analysis of the sensitivity of the algorithms in achieving ideal beam-focusing to knowledge of the relative position of the nodes and the absolute position of the target should be conducted. Phase I should result in a design and analysis proving the feasibility of the approach.

PHASE II: The advanced virtual phased array mapping algorithms should be implemented in a minimum of 3 moving UAVs (>10mph) using software defined radios to demonstrate the beam-focusing capability to a target node even though the vehicles are moving. During this Phase a demonstration of the ability to control the beam (broadening, narrowing, and dynamic pointing) should occur. The algorithms may use the global positioning system (GPS) coordinates or other absolute/relative coordinates methods to derive the antenna weights associated with the pre-filtering techniques to implement the virtual array mapping algorithm.

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PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The advanced virtual phased array mapping algorithms should be implemented in a minimum of 5 moving UAVs (>40mph) using software defined radios to demonstrate the beam-focusing capability to a target node even though the vehicles are moving. During this Phase a demonstration of the control the beam (broadening, narrowing, and dynamic pointing) and various waveform types (minimum of continuous wave (CW), pulsed, and swept) will occur. The algorithms may use the GPS coordinates or other absolute/relative coordinates methods to derive the antenna weights associated with the pre-filtering techniques to implement the virtual array mapping algorithm.

Successful technology development could assist in multitude of situations where there is insufficient radio frequency (RF) power to communicate through a link. A commercial example is high-altitude assets like Google’s Project Loon.

REFERENCES:1. Balanis, Constantine A. (2015). Antenna Theory: Analysis and Design, 4th Ed. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 302–303. ISBN 1119178983

2. Haimovich, A.M., Blum, R.S. & Cimini, L.J., (2008). MIMO Radar with Widely Separated Antennas. IEEE Signal Processing Magazine (Volume: 25, Issue: 1, 2008). Page(s): 116 - 129. http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/4408448/

KEYWORDS: virtual; antenna; array; UAV; distributed; ad-hoc


N172-111 TITLE: Ultra-High Frequency Clutter Model for Airborne Surveillance Radar

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Battlespace

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-298 Air Warfare Mission Area


OBJECTIVE: Develop a model of clutter returns in the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) frequency band. The model will support Live-Virtual-Constructive (LVC) testing of the E-2D platform via a direct inject radar stimulator.

DESCRIPTION: Currently very little research has been done on UHF clutter. There are no existing UHF clutter models that are suitable for use in a real-time Test and Evaluation (T&E) environments. While there are many models available in other frequency bands (primarily X-Band), these do not adequately translate to the UHF Band.

A Real-time UHF Clutter model is needed for inclusion of UHF geo-spatial clutter injection at the radio frequency (RF) level. This effort requires determining the level of fidelity (i.e., number of scatters, scattering coefficients, scattering geometries, clutter density) that is required to fully represent a clutter environment to support radar performance testing through RF stimulation techniques. Testing clutter attenuation and cancellation performed by an airborne radar processor, specifically Moving Target Indication (MTI) and Space Time Adaptive Processing (STAP)

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[3], is critical to understanding performance factors such as: clutter visibility factor (false alarms from clutter), sub-clutter visibility (ability to detect moving targets), and inter-clutter visibility (resolve between clutter regions). In attempting to simulate a radar environment, we must characterize clutter as it applies to sea, land, and littoral domains. The clutter simulator should also have an interface to allow for external data inputs for control.

The research effort should cover the following areas: characterizing/correlating the best fit UHF scattering coefficients from live data to geometrical land mass data over a broad range of natural (desert, forest, mountainous, etc.) and man-made (urban, rural) environments over an extensive radar search volume. Research should be done to assess the level of fidelity (i.e., number of scatters, amount of clutter) required to fully represent a reasonable clutter density. Ground testing will be performed at the NAVAIR Advanced Systems Integration Laboratory (ASIL) by the Government upon receipt of the model.

Work produced in Phase II may become classified. Note: The prospective contractor(s) must be U.S. Owned and Operated with no Foreign Influence as defined by DOD 5220.22-M, National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual, unless acceptable mitigating procedures can and have been be implemented and approved by the Defense Security Service (DSS). The selected contractor and/or subcontractor must be able to acquire and maintain a secret level facility and Personnel Security Clearances, in order to perform on advanced phases of this contract as set forth by DSS and NAVAIR in order to gain access to classified information pertaining to the national defense of the United States and its allies; this will be an inherent requirement. The selected company will be required to safeguard classified material IAW DoD 5220.22-M during the advance phases of this contract.

PHASE I: Determine the feasibility of and develop a conceptual design for a suitable standalone UHF Clutter model to support generation of geo-spatial clutter for UHF frequencies.

PHASE II: Develop detailed mathematical models and then compare to data provided for realism. Perform testing and demonstrate in a simulated lab environment and deliver final prototype at the end of Phase II. Collected classified flight test data will be provided at the beginning of Phase II.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Integrate the Phase II prototype unit with a real-time executive using the Architecture Management Integration Environment (AMIE) thus allowing use with the existing RF stimulator resident at the test facility. Integration specifications will be provided at commencement of Phase III. Develop and fabricate a full-scale UHF Clutter Emulator. This simulator will provide full-scale demonstration of all capabilities and will lead to a full-scale prototype demonstration unit. Develop commercial applications and transitions.

Clutter research can be applied toward future clutter models and target generators. The clutter models would be of value for any Radar Target Generator (RTG) that requires a higher degree of realism and fidelity. This would position the contractor to have a unique capability that is marketable in the DoD and commercial Modeling and Simulation worlds.

REFERENCES:1. M. W. Long, Radar Reflectivity of the Land and Sea, 1975, D. C. Heath and Company

2. J. Barrie Billingsley, Low-Angle Radar Land Clutter; Measurements and Empirical Models, William Andrew, 2002

3. J. Ward, Space-Time Adaptive Processing for Airborne Radar, Technical Report 1015, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Lexington, MA, USA, 1994 (available: http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA293032)

KEYWORDS: clutter; UHF; radar; STAP; modeling and simulation; test and evaluation


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N172-112 TITLE: Relevant Image Mosaic – Image Management Algorithm Development


ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-281 (UAS) Strike Planning & Execution Systems


OBJECTIVE: Develop a more sophisticated imagery storage management capability for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and Remote Sensing systems than currently exists with focus on the management of imagery from various platforms, while also expanding capability to address still-frame imagery from tactical sources.

DESCRIPTION: Currently, imagery exploitation systems that are directly connected to streaming data feeds from larger, high-capacity imagery libraries quickly fill their available storage and either fail or begin dumping imagery using some very simplistic (often First-In, First-Out) management scheme. The imagery thus held at any point represents the result of this default imagery dumping strategy than it does the intended needs of the system operator or analyst. A capability should be created that allows the system to retain more imagery over areas, and of targets that are more likely to be of immediate need, while still retaining robust, or at least some coverage, over much broader areas of potential future need. When successfully implemented, some images will dwell longer in storage than other images.

The end-users of imagery exploitation systems have diverse requirements such as intelligence analysis, navigational product creation, precision point geopositioning, etc. They may need greater frequency of imagery coverage in certain political or geographic regions, specified as either areas or points. They may desire longer retention times for imagery with certain photogrammetric characteristics such as obliquity or ground sampling distance (GSD), and these requirements may involve sets of multiple images to meet specific applications, such as in multiple-image geopositioning (MIG) tasks.

Create an open, modular imagery metadata searching and screening engine – image management algorithms, using either existing metadata tags (e.g., National Imagery Transmission Format (NITF) headers, commercial data headers, etc.) or create new metadata tags based on user inputs employing a series of filters and logical rule sets that, when applied to imagery holdings in a given system, can optimize/prioritize its data retention strategies across a given storage capacity to meet the operational needs of that particular system. Incorporate innovative user interfaces for defining the operator’s data retention priorities, and the graphical display of these priorities. This topic is not seeking the development of imagery exploitation systems or technologies; products for this already exist and are not a part of this effort.

Work produced in Phase II may become classified. Note: The prospective contractor(s) must be U.S. Owned and Operated with no Foreign Influence as defined by DOD 5220.22-M, National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual, unless acceptable mitigating procedures can and have been implemented and approved by the Defense Security Service (DSS). The selected contractor and/or subcontractor must be able to acquire and maintain a secret level facility and Personnel Security Clearances, in order to perform on advanced phases of this contract as set forth by DSS and NAVAIR in order to gain access to classified information pertaining to the national defense of the United States and its allies; this will be an inherent requirement. The selected company will be required to safeguard classified material IAW DoD 5220.22-M during the advance phases of this contract.

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PHASE I: Demonstrate the feasibility of an imagery management engine with the capability to optimize data retention strategies across a relatively modest storage capacity (nominally 3 TB / 5000 images) with a daily ingest of 300 new images. Demonstrate how this utility could be employed as a stand-alone capability for managing similarly-sized operational storage systems.

PHASE II: Develop, refine and update concept(s) based on Phase I results and demonstrate the technology in a realistic, adaptive, RAID-based file storage environment using government provided ISR storage systems and feeds (storage capacities and ingest rates of up to 10x that of Phase I). Demonstrate the technology’s ability to interoperate and integrate with current imagery exploitation systems and environments such as those associated with commercial software products, e.g., GXP Xplorer.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The initial target for transition of capabilities developed under this effort would be geospatial storage associated with NAVAIR mission planning systems. A robust operational testing and evaluation process for these systems currently exists and is conducted in accordance with SECNAV 5000 instruction (Ref 4) and NAVAIR instruction 3960.2. (Ref 5).

The private sector utilizes many of the same geospatial data exploitation and storage applications as the government does, this effort will be directly transferable to the commercial remote sensing and Geospatial Information Services sectors.

REFERENCES:1. Dillow, C. (2016). What Happens When You Combine Artificial Intelligence and Satellite Imagery. Fortune. Retrieved from http://fortune.com/2016/03/30/facebook-ai-satellite-imagery/

2. Gerwirtz, D. (2013). My Infuriatingly Unsuccessful Quest for a Good Media Asset Management Tool. ZDNet. Retrieved from http://www.zdnet.com/article/my-infuriatingly-unsuccessful-quest-for-a-good-media-asset-management-tool/

3. Cordova, A., Millard, D., Menthe, L.D., Guffey, R.A. (2013. Motion Imagery Processing. RAND Project Air Force. Retrieved from http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR100/RR154/RAND_RR154.pdf

4. SECNAVINST 5000, 11 Sept 2011, Retrieved from www.public.navy.mil/cotf/OTD/SECNAVINST%205000.2E.pdf

5. NAVSEAINST 3960.2D - Test and Evaluation, 22 April 1988, Retrieved from https://acc.dau.mil/CommunityBrowser.aspx?id=384920"

KEYWORDS: imagery; algorithm; geospatial; metadata; storage; optimization


N172-113 TITLE: Long Endurance Compact Sonobuoy Power Source

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Air Platform, Electronics


The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of

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sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with section 5.4.c.(8) of the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.

OBJECTIVE: Develop a stand-alone sonobuoy power source capable of a six-year storage life.

DESCRIPTION: The Navy has established the need for a long duration, maintenance free power source to fit in an “A” sized sonobuoy (4.875” x 36”). Power sources are required to integrate into the Navy’s existing buoy handling logistics and be ready for deployment and operation at any time without the need for peripheral charging equipment or additional actions of the shipboard or aircraft crew.

Future long duration Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) missions will require persistent monitoring of an ocean area through fixed and mobile sensor networks which will depend upon robust, long endurance power sources capable of delivering uninterrupted power for both active and passive systems. The logistics of placing large networks of monitoring stations in remote, hostile areas of the ocean necessitates the need for an effective, small, and air deployed system which can be fielded in a similar manner to existing shorter duration air dropped sonobuoys.

A potential mission profile of up to six months requires a power source with an energy density in the 12kwh/L range, well beyond the capability of electrochemical devices and fuel cells. This energy requirement could therefore rely on novel methods for continuous energy harvesting to charge onboard energy storage systems. Examples of techniques for harvesting energy at or near the ocean’s surface include photovoltaic, wave action and seawater based semi-fuel cell technology, but other approaches will be considered. The challenge of miniaturizing and incorporating these technologies into the sonobuoy volume constraint and successfully deploying this system in the field remains the dominant technical issue associated with this technology.

The proposed sonobuoy power source must have a minimum shelf life of six years and, after deployment, it must provide up to 5W of continuous power, have a peak power of 6.5KW continuously for 10 seconds, and be capable of a total of 120 peak power seconds while deployed with a maximum of a 5% duty cycle. The nominal output potentials of the system are 18V and 65V. The system should be autonomous and require no maintenance during the storage or active periods. In order to fit into the Sonobuoy Launch Container (P/N LAU 16/A), the dimensions must be no greater than 4.55" outer diameter by 7.5" length and weigh no more than 2.7kg. The power source must meet all environmental and safety requirements for Naval Aviation (Ref 4 ).

Production Sonobuoy Specifications will be provided by the Navy prior to Phase II as required.

PHASE I: Develop a proof of concept energy system capable of delivering an average of 5W of continuous power. Define the limits of storage and operability. A detailed estimate of the cost of production units is required at the completion of Phase I base period (assume 5,000 units per year).

PHASE II: Design, fabricate and deliver two full scale prototype systems capable of meeting all mass and form factor requirements. Storage, deployment, activation (90%), reliability (90%) and safety of the system should be fully characterized for reliability using ground based testing. Prototype should attain a TRL level of 5 and MRL level of 4 at the completion of Phase II.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Finalize the energy system design and fabricate final pre-production prototypes to obtain certification for flight and deployment from a Navy aircraft. Successful technologies should attain a TRL level of 7 and MRL level of 6 at the completion of this Phase. Pursue commercial applications such as navigational buoy systems or unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs).

Compact, low-cost energy harvesting systems have potential use in commercial, research, and navigational buoy systems. Additional use in UUVs and unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) may also be possible where there are

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significant limitations on the life and volume constraints of the system.

REFERENCES:1. Green M.A., (2014). PROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS: RESEARCH AND APPLICATIONS Prog.Photovolt: Res. Appl. 2015; 23: pgs 1–9, Wiley

2. Turner M.W., (2011). SEAWATER ACTIVATED POWER SYSTEMS (SWAPS): Energy for Deep Water Detection, ocean platforms, buoys, surface craft and submersibles, IEEE Oceans’ 11 MTS, pgs 1-9, IEEE

3. Bastien S.P., (2010). OCEAN WAVE ENERGY HARVESTING BUOY FOR SENSORS, IEEE Energy Conversion Congress and Exposition, pgs 3718-3725, IEEE 2009.

4. S9310-AQ-SAF-010, NAVY Lithium Battery Safety Program Responsibilities and Procedures, 15 Jul 10

KEYWORDS: sonobuoy; power source; energy harvesting; battery; energy regeneration; continuous power


N172-114 TITLE: High Bandwidth Fast Steering Mirror

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Battlespace, Weapons

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-265 F/A-18 Hornet/Super Hornet


OBJECTIVE: Design, develop and test a 5-kHz bandwidth fast steering mirror to be used in the next generation beam control systems on airborne platforms for high power laser weapon systems.

DESCRIPTION: Future high energy laser (HEL) missions will require components that are smaller size and higher performance than currently available. One of the layers of beam control is a small volume, weight and power (SWaP), high bandwidth fast steering mirror (FSM). The FSM will be needed to correct for atmospheric and aero-optic effects, as well as support the internal weapon optical train alignment maintenance. Current voice coil actuated FSM technology has demonstrated between 1 and 1.5 kHz bandwidth control, however, it is envisioned that a compact 3.5 – 5.0 kHz bandwidth FSM will be required for future fast-mover airborne missions. Additionally, current FSM technology support up to 12 inches in diameter apertures with small strokes of several millimeters. The focus of this topic is to address the higher bandwidth on an aperture size up to 40 cm (goal). Specifically, this topic aims to significantly extend the bandwidth to 5kHz over the 40 cm FSM using either conventional voice coil technology or other means of actuating the mirror. The mirror should also be capable of very high acceleration of 10,000 (minimum) to 20,000 rad/s2 (goal).

For the basic FSM specifications, the following can be assumed:30 to 50 cm beam director aperture10 (minimum) to 50 cm (goal) input aperture-40 to +70C operating temperature

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Typical aircraft (rotary and fixed-winged) operating environment (high linear vibration)150kW laser powerFSM angular range ±3 mradFSM Bandwidth 5.0 kHz minimumFSM angular acceleration >10,000 rad/s2.

Offerors are strongly encouraged to interact with beam control systems providers to help ensure applicability of their efforts and begin work towards technology transition.

PHASE I: Develop a preliminary design for the proposed FSM. Proof of concept hardware development (including any subscale or specific risk reduction activities) is highly desirable. Phase I should include the development of plans to further develop/exploit this technology in Phase II.

PHASE II: Complete critical design of prototype FSM including all supporting Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis (MS&A). Fabricate a prototype or engineering demonstration unit (EDU) and perform characterization testing within the financial and schedule constraints of the program to show level of performance achieved compared to existing technology. The prototype or EDU will be provided to the government for evaluation and test. Provide comparisons between MS&A and their test results, including identification of performance differences or anomalies and reasons for the deviation from MS&A predictions. Prepare a plan for commercialization of developed technology. It is highly recommended to maintain working relationships with beam control systems providers.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Perform final testing and assist with the transition of the developed technology into the next generation high energy laser weapon (HELWS) under development by the DoD Services. Transition and integrate developed technology to all relevant DoD platforms.

Successful technology development would find application in astronomy and high performance camera systems used in private sector applications.

REFERENCES:1. J. Mansell et al., (2007). High Power Deformable Mirrors. SPIE Conference Mirror Technology Days 2007. http://www.activeopticalsystems.com/docs/Mirror%20Tech%20Days%20070801_asGiven_Compressed.pdf

2. Kenji Uchino, Yuzuru Tsuchiya, Shoichiro Nomura, Takuso Sato, Hiromi Ishikawa, & Osamu Ikeda, (1981). Deformable mirror using the PMN electrostrictor, Appl. Opt. 20, 3077-3080. https://www.osapublishing.org/ao/abstract.cfm?URI=ao-20-17-3077

3. Supriyo Sinha, Justin D. Mansell & Robert L. Byer, (2002). Deformable mirrors for high-power lasers. Proc. SPIE 4493, High-Resolution Wavefront Control: Methods, Devices, and Applications III, 55 (February 5, 2002); doi:10.1117/12.454728

4. R. H. Freeman &J. E. Pearson, (1982). Deformable mirrors for all seasons and reasons. Appl. Opt. 21, 580-588 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.21.000580

KEYWORDS: fast steering mirror; adaptive optics systems; high energy laser weapons; rotary wing; fixed wing; beam control systems


N172-115 TITLE: Selective Emission of Light Utilizing Functionally-Graded Energetic Materials

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TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Materials/Processes, Weapons

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-272 Tactical Aircraft Protection Systems


OBJECTIVE: Develop a functionally-graded flare grain for airborne expendable countermeasures applications with time-varying output.

