1. LSD SOO CBC FLM 20220808 FINAL.pdf

FIBER LASER MODULE FOR AIRBORNE COHERENT BEAM COMBINED LASER

WITH ULTRA LIGHT THERMAL SYSTEM

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES (SOO)

08 AUG 2022

1.0 PURPOSE:

The purpose of this document is to state the Government’s objectives in developing a fiber laser module (FLM) and beam combiner for an airborne, coherently combined high energy laser system with an ultra-compact thermal management system (TMS).

2.0 BACKGROUND

The Laser Subsystem Development Program (LSD) is chartered to develop and build a 150kW class high energy laser subsystem for integration onto an airborne platform, in particular, within the form factor of the laser subsystem of the Self-Protect High Energy Laser Demonstration

(SHiELD) system and to consider how the scale HEL power up to 300kW. To that end, the program initiated the Compact High Energy Laser Engineering Assessment (CHELSEA), a series of studies in the FY19-FY20 timeframe in order to determine the viability of this approach. While a detailed discussion of the results of those studies is beyond the scope of this document, the studies determined – generally consistently across the four independent studies – that given reasonable and achievable improvements to the power and thermal subsystems, a

150kW class laser subsystem is achievable in the Laser Advancement for Next-generation

Compact Environment (LANCE) form factor, with only modest improvements over current state of the art. The studies found two HEL architectures to be viable; spectrally combined (SBC) fiber lasers and a coherently combined tiled array of fiber lasers (CBC). The SBC approach is based on more mature technology, and is currently being developed under the Fiber Laser

Module Evolution for SBC (FLaMES) effort. However, while the technology under development for FLaMES substantially reduces the size and weight of the laser subsystem as compared to the

LANCE device, the thermal management system uses the same architecture, and therefore must still approximately triple in size and weight to provide a similar magazine to a device about 3x more powerful than LANCE (30s shot time with a 30 min recharge period).

The CHELSEA studies also identified other, lower maturity concepts for a commensurate reduction in the TMS size and weight, and other concepts are in the literature not covered in

CHELSEA. While it is not the intent of this SOO to be prescriptive with regards to a specific technical solution, a key result of the CHELSEA studies are that to achieve these sorts of reductions in the size and weight of the TMS, the TMS and HEL must be so tightly coupled with each other that is no longer makes sense to consider them as two separate subsystems with an interface, but rather a single, co-designed subsystem. Furthermore, size and weight estimates for a coherent beam combiner are significantly less than for a spectral combiner for lasers of equivalent power levels. As coherent beam combining and these advanced thermal architectures are both higher risk and higher reward, the LSD program is seeking to advance the maturity of both approaches through the development of an ultra-low SWaP FLM consisting of multiple fiber laser amplifiers, with integrated thermal management, along with a coherent beam combiner for use in an airborne, coherently combined HEL.

3.0 SCOPE

The scope of this effort is to design, develop and test next generation FLM and beam combiner compatible with an airborne, coherently beam combined laser. The contractor will work with the

Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to develop performance and packaging requirements for the devices. Specifically, the FLM should consist of multiple fiber laser amplifiers laid out in a modular package, of which multiple can be built and integrated, and the beams of which combined in the coherent beam combiner. The FLM and TMS designs should be traceable to a

150kW airborne laser subsystem. The coherent beam combiner should be capable of combining up to a total of 150kW output power, but also support combining the outputs from a single FLM in order to demonstrate beam combination. The FLM, TMS, and beam combiner should be designed in such a manner that their joint size and weight are approximately 3kg/kW and 3L/kW, for a 150kW laser capable of operating for 30 s. The Government understands there are inefficiencies with regards to the size and weight when only building a single module, and the contractor may derive the requirements for size and weight of a single FLM and associated TMS so long as they support the required metrics for the 150kW laser.

The contractor will perform analysis and testing to demonstrate the item will meet performance requirements and will assist AFRL in developing an independent test procedure for an independent evaluation at a Government facility. The contractor will deliver the integrated FLM and TMS, beam combiner, and any associated hardware required to run the device in a laboratory environment, to include any auxiliary equipment required to operate the laser and recharge the thermal management system. The contractor will also deliver to AFRL final “as built” design documentation of the FLM, TMS and beam combiner. This document must include operation, installation, and preventive maintenance instructions. Required data includes safety considerations, interconnection diagrams, logical diagrams, operating procedures, parts and components list, test print list, and normal operating parameters.

4.0 TECHNICAL OBJECTIVES AND GOALS

The technical goals of this effort are as follows:

a) The contractor will develop and build a co-designed, integrated, flight qualifiable FLM and TMS for a coherently combined HEL subsystem consisting of multiple fiber laser amplifiers. The design should support and 150kW class HEL using this FLM/TMS technology with size and weight metrics of 3kg/kW and 3L/kW, with a 30 second nominal thermal magazine.

b) The contractor will develop and build a fight qualifiable coherent beam combiner capable of operating at up to 150kW, which also supports the 3kg/kW and 3L/kW figures for an

150kW class laser. The beam combiner should also be able to combine the outputs of a single FLM.

c) The contractor will perform analysis and testing to demonstrate the FLM meets performance requirements under environmental conditions relevant to a military aircraft.

d) The contractor will perform systems engineering and requirements derivation in collaboration with the Government.

e) The contractor will provide the following CDRL items: see section 6.0

5.0 OTHER INFORMATION

In order to successfully transition the technology, experimental conditions must replicate relevant system environments and target engagements either in the laboratory or in the field and may require the use of vacuum chambers or wind tunnels and the control of target dynamics or real-time system monitoring. AFRL/RD has certain testing capabilities at its facilities on

Kirtland AFB and White Sands Missile Range, the use of which can be negotiated should they be applicable to the proposed efforts. The Environmental Laser Test Facility (ELTF) will be used for some of the field tests at Kirtland AFB. The use of ELTF will not require special transportation, housing, or per diem type compensation for contractor personnel working on

Kirtland AFB.

6.0 SCHEDULE, DATA ITEMS AND OTHER DELIVERABLES

Start Work Date of Award (DOA)

End of Technical Effort (ETE): DOA + 30 months to include 3 months allotted for final report preparation

Hardware Deliverables:

One flight qualifiable FLM and TMS for coherent beam combination as described i designed in 4.a

One flight qualifiable coherent beam combiner as described in 4.b

Specific hardware required to operate the FLM/TMS and beam combiner in a laboratory environment.

Contract Data Requirements Lists (CDRLs):

Item Title Subtitle DID

A001 Contract Funds

Status Report

DI-MGMT-81468A

A002 Scientific, Tech

Reports Final Report DI-MISC-80711A/T

A003 Status Report Monthly Status Report DI-MGMT-80368A/T

A004 Conceptual Design

Drawings/Models

DI-SESS-81001E

A005 Computer Software

Products

Computer Software, Algorithms, Programs and

Source Code

DI-IPSC-81488

A006 Software User’s

Manual

DI-IPSC-81443A

A007 Presentation

Material

DI-ADMN-81373

A008 Interface Control

Document

DI-SESS-81248B

A009

Government

Property Inventory

Report

Government Furnished

Property (GFP) and

Contractor Acquired

Property (CAP)

DI-MGMT-80441C

A010

Developmental

Design

Drawings/Models and Associated

Lists

End item Data Package or

Drawings Use for

Prototype

DI-SESS-81002F

A011

Operation &

Maintenance

Instructions for

R&D Equipment

DI-MISC