DESCRIPTION: The deflagration of energetic materials has been used throughout recorded history for the generation of light. Specific wavelengths can be emitted to produce a desired effect through the careful selection of fuels, oxidizers and binders. For example, strontium-based compounds emit red light, while barium-based compounds emit green light [1]. Additionally, infrared emission may be generated in the form of blackbody radiation, which varies with the temperature of combustion.

Airborne expendable countermeasures are deployed from military aircraft to counter incoming threat missiles. The guidance system of the missile may employ a variety of different sensors that detect and track the electromagnetic signature of the aircraft. Upon deployment, the countermeasure device provides an additional electromagnetic signature in the field of view of the missile. The new incoming signal must be processed by the missile, and if successful, the missile will begin to track the countermeasure, diverting its trajectory from the aircraft.

As missiles employ more sophisticated sensors and decision-making algorithms, the countermeasures required to deceive them must also be more sophisticated. The increased demand for performance must be met while the device size and quantity on-board remain constant. The ability to generate specific electromagnetic signatures in time and space becomes critical.

One means of generating such selectively tuned signatures may be through careful layering of varied energetic materials. Another may include creation of surface or interior structural features that enhance burning surface area. Other means may also be considered. Modern manufacturing methods and developments in materials science may allow for the development of transformational changes in the performance of countermeasure flares. Precise control of material fabrication may enable precise control of electromagnetic signature as a function of time.

Pyrotechnics are typically comprised of finely powdered fuels (submicron to 100 micron, often metals) and oxidizers and a binder which may also be a powder, a rubber, or a curable liquid. Historically, display fireworks manufacturers have developed inside-to-outside, layer-by-layer methods to achieve color-changing effects utilizing different pyrotechnic mixtures in each layer. These are fabricated by hand, which is labor-intensive. Since this is a manual process, it is difficult to obtain the highly uniform layering that is necessary for precise signature tailoring. The pyrotechnic compositions used in military applications are more energetic and sensitive than those used commercially, and dangerous to work with by hand.


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Proposers must be able to obtain raw ingredients, and safely handle, process, store and ship energetic materials (Hazard Class 1.3 or 1.1 [2]).

Payloads fabricated using new techniques must maintain physical integrity and function properly when subjected to 40-ft drop, aircraft and transportation vibration, and 28-day temperature and humidity cycling. They must ignite and burn consistently over a range (-65F/+160F) of temperatures [3,4].

PHASE I: Develop an innovative solution to incorporate multiple pyrotechnic compositions into a single pellet with layering structures and surface features that, when burned, will sequentially and distinctly display the characteristics of each composition. Test pellets (minimum of 5 pellets, up to 25 grams total explosive weight per pellet) comprised of at least three different pyrotechnic compositions should be delivered to the government for combustion testing as a proof of concept. The compositions should each produce a different effect (for example, combinations of different colored smoke and light) and/or have a distinctly different burn rate. The different effects produced by each layer should be clearly observable during combustion testing of the pellets.

PHASE II: Specific compositions and output requirements will be provided by the government. The fabrication process established in Phase I should be adapted and incrementally scaled to fabricate full-sized flare pellets (1.25” diameter x 6” length). An interim hazard classification or Department of Transportation explosives shipping (DOT EX) number will need to be obtained to ship a minimum of 30 prototype pellets for government evaluation.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Integrate prototype pellets from Phase II into standard Navy countermeasure hardware, as specified by the government. The payload material must be ejected and ignited sympathetically via the combustion gases of an impulse cartridge (CCU-136A/A) [5]. Suitability for fleet use will be demonstrated by performing durability testing, environmental testing, flight effectiveness testing and qualification testing [3,4].

The fabrication techniques developed under this project may be used to fabricate devices for commercial fireworks and pyrotechnic applications.

REFERENCES:1. Conkling, John A. Chemistry of Pyrotechnics. N.p.: CRC, 1985. Print.

2. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49, Section 173.56

3. MIL-STD-810G

4. MIL-STD-331C

5. MIL-DTL-82962

KEYWORDS: pyrotechnic; countermeasure; decoy; signature; infrared; aircraft


N172-116 TITLE: Miniature Oriented Tri-Axial Fluxgate Magnetometer Sensor


ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA2-64 Air Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Systems

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OBJECTIVE: Develop a miniature oriented fluxgate magnetometer similar to the AN/ASQ-10 for use across multiple operational platforms with focus on unmanned vehicles in a maritime environment.

DESCRIPTION: There is interest in utilizing emerging classes of miniature Unmanned Vehicles (UVs) for a variety of surveillance and reconnaissance applications. Recent developments in smaller and more sensitive magnetic sensing devices have opened a new exploration arena. Consequently, the magnetic background of data collected aboard these small platforms is compromised due to the inherent motion induced noise of conventional scalar magnetic sensors.

Innovative non-ferrous and/or ceramic materials/designs/techniques and servos are sought to create a miniature oriented tri-axial fluxgate magnetometer aboard miniature UVs. Having this capability will improve the transition of increased sensitivity magnetic sensors and other devices into low cost expendable unmanned vehicles.

This will include the development, fabrication and integration of an oriented tri-axial fluxgate magnetometer design coupled with innovative low magnetic materials in less than a two (2) pound package. Key characteristics include high field sensitivity, high linearity, dynamic range and ruggedness.

The technical challenges and specifications desired are:Weight constraint: 2.0 lbs. (Objective) 15 lbs. (Threshold)Length constraint: 8.0 in (232 mm) (Objective) 32 in (Threshold)Magnetic noise (<30pT/vHz spanning DC to 100Hz)Drive Frequency: 1650-1700 HzLow vibration (isolation mounting system)Digitization: 24 bitsOutput and diagnostic measurement system includedVehicle Motion compensation included

Multi-consortium teaming is acceptable and may be preferred given this multi-discipline concept. This may be done at the sensor, software or integration levels. The desire is to have a scalable design to a larger or smaller sensor volume/weight potential.

Work produced in Phase II may become classified. Note: The prospective contractor(s) must be U.S. Owned and Operated with no Foreign Influence as defined by DOD 5220.22-M, National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual, unless acceptable mitigating procedures can and have been implemented and approved by the Defense Security Service (DSS). The selected contractor and/or subcontractor must be able to acquire and maintain a secret level facility and Personnel Security Clearances, in order to perform on advanced phases of this contract as set forth by DSS and NAVAIR in order to gain access to classified information pertaining to the national defense of the United States and its allies; this will be an inherent requirement. The selected company will be required to safeguard classified material IAW DoD 5220.22-M during the advance phases of this contract.

PHASE I: Develop a concept design of a miniature oriented tri-axial fluxgate magnetometer with low magnetic signature into a producible design. Identify advantages, disadvantages, and risks of proposed engine design. Establish feasibility through limited lab concept demonstration verifying subcomponents, magnetic noise floor, servo response and error, and overall design.

PHASE II: Develop and test a prototype miniature oriented tri-axial fluxgate magnetometer including proposed interfaces. Carry out design and validation testing such as noise floor determination, magnetic field response, power-

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up/down, motion compensation, to confirm that reliable, consistent, characteristic magnetic signatures can be obtained without interference from other UV subsystems. For best transition to UV application, the system should fit within a space (8 - 32 inches in length with a 4 – 10 inch diameter) with power being provided by the UV. The system should not exceed 15 pounds. Incorporate experimentation results into final and other concept designs. Demonstrate the technology in a realistic environment under proper loading for 10 hour duration.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Complete final testing and perform necessary integration and transition for use in anti-submarine and countermine warfare, counter surveillance and monitoring operations with appropriate current platforms and agencies, and future combat systems under development.

Commercially this product could be used to enable remote environmental monitoring of geo-magnetic survey, facilities, and vital infrastructure assets.

REFERENCES:1. Walker, M., Dennis, T., Kirschivink, J. (2002). The Magnetic Sense and its Use in Long-Distance Navigation by Animals. Retrieved from http://web.gps.caltech.edu/~jkirschvink/pdfs/COINBWalker.pdf

2. Troyan, V., Kiselev, Y. (2010). Statistical Methods of Geophysical Data Processing. World Scientific Publishing. Retrieved from http://web.gps.caltech.edu/~jkirschvink/pdfs/COINBWalker.pdf

3. Nielsen, O.V., Brauer, P., Primdahl, F., Risbo, T., Jørgensen, J.L., Boe, C., Deyerler, M., and Bauereisen, S. (1998). A High-Precision Triaxial Fluxgate Sensor for Space Applications: Layout and Choice of Materials. Retrieved from http://www.science

4. Clem, T., et al., (2004. Magnetic Sensors for Buried Minehunting from Small Unmanned Underwater Vehicles. MTS/IEEE Oceans, pp. 902-910. Retrieved from http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/1405594/?reload=true&tp=&arnumber=1405594

5. Kreutzbruck, M.V., Allweins, K., and Heiden, C. Fluxgate-Magnetometer for the Detection of Deep Lying Defects. Institute of Applied Physics. Justus-Liebig-University Giessen. Retrieved from http://www.ndt.net/article/wcndt00/papers/idn291/idn291.htm

KEYWORDS: magnetometer; fluxgate; magnetic; MAD; oriented; UAV


N172-117 TITLE: Mishap Awareness Scenarios and Training for Operational Readiness Responses

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Air Platform, Human Systems

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-205 Naval Aviation Training Systems

OBJECTIVE: Develop a customizable software program that provides outputs to result in a suite of training tools and technologies that supports recreation of aviation mishap events to convey lessons learned and improve safety training through classroom based videos and interactive, immersive visualization techniques.

DESCRIPTION: Spatial disorientation (SD) and situational awareness (SA) are significant contributing factors to the majority of aviation mishap events. The Navy spends millions of dollars on safety training every year to educate aviation personnel of the warning signs to SD and loss of SA, but the training lacks customizable visualizations of actual SD and SA events. Currently, the aviation survival training community has requirements to provide sensory

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physiology/situation awareness training. This requirement outlines the need to present the effects of the flight environment on the human body’s sensor systems. Specifically, the stressors that affect sensory adaptation (acceleration, darkness, lack of visual cues, visual illusions, etc.) are covered. Disorientation, misorientation, temporal distortion, motion sickness caused by flight, and situational awareness are also discussed. Currently, the training includes classroom based instruction that leverages videos, with potential laboratory evolutions to demonstrate visual and vestibular phenomena; however, these materials are not easily updated as new platforms or situations occur, and the range of opportunities for students to experience the mishap is limited.

Advances in virtual reality and computer graphics make it possible to create a software program that allows the user to set a scenario based off of mishap data to recreate a SD and/or SA event for training leveraging a range of media (e.g., classroom briefings, videos for computer based training, game-based training solutions, virtual/augmented reality). The Navy seeks a single scenario development technology that provides inputs to develop a range of training opportunities that are consistent and require minimal investment by the program to continue to expand mishap training scenarios. This system should allow for the development of new scenarios, as well as provide an ability to modify previously created scenarios within the tool through a simplified user interface (i.e., no computer programming required). These simulated events would give personnel a better understanding of the warning signs of SD and loss of SA and provide more impactful training.

PHASE I: Design and develop a software program that allows the user to input specific scenario criteria to recreate actual mishap events. Using sample mishap data (e.g., FAA Accident & Incident Data, [Ref 4]) demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed system supporting user creation of multiple pre-programmed scenarios. Additional tasks include conducting an Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) to identify best practice method for training delivery (virtual reality, simulator, display screen, etc.) and development of design recommendations for a suite of training technologies for SD/SA training.

PHASE II: Further develop and demonstrate a customizable mishap software program across multiple delivery platforms (e.g., classroom briefing material, computer based training modules, game-based training, virtual and/or augmented reality). Document the usability of the scenario development aspect of the training software. Conduct a training effectiveness evaluation of the technology suite and existing state-of-the-practice SD/SA training (i.e., classroom-based power-point briefings). Risk Management Framework guidelines should be considered and adhered to during the development to support information assurance compliance (Risk Management Framework [Refs 5 & 6]).

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Extend the baseline functionality to meet robust mishap recreation scenarios across aviation platforms and environmental factors. Implement Risk Management Framework guidelines to support information assurance compliance, including updates to support installation on stand alone or Navy Marine Corps Intranet systems (i.e., Risk Management Framework, [Refs 5 & 6]). Detailed evaluation of the training effectiveness of the various training medias and provide return on investment information for program acquisition. Coordinate with partners or customers of commercial applications of the software suite solution developed.

Successful outcome of an easy to use scenario development technology that would allow users to input parameters into a single system to output a variety of training solutions has applicability across aviation training where low cost solutions are being leveraged. Further, the technology could potentially be extended to support more advanced training solutions, although additional resources would be required due to the complexity of these systems. Further, aviation mishaps are not confined to the military domain; commercial vendors and organizations offering student pilot training solutions would also have potential interest in such a technology.

REFERENCES:1. FAA review of Spatial Disorientation: http://www.faa.gov/pilots/safety/pilotsafetybrochures/media/spatiald.pdf

2. Spatial Disorientation Training - Demonstration and Avoidance: https://www.sto.nato.int/publications/STO%20Technical%20Reports/RTO-TR-HFM-118/$$TR-HFM-118-ALL.pdf

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3. Spatial Disorientation: Decades of Pilot Fatalities - http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/asma/asem/2011/00000082/00000007/art00008

4. FAA Accident & Incident Data: https://www.faa.gov/data_research/accident_incident/

5. Risk Management Framework (RMF) for DoD Information Technology (IT)F: http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/851001_2014.pdf

6. Risk Management Framework: https://rmf.org/

KEYWORDS: situational awareness (SA); spatial disorientation (SD); virtual reality; mishap recreation; augmented reality; classroom training


N172-118 TITLE: Laser Target and Analysis Board Development


ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA272 Tactical Aircraft Protection Systems

OBJECTIVE: Develop a laser target board designed to measure the incident power and beam shape of laser energy in an outdoor, and potentially austere, environment at range.

DESCRIPTION: Develop a laser target board designed to measure the incident power and beam shape of laser energy in an outdoor, and potentially austere, environment at range. With many airborne laser systems now being produced and fielded such as Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) and DoN LAIRCM, etc. [Ref 1], the need for low-cost, near real-time evaluation of the system parameters is rapidly becoming prevalent. There currently exist few (if any) rapidly self-sustained and deployable laser receiver target boards that merge the measurement of divergence, power, and pointing accuracy. This combination of ground-based sensor evaluation techniques is needed for use in austere environments.

Currently, developmental lasers have been made in the laboratory and extrapolated; when tested in the field they were adjudged as either PASS or FAIL. Future laser testing requires the ability to test the laser on a relevant platform (i.e. helicopter) and in a relevant environment and with the ability to collect data on the target at range (> 1 km). With the advent of several lasers and different roles in the battlefield, a generic solution to explore as broad a range of laser types as possible, is desired. This system should be designed to handle as wide a range of laser parameters to capture data from multiple systems, and not specifically designed for use with only one particular laser system. System designs able to capture data across many different laser systems are needed for use with this ever-expanding collection of fielded and developmental lasers.

The developed solution should be portable and capable of being transported in a standard road capable wheeled-chassis for use in austere remote field-test (non-laboratory) environments. The equipment should be supported by 120-volt AC current from either a fixed prepared site or from a portable power unit. The proposed design should be able to measure ultraviolet, (UV), visible, shortwave infrared (SWIR), and midwave-infrared (MWIR) laser beam characteristics, recording the data for immediate visual replay, as well as replay for complete analysis at a later time. The testing and training exercises should be cooperative, with the pilots actively involved in the data collection. It is anticipated that the laser specifications being measured may vary from test to test, so the equipment developed under this SBIR must be flexible in its data collection capabilities and methods.

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The laser measurement equipment must collect Direct Measurement of the laser beam at relevant ranges (1-10 km) in the field, to include:-Wavebands to include the following values: (UV: 350-450 um/Vis: 450-800um/NIR: 1064 um & 1550um/Mid IR: 3.5-6.0 um)-Pulse Repetition Interval (PRI)-Duty Cycle-Continuous Wave (CW) / Quasi CW-Pulse Width (PW) / Rise and Fall Time (10-90% of total energy)-Pulse Shape (Gaussian or Top Hat/Flat Top)-Beam shape ellipticity (circular, elliptical, squished)-Beam Diameter (Width at which the beam intensity has fallen to 1/e2 (13.5%) of its peak value)-Far Field Irradiance (Watts/sr)-Radiant Intensity on Target (RIOT) (Micro Watts) (Power)-Beam Brightness (Power Density)-Power on Target / Power in the Bucket - Lowest power should be measured in micro-Watts (Sensitivity requirement)-K-Factor - The K Factor expresses beam focusability in terms of a Fundamental TEM00 beam, K = (Lambda/Pi)(4/Db*Theta), where Db = diameter of incident beam; Theta = full beam divergence. For a Fundamental TEM00 beam K=1; K is < 1 for higher beam modes, the closer to 1, the higher the beam quality.

In more controlled (laboratory and flight line) settings, the attributes of the laser measurement equipment during measurement of the laser beam at a closer range, e.g. 100 – 200 meters, to include:-Exitance (Power per unit area leaving a surface)-Beam Pointing Accuracy / Angle of Error-Beam Divergence-Beam Width - defined by 1/e position.-Beam shape ellipticity (circular, elliptical, squished)-Spatial Resolution of 1/10 of beam width will be more than adequate. Other errors will be larger (1 centimeter).-Beam profile (Spatial Intensity Distribution) beam spatial profile is similar at different wavelengths. The expected beam profile can be assumed to be top-hat, nearly uniform out to some radius.-Beam Diameter (Width at which the beam intensity has fallen to 1/e2 (13.5%) of its peak value)-Bias-Jitter-Degree of Polarization (circular, linear)-Temporal Resolution / Beam Stability Desired time resolution is a two-part answer. The first answer deals with pointing error. Here, we would like better than 100 Hz with an objective of double or 200.-Modulation Transfer Function (MTF)-Hot Spots-Scintillation

Include proposed arrangement and spacing of detectors, type of detectors, the ability to arrange the detectors into different array shapes and sizes, tracking cameras, or any other proposed sensors required; and the equipment required for transmitting data to be analyzed on-site, analysis equipment, and how the data is to be stored for post analysis.

The testing should be performed with operational and developmental lasers from static positions and installed in fielded platforms to collect laser data from in-situ systems in real-world conditions. The completed technology should be easily set up, and able to be relocated to other test sites in less than two hours.

PHASE I: Develop the design, architecture and composition of the proposed laser target and any associated support equipment required for the proposed solution. Develop an associated support equipment list in parallel with the actual measurement devices. Define concept of the test equipment and how it will be used in a semi-rugged field test environment. Identify any possible commercial-off-the-shelf equipment that may be partially used to complete overall tasking. Theoretical models used to illustrate and support feasibility should be directly relevant to the key

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technological issues of the proposed concept.

PHASE II: Further refine the concept design and incorporate all requirements from the Description. Execute the prototype system fabrication, construction, and integration activities that lead to the completion of a laser target measurement prototype system. Test subsystems in laboratory environment, working towards eventual combination into single combined system. Demonstrate the prototype laser target board system components in a laboratory environment initially to prove capability, and then test the final integrated system in a field environment.

In addition to producing a deliverable hardware prototype, a final technical data package that includes design drawings and descriptions, subsystem and component specifications, interface descriptions and definitions, and operating instructions for the prototype should be produced and delivered.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Demonstrate and deliver a complete system to collect the relevant laser evaluation data in a remote, austere test environment. Develop training and operations manuals for end-users.

Compact portable laser test functionality will have commercial applications to industries that use calibrated outdoor lasers for measurements and other areas of job performance. A successful portable target board system could be used by several non-military industries, including surveying or ecological/pollution monitoring, as a tool.

REFERENCES:1. Naval Air Systems Command Aircraft and Weapons. Department of the Navy Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures. http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.display&key=317620AA-C1D9-4EEB-805C-AB8FC2378B05

2. Pratik Shukla, Jonathan Lawrence, Yu Zhang; Understanding Laser Beam Brightness, Optics and Laser Technology 75 (2015) 40-51 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.optlastec.2015.06.003)

3. William L. Wolfe, Introduction to Radiometry, Tutorial Texts in Optical Engineering, Volume TT29, SPIE Optical Engineering Press, 1998

4. George W. Godfrey, Fundamentals of Light, Color and Photometry for Aerospace Vehicles, Aerospace Lighting Institute, Revised 1991 Third Edition

KEYWORDS: wavelength; infrared; laser target board; radiometer; laser diagnostics; beam control


N172-119 TITLE: Advanced Radio Frequency Link Analysis Tool

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Air Platform, Ground/Sea Vehicles

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-265 F/A-18 Hornet/Super Hornet

OBJECTIVE: Develop a radio frequency (RF) link analysis tool, which interfaces with commercially available antenna modeling software, capable of providing comprehensive electromagnetic propagation effects and a three-dimensional availability analysis necessary for evaluating RF system performance.

DESCRIPTION: Successful mission performance requires the ability to maintain connectivity of the various digital RF links aboard Navy platforms. These links support the functions of command and control, and communication, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). The performance of RF links is dependent upon the receiver and the transmitter (RT) characteristics, the propagation effects and the in-situ antenna (antenna onboard the

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platform) performance. RF link performance requirements are defined in terms of range and availability, which are evaluated through RF link analysis.

High fidelity RF link analysis requires in-situ antenna radiation patterns be utilized, which are most effectively determined with computational electromagnetic (CEM) antenna modeling. Electromagnetic propagation effects must be comprehensive including the effects of the atmosphere and terrain. Finally, high fidelity RF link analysis must include a three-dimensional spatial link availability analysis allowing for platforms to be at any position within a volume at any orientation (pitch, roll or yaw).

There are existing software tools and packages available to assist in analyzing RF link performance, but they lack the capabilities listed above. These tools are as simple as an excel spreadsheet or are included in very comprehensive packages costing tens of thousands of dollars with yearly licensing fees (e.g., AGI System Tool Kit). Other tools are available to the government but with limited capabilities (e.g., LinkBudget 5.4). All of these tools are inadequate to fully and accurately model RF link performance. There is a need for an advanced RF link analysis tool that interfaces with commercially available antenna modeling software providing comprehensive electromagnetic propagation effects and a three-dimensional availability analysis capability.

The developed tool must have the following capabilities:

1. Ability to import simulated antenna patterns in American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) format from commercially available CEM modeling codes such as WIPL-D, SAVANT, FEKO. For Phase I, only import from WIPL-D will be required, the other formats will be provided after the award of Phase I Option. The WIPL-D format, which has elevation or azimuth, is provided at the end of this section for 2-D and 3-D antenna patterns. 2. Comprehensive RF propagation effects from very high frequency (VHF) to microwave bands simultaneously included as enabled by the user* Approach to properly account for multipath fades due to reflection from the earth’s surface (land and water) based upon geometry of nodes* Ability to incorporate Digital Terrain Elevation Data (DTED) files* Applicable to all types of propagation path configurations including satellite communication (SATCOM) and line-of sight (LOS) for ground, surface and airborne platforms* Include atmospheric effects such as refractions, absorption and scattering in atmospheric gases and hydrometeors* Link availability based on combined statics of fast and slow fades* Include models of noise, distortion, and interference that are significant for a particular frequency band* Account for diversity reception

3. Advanced analysis capabilities* Calculate 3-D spatial link availability analysis which is the percentage of a volumetric region (as defined by the user) where the link threshold is met or exceeded. This must include platforms at any heading and pitch/roll, user defined analysis region including a range of altitudes and distances between platforms and predict satellite coverage displayed as an overlay on earth surface for a specific altitude* Ability to read position and attitude files for flight scenario and calculate link availability

4. This tool must include the basic link analysis capabilities such as:* Requirements for analog and digital modulations including spread-spectrum modulation* Standard error coding and code interleaving modeling* Calculations for antenna noise temperature, cascaded noise figure and propagation factor

WIPL-D 2-D pattern format:Line 1: Angle1(°)_Gain(dBi)Line 2: Angle2(°)_Gain(dBi)WIPL-D 3-D pattern formatLine 1: phi angle 1(°)_theta angle 1(°)_Gain(dBi)Line 2: phi angle 1(°)_theta angle 2(°)_Gain(dBi)

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Line n: phi angle 1(°)_theta angle n(°)_Gain(dBi)Line n+1: phi angle 2(°)_theta angle 1(°)_Gain(dBi)

PHASE I: Design and develop an advanced RF link analysis tool as described above. Demonstrate feasibility and provide a detail description of the electromagnetic propagation algorithms along with references and theoretical analyses as required. Define and develop an approach for the 3-D spatial availability analysis addressing multipath reflection and use of DTED data. Develop preliminary layout for graphical user interfaces (GUIs) showing the input and output interfaces and controls. Develop a Phase II implementation plan.

PHASE II: Continue the software development with an optimized computation algorithm. Verify the capability to import CEM antenna models. Demonstrate the performance of combined electromagnetics (EM) propagation effects and 3-D availability analysis.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Refine the methodologies and the tools developed in Phase II, perform testing and complete any resulting upgrade. Produce a finalized tool that can be transitioned to the fleet and commercialized to private industry.

As with military platforms, there is a need to perform RF link analysis for commercial airborne and surface platforms. An advanced tool as defined above will have many commercial applications including the automotive and aerospace industries as new RF links are integrated such as cellular and satellites communications as well as satellite navigation.

REFERENCES:1. Levis, C.A., et al. Radiowave Propagation: Physics and Application. Wiley, 2010

2. Saakian, A.S. Radio Wave Propagation Fundamentals. Artech House, 2011

KEYWORDS: RF communications; RF link analysis; RF link budget analysis, modeling; antenna; electromagnetic propagation; multipath, RF propagation


N172-120 TITLE: Mitigation of Helmet Vibration

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Air Platform, Biomedical, Human Systems

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-231 E-2/C-2 Airborne Tactical Data System

OBJECTIVE: Perform experimentally validated Finite Element Analysis (FEA) on the E-2D flight helmet (HGU-68/P) and develop an optimized solution to mitigate helmet vibration experienced during flight, potentially induced by the blade-pass frequency of the engines.

DESCRIPTION: Since the introduction of the E-2D aircraft into the fleet, pilots have returned from flights complaining about the noise in the cockpit and the vibration of the helmet on their heads. This has led to higher workload during flights, missed radio communications and excessive fatigue post flight. While no directly related mishaps have occurred to date, these problems have yielded multiple hazard reports from fleet squadrons and there is documented hearing loss following missions greater than three hours in the aircraft.

In an effort to mitigate the problem, a new earcup was tried. However, when subjected to noise appropriate to an E-2D cockpit, it was found that not only was the new earcup ineffective at low frequency, but the helmet was actually performing worse than if no helmet was being worn at all. This has led to speculation that there may be a resonance

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or an amplification in the range of frequencies that coincides with the engine’s blade-pass frequency, explaining the complaints received from pilots on vibration and fatigue.

Under this hypothesis, laboratory testing has been conducted on the HGU-68/P helmet, including limited experimental modal analysis and vibro-acoustic testing. These tests were performed on a G.R.A.S. 45CB Acoustic Test Fixture (ATF) (G.R.A.S. Sound & Vibration A/S, Holte, Denmark) to simulate the boundary conditions of the human head. Vibrations were measured using three triaxial accelerometers; one placed at the rear, and one each placed on the left and right sides of the helmet. Initially, modal analysis was conducted by hammer impact tests on baseline HGU-68/P helmet configurations. For the HGU-68/P, resonances were found lower than the Blade-Pass Frequency (BPF) (160 Hz third octave band), but amplifications were found in the BPF range of the E-2D aircraft. For vibro-acoustic testing, helmet vibration and at-ear sound levels of the helmets, subjected to 114 dB in-flight E-2D noise, was measured in a reverberation chamber. Baseline HGU-68/P, and modified HGU-68/P helmet configurations were tested. The HGU-68/P helmet modifications included various concepts of stiffening and damping actions. Vibro-acoustic test results proved that modifications to the HGU-68/P helmet can significantly reduce helmet shell vibrations.

The head/helmet vibration solution should utilize experimentally validated FEA and multi-objective design optimization. High-fidelity three-dimensional Finite Element (FE) models should be created for the HGU-68/P helmets in an E-2D flight configuration, which will be provided to the company. Simulations should consist of 1) modal analysis and 2) in-flight loading conditions. Modal analysis should be conducted on all three sizes of the HGU-68/P helmet and be experimentally validated by hammer impact tests or shaker tests. The boundary conditions used for the modal analysis simulations should be representative of 1) the helmet alone and 2) the helmet as being worn by a pilot or on a headform. Conduct simulations using the acoustic and shock loading conditions representative of an E-2D aircraft in-flight. These in-flight simulations should be experimentally validated under the same loading conditions and by measuring vibration using accelerometers mounted on the helmet shell. High-fidelity FE models for 1) all three sizes of the HGU-68/P helmet, 2) a helmeted-headform and/or a helmeted human head model should be utilized for these in-flight simulations. Solutions to mitigate helmet vibration are sought and multi-objective design optimization should be performed on these solutions.

It is not required, but highly recommended, that performers interact with the helmet manufacturer.

PHASE I: Perform modeling and simulation of the HGU-68/P helmet in an E-2D flight configuration. All Phase I performers will be provided with a helmet in the baseline HGU-68/P configuration. High-fidelity three-dimensional FE models should be created and the materials models should accurately represent the strain-rate dependent material responses to loading. An in-depth modal analysis and in-flight simulations should be conducted on these models. Determine if there really is a resonance effect or amplification in the frequencies that dominate the noise and vibration spectrum in the cockpit.

Based on the simulation results, develop solutions to mitigate helmet vibration. Propose material solutions to the helmet as both retrofit and production changes. Provide an analysis on the proposed solutions.

PHASE II: Perform multi-objective design optimization of the proposed solutions to minimize helmet vibration and weight. Generate three prototypes and perform further experimental modal analysis and vibro-acoustic testing to demonstrate improvement by showing minimized helmet vibration in the specified noise field. Once improvement is demonstrated, provide additional hardware that can be installed into flight test assets for an in-flight assessment. Provide results and Computer-Aided Design (CAD) models of the optimized solution.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Assist in commercial development of the optimized solution and transitioning the technology to the fleet. Provide the Navy with all Finite Element models, material models, constraints, boundary conditions, loads, and any other information needed to reproduce FE simulations.

Successful technology development could benefit the private sector in the arenas of military, commercial, and sport helmets and protective equipment. This technology may also aid in the development of injury predictors and the human body’s tolerance to vibration and noise.

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REFERENCES:1. Holt, N., Walker, I., Carley, M. (2011). Motorcycle helmets and the frequency dependence of temporary hearing threshold shift, Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics, 2011.12, DOI: 10.1121/1.3602104.

2. Gentex Corporation. Gentex HGU-68/P Fixed Wing Aircrew Helmet System. 2016; Available from: http://www.gentexcorp.com/findaircrewcommunications/fixed-wing/gentex-hgu-68-p-fixed-wing-aircrew-helmet-system

3. Tinard, V., Deck, C. & Willinger, R. (2012). New methodology for improvement of helmet performances during impacts with regards to biomechanical criteria. Materials & Design, 2012. 37: p. 79-88, ISSN 0261-3069, DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2011.12.005

4. Willinger, R., Baumgartner, D., & Guimberteau, T. (2000). DYNAMIC CHARACTERIZATION OF MOTORCYCLE HELMETS: MODELLING AND COUPLING WITH THE HUMAN HEAD. Journal of Sound and Vibration, 2000. 235(4): p. 611-625, ISSN 0022-460X, DOI: 10.1006/jsvi.1999.293

5. Tinard, V., Deck, C., Bourdet, N., Willinger, R. (2011). Motorcyclist helmet composite outer shell characterization and modelling, Materials & Design, 2011. 32 (5., p. 3112-3119, ISSN 0261-3069, DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2010.12.019

6. (Removed on 5/16/17.)

KEYWORDS: resonance effect; modal analysis; noise attenuation; helmet vibration; finite element analysis; design optimization


N172-121 TITLE: Epoxyless Connectors for Optical Fiber


ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Joint Strike Fighter (JSF)

OBJECTIVE: Develop an innovative method for terminating optical fiber with an epoxyless connector.

DESCRIPTION: Optical fiber connections are common in any optical system employing optical fiber cables. These connections allow predetermined connector types to be plugged in and out as needed while maintaining a reliable connection and alignment of the fibers they house. Current methods involving terminating optical fiber use epoxy to hold the ferrule in place around the fiber. Dependent on the tolerance on the fiber diameter and connector housing hole diameter some of this adhesive can be seen in a polished connector facet between the fiber and its housing. Applications needing high power level coupling into the fiber connections might find issue with this visible adhesive area, as if light is focused on the epoxy region during alignment the adhesive could be damaged compromising the stability and reliability of the fiber connection. The adhesive can also be damaged to a point where particles may deposit on the fiber facet causing it to absorb energy from the injected light, heat up and causing catastrophic damage to the fiber facet. Several solutions to this problem have been developed for commonly used silica fibers that rely on a mechanical or physical contact as part of the housing and the fiber to secure the fiber position. These solutions are not optimized for soft glass fibers, used for Mid-Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) wavelength transmission (2-5 micron), due to the fragile nature of these fibers. Other solutions still rely on adhesive for securing the fiber but it is located away from the fiber facet. This approach while decreasing the likelihood of the damage issue occurring does not mitigate it completely. A fiber optic connector free of any adhesive or with

NAVY-45

adhesive located in a position where the above issues are of no concern is desired. The fiber connector should be compatible with anti-reflection (AR) techniques under high power MWIR laser (10W) and should handle harsh environment typical of military applications as described in MIL-STD-810G.

The telecommunications industry has evolved to epoxyless ferrule connectors for their silica optical fiber with great success. As mid-infrared lasers go up in power from single digit power levels to 10s, and possible 100 Watts, we need epoxyless connectors to go with high damage threshold fiber. The application in this instance is for mid-infrared lasers, 2 – 6 micron. The optical fibers best suited for mid-infrared transmission include Chalcogenides, Indium Fluoride (ZBLAN) and Tellurite. These fibers all have lower softening temperatures and hardness, and higher thermal expansion coefficients than silica fibers. The properties of mid-infrared fiber dictate an innovative approach to developing an epoxyless ferrule connector.

Power handling capabilities of the fiber connector should accommodate tens of watts of power, up to 100 watts of either continuous wave (CW) or modulated power either by free space air or fiber coupled input to the former with an efficiency of 80-90% into the output beam. Respondents should describe how they can handle power levels of 10 GWatts/cm2 on the insertion end of the fiber.

The laser source can be of multiple varieties, including fiber, Quantum Cascade, Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL), etc. The laser source will be linearly polarized, linewidth can be <.001 microns and M^2 near diffraction limited at the input to the fiber.

The respondent should use Aerospace Standard AS6021 as a guide and discuss the capability of their connectors to handle mate-demate cycles, operating environment specifications (thermal shock, mechanical shock, vibration, temperature, humidity), end face geometry (flat, physical contact, angled), visual inspection criteria (scratches, pits), insertion loss and return loss, etc.

PHASE I: Develop the design, architecture and composition of the proposed epoxy free ferrule connector. Demonstrate feasibility through experimental test results from mid-Infrared (IR) fiber samples obtained from fiber suppliers, theoretical models, or initial laboratory demonstrations of key technological elements. Theoretical models used to illustrate and support feasibility should be directly relevant to the key technological issues of the proposed concept. The proposed conceptual design should show how the proposers will produce a prototype epoxyless connector that accepts continuous-wave or pulsed MWIR laser source at power levels greater than or equal to 100 Watts. Notional system, subsystem, and component functional and technical specifications should be identified and any critical interface requirements between the subsystems should also be defined and explained.

PHASE II: Develop a prototype from the proposed design in Phase I and demonstrate that it is compact and robust in adverse environments. Provide a test plan demonstrating how to test the power handling capability of this connector. This test plan should also provide test conditions for repeated mating of this connector to a high power (10s of Watts) source radiation and measurement of through put power. The test plan should also outline the procedures used to test environmental test condition specified in MIL-STD-810G. Additionally, provide a plan on how to implement technology in volume.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Perform final testing and implement epoxyless connectors into production. Demonstrate the manufacturability of the epoxyless mid-IR fiber connectors. Provide a comprehensive report detailing findings in Phase II for repeatability of the product in environmental conditions specified in MIL-STD-810G. This final report should provide rationale for the suitability of this technology for various platforms.

This technology would allow the coupling of higher optical power density into MWIR fiber for medical application, such as hard tissue ablation, and industrial application such as cutting or welding. Also, this technology would increase the safety of transporting high optical power density to intended location without posing a risk to operators around this radiation.

REFERENCES:1. MIL-PRF-64266B, Performance Specification: Connectors, Fiber Optic, Circular, Plug and Receptacle Style, Multiple Removable Genderless Termini, Environment Resisting, General Specification for. Department of Defense.

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25 November 2008. Retrieved from http://everyspec.com/MIL-PRF/MIL-PRF-030000-79999/MIL-PRF-64266_37947/

2. MIL-PRF-29504B, Performance Specification: Termini, Fiber Optic Connector, Removable, General Specification for. 12 Nov 2002. Retrieved from http://everyspec.com/MIL-PRF/MIL-PRF-010000-29999/MIL-PRF-29504B_20351/

3. AS6021, Aerospace Fiber Optic Cable Assembly Drawing Specification, Issued 2014-01. Retrieved from http://standards.sae.org/as6021/

KEYWORDS: epoxy; epoxyless; MWIR connectors; MWIR optical fiber; optical fiber termination; optical fiber cable assembly


N172-122 TITLE: Reliable Target Area of Uncertainty from an Underwater Acoustic Source(s)

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Air Platform, Electronics



OBJECTIVE: Develop a robust algorithm that produces a reliable, more precise and more accurate Area of Uncertainty (AOU) for a target location generated from a multi-static active sonar field of drifting source and receiver sonobuoys.

DESCRIPTION: The Navy’s Multi-Static Active Coherent (MAC) system is a multi-static sonar system deployed in the ocean from an aircraft [1] used for wide area search. Surface-drifting buoys are dropped at pre-determined locations and then drift with the currents. Sources are commanded to ping from an aircraft. The drifting receivers relay acoustic and auxiliary data to the aircraft for analysis of possible target detections. Once detected, the next phases of the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) kill chain are to localize, classify and then attack. The Navy seeks to compress the ASW kill chain by localizing and classifying from the originally deployed search sensors. In order to do this, the Navy needs a robust algorithm that yields an AOU that would allow for a successful kill from an air-deployed weapon. The inputs for the proposed algorithm are: 1) estimates of the initial buoy locations, 2) estimates of the speed of sound in water, 3) estimates of current velocities, and 4) the acoustic signals. The acoustic location problem involves solving a set of equations where range, as determined from the time-difference-of-arrival (TDOA), and bearing are known. Other simplifying assumptions can yield unreliable AOUs [2]. The equations for location may involve many variables because there are twenty to forty buoys and only a few target detections. Relevant errors must be addressed including uncertain sound speeds, and uncertain buoy positions and velocities. The algorithm cannot rely on Global Positioning System (GPS) or other navigational data. Because point solutions rarely coincide with actual locations, the algorithm will yield AOUs. AOUs should be reliable, containing the target at a confidence level of at least 50 percent.

The Navy has a requirement to conduct searches in deep-water (non-littoral) environments where two-way

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propagation paths are on the order of convergence zone (CZ) ranges each way. The AOU algorithm must be able to work reliably at these longer ranges and with sensor locations that are not ideal. For example, a collinear pattern of buoys may yield larger AOUs than a non-collinear pattern. The algorithm must be able to output AOUs in real-time. The associated probability of target detection should not be based on proposed patterns. The offeror is not expected to estimate the probability of detection; this information will be provided by the Navy. Buoy patterns are limited by an upper limit of numbers of buoys to be used throughout a mission, which will be provided by the Navy during Phase I. The ultimate goal of the algorithm’s approach is to use acoustic data to self-locate buoys more precisely thus yielding smaller AOUs for targets.


PHASE I: Determine the feasibility of an algorithm to yield reliable and small target AOUs. Current AOU parameters will be provided by the Navy during Phase I. Simulate the target AOU for realistic errors and various buoy patterns. Estimate computer resources needed for estimating AOUs in real-time.

PHASE II: Develop a prototype algorithm to generate AOUs from real MAC data. Demonstrate the AOUs are reliable by comparison with independent location measurements of buoys and targets. MAC data will be provided by the Navy. Use the algorithm to modify standard buoy patterns yielding smaller AOUs. Analysis of data from one or more MAC missions may be required.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Integrate the algorithm into the mission planning system, such as Tactical Open Mission Software (TOMS) or MINOTAUR, final integration plan to be provided during Phase III kick-off. Use the algorithm to generate buoy patterns yielding small AOUs. The algorithm may be integrated into the aircraft for generating AOUs of buoys and targets in real-time. Pursue commercial applications such as seismic and oil exploration concepts.

The developed technology has the potential to be useful for any system that can benefit from more accurate receiver and transmitter localization; benefiting industries may include seismic and oil exploration.

REFERENCES:1. Naval Air Systems Command Aircraft and Weapons, ASW Sensors. http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.display&key=C8AEF3CE-30B0-4C3D-829C-50FEF3A301F3

2. Ralph O. Schmidt, A New Approach to Geometry of Range Difference Location, IEEE Transactions on Aerospace and Electronic Systems, Vol. 8, No. 6, Nov 1972, p. 821-835

3. Buoy Operating Life Table (Uploaded in SITIS on 4/27/17)

KEYWORDS: sonobuoy; position; confidence interval; target location; nonlinear optimization; multi-static sonar


N172-123 TITLE: Wave Characterization from Improved Navy Lighterage System (INLS) Warping Tug Motions

NAVY-48

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Ground/Sea Vehicles, Sensors

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Improved Navy Lighterage System (INLS)

OBJECTIVE: Develop a shipboard system for the Improved Navy Lighterage System (INLS) Warping Tug to determine wave characteristics (significant wave height, period and direction) in near-real time using Warping Tug motions as input.

DESCRIPTION: Ship-to-shore cargo transfer operations supported by the INLS causeway ferry and Roll-On/Roll-Off Discharge Facility (RRDF) are dependent on local wave characteristics. Go/no-go decisions are based in part on the wave environment, and throughput planning is impacted by an assessment of the on-site conditions. Local wave characteristics have historically been estimated through largely subjective means by Navy Beach Master Units, which provides an error-prone evaluation of the local environment. This method is intrinsically dependent upon the experience and expertise of the particular individual making the evaluation. Improper evaluations frequently lead to impaired or limited operations.

A more objective method for estimating the local wave conditions is sought. The system must be capable of determining the local wave environment in near real-time, including significant wave height, the associated period, and the predominant wave direction. The ideal system would calculate these parameters using only the recorded motions from the INLS warping tug and would not require the deployment or use of other ancillary wave measuring equipment.

The system must be compatible with the existing warping tug interfaces, and require as little modification to existing infrastructure as practicable. Wave characteristics must be displayed and recorded locally on a graphical user interface. The warping tug can be expected to hold speed and heading for a limited amount of time to collect steady state data as input to the system. Appropriate INLS interface specifications and drawings shall be provided to performers as required prior to implementation of Phase II and III awards.

PHASE I: Modeling and Analysis. Demonstrate feasibility of developing algorithms and hardware to determine local wave characteristics using the recorded wave motions from the INLS warping tug. Provide estimates of the accuracy and reliability of predicted wave characteristics. Statistically relevant environmental factors that induce noise and uncertainty on the calculation should be also be identified and accounted for. Identify the limitations of the system. Also include preliminary design plans for fabrication and integration of a working instrument. Develop the basic algorithms for the conversion of warping tug motion to wave characterization and document in both mathematical and flow-chart format.

PHASE II: Laboratory/Prototype testing. Fabricate a fully functioning stand-alone wave characterization system (i.e., not integrated with existing INLS warping tug onboard systems). Conduct a laboratory scale demonstration using historical warping tug motion data (Government Furnished Information). Prototype operation and accuracy shall be demonstrated during offshore testing, to be coordinated with relevant operators in the Naval Beach Groups.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Based on the results of Phase II, manufacture a prototype system to fully integrate with the INLS warping tug. Support the Navy with testing, certify and qualify it for Navy use. Simple system operation and maintenance will also be considered in evaluating possible wider DoD implementation. A successful operational system that is also low in cost could be useful for small fishing vessels and on water police or drug enforcement activities where near real-time wave conditions would be valuable and the expense and logistics of ownership and handling of a wave buoy would not be feasible. This technology will also be applicable to monitoring wave conditions at remote sites or those where coastal monitoring systems have been damaged during a natural disaster.

REFERENCES:1. “Maritime Prepositioning Force (Seabasing Enabled),” document published August 2015 by Marine Corps Combat Development Center. Describes Warping Tug use in MPF force.

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http://www.mccdc.marines.mil/Portals/172/Docs/Seabasing/documents/MPF(SE)COE.pdf.

2. “Seabee Online: LOADEX Sharpens PHIBCB 2’s Rapid Response Skills,” Description of typical warping tug uses. http://seabeemagazine.navylive.dodlive.mil/2014/08/28/phibcb-2-bees-increase-mission-readiness-at-blount-island/"

KEYWORDS: Wave characterization; vessel motions; Lighterage; Improved Navy Lighterage; Warping Tug; sea state


N172-124 TITLE: Inflatable Multi-Platform Recovery System


ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Naval Sea Systems Command 06 – Naval Special Warfare (SEA06-NSW (PMS340))

OBJECTIVE: Develop a man-portable, rapidly deployable, inflatable tactical surface system to facilitate the high-speed surface tow of a disabled undersea vehicle (e.g. SEAL Delivery Vehicle, Shallow Water Combat Submersible) behind any small craft capable of achieving 20 knots speed over water (e.g., rigid hull inflatable boat). Note: The small craft towing vessel and inflation source (e.g. compressed air/SCUBA bottles) will be provided and are not part of the desired inflatable system.

DESCRIPTION: The desired system will be one-man-portable, rapidly deployable from a small craft, rapidly installed in the water by no more than three personnel, capable of facilitating the towing of the aforementioned platforms at a threshold speed of 10 knots and an objective speed of 20 knots in sea state zero (0) (sea state definition from U.S. Navy Dive Manual, Vol 2), and rugged enough to support operations in up to sea state three (3). The inflatable surface extraction system must be sufficiently rigid to support vehicle dimensions of 5 ft. x 5 ft. x 23 ft. and weight up to 10,000 lbs. (dry) / 18,000 lbs. (wet) underway at speed, at the sea surface while providing sufficient stability such that the submersible will remain upright and within the wake of the towing craft; be capable of conforming to the aforementioned platforms without major modification to the extraction system (i.e. dual-system capable); withstand repeated deployment, recovery, and re-folding for storage; and immersion in saltwater for up to 48 hours. The inflatable surface extraction system is envisioned to enable / facilitate the surface towing operation; potentially becoming a sled for the undersea mobility platforms; becoming a “girdle” that uses the platform’s rigidity to become a de facto hull, which may create a more hydrodynamic form; or creating a hydrofoil system that may lift the submersible out of the water to create a low-drag body.

Threshold (T) and Objective (O) System Characteristics are as follows:

System Dimensions: T: 24in. x 24in. x 36in. / O: < T (and able to pass through 30in. diameter hatch)System Weight: T: 150 lbs / O: < TTow Speed: T: 10 kts in sea state 0; 8 kts in sea state 1 / O: 20 kts in sea state 0 ; 15 kts in sea state 1Sea State: T: 1 / O: 3Submersible Dimensions: T: 5ft. x 5ft. x 23ft. / O: = TSubmersible Weight: T: 10000 lbs. (dry) / O: 18000 lbs. (wet)Time to Deploy: T: < 4 min in sea state 0 / O: < 2 min in sea state 1 (Deployment is time to remove the system from the towing craft to ready to install)Time to Install: T: < 11 min in sea state 0 / O: < 8 min in sea state 1 (Install is time to attach / fit the system to the submersible to ready to tow)Time to Tow: T: < 15 min in sea state 0 / O: < 10 min in sea state 1 (Time to tow is time from beginning deployment to beginning tow)Stability: T: Submersible remains upright and within the wake of the towing platform in sea state 0 / O: Submersible

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remains upright in sea state 3

PHASE I: The proposer will develop overall conceptual system designs that includes studies demonstrating analysis of hydrodynamic requirements for safe and stable surface towing of the undersea mobility platforms at speed in moderate seas; analysis of materials and manufacturing methods; deployment, installation, recovery, and stowage options; analysis of risk and potential payoffs of innovative technologies; and finally, a recommended design and system cost estimate. Phase I work will be leveraged to conduct engineering trades based on the expected results of the conceptual design and analysis of the above system characteristics.

PHASE II: Develop and demonstrate a prototype system in a realistic environment to include multiple storage, deployment, installation, and recovery cycles. Conduct testing in maritime environments to prove feasibility under the required operating conditions. Phase II testing may include at sea events in/near Panama City, FL with the use of the Experimental SEAL Delivery Vehicle and a standard RHIB; then move to Little Creek, VA where multiple Naval Special Warfare surface assets could be used for more rigorous at sea testing with a Fleet SEAL Delivery Vehicle or Shallow Water Combat Submersible. Initial testing would be conducted in areas with protected waters; and then potentially graduate into open ocean conditions to replicate higher sea states. Note: the government would provide the submersible and surface crafts and personnel needed for this interoperability testing.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Assist the Navy in transitioning the technology to operational use by Naval Special Warfare; support the Navy for test, validation and qualification of the system for use with the aforementioned platforms; and develop commercial variants suitable for recovery of commercial and recreational maritime platforms (e.g. Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (UUV) used in the gas-oil industry or research community; or a partially submerged pleasure craft).

REFERENCES:1. Bagnell, Daniel G. Recent Advancements of Inflatable Multi-Hull Boats Utilizing Drop-Stitch Fabric. American Society of Naval Engineers (2011). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/266166205_Recent_Advancements_in_the_Development_of_Inflatable_Multi-Hull_Boats_Utilizing_Drop-Stitch_Fabric

2. Cavallaro, Paul V. "Technology & Mechanics Overview of Air-Inflated Fabric Structures." Naval Undersea Warfare Center (2006). http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a462232.pdf

3. DiGiovanna, Lia (2013) Characterizing the Mechanical Properties of Drop Stitch Inflatable Structures. MIT Mechanical Engineering Report. http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/83708

KEYWORDS: Inflatable, Materials, Sled, Naval Special Warfare, Hydrofoil


N172-125 TITLE: Out-of-Autoclave Composite Curing Utilizing Nanostructured Heaters


ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA 262, Persistent Maritime Unmanned Aircraft Systems program office/ Triton

OBJECTIVE: To develop innovative approaches to cure and repair composite aircraft structures without utilizing an autoclave ("Out of Autoclave Composites") using nanostructured heaters.

NAVY-51

DESCRIPTION: A constraint in fabricating high quality composites parts is the need of an autoclave. There has been sustained research in developing resin systems and fabrication processes that allow composites to be cured without pressure in a vacuum bag, but still in an oven. However, these Out of Autoclave (OOA) technologies have not matured yet and autoclave cure remains the gold standard. Recent developments in nanostructured heaters (i.e., carbon nanotube based) show promise in producing temperatures as high as 500 C and can be used to produce high quality parts. Such heaters can act as envelope heaters or can be embedded at lamina interfaces with the potential of producing parts of autoclave quality, eliminating the need for an autoclave or oven. These nanostructured heaters have the potential of curing very large parts with lower energy and at reduced cost compared to autoclave or oven cure. The Navy is seeking to foster this new technology to develop energy efficient repairs as the primary target; however, this topic will be a stepping stone for OOA and out of oven cure of primary structure of future air platforms. While the primary focus of the topic is Polymer Matrix Composites with cure temperatures below 200 C the proposed technology should be able generate temperatures up to 500 C reliably and in a stable manner.

PHASE I: Define and develop a concept to use nanostructured heater to cure aerospace grade out of autoclave composites. Establish feasibility of the proposed concept of the producing panels and by coupon level testing. Deliverables include comparison of porosity, strength, and stiffness coupon-data against a conventionally cured baseline.

PHASE II: Using results from Phase I, (1) demonstrate the concept on a subcomponent level such as a fuselage or a wing panel, (2) develop processes and demonstrate the use of nanostructured heaters for repairs.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Integrate Phase II development into repair program of a Navy Air platform.

The topic has the potential of curing very large parts; it can be used to cure high temperature resins such as bismaleimide (BMI) and benzoxazine, both of which are of interest to the DoD. This technology could be used for efficiently fabricating large, high quality parts and for repairing parts with high cure temperature resin. An additional application is the fabrication of thermoplastic components as the need for high temperature in a controlled manner during fabricating thermoplastics is a gap that has to be addressed to improve quality of thermoplastic parts. This topic has the potential of addressing the gap and accelerating the use of thermoplastics in primary airframe structures.

The use of composites in civilian aerospace is as pervasive as it is in the military side. Thus, energy efficient repairs are as transitionable to the commercial sector as it is to the military sector.

REFERENCES:1. Lee, Jeonyoon, et al. Aligned Carbon Nanotube Film Enables Thermally Induced State Transformations in Layered Polymeric Materials. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 7.16 (2015): 8900-8905.

2. Jung, Daewoong, et al. "Transparent Film Heaters Using Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Sheets." Sensors and Actuators a: Physical 199.11 (2013): 176-180."

KEYWORDS: Composite Repairs; Out of Autoclave; Nano-heaters; Composite Curing; composites; composites manufacturing; out of autoclave curing


N172-126 TITLE: Lead-Salt Infrared Detectors

NAVY-52

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Materials/Processes, Sensors

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: FNT-FY16-02, Combined EO/IR Surveillance and Response System (CESARS)


OBJECTIVE: Develop infrared detectors which can operate at room temperature with detectivity greater than 1 x 10^11cm Hz^1/2/W and noise-equivalent power (NEP) less than 1 pW/Hz^1/2 with cutoff wavelengths spanning the range of 3.5 to 4.6 microns for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) Naval applications.

DESCRIPTION: The Navy has a critical need for detectors that operate in the infrared spectral region for identification of chemical warfare species and explosives. A class of detectors spanning the MWIR band is needed to allow selectivity for specific compounds. Applications including hand-held devices and detectors on small autonomous vehicles require superior SWaP properties. In the mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) radiation band, state-of-the-art detectors generally must operate below ~200K to achieve good signal-to-noise ratios. Cameras based on focal plane arrays (FPAs) require cryogenic cooling which add to the size, weight, power, and cost. Recent work in academia and industry has included room-temperature Lead Selenide (PbSe) detectors. The bandgap of PbSe results in a cut-off frequency near 4.6 um. A range of cut-off wavelengths across the MWIR band (3-5 um) is desirable for applications. In principle, most of the MWIR band could be assessed by alloying PbSe with Lead Sulfide (PbS) or Lead Telluride (PbTe). There is very little in the literature about PbSeS and PbSeTe alloys. [1] Growth and processing of high-quality ternary alloys will be required to achieve sensitive room-temperature detectors.

State-of-the-Art: The commercial state-of-the-art for room-temperature MWIR detectors is based on binary PbSe material. Devices have achieved detectivities of 4 x 10^10cm Hz^1/2/W and (NEP) of 2 pW/Hz^1/2 at a wavelength of 3.8 microns. [2,3]

PHASE I: Required Phase I deliverables will include growth of PbSeS or PbSeTe alloys, design of detectors, and a report specifying Phase II plans for device fabrication and characterization.

PHASE II: Detectors will be fabricated and tested at two or more wavelengths between 3.5 and 4.6 microns. Wavelengths will be chosen based upon results from Phase I and consultations with the Navy. Evaluation results will be used to refine the prototypes into designs that will meet Navy requirements.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Upon successful completion of Phase II, the small business will provide support in transitioning the technology for Navy use. Additional considerations including reliability and manufacturability will be examined. The small business will provide support for operational testing and validation and qualify the detectors for Navy use.

Commercial applications for this technology include sensing and imaging in the mid-wavelength infrared regime for search-and-rescue, environmental monitoring, and toxic industrial chemical detection. A key specification for many commercial applications is the improved size, weight, and power requirements enabled by the elimination of cryogenic cooling.

REFERENCES:

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1. N.K. Abbas et al., “Structure and Optical Investigations of PbSSe Alloy and Films,” J. Mat. Sci. Eng. A 3, 82-92 (2013). http://www.davidpublishing.com/davidpublishing/Upfile/3/21/2013/2013032166031453.pdf

2. B. Weng et al., “Responsivity enhancement of mid-infrared PbSe detectors using CaF2 nano-structured antireflective coatings,” Applied Physics Letters 104, 021109 (2014). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260722622_Responsivity_enhancement_of_mi

3. Hamamatsu Corporation, “Compound Semiconductor Photosensor,” http://www.tayloredge.com/reference/Electronics/Semiconductors/Compound_semiconductor.pdf"

KEYWORDS: Infrared; detectors; lead-salt; MWIR; lead selenide; photoconductor


N172-127 TITLE: Space Clock Initiative

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Sensors, Space Platforms

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: United States Naval Observatory (USNO)


OBJECTIVE: Design a clock capable of achieving a stability <10-15/sqrt(tau) with flicker floor <10-17 that is compatible with use in space.

DESCRIPTION: Precise clocks are at the core of many modern day systems, providing time and frequency references for such technologies as navigation, radar, and communication networks. Currently, most clocks receive periodic updates from the Global Positioning System (GPS) to correct accumulated timing errors, relying on their ability to pick up the weak GPS signal relayed over the GPS infrastructure. The recent proliferation of GPS countermeasures has created an interest in alternatives. The deployment of high-stability standards into GPS-denied environments could increase mission duration by reducing or eliminating the need for external synchronization. Such clocks could also serve as a trusted timing source in defense- and civilian-critical networks without exposing a corruptible entry point via the GPS receiver. Ultra-precise clocks could also improve the robustness of GPS uplinks by decentralizing and distributing time-transfer stations across the globe and, ultimately improve the robustness of the GPS constellation (references 1 and 2).

Current systems with the most demanding long-term timing requirements rely on thermal microwave atomic clocks that have a stability of 10-11/sqrt(tau), and future programs have a stability goal of 5x10-13/sqrt(tau) with a one day Allen deviation of fractional frequency approaching 10-15 (reference 3. Laboratory ultra-precise optical atomic clocks such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) strontium (Sr) and ytterbium (Yb) lattice clocks now routinely achieve fractional frequency instabilities <10-16/sqrt(tau) and systematic uncertainties approaching 10-18, making them the most precise measurement devices in existence (references 4 and 5). Despite rapid progress, a significant gap remains between clocks developed in research laboratories and those deployed in real-world environments. Metrology laboratories focus on high stability and absolute accuracy, resulting in meter-scale clocks operated by highly trained scientists. This topic seeks a start towards realizing ultra-precise clock

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performance in real-world environments, including space applications, by significantly decreasing the Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) of the core components (e.g. stable laser, optical frequency synthesizer/comb, atomic reference).

PHASE I: Design a clock capable of achieving a stability of 10-15/sqrt(tau) with flicker floor <10-17 that is compatible with use in space. Include an analysis of SWaP considerations to identify limiting SWaP factors. While space qualification is outside the scope of this effort, the architecture must be shown to have a path to space-qualification. Consider core components having a significantly decreased SWaP for use in real-world environments, and propose one component for development in Phase II. Identify partners who would be interested in integrating the Phase II component into an existing ultra-precise device (not necessarily a clock) to demonstrate the performance of the low SWaP component in a full device.

PHASE II: Fabricate and test a prototype core component (e.g. stable laser, frequency comb, atomic reference) of the Phase I design, demonstrating the device performance with the target SWaP. The Technology Readiness Level (TRL) to be reached is 5: component and/or breadboard validation in relevant environment.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Work to increase the TRL level for integration into possible real world devices. The prototype component with small SWaP, developed in Phase II, can be useful in a variety of ultra-high performance atomic devices or optical frequency control technology. Depending on the specific component chosen, such applications could include optical spectroscopy, gas sensing, fiber optic communication, Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), gyros, or gravimeters.

REFERENCES:1. N. Poli, et al., “Optical atomic clocks [recent overview],” https://arxiv.org/abs/1401.2378, 2014.

2. Andrew D. Ludlow, Martin M. Boyd, and Jun Ye, “Optical Atomic Clocks,” Review of Modern Physics, 87, 2015.

3. Air Force Research Lab, “Space Qualified Atomic Clocks,” BAA-RVKV-2016-0002.

4. N. Hinkley et al., “An Atomic Clock with 10-18 Instability,” Science, 341, 2013.

5. M. Schioppo et al, "Ultrastable optical clock with two cold-atom ensembles," Nature Photonics, 2012.

KEYWORDS: Clock; Stable laser; Frequency comb; Atomic reference; Space; GPS-denied


N172-128 TITLE: Manufacturing Process Development for High Temperature Polymer or Nanocomposite Films for Dielectric Capacitors

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Materials/Processes

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Railgun Pulsed Power System

OBJECTIVE: Develop manufacturing processes for a viable high temperature polymer or nanocomposite dielectric film that maintains a 95% or higher charge/discharge efficiency to 400 volts/micron at 125 C and energy storage capability better than biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) (at room temperature).

DESCRIPTION: Biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) is the dielectric of choice for many large capacitor systems because it can be processed into very thin films (<5 microns), is a low loss, high breakdown strength

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dielectric, and exhibits graceful failure when properly metalized. The primary weakness of the material is that the upper use temperature is about 70 C when used in high electric field applications. Above this temperature, charge mobility within the film increases, the breakdown strength decreases, and the charge/discharge efficiency decreases. Polymers generally considered to have high temperature stability such a polycarbonate, Polyether ether ketone (PEEK), Kapton, and polyetherimide, though better than BOPP, still have substantial drops in discharge efficiency when pushed to high electric fields at high temperature. New polymer and nanocomposite approaches developed in the ONR Dielectric Films program have been demonstrated to maintain good dielectric properties to >125 C, but they are thermosets or composites and have only been demonstrated in the lab (references 1, 2). Little to no work has been done to develop reasonable scale processing techniques for these approaches or to develop similar materials that are processable while still retaining high temperature performance.

PHASE I: Select or develop a polymer or nanocomposite family of materials having good dielectric properties for high temperature capacitor applications (high dielectric breakdown, low dielectric loss, high charge/discharge efficiency, and retaining strong performance to >125 C). Fully characterize properties as a function of temperature on lab prepared samples. Optimize material properties. Develop lab scale processing approaches that show viability for commercial processing. Process and fully characterize at least 5 square feet of film (10 microns thick or less, free standing, not on substrate). Submit at least 1 square foot of material to the Navy to confirm dielectric properties. Submit a plan for processing that demonstrates the full capability for the material to be processed in a commercial process. Discuss the commercial viability of fully developing this dielectric film in terms of materials costs, processing costs, market, competitive materials, and potential barriers for market entry. Refine tasking for Phase I option and prepare for Phase II product studies.

PHASE II: Scale material and develop processing capabilities on commercial or near commercial equipment. Characterize processed material. Further develop materials for use in wound film capacitors (improve film quality, investigate metallization, graceful failure, and other relevant factors). Make unpackaged wound film capacitors and submit them to the Navy for testing. Repeat development process as needed. Refine the market analysis of the commercial viability of fully developing this dielectric film in terms of materials costs, processing costs, market potential, competitive materials, and barriers for market entry and present a plan for Phase III.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Develop fully packaged capacitors for a Navy/DoD application and/or a dual use application. Submit the capacitors to DoD for testing. Potential transition pathways include the Railgun INP program and the Efficient and Power Dense Architecture and Components FNC program.

A large dual market use for a successfully developed dielectric film would potentially be in capacitors for under the hood power conversion applications in hybrid automobiles. A DoD capacitor would be a significantly different product, but both could use the high temperature dielectric film.

REFERENCES:1. Qi Li, Lei Chen, Matthew R. Gadinski, Shihai Zhang, Guangzu Zhang, Haoyu Li, Aman Haque, Long-Qing Chen, Tom Jackson, Qing Wang, “Flexible High-Temperature Dielectric Materials from Polymer Nanocomposites,” Nature, 523, 576-580 (2015).

2. Yash Thakur, Minren Lin, Shan Wu, Zhaoxi Cheng, D.-Y. Jeong, Q. M. Zhang, “Tailoring the Dipole Properties in Dielectric Polymers to Realize High Energy Density with High Breakdown Strength and Low Dielectric Loss”, Journal of Applied Physics, 117, 114104-6, (2015).

KEYWORDS: capacitor; polymer film; dielectric constant; dielectric loss; dielectric breakdown; high temperature; metalized wound film capacitor


N172-129 TITLE: Numerical Methods Combat Power and Energy Systems (CPES)

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ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMS 320, Electric Ships Office; P&E FY18 Robust Combat Power Controls (ONR 331)


OBJECTIVE: Develop innovative mathematical techniques for the characterization of total ship power and energy system performance that includes new high energy, pulse load weapon systems. Performance characterization supports early stage ship design synthesis.

DESCRIPTION: This topic seeks to develop innovative mathematical methods and fast, reliable algorithms aimed at making radical advances in computational modeling of complex Combat Power and Energy Systems (CPES) that include lasers, rail guns, and advanced sensors needed for future ship acquisitions. Navy requirements for the design of future surface combatants having CPES architectures with high-energy pulse electric loads will require new mathematical modeling strategies in system characterization and system configuration. The overall Navy objective is to model many system configurations within many ship platform studies to produce a trade space for decision makers. The complexity of modeling and analyzing these systems has high labor cost due to modeling efficiencies and high computational costs due to time-domain requirements. The object of this topic is to find new and innovative mathematical methods to characterize these new CPES systems and components as surrogates to be used during the early stages of ship design where trade-space decisions are made. These numerical methods are needed at different levels of abstraction from the total ship operational context down to the individual component behavior. Statistical emulators are needed to quantify operational mission loads as boundary conditions for CPES system and platform assessments and new methodologies are needed for component and system performance characterization to be use within surrogate behavior models. Normally parameterized, closed-form surrogate models cannot be directly used for non-linear analysis involving time domain simulations. Because this topic is focused on affecting the early stages of design, it may suffice to create surrogate behavior models that are sufficient using a quasi-static (state) approach. Different surrogate approximation methods exist today. Their merits and applicability vary depending on the behavior needing emulation. Examples of compact surrogate include, but are not limited to, Kriging models, Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), multivariate Non-uniform Rational B-splines (NURBS), and Support Vector Machines (SVM). The challenge of this topic is not limited to the characterization of individual component behaviors. It includes numerical methods for characterizing the behavior of subsystems and component-component interactions as well. For this topic, it can be assumed that components within these system architectures are networked in a computational ontology. Components can participate in multiple domain ontologies (i.e. thermal, electrical), have many relationships including spatial (i.e. zone, compartment), and participate in one or more upper boundary ontologies (i.e. mission effectiveness). The upper boundary ontology could be characterized by statistical emulation. It can be assumed that system components are characterized by static and quasi-static properties and state dependent surrogate behaviors. They can represent a single physical component (i.e. Battery), an assembly of components acting as a single entity (i.e. gas turbine generator set, energy magazine), or an aggregation of components (lumped elements) of common type but unknown physical or connectivity characterization (i.e. hotel loads, firemain loads). The interfacing of different numerical methods for different connected components is an area of needed research. These methods should include scaling parameters for components having different size or capacity.

PHASE I: During the Base period, the company will research, document, numerical methods for statistical emulators needed to quantify operational mission loads. Numerical methods for use by operational emulators will be based on a single notional tactical situation with time variant events and operations. These events and operations

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produce different mission load scenarios.

During the Option period, if exercised, the company will research, document, and demonstrate numerical methods for ship component and system performance characterization. The company will define, design, and document the association between numerical methods and their relationship with existing and standardized Navy surface ship ontologies. These Navy standard ontologies are formalized in the Formal Object Classification for Understanding Ships (FOCUS) which is an object ontology based on Leading Edge Architecture for Prototyping Systems (LEAPS) classes. See Reference for access to LEAPS and FOCUS (Distribution A).

The contractor shall discuss with the contracting officer’s representative (COR) a case study to work in Phase II.

PHASE II: Based on the results of the Phase I effort, develop a software prototype for evaluation. The prototype will be evaluated to determine its capability in meeting the performance goals defined in Phase II Statement of Work (SOW) and the Navy’s need for improved concept designs incorporating CPES systems. Design, develop, and deliver the prototype so that it is compatible with existing early stage ship design software products used by the Navy. Compatibility is implied as compatible with LEAPS classes and FOCUS ontology. Other relevant early stage tools that are LEAPS based include Advanced Surface and Submarine Evaluation Tool (ASSET) and Smart Ship System Design (S3D). These tools can be made available if desired but may have distribution restrictions. (Distribution D, ITAR restricted).

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Apply the knowledge gained in Phase II to develop a software Systems Module, with a software architecture that complies with Navy standards and practices (LEAPS and FOCUS) suitable for use with the Navy’s early stage design software ASSET and S3D. This software product will be developed with sufficient flexibility needed to support system design and analysis of systems containing future Navy technologies and/or commercial applications of other complex systems.

REFERENCES:1. Leading Edge Architecture for Prototyping Systems (LEAPS), Formal Object Classification for Understanding Ships (FOCUS) Ontology; Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division (contact [email protected])

2. Koziel, S. and Leifsson, L., 2013, Surrogate-Based Modeling and Optimization: Applications in Engineering, ISBN 978-1-4614-7551-4, http://www.springer.com/us/book/9781461475507

KEYWORDS: Surrogate math models, ontology, pulse load, weapon systems, power electronics, ship systems, early stage platform design.


N172-130 TITLE: Electromagnetic Shielding


ACQUISITION PROGRAM: ONR EM Railgun INP, Hypervelocity Projectile FNC, PEO IWS - Hypervelocity Gun Weapon System

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with section 5.4.c.(8) of the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to

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perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.

OBJECTIVE: Develop a multi-functional material system or component of minimal thickness to protect components from the extreme magnetic fields generated during acceleration of a launch package from an electromagnetic launcher. Adequate compressive strength (100-300 KPSI) and minimal weight and volume should be considered.

DESCRIPTION: Acceleration of a launch package from an electromagnetic launcher requires generation of high magnetic fields which creates the challenge of protecting components within the launch package from damage due to these fields. ONR seeks an innovative solution for a multi-functional material system or component in the shape of a disk that is approximately 3 to 5 inches in diameter with minimal thickness and minimal mass and that can minimize or shield elements on one side of the disk from magnetic fields existing on the other side ranging from 1 to 10 Tesla with milliseconds of duration. The proposed material should also have a compressive strength ranging from 100 to 300 KPSI. The proposed solution will balance effective magnetic field shielding with weight, strength, and volume considerations. Proposed solutions may include, but are not limited to, high magnetic permeability material systems and conductive layers to control magnetic diffusion.

PHASE I: Define and develop a concept for a multi-functional material system or component of minimal thickness to protect components from the extreme magnetic fields generated during acceleration of a launch package from an electromagnetic launcher. Adequate compressive strength and minimal weight and volume should be considered. Perform analysis to provide initial assessment of concept performance. Develop key component technological milestones. Phase I Option, if awarded, would include the initial concept design and capabilities description to fabricate sample prototype hardware in Phase II. Production of initial material samples for purposes of validating concept feasibility may also be considered as part of the Phase I option.

PHASE II: Development of intermediate and final prototype's based on Phase I work for demonstration and validation. Prototype units should be delivered to the government for performance evaluation in a relevant environment.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Integrate the Phase II developed solution into the launch packages associated with the ONR Electromagnetic (EM) Railgun Innovative Naval Prototype (INP) and Hypervelocity Projectile (HVP) Future Naval Capability (FNC) efforts for transition to the PEO IWS Hypervelocity Gun Weapons programs. The technologies developed under this topic can be applied to shielding of components in the high-power electronics industry and medical equipment, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

REFERENCES:1. Navy Railgun Program Fact Sheet http://www.onr.navy.mil/Media-Center/Fact-Sheets/Electromagnetic-Railgun.aspx

2. A. Keshtkar, A. Maghoul and A. Kalantarnia, "Magnetic Shield Effectiveness in Low Frequency", International Journal of Computer and Electrical Engineering, Vol. 3, No. 4, August 2011

KEYWORDS: magnetic; shielding; railgun; electromagnetic; launcher; advanced materials; composite; high magnetic permeability; conductive layers; magnetic diffusion; low frequency magnetic shielding


N172-131 TITLE: Resolving organizational inefficiencies through crowdsourcing

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Human Systems, Information Systems

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ACQUISITION PROGRAM: The Distributed Common Ground System-Navy (DCGS-N) Program

OBJECTIVE: Develop a computational model and a platform that can identify and resolve inefficiencies in large hierarchical organizations using crowdsourcing techniques.

DESCRIPTION: Identifying organizational inefficiencies and finding methods to resolve them has been widely examined both in theory and practice. The problem becomes especially challenging in large organizations due to their hierarchical structure and complex reporting rules. In general, this problem is addressed by organizations whose sole purpose is to solve inefficiencies of other organizations, such as various consulting firms. While these firms can bring important expertise and impartial assessment, they generally have limited access to all the relevant information and thus can only partially address the underlying problems. Most importantly, they provide a one-time solution as opposed to continuous monitoring and assessment.

An alternative way to identify organizational inefficiencies is to utilize internal resources – i.e., integrate inputs from its members. For example, if an organization is experiencing high attrition rates, it might be due to behavioral and inter- personal problems, such as poor interaction among some personnel, or lack of qualification, or lack of leadership. However, it can also be due to structural and organizational problems such as inefficient reporting rules, unreasonable targets, outdated tools and equipment, etc. In many cases, it is due to both structural and behavioral factors. Information that is relevant to addressing these factors often resides within different functional units and different organizational layers. However, how to exactly integrate such information and make optimal decisions is still not clear. Some of the challenges include: a) how to balance members’ preferences and interests with organizational interests; b) how to balance short and long-term benefits; c) how to incentivize members to participate in assessment on a continual basis; d) how to insure that members do not fear retaliation if they provide negative feedback and to guard against malicious or incompetent feedback; e) and how to preserve anonymity and open exchange of views while enforcing accountability.

Recent advances in crowdsourcing can provide some guidance. For example, it has been shown that crowdsourcing can be used not only for solving simple problems, such as those that do not require coordination, but also for solving complex problems, such as protein folding [1,2,3]. Significant advances have been made in the area of collective decision making and powerful algorithms for robust aggregation of different preferences have been developed [4]. New models for peer assessment and incentivizing participation [5] have been designed, and novel argumentation techniques have been proposed to improve crowdsourcing accuracy [6]. Taken together, these advances provide a solid starting point for developing a platform for improving organizational inefficiencies. However, many challenges still remain, namely that crowdsourcing has never been used within hierarchical structures. Hence, extending crowdsourcing methods to complex organizational structures is one of the main goals of this topic. Such methods will be implemented within a platform that will serve the role of an online interface for communication among the organizational members. The platform will integrate inputs from the members and output a solution or a ranked list of possible solutions for a specific problem that members are addressing.

PHASE I: Develop the algorithm for identifying and resolving organizational inefficiencies by integrating inputs from organization members. Determine the types of organizational structures (e.g. commercial, government, or military) for which the algorithm is appropriate. Demonstrate that the algorithm will be operational within complex and hierarchical organizations. Develop methods for peer-based assessment of: a) individual performance and b) organizational performance (e.g. teams and divisions). Propose methods for deliberation and argumentation, collaborative problem solving, and collective decision making.

During the Phase I option, if exercised, design the platform for algorithm implementation. Design experiments, and approaches that will be used for testing the platform. Identify organizations that will be used for deploying the platform; design metrics for platform evaluation and validation in Phase II.

PHASE II: Develop a prototype platform and demonstrate the operation of the platform within a real organization. Based on the effort performed in Phase I conduct experiments and demonstrate the operation of the developed algorithm(s). Perform detailed testing and evaluation of the algorithm(s). Establish performance limitations of the platform through experiments. Based on experimental results, further develop and improve the algorithms and the

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platform.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The functional algorithm(s) should be developed with performance parameters.Finalize the design from Phase II, perform relevant testing and transition the technology to appropriate Navy and commercial entities.

This technology will address the problem of identifying and resolving inefficiencies in large organizations. As such, it is expected that the technology will be transferred to all the commercial organizations that aim to improve their performance and efficiency.

REFERENCES:1. GA Khoury, A Liwo, F Khatib, H Zhou, G Chopra. “WeFold: A coopetition for protein structure prediction,” Proteins: Structure, Function, and Bioinformatics, 2014.

2. A. Woolley and C. Riedl, “Teams vs. Crowds: A Field Test of the Relative Contribution of Incentives, Member Ability, and Collaboration to Crowd-Based Problem Solving Performance” Academy of Management Discoveries, 2017. https://christophriedl.files.wor

3. J. Kim, S. Sterman, A.A.B. Cohen, and M. Bernstein, “Mechanical Novel: Crowdsourcing Complex Work through Reflection and Revision,” ACM Conference on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work and Social Computing, 2017.

4. A. Procaccia and N. Shah. “Optimal Aggregation of Uncertain Preferences,” AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence, 2016.

5. Y. Xiao, F Dorfler, and M. van der Schaar, “Incentive Design in Peer Review: Rating and Repeated Endogenous Matching,” IEEE Transactions on Network Science and Engineering, 2016.

6. R. Drapeau, L.B. Chilton, J. Bragg, D.S. Weld, “MicroTalk: Using Argumentation to Improve Crowdsourcing Accuracy”, Fourth AAAI Conference on Human Computation and Crowdsourcing, AAAI Press, 2016.

KEYWORDS: Crowdsourcing; organizational inefficiencies; hierarchical structures; collective decision making; problem solving; peer assessment and evaluation.


N172-132 TITLE: Adaptive Physical Training

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Human Systems, Information Systems

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Proposed FNC CMP-FY19-02 FitForce and High Intensity Tactical Training (HITT) Program from M&RA

OBJECTIVE: Apply adaptive training concepts to tailor physical fitness training in order to increase physical fitness and readiness.

DESCRIPTION: Advances with wearable technologies (e.g. heart rate monitors, sweat sensors, etc.) allow individuals the ability to capture a variety of measures related to physical fitness (Chambers et al., 2015; Heikenfeld, 2014). While the accuracy and reliability of these wearable techniques is a known concern (Ref. Fit bit legal), there

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is the potential for these tools to provide a greater insight into the impact of physical training. Aside from general feedback, the data captured is not fully exploited, and often requires technical expertise to understand and utilize the results.

Currently, many physical fitness programs have a one-size-fits-all approach, though the trainees' bodies and abilities can vary greatly. Training in this way is not ideal for efficiency or effectiveness, as it does not tailor requirements to the individual to ensure they get the training they actually need based on their strengths and weaknesses. Strength and conditioning programs directed by technical experts can improve physical fitness, but is manpower intensive and costly with availability restrictions, and benefits vary across individuals (Bouchard and Rankinen, 2001).

Computer-based adaptive training techniques have been used to bridge the gap between one-size-fits-all training and human tutors/teachers for training military knowledge and skills (McCarthy, 2008). Adaptive systems have been shown to be more effective and efficient when compared to traditional one-size-fits-all methods (Landsberg, Astwood, Van Buskirk, Townsend, & Steinhauser, 2012). Adaptive training has not been implemented in physical fitness programs for the military, but this approach could be applied to improve both quality and efficiency of training to ensure each warfighter is getting the training they need.

This effort aims to leverage wearable technologies and fully exploit the data captured by applying adaptive training principles to physical fitness training. Advances with wearable technologies allow individuals the ability to capture a variety of physical performance metrics to diagnose strengths and weaknesses. Although wearable technologies are rapidly emerging, substantial hurdles remain relative to their utility in injury mitigation, training optimization protocols, and health maintenance. By applying adaptive training methods to the data, we can fully exploit the data provided by wearable technologies and provide training recommendations of value to the end user. These benefits could result in large decreases to dollars spent in training and in injury treatment.

PHASE I: Develop initial prototype or mockups and conceptual model to support individual and unit adaptive physical fitness training. The initial prototype or mockups must exploit commercial wearable sensor market (i.e. existing hardware) to address software gap in actionable, tailorable, and adaptive physical training recommendations (i.e. exercise activities) and dashboards for an individual and unit – 140 people or less. The conceptual model must include: (1) explanations as to what wearable technology will be utilized and how it will be integrated into the overall system; (2) an explanation of how the methodology is novel; (3) a defined physical training approach (tasks should be similar in nature to Marine infantry tasks) and specific data that will determine adaptations to the training; (4) new adaptive techniques and approaches focused on physical training; (5) software or mockups for a recommendations system to support the micro and macros adaptations of physical training.

Required Phase I deliverables shall include a (1) Conceptual Model, (2) Functional Prototype(s), or Mockups (3) Final Report, and (4) Phase II Plan. The Final Report shall document the Conceptual Model and Prototype(s) or Mockups using evidence-based rationale, based on credible science, technology, engineering, and or math premises/paradigms, supporting the Conceptual Model and Functional Prototype(s) architecture, performance, effectiveness, and risks. The Phase II Plan shall build on the Phase I accomplishments and enumerate Key Performance Areas (KPAs) necessary to overcome risks, deficits, and/or emergent challenges to the adaptive fitness training system that were discovered as an outcome of the Phase I process as well as other low-risk propositions that may improve the original conceptual model. The capabilities of the Functional Prototype or Mockups shall be presented in a contextual proof-of-concept demonstration. Phase I Option, if awarded, shall include the processing and submission of all required human subjects use protocols, if required. Due to long review times involved, human subject research is strongly discouraged during Phase I base.

PHASE II: Develop an operational prototype extending the Phase I effort and conduct a transfer-of-training (TOT) validation study supported by objective measures. Identify a relevant, near-term training need as a use case for initial system development and testing. Conduct all appropriate engineering tests and reviews, including a critical design review to finalize the system design. Once system design has been finalized then an evaluation of data acquisition, processing, and analysis will be conducted with a Marine Corps population. Phase II deliverables will include: (1) an operational prototype that satisfies the data acquisition, processing, and analysis capability specifications, (2) training protocol(s) aligned with and stressing data acquisition, processing, and analysis capabilities, (3) system design review, (4) training effectiveness methodology review, and (5) final report to include results of the training

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effectiveness evaluation.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The contractor will support transitioning the technology for Marine Corps use including assisting with certifying and qualifying the technology. As appropriate, the small business will focus on broadening capabilities. The innovation shall be amenable to commercial applications such as law enforcement, fire-fighting, emergency-responding, and other domains where not only physically demanding tasks are critical to job performance/safety and measured on a group basis but also where adaptive physical training would be economical and instrumental to performance improvement and injury/risk mitigation.

REFERENCES:1. Bouchard, C., & Rankinen, T. (2001). Individual differences in response to regular physical activity. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 33 (6 Suppl), S446-51.

2. Chambers R, Gabbett TJ, Cole MH, et al. The Use of Wearable Microsensors to Quantify Sport-Specific Movements. Sports Med 2015; 45:1065–81.

3. Heikenfeld, J. (2014). Let them see you sweat. IEEE Spectrum, 51(11), 46-63.

4. Landsberg, C. R., Mercado, A. D., Van Buskirk, W. L., Lineberry, M., & Steinhauser, N. (2012, September). Evaluation of an adaptive training system for submarine periscope operations. In Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society annual me

5. McCarthy, J. E. (2008). Military applications of adaptive training technology. In M.D. Lytras, D. Gasevic, P. Ordonez de Pablos, & W. Huang (Eds.), Technology Enhanced Learning: Best Practices, 304-347.

KEYWORDS: Adaptive Training; Wearable Technology; Biometrics; Physical conditioning; Injury prevention; Physical fitness; Diagnostic training


N172-133 TITLE: ACV Autonomous Sled Technologies


ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PM Advanced Amphibious Assault (PM AAA)


OBJECTIVE: With the Marine Corps acquisition of the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) 1.1, there is a need to move the vehicles from ship to shore at higher speeds and greater ranges than can be provided by the vehicle itself. The goal is to develop a low cost detachable vehicle augmentation system, referred to as a sled, to provide the ACV with improved range and speed as it moves from ship to shore.

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DESCRIPTION: The ACV 1.1 is an armored personnel carrier that is balanced between performance, protection, and payload for employment within the Ground Combat Element (GCE) and throughout the range of military operations, to include a swim capability. While the ACV 1.1 design has not been finalized, the approximate gross vehicle weight is 65,000 pounds with approximate dimensions of 30 feet long, 12 feet wide, and 9 feet high. Amphibious vehicles operate on the leading edge of an assault and in austere environments where logistics support is limited. Due to the limitations of the ACV 1.1 in open water, it will not be able to transit long ranges at high speeds as desired by the USMC. In order to make these high speed long range transits, the ACV could be carried on a connector such as a Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) or Landing Craft Utility (LCU). LCACs and LCUs are expensive platforms that use significant amounts of fuel, are limited in quantity to the Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and do not provide the organic survivability to be used as an initial assault in a contested environment.

An autonomous sled may provide a low cost solution to provide maneuver options for an ACV. The ONR is interested in novel and innovative concepts that provide extended range and increased water speed while minimizing impacts to shipboard storage. The Navy's amphibious ship fleet is limited in well deck space that can be made available to store the ACV sleds. In order to not displace connectors or other vehicles in the well deck of amphibious ships, the ONR is interested in solutions that do not require long term berthing in a well deck during transit. This may include modular, transformable, or inflatable structures that can be stored and/or stacked at reduced footprints in other spaces aboard amphibious ships or other platforms that do not have a well deck.

In addition to the storage considerations, the sled should:- Autonomously navigate back to the sea base after unloading the ACV at or near the shoreline but allow manual control by the ACV when loaded- Mate up with the ACV safely with no external manned interaction- Safely release the ACV in deep water or when beached- Transit at high speeds (25+ knots) with the ACV loaded in a manner that provides a safe and comfortable ride for the Marines in the ACV- Have the endurance to conduct a minimum 130 NM round trip transit (65 NM under control of the ACV and 65 NM operating autonomously without an ACV)- Operate in Sea State 3 at a minimum, with Sea State 4 desired

PHASE I: The company will define and develop a concept for a sled that could carry an ACV for transit from ship to shore. The company will prove the feasibility of their concept through modeling and simulation, technology exploration, and operational analysis of their innovative approach to the ACV sled. The analysis will demonstrate how the concept will meet the challenges described in the description above.

In the option period, the company will provide a preliminary sled design to include general arrangements, weight estimates, resistance estimates, propulsion design, and sea-keeping performance. The company will also provide performance objectives that include maximum and transit speed, fuel efficiency and capacity, range, and cargo capacity based on the operational analysis. At the end of Phase I option, the company should have evaluated a range of innovative solutions to the ACV sled design and proved both the concept feasibility and operational value to the USMC.

PHASE II: Based on the results of the Phase I effort, the company will develop a detailed design of the sled. The company will use computational fluid dynamics tools to assess the hydrodynamic performance and evaluate propulsion, drag reduction, and other technologies as necessary to meet the performance objectives established in Phase I. Once the concept design is finalized, a scale model will be manufactured for tank testing to validate the modeling and simulation and to refine the design. The government will provide access to a test facility and personnel to execute the testing. The company will perform iterative testing and analysis to improve the design and overall sled performance. A key aspect of Phase II will be identifying low cost approaches to the sled design to reduce unit cost while still meeting the performance objectives and storage constraints.

In this Phase, the company will also address how to control and maneuver the vehicle both while the ACV is attached and while the sled is operating autonomously. This will include determining how to attach and detach the

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ACV in relevant operational environments with minimal or no manned interaction.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The company will apply the knowledge in Phase II to build a full scale advanced technology demonstrator. Working with the Navy, USMC, and applicable industry partners, the company will demonstrate the ACV sled meets the performance objectives defined in Phase I. The company will deliver a full-scale prototype to the Navy for test and evaluation with an ACV. The product will include the autonomy sensors and processing to provide ship-to-shore and return-to-base maneuvers at the desired speed and ranges. The company will support demonstration of the sled in an operationally relevant environment for transition to an acquisition program of record.

Private Sector Commercial Potential: In addition to moving ACV, the sled has potential to move cargo, personnel, and other vehicles at sea at high speed and long ranges for a variety of government agencies, departments, or private shipping companies.

REFERENCES:1. Focus Area Forum: Expeditionary and Irregular Warfare: Amphibious High-Water Speed Challenge; https://www.onr.navy.mil/Conference-Event-ONR/archived-events/Focus-Area-Forum/focus-area-forum-high-water-speed-challenge.aspx

2. Expeditionary Force 21; DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS; 4 March 2014; http://www.mccdc.marines.mil/Portals/172/Docs/MCCDC/EF21/EF21_USMC_Capstone_Concept.pdf

3. The Marine Corps Operating Concept: How an Expeditionary Force Operates in the 21st Century; DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS; Sept 2016; http://www.mcwl.marines.mil/Portals/34/Images/MarineCorpsOperatingConceptSept2016.p

KEYWORDS: ACV: amphibious combat vehicle: autonomy: amphibious: connector: sled: hydrodynamics:


N172-134 TITLE: Abrasive Blasting Nozzle Noise Control

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Ground/Sea Vehicles, Materials/Processes

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PEO Amphibs, PEO Carriers, PEO Subs, Bureau of Reclamation (hydroelectric plants)

OBJECTIVE: Develop technologies to improve the acoustics performance of abrasive blasting nozzles for paint and surface coatings removal. The objective is to investigate the noise generation mechanisms of abrasive blasting operations and develop a quiet, effective and efficient nozzle. This development is to optimize the acoustics and productivity performance of blasting nozzles and demonstrate a goal of at least 20 dB(A) noise reduction and 20% nozzle efficiency improvement.

DESCRIPTION: Abrasive blasting nozzle design is rudimentary. Designs techniques have not utilized significant developments in computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modeling, particularly in jet nozzle development. Current hearing protection is inadequate at higher noise levels and are not compatible with protective hoods and respirators nor provide communications.

Noise levels produced during abrasive blasting operations in shipyards, maintenance facilities, and factories for removing paint and surface coatings are high. Noise levels at the air discharge from an abrasive blaster can be as

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high as 119 dB(A) (reference 1). Exposure of personnel to these levels, even with hearing protection, substantially increases the risk of Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). Hazardous noise exposure may be mitigated through administrative controls such as limiting an individual’s exposure time, use of hearing protection and engineering controls. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires elimination and or reduction of an acoustic hazard through engineering controls prior to implementing administrative controls or relying on personal protective hearing protection. Over the past decade, a large number of hearing loss claims (civilian) have been filed and millions of dollars have been compensated to workers due to NIHL. Reducing a worker’s occupational noise exposure is imperative from a safety and economics perspectives.

The noise generation mechanisms of abrasive blasting nozzles are very similar to aircraft jet engines and rocket engines. Among the blasting nozzles and propulsion systems, jet exhaust noise is the primary source of noise. Jet exhaust noise is aerodynamically generated sound which typically consists of two dominant components: turbulent mixing, and broadband shock associated noise. A review of the turbulent mixing and shock associated noise has been presented by Tam et al. (reference 3). With abrasive blasting, the jet impingement introduces a third noise source. Jet impingement noise is the most significant component. Analysis and modeling of blasting nozzle noise include analytical, numerical, and semi-empirical methods. Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) modeling has been used to analyze and optimize flow parameters to minimize acoustical energy in jet engines and ship gas turbines. This technique is applicable to minimize acoustic energy in blasting nozzles while maintaining the effectiveness of the blasting operation.

Besides noise, productivity and efficiency of the abrasive blasting nozzles are of great interest and concern to the blasting nozzle user community. Productivity or work output of the nozzle is usually expressed as area per unit time cleaned by abrasive blasting. Efficiency of the nozzle is quantified by the kinetic energy flux of the airflow and blasting particle stream at the nozzle exit. A brief review of the development of blasting nozzles, and discussion of how to improve productivity of the nozzle is given by Settles (reference 4).

The measure for success of this topic is quantified by the acoustics and productivity performance of the abrasive blasting nozzle. The goal is to achieve a noise reduction of at least 20 dB(A) relative to the conventional nozzle with a nozzle efficiency (in terms of kinetic energy flux) of at least 20%.

PHASE I: Determine technical feasibility and develop concept nozzle designs for a quiet and effective abrasive blasting nozzle for refurbishment operations including paint and surface coatings removal. Conduct analysis, modeling and simulation, and/or demonstrations in the laboratory to provide initial design concept of approach. The goal is to achieve at least 20 dB(A) noise reduction relative to conventional nozzles and at least 20% nozzle efficiency based on kinetic energy flux.

PHASE II: Based on the results of Phase I and the Phase II Statement of Work (SOW), the small business will further develop and demonstrate the quiet and effective abrasive blasting nozzle prototype hardware. At the conclusion of Phase II, the small business will deliver an abrasive blasting nozzle that can be used for paint and surface coating removal. prototype will exceed the stated minimum performance goals through demonstration, be robust with respect to variations in nozzle operating conditions (e.g. nozzle back pressure, particle grit, throat wear, etc.) while simultaneously remaining ergonomic to the end user. Designed nozzles will be compatible with existing commercial abrasive blasting systems (reference 6). Performance should be demonstrated in an industrial environment to the greatest extent possible. Prototype nozzles will be provided for independent evaluation(s).

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The matured and developed abrasive blasting nozzle will be transitioned into the program of record for PEO Ships, and other Navy Program Executive Officers and DoD components. Commercial/industrial applications, such as paint and surface coatings removal and refurbishment, for shipyards, maintenance facilities, factories, manufacturers, bridges, buildings and civil structures (such as hydro-electric plants, dam spill gates), etc. will also be considered and implemented.

REFERENCES:1. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. “Abrasive Blasting Hazards in Shipyard Employment”. https://www.osha.gov/dts/maritime/standards/guidance/shipyard_guidance.html#ref10

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2. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. “Hazard Prevention and Control”. https://www.osha.gov/shpguidelines/hazard-prevention.html

3. Tam, C.K.W., Chen, P. (1993). Turbulent Mixing Noise from Supersonic Jets. AIAA Journal.

4. Settles, G.S., Garg, S. (March 1996). A Scientific View of the Productivity of Abrasive Blasting Nozzles. Journal of Thermal Spray Technology, Vol. 5 (1).

5. Löhner, R. (2008). Applied CFD Techniques, J. Wiley & Sons.

6. “A Guide to Blasting Nozzle Selection.” http://www.hironsmemorials.com/Blast_Nozzles_Selection_Guide.pdf"

KEYWORDS: Abrasive Blasting Nozzle; Supersonic Jet Nozzle; Paint and Surface Coatings Removal; Turbulent Mixing Noise; Supersonic Shock Noise; Jet Impingement; Productivity of Blasting Nozzle


N172-135 TITLE: Fast Rise-time High Power Radio Frequency (HPRF) Pulse Shaping

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Electronics, Materials/Processes, Weapons

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: ONR Code 35: High-power Joint Electromagnetic Non-Kinetic Strike (HIJENKS) FY17-22 Leap Ahead


OBJECTIVE: Develop, design, and build an affordable, compact HPRF pulse shaping device or switch that can operate at L and S band frequencies from 1 to 4 gigahertz (GHz) and handle up to 8 megawatts (MW) of power. The solution should provide the unique capability to shape a square pulse envelope of 10 nanoseconds (ns) for both rise and fall times and vary pulse widths from 10 ns to 2.5 microseconds (µs). The final product must provide a high degree of flexibility in the pulse shape and the ability to support high (1 kHz) pulse repetition rates.

DESCRIPTION: Advances in HPRF source technology are constantly pushing to explore and utilize new areas of the Radio Frequency (RF) waveform space. This push creates challenges for testing and the test systems used to conduct lethality and counter-electronics testing. The current approach of building new RF sources and modulators that can only investigate discrete portions of the waveform space is primarily driven by technology limitations, but this is an inefficient methodology, especially in the present fiscally constrained environment. Each source typically has limited flexibility, so a suite of sources is required to fully explore the parameter space. This also requires either a complex modulator or specialized modulators for each source. The HPRF waveform space of interest for this topic includes pulse widths of 10 – 2500 ns, narrowband frequencies from 1– 4 GHz, and pulse repetition frequencies from 1-1,000 Hz.

Waveguide triggered plasma switches have been previously developed with limited slow closing times or at low power. It has been previously documented that a guided microwave pulse can be reflected with the use of a unipolar high voltage pulse triggered spark gap built into the structure of a waveguide to achieve 50 ns rise times sped up

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from 1 µs. Current state-of-the-art microwave switches have been demonstrated, but have not explored faster closing times (10s of ns) and rep-rate conditions. The benefit of using a fast plasma switch is that it allows for continuous pulse width agility without having to change or use a different HPRF source and modulator. Switch development utilizing pulse breakdown studies and benchmark code will help create a pulse shaper that can target multiple frequencies and power levels.

The end goal of this topic is to produce an affordable ($10s of thousands vs. $1M for a collection of multiple sources covering the same range), compact (<50lbs and <.5m3 device or switch capable of multi megawatt power levels and closing times of tens of nanoseconds The device will significantly reduce the Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) of needing complex or multiple modulators to produce the necessary HPRF envelopes as in historical systems such as ORION1). The system should be immune to Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) from the generated RF environment and have as minimal as possible SWaP footprint and can easily be integrated into existing Navy test systems, such as Radio-Frequency Vehicle Stopper (RFVS)2, with minimal modifications to power and control systems. A suggested technology to evaluate is the waveguide switch approach; however, any novel technology that can achieve the outlined parameters is acceptable. Whatever technology or topology chosen, electromagnetic and circuit modeling and simulation of the design should be conducted (i.e. 3D modeling of microwave behavior with CST) and results leading to the final design(s) should be documented and provided in the Phase I final report along with a data package on all proposed critical components in the final system design.

PHASE I: Determine the feasibility of bipolar HPRF waveform shaping, timing, and phase control. Develop approaches for precise triggering of the high voltage device or switch, pulsed power unit and trigger generator requirements. Determine a methodology for achieving the precision required for this application and other applications where phase control would be required. Examine alternatives to gas spark gap switches with solid state or novel materials and architectures. Develop approaches to increase efficiency while also increasing the reliability and lifetime to levels sufficient for use in counter-electronics testing and potentially, in weapon systems. The lifetime and reliability requirements have not been fully developed yet, but are anticipated to be on the order of 100,000 shots or more (before refurbishment required) and reliabilities on the order of 95%. Perform modeling and simulation to provide initial assessment of the device or switching efficiency, performance of the concept, and tradeoffs between efficiency, waveform flexibility and lifetime/reliability. The design should establish realizable technological solutions for a device capable of achieving the desired switching speed and resulting RF waveform flexibility. The proposed design should be an 80% complete solution and include all sub-systems necessary for this innovative HPRF pulse shaping solution. The objective of this first phase is a conceptual design, analysis and simulation of an L band device capable of operating up to 4 MW with pulse widths between 10-1000 ns at repetition rates of 100 Hz, with a clearly defined path outlined for improved performance. Cost analysis and material development should be assessed to determine critical shortfalls in readily available current technology. Specifically, the amount of infrastructure needed, such as modulators and RF sources to provide the necessary HPRF profile range described. The design and modeling results of Phase I should lead to plans to build a prototype unit in Phase II.

PHASE II: Following the conceptual design and modeling in Phase I, the Phase II efforts will focus on establishing the performance parameters of the HPRF pulse shaping solution through experimentation and prototype refinement. In this phase a HPRF pulse shaping solution will be constructed and demonstrated. The prototype will be capable of operating in an outdoor, open air environment, across a range of temperature and humidity variations. The unit will need to demonstrate efficient and reliable operation with a conventional magnetron source driver and compare the efficiency to the predicted performance from Phase I. Based on the prior modeling of waveform control, experimental verification of the waveform flexibility will also need to be demonstrated. The objective of this second phase is development of L and S band devices capable of operating in excess of 8 MW with pulse widths between 10-2500 ns at repetition rates of 1kHz. Phase II will involve the design refinement, procurement, integration, assembly, and testing of a proof of concept prototype leveraging the Phase I design and simulation. The use of actual hardware and empirical data collection is expected for this analysis.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The performer will apply the knowledge gained during Phase I and II to build and demonstrate a full scale functional final design that will include all system elements and represent a complete solution. The focus of the final phase is the demonstration of phase control and precision timing to control the RF waveform in terms of rise time, fall time, pulse width and overall envelope. The waveform envelope

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should be capable of variation from the standard square pulse to different sinusoidal envelopes with a wide range of amplitude variation. Design consideration on how to additionally meet 15 MW and 10kHz operations goals should also be assessed and reported. The efficiency (threshold of 70%, objective of 90%), limited reflection (<1%) back to the originating RF source, and system reliability should be demonstrated, along with ease of control to reduce setup and operation time during HPRF lethality testing. Set-up and testing time can be greatly reduced by the amount of infrastructure, hardware, and required personnel by the arbitrary waveform the HPRF pulse shaping solution will provide. The goal will be to use the final system to provide an HPRF shaping device or switch able to handle the previously defined parameter space. The device will be used with existing suites of magnetron sources at various Warfare Centers and/or Navy Labs for generalized RF Directed Energy Weapons effects research to inform non-kinetic strike weapons capability and non-lethal vehicle/vessel stopping. There are a wide variety of potential commercial applications for this type of technology, ranging from (EMI) testing of vehicles, airplanes, and/or other commercial systems such as high power communications and aircraft surveillance radar used by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

REFERENCES:1. Spark, S. N., et al. The high power microwave facility: Orion. Pulsed Power 2001 (Ref. No. 2001/156), IEEE Symposium. IET, 2001.

2. Merryman, Stephen A. Multifrequency Radio-Frequency (RF) Vehicle Stopper. NAVAL SURFACE WARFARE CENTER DAHLGREN DIV VA, 2012. http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf&AD=ADA559055

3. J. Foster, G. Edmiston, M. Thomas, and A. Neuber, “High power microwave switching utilizing a waveguide spark gap,” Review of Scientific Instruments 79 (2008).

4. J. Benford, J. Swegle, E. Schamiloglu “High Power Microwaves”, Third Edition, CRC Press, New York (2015).

5. O. A. Ivanov, V. A. Isaev, M. A. Lobaev, A. L. Vikharev, and J. L. Hirshfield, “A resonance switch employing an explosive-emission cathode for high-power RF pulse compressors,” Applied Physics Letters 97 (2010).

6. S. Beeson, J. Dickens, A. Neuber, “A high power microwave triggered RF opening switch,” Review of Scientific Instruments 86 (2015)."

KEYWORDS: High power radio frequency; high power microwave; directed energy weapons; high voltage; microwave switching; waveguide; HPM; HPRF; DEW


N172-136 TITLE: Navy Approved Multi-Factor Authentication for Personal Mobile Devices

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Human Systems, Information Systems, Sensors

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Sea Warrior Program (PMW 240)

OBJECTIVE: Define and develop a software-based solution the U.S. Navy to validate the existence and security posture of government-purpose mobile apps that use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) into mobile device applications would employ differing categories (knowledge, possession, and inherence) in concert to authenticate users relying on varying infrastructure to ensure continuity of service during single (ideally multiple) points of failure.

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DESCRIPTION: One of the Navy’s greatest Information Technology (IT) challenges involves providing an efficient, effective, and trusted means to authenticate users of its myriad electronic systems. The de facto Personal Identity Verification (PIV) standard (Common Access Card, CAC) has helped homogenize authentication schemes the wider DoD uses, but that introduces its own challenges in the mobile computing space and its sunset is eminent. Legacy alternatives to authentication utilizing only a single “factor” such as assigned user names and user-generated passwords cost the Navy dearly. IT resources spent on forgotten passwords and mandatory password changes eat up thousands of call center hours per year. Data breaches are the natural consequence of centrally hosting thousands of user credentials. All of this takes its toll on the end users as well, reducing efficiency of use, confidence in Navy IT practices, and ultimately satisfaction with Navy systems.

The Navy needs a flexible, efficient, trusted, and user-friendly authentication solution that consumes fewer IT resources and brings more satisfaction to the Sailors and the wider Navy community. MFA solutions are employed widely in the civilian IT space. These solutions have allowed the civilian industry to achieve maximum participation, promote ease-of-use for the end-user, and minimize expensive tech support resource utilization. The Navy is looking to replicate the success seen there. The Navy desires MFA solutions that are coherent, tested, robust, and easy-to-integrate into new and legacy mobile solutions. Services providing MFA must be trusted and flexible enough to meet the security and reliability needs of the fleet and wider Navy community.

The accreditation model produced for this topic should ensure any MFA solution under consideration is composed of, at a minimum, two of the following authentication factors:• Knowledge – something the user knows (e.g. password, Personal Identification Number, PIN)• Possession – something the user has (e.g. PIV card, smart chip)• Inherence – a characteristic the user cannot change (i.e. biometrics)The accreditation model should evaluate MFA solutions with respect to the containment of authentication tokens they produce, specifically methods of:• Identity Proofing and Registration• Token Storage (token and credential management mechanisms used to establish and maintain token and credential information)• Token Passing (assertion mechanisms used to communicate the results of a remote authentication if these results are sent to other parties)

The accreditation model should also ensure MFA solutions under consideration by the Navy contain a variety of delivery methods (network infrastructure, protocols, etc.) for these factors. Reliance on a single delivery mechanism (e.g. only using Short Message Service, SMS) or even two pathways presents an infrastructure risk to any authentication system. If the single delivery method goes down, users will be unable to authenticate, disrupting service entirely, even if the infrastructure serving the content and business services remains up. Continuity of authentication support can only be guaranteed if the various factors comprised in the MFA solution use more than one method of delivery (e.g. using TCP to transmit the username and password while SMS delivers a one-time password (OTP) to the user’s mobile phone).

The processes and standards should evaluate MFA solutions based upon criterion established in DoD guidance documents and any other industry best practices found to be relevant to MFA. To increase the chances of Navy Approval Authority acceptance, the accreditation model should borrow heavily from existing, relevant standards established by the DoD which provide a decent baseline, but leave much work to be done, especially vis-à-vis mobile authentication solutions.The Navy has encountered several challenges in establishing the procedures and standards solicited in this topic. Innovative small business engineers and experts may fair better, but would do well to keep in mind some of the challenges inherent in this task:• MFA is fast-changing technical landscape with new, competing solutions emerging, each with their own well-advertised strengths and often-overlooked flaws• It’s difficult for regulations to maintain pace with innovation in the marketplace• MFA solutions involve a variety of sensors, protocols, encryption methods, and data formats, making the process to certify and accredit these solutions multifaceted and quite technical

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PHASE I: Research, analyze, and define a draft set of standards by which MFA solutions will be evaluated and accredited by Navy Approving Official (NAO). PMW 240 will provide a relevant set of use cases with varying attributes for consideration including personally owned and personally enabled, personally owned corporately enabled (Mobile application management), and corporately owned corporately enabled (GFE devices). These use cases also include considerations for personal controlled unclassified information vs corporate controlled unclassified information (more than personal) and general requirements to drive research and tailor the final standards. The hub of these procedures and standards will be a questionnaire for MFA solution providers to fill out when soliciting the Navy for business. A competent Navy Approval Authority should notionally vet these standards for clarity, concision, and applicability to the Navy’s needs. PMW 240 will coordinate with the NAO as appropriate.

PMW 240 will provide a relevant set of use cases with varying attributes for consideration including personally owned and personally enabled, personally owned corporately enabled (Mobile application management), and corporately owned corporately enabled (GFE devices). These use cases also include considerations for personal controlled unclassified information vs corporate controlled unclassified information (more than personal). Specifics to the software solution, such as platform compatibility and code base, will be provided to the small business during this phase.

PHASE II: Based on the Phase II Statement of Work (SOW), the small business will develop the software solution designed in Phase I. The small business will develop two mobile apps for sailors to view their personnel record information on Android and iOS mobile operating systems. They will use the developed software validation tool to execute the validation process end to end against the two mobile apps. Performance of these objectives will be evaluated by PMW 240 and the Navy’s designated approval authority overseeing the certification and accreditation process.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The small business will deploy and manage the software solution developed in Phase II to the Navy IT community, overseen by PEO EIS. The Phase III SOW will specify the Navy IT organizations the company will collaborate with and describe in detail expectations for validating mobile applications in the future. PMW 240 is assisting PEO EIS with establishing the Navy Mobile Center of Excellence. This includes the hosting of the Navy mobile app locker and defining the process and standards for development and deployment of Navy approved mobile apps. This capability will greatly assist the cyber security aspects of mobile app development, and certification and accreditation.

REFERENCES:1. NIST Special Publication 800-124 Revision 1 (final) June 2013. Guidelines for Managing the Security of Mobile Devices in the Enterprise Accessed on 7 Nov 2016. http://dx.doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-124r1

2. NIST Special Publication 800-63-2 August 2013 “Electronic Authentication Guideline” Accessed on 7 Nov 2016. http://dx.doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-63-2

3. Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) “TOTP: Time-Based One-Time Password Algorithm“ Accessed on 7 Nov 2016. https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc6238

4. Ramona Adams (ExecutiveGov.com) “Terry Halvorsen: DoD to Replace Common Access Cards With Multifactor Authentication Systems" Accessed on 7 Nov 2016. http://www.executivegov.com/2016/06/terry-halvorsen-dod-to-replace-common-access-cards-with-multifactor

5. Shaun Waterman (FedScoop.com) “DOD plans to eliminate CAC login within two years” Accessed on 7 Nov 2016. http://fedscoop.com/dod-plans-to-eliminate-login-with-cac-cards"

KEYWORDS: Multi-Factor Authentication; MFA; access control; certification; accreditation; C&A; One-time Passcode; One-time Password; OTP; Time-Based One-Time Password; TOTP; encryption; Identity and Access Management; IdAM; IAM; identity proofing; Tokens; assertion mechanisms; protocols; cryptographic key; cyber

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security; CS; information assurance; IA


N172-137 TITLE: Advanced Cooling Technologies for Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) Terminals

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Materials/Processes, Sensors

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA/PMW-101 (MIDS)


OBJECTIVE: Identify and/or develop innovative heat transfer technologies or novel approaches to address MIDS JTRS thermal concerns. Document, assess and rank any new cooling technology based on applicability, performance and integration complexity to a military communications and data terminals. Pursue feasible technology candidate (s) for transition into MIDS JTRS terminals.

DESCRIPTION: Currently, the Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS) terminal (as well as other Command, Control, Communications and Computer (C4) avionics) are rapidly increasing capabilities, now running multiple waveforms in a single terminal or “box”. As these capabilities advance within the same terminal form factor, power dissipation and heat in the terminal are increasing significantly. Therefore, terminal performance and reliability will be impacted due to the inability of the terminal to dissipate more heat. The fleet has become accustomed to the current high reliability provided by the MIDS JTRS terminal, but for this to continue technology breakthroughs are needed to improve heat transfer performance out of the terminal without impact to current compliant security, Size, Weight and Power (SWaP), and environmental requirements of the terminal (references 3). Innovative technologies must be developed and/or identified that can be adapted to demonstrate significant increase of heat transfer capability to mitigate increasing thermal challenges. These technologies must improve or maintain the current terminal reliability performance which is 1,200 hours MTBF. It is critical to identify and/or develop candidate technological solutions/approaches, analyze and prototype the technology (ies) candidates, and then transfer the technology (ies) to the MIDS industrial base. This effort includes a technical review of the challenges, complexity, maturity, risks and cost of developing and/or integrating the technology. This effort seeks to develop, investigate, assess and validate promising heat transfer technology (ies) or innovative technological approaches that can be mature and provide robust cooling in the fleet environment. In addition, this effort requires demonstrating that the selected technology (ies) can improve heat transfer by at least 30% over the current forced air cooling approach while operating at temperatures between -40 to 71 degrees C without adverse impact to terminal reliability performance.

PHASE I: Determine the feasibility of new technology (ies) or new technological approaches for removing heat out of the MIDS terminals without any negative impact on system performance and SWaP. The Offeror should document the following technical criteria , as a minimum: the thermal characteristics of the technologies and processes (i.e. thermal conductivity, conductance, U factor value, thermal resistance, thermal mass, density, thermal capacity, thermal lag, heat transmission and radiation, etc.), type and complexity of material solution or process, military design applicability (to include IC and PWB application) and modularity, operating environment in C degrees, material origin source, manufacturability, any special equipment required, safety concerns, maintenance, etc. The contractor should review and compare all technology solutions proposed based on criteria above and

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provide recommendations of best candidates to pursue based on overall potential performance and applicability to a military operating environment. The Offeror should also propose a design and process approach for a Phase II prototype capable of demonstrating heat removal improvements. The design proposal shall strive to maintain or improve the current MIDS JTRS SWaP and testing standards. (Reference 3).

PHASE II: Develop, demonstrate and test the chosen concept(s) from Phase I based on applicability, best overall performance characteristics by building and testing prototype(s) and/or processes to test the concepts on a MIDS JTRS terminal to the extent practical and reduce technical risks associated with a Phase III transition to a Program of Record (PoR). This effort should aim to demonstrate heat removal improvements, while minimizing MIDS JTRS SWaP and integration requirements impacts. During this phase II effort, it is encouraged that the selected Offeror should partner with the MIDS vendors, to gain knowledge and understanding about MIDS JTRS thermal electronics areas and components to better address technical, integration and testing challenges during the technology demonstration phase.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Based on the results of Phase II, the Offeror will build and/or manufacture prototypes solutions applicable to MIDS terminal with measurable improvements in heat transfer and reliability as stated in the description section above for Navy testing in an operational relevant environment. The Offeror will support the Navy with testing and validation of the system to certify and qualify it for Navy use. A system capable of handling the operational military environment using small business technology will be field, tested and evaluated by a government independent facility. This will also involve the transfer of the analysis conducted and any assemble processes and bills of materials and suppliers required for the Government to better assess the technology and determine that indeed meets PoR technical requirements, cost-effectiveness and a fieldable solution. The primary application of the technology solution will the MIDS JTRS terminal but also may have applicability to other military and commercial Non Developmental Item (NDI) SDR systems to be acquired by the government.

REFERENCES:1. Advanced electronic cooling technologies, Microelectronics & Electronics, 2009. Prime Asia 2009. Asia Pacific Conference on Postgraduate Research; 19-21 Jan. 2009 http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/5397426/

2. Advanced Cooling for Power Electronics; Sukhvinder S. Kang, Aavid Thermalloy LLC, Concord NH, USA https://www.aavid.com/sites/default/files/news/Aavid-Liquid-Cooling-Advances-CIPS-2012.pdf

3. MIL-STD-810 F, Environmental Engineering Considerations and Laboratory Tests Military Standard http://everyspec.com/MIL-STD/MIL-STD-0800-0899/MIL_STD_810F_949/

KEYWORDS: Heat transfer, conduction, liquid cooled, avionics, convection, fluid dynamics, reliability


N172-138 TITLE: Circumvention and Recovery Radiation Effects Mitigation For Modern Electronics

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Electronics, Space Platforms, Weapons

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Strategic Systems Programs, ACAT 1C

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s)

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in accordance with section 5.4.c.(8) of the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.

OBJECTIVE: Develop a Circumvention and Recovery (C&R) power and data management design to support functions for shutdown, restart and recovery of high performance processors, memory, System on Chip platforms, Radio Frequency, and advanced inertial measurement sensor subsystems.

DESCRIPTION: Circumvention and Recovery (C&R) is a system approach to hardening electronics to nuclear weapon high dose rate pulsed radiation effects. The approach enables the overall system to meet strategic or High Altitude Exo-Atmospheric Nuclear Survivability (HAENS) specifications even though certain functions are implemented using components with lower hardness levels. This is done by selectively permitting certain functions to be implemented using parts that are more radiation sensitive. The upset modes of the sensitive parts are mitigated using various error handling, fault isolation, and power-down/reset functions that are implemented in upper radiation hardened parts. A typical C&R scheme may involve the use of a high performance processor that does not meet the system level upset requirement, but is provided a rapid and orderly reset function implemented with lower performance, upper rad hard logic or processor along with rad hard external memory for storing critical data.

Circumvention and Recovery (C&R) support functions in terms of available and suitable power and data management for shutdown and restart has not kept pace with the proliferation of high performance processors, memory, System-on-chip (SoC) platforms, Radio Frequency (Global Positioning System and data link) and specialty functions such as Ring Laser Gyroscopes and Micro-electrical-mechanical System (MEMS) Inertial Measurement Units.

The following capabilities are sought:• Managing modern low-voltage high-current digital processing electronics' proliferation of unique power supplies and sequencing requirements• Caching and reloading the large amounts of critical state data which must be recovered in order to enable re-acquisition of functionality within mission-appropriate timescales• Enabling fast reacquisition of RF operation (Global Positioning System (GPS), command link) in systems which use complex waveforms• Saving 3-axis, 3-angle position, velocity, acceleration data for non-inertial guidance systems in hardened nonvolatile memory• Protecting power distribution / management resources attached to high performance processors and ensuring these Point Of Load (POL) resources are prevented from damaging their "clients" or from being damaged by various hostile or natural radiation environments

Proposed solutions should support the following performance criteria:• Dose rate detection, C&R sequencing coverage of multiple and mixed types of electronic content• Power supplies from high (primary battery) to low voltage digital and low noise analog / RF• Data cache and recovery needs for a broad range of processing and communications subsystems• Radiation environments comprehensively suitable to offensive and defensive missile systems, satellite and tactical platforms• Cost, reusability, portability and sustainability of the solution-set against long system life cycles and future technology trends

PHASE I: Develop a proof of concept architecture that can circumvent and recover utilizing leading-edge hardened electronics in a radiation exposed environment. Identify communication protocols and redundancy schemes between functional elements of a guided missile system. Perform a robustness assessment of the initial architecture with respect to allowable frequency of resets, duration of circumvention, and tolerance to faults (such as low power, sensor dropout, clock skew, etc.) and survivable to the nuclear and space radiation environments.

PHASE II: Mature concept system architecture into a design that handles faults (errors, radiation pulses, power dropouts) with defined degraded states and performance impacts. Identify and assess leading-edge electronics supporting capabilities (for high performance processors, memory, System on Chip platforms, RF, and advanced inertial measurement sensors) for their compatibility with concept architecture. Integrate compatible technologies

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into the design and perform an assessment of fault tolerance vs. performance capabilities. Develop an equivalent Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis (SPICE) model as necessary to simulate key electrical behaviors of the operations and functions of the design. Simulations should support a model based approach in order to lead to a full understanding of the design prior to any radiation characterization tests.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: For follow-on Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile development, the small business would utilize C&R architecture and model to support feasibility studies for radiation environment requirements, technologies maturation, and performance feasibility assessments beginning in Fiscal Year 2020.

Generically, the small business could participate in aerospace (satellite, missile and missile defense) Technology Maturation Risk Reduction (TMRR) & Engineering Manufacturing and Development (EMD) phase development to augment concept C&R architecture with necessary functions and requirements of the requisite development program.

Logic and electronic designs that support fault tolerance for system-on-a-chip systems can be leverage by commercial space and could be applied to any system controlled by electronics.

REFERENCES:1. “The Effects of Radiation on Electronic Systems,” George C. Messenger and Milton S. Ash, 1986

2. Nuclear Matters Handbook 2016, Appendix E: Nuclear Survivability

3. Military Standard 1766B, “Nuclear Hardness & Survivability Program Requirements for ICBM Weapon Systems”

KEYWORDS: Circumvention and Recovery; Radiation Hardening; Space Electronics Architecture; Nuclear Event Detector; Nuclear Weapon Effects; Operate Through; Hostile Nuclear Survivability; Fault Tolerant Computing;


N172-139 TITLE: Safe Primary Battery

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Air Platform, Electronics, Weapons

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Strategic Systems Programs


OBJECTIVE: Develop and demonstrate advanced battery technologies for a primary battery that can meet submarine launched ballistic missile requirements with a specific energy equal to or greater than current silver zinc battery technologies.

DESCRIPTION: Affordability, safety, and reliability are major objectives of Navy Strategic Systems Programs for continued life extension of the D5 Trident Missile. Current Silver Oxide technology is at risk of becoming obsolete, while other battery technologies with similar or greater specific energy suffer from multiple failure modes, have

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limited storage life, or have not been tailored to meet the unique requirements for the Navy Strategic Systems Programs. A primary battery that can last 25+ years without the need for maintenance or significant energy loss while in storage, is reliable, and is inherently safe; e.g. is not susceptible to thermal runaway, is required.

Submarine launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) have storage lifetimes of 25+ years; and must maintain reliable operation at any point within this time period without the battery being activated. When the battery is activated it must rise to full voltage within a minute and have an activated life of 5+ hours. The battery must be able to survive shock, vibration, and temperatures associated with the launch environments and exo-atmospheric flight. The battery will be required to provide power for missile avionics, guidance, and ordnance initiation events for the entire flight profile. The load on the battery must be capable of periods of pulse power with an average 2C discharge. The goal of this technology development is to design, develop, and test an advanced design for primary batteries capable of 25+ years of storage, 5+ hours of activated life, with a specific energy at a minimum of 50 Wh/kg and a goal to exceed 100 Wh/kg. The battery must be inherently safe during its entire lifetime through the end of discharge. Due to the safety issues associated with lithium battery technologies and the process to receive certification through the Naval Ordnance Security and Safety Activity (NOSSA) for use on an ordnance system, lithium battery technologies will not be considered at this time.

PHASE I: Develop a proof-of-concept solution; identify candidate materials, technologies and designs. Conduct a feasibility assessment for the proposed solution showing advancements over current state-of-the-art technologies and designs. Develop Anode, cathode, and electrolyte and conduct physical testing to demonstrate feasibility of a Phase II cell. At the completion of Phase I the design and assessment will be documented for Phase II. The deliverables for this phase include:1) Assessment of battery technology safety2) Estimate of battery performance characteristics3) Proof of concept cell characterization4) Preliminary battery design concept

PHASE II: Expand on Phase I results by fabricating prototype cells and conducting performance testing to establish cell performance characteristics (Wh/kg, Wh/L, temperature range, discharge rate capability) and safety. The deliverables for this phase consist of:1) Prototype cells capable of assembly into a battery that can deliver 30V nominal at 22Ah.2) Subscale prototype demonstrating cell performance and battery design validation3) Performance characterization to include:a. Wh/kgb. Wh/Lc. Discharge rate capabilityd. Temperature rangee. Safety characterization (cell shorted, cell puncture, shock/vibe etc.)4) A manufacturing assessment of a concept design 30V, 22Ah battery

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Assemble a sufficient quantity of full scale prototype batteries to characterize performance in relevant environments. Performance characterization should include but not be limited to:1) Wh/Kg2) Wh/L3) Startup profile into a representative load4) Wet Stand Life5) Discharge profile into representative load6) Performance under Thermal environment (Hot/Cold)7) Pressure performance (vacuum)8) Vibration performance9) Safety performance characterization (battery shorted, cell puncture, Thermal etc.)

Inherently safe battery technologies with the calendar life required for Navy Strategic Systems Programs that are developed under this topic will be applicable to many military and commercial missile and rocket programs. In

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addition, this safe battery technology is applicable to the automotive, airline and ship industries where human safety is of paramount importance.

REFERENCES:1. “Navy Lithium Battery Safety Program: Responsibilities and Procedures”. NAVSEA S9310-AQ-SAF-010. Naval Ordnance Safety and Security Activity (NOSSA). http://www.public.navy.mil/NAVSAFECEN/Documents/afloat/Surface/CS/Lithium_Batteries_Info/LithBattSafe.pdf

2. Banner, J, Tisher, M, Bowling, G “When Batteries Go Bad”. Joint Power Expo, New Orleans LA, 5-7 May 2009. http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2009power/May6CJulieBanner/banner.pdf

3. Ritchie, A. G., and N. E. Bagshaw. “Military Applications of Reserve Batteries [and Discussion].” Philosophical Transactions: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, vol. 354, no. 1712, 1996, pp. 1643–1652. http://rsta.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/roypta/354/1712/1643.full.pdf?

KEYWORDS: Battery; Safety; Missile; Cell; Energy; Efficiency


N172-140 TITLE: High Power Solid State Electronic Switch for Use in Exploding Foil Initiator Applications

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Electronics, Weapons

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Strategic Systems Programs; ACAT 1C


OBJECTIVE: Develop and demonstrate a high power electronic solid state switch which may be used to initiate an exploding foil initiator for use in Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) systems and/or private sector space launch platforms such as the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

DESCRIPTION: High voltage safe and arm (S&A) firing switches are critical components within the initiation systems of missiles and kill vehicles. S&A firing switches are used to ignite rocket motors, provide stage separation and to initiate other critical events. The high voltage S&A firing switch’s functions are to prevent unintended initiation of a firing sequence, as well as to initiate an intended firing sequence with very high reliability. S&A firing switches are allowed to be used for “in-line” safe and arm applications when they initiate only approved secondary explosives.

SLBMs, kill vehicles, and to a lesser extent launch vehicles can be exposed to radiation environments which can upset electronics. Due to the critical safety nature of high voltage in line S&A firing switches, they must be able to function properly and reliably through such radiation environments without dudding or unintended firing. Advanced technologies and design concepts that can ensure reliable and safe operation through high level radiation environments are desired. Vibration, shock, and thermal environments additionally apply. The solid state switch

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should be functional in high power operations (e.g. 2200V, XA), with switch time frames approximating the nanosecond scale. The solid state switch should be capable of remaining fully operational in both the natural space radiation environment, as well as through radiation pulses induced by strategic nuclear events. As the switch is utilized as a safety element in the Ordnance Initiation System (OIS), very high reliability (e.g. 0.9995 at 95% confidence) is required.

PHASE I: Develop a proof-of-concept solution; identify candidate materials, technologies and designs. Conduct a feasibility assessment for the proposed solution showing advancements in contrast to existing devices. The feasibility assessment should investigate switch capability to perform in shock, vibration, thermal, natural space radiation, and strategic nuclear event induced radiation environments. At the completion of Phase I the design and assessment will be documented for Phase II.

PHASE II: Design and fabricate an electronic solid state switch which meets the requirements outlined in the description. Manufacture prototypes and test in relevant environments and collect performance data which may be used to characterize the capabilities of the design.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The scope of Phase III includes a demonstration of the high power electronic solid state switch which may be used to initiate an exploding foil initiator in high power operations as defined in the description and which meets all applicable MIL-STD (see references 2-4) and Range Safety requirements (see reference 5). The demonstration must also show the design's ability to remain fully operational in both the natural space radiation environment, as well as through radiation pulses induced by strategic nuclear events. Private sector applications include space launch platforms such as the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

REFERENCES:1. Pellish, Jonathan A. Radiation 101: Effects on Hardware and Robotic Systems. NASE Technical Report: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20150020839

2. MIL-STD-1316E. Department of Defense Design Criteria Standard: Fuze Design, Safety Criteria: http://quicksearch.dla.mil/

3. MIl-STD-1901. Munition Rocket and Missile Motor Ignition System Design, Safety Criteria: http://quicksearch.dla.mil/

4. MIL-STD-331. Department of Defense Test Method Standard Fuze and Fuze Components, Environmental and Performance Tests

5. Eastern and Western Range (EWR) 127-1 Range Safety Requirements: http://snebulos.mit.edu/projects/reference/NASA-Generic/EWR/EWR-127-1.html

KEYWORDS: solid state electronic switch; exploding foil initiator; ordnance initiation system; radiation hardened electronics


N172-141 TITLE: Alternative Mixing Technologies for High-Energy, Solid Materials for Large Gas Generator Propellant


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ACQUISITION PROGRAM: TRIDENT II (D5), ACAT I


OBJECTIVE: Develop and demonstrate alternative methods for mixing of high-energy, solid propellants for large, up to 20 gallons in volume, gas generators for Navy strategic missile post-boost propulsion systems, other large missiles, and launch vehicles.

DESCRIPTION: The current state of the art for producing high-energy, solid-propellant gas generators involves mixing energetic materials in a large bowl using impellers, i.e., rotating blades, until all the formulation ingredients are incorporated into one homogeneous mixture. Mix times are measured in hours, and during this time the rotating impellers are in direct contact with materials having a hazards classification of 1.1 explosives. Accidental fires have occurred when foreign object debris (FOD) have fallen into the mix bowl, and contact with the rotating blades caused a spark.

The primary objective of this topic is to develop, demonstrate, and validate a new manufacturing process that does not include impellers for mixing large quantities of high-energy, solid propellants. Resonance acoustic mixing (RAM) technology is a new approach to processing in which low-frequency, high-intensity vibrations are used in place of impeller blades to generate the shear field required to mix high-energy, solid materials. Also, RAM technology eliminates the need for cleaning the impellers at the end of each production run. This advantage reduces the amount of generated hazardous waste containing explosive materials.

Any new mixing technology must demonstrate that it can reliably produce a homogeneous mixture that yields a product with properties equal to that obtained using the legacy process. The design and analysis of the new processing method occurs first and is validated using mixtures of inert materials; at this step, validation is a comparison of the dispersion of ingredients as well as the mechanical properties of materials mixed with the new technology versus the legacy method. When acceptable results are obtained using inert materials, then the new mixing process is applied to high-energy, solid materials used for large gas generators. Validation using energetic materials is accomplished with a comparison of the physical, ballistic, and mechanical properties of the same gas generator propellant formulation mixed using the new technology versus the legacy method.

PHASE I: Phase I includes a technology survey, evaluation, and trade studies to establish what both the current operational and developmental needs are for gas generator manufacturing mixing technology, especially those requirements related to safety, cost reduction, and environmental impact. The evaluation in Phase I relates to the possible candidate mixer technology that, for safety reasons, does not use blades. The process variations in mixing may include mix in case, mix in multiple batches, mix as a single batch, continuous mixing, or other techniques. Each variation is evaluated against the requirements.

The small business may choose to demonstrate their technology using Inert propellant formulations. The inert formulation should be chosen to mimic energetic formulation mechanical properties.

The deliverable of Phase I is a report that describes the down-select process to the most promising mixing method and results and conclusions from any inert propellant mixes that were performed.

PHASE II: Design, analysis, fabrication, and test of the candidate mixer. Materials are purchased and assessed for quality. Inert mix trials are conducted to optimize process conditions.

Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC) China Lake will make subscale mixes of energetic propellant formulations using the down-selected approach. NAWC will perform physical, ballistic, and mechanical tests on the propellant

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and assess the results.

The deliverable from Phase II is a report that describes progress on the design, analysis, fabrication, and test of the mixing hardware for the down-selected approach; also included are the results and conclusions from the subscale, energetic propellant mixes.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The scope of Phase III includes a full-scale demonstration of the mixing technology using an energetic gas generator formulation at NAWC China Lake. The small business will be funded to provide the mixing equipment for use by NAWC China Lake, and the demonstration will be conducted by NAWC China Lake personnel. The mix process will be used to mix propellant ingredients at the 20-gallon scale. Propellant samples from the full-scale mix process will be tested for physical, ballistic, and mechanical properties. Results will be compared to those from the same formulation mixed using the legacy, rotating-blade method and an assessment of these results will be made as well as recommendations for future work.

Following this demonstration, the technology could be transitioned to D5 gas generator production. The gas generator supplier may also use this technology for commercial and other government missions requiring gas generators (space launch, missile defense, orbital insertion). The deliverable from Phase III is a report that describes the full-scale test hardware and procedures; also included are results and conclusions from propellant samples made using the RAM method and the legacy method.

REFERENCES:1. Uniform Distribution of Minor Materials During Powder Mixing https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Scott_Coguill/publication/270216427_RESONANTACOUSTIC_R_MIXING_UNIFORM_DISTRIBUTION_OF_MINOR_MATERIALS_DURING_POWDER_MIXING/links/54a2c3ec0cf267bdb90426ac.pdf?origin=publication_list

2. Investigation of Acoustic Dryer for API Processing https://www3.aiche.org/Proceedings/Abstract.aspx?PaperID=229348

3. Processing and Formulation Challenges for Cost Effective Manufacturing http://imemg.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/6B2-17235-ResonantAcoustic-Mixing-Processing-and-Formulation-Challenges.pdf

4. Effect of Resonant Acoustic Mixing on Pharmaceutical Powder Blends and Tablets http://fulltext.study/preview/pdf/143900.pdf

5. Evaluation of Resonant Acoustic Mixing Performance http://fulltext.study/preview/pdf/235596.pdf

KEYWORDS: Resonance Acoustic Mixing (RAM); Propellant Mixing; Gas Generator Manufacturing; Energetic Materials Processing


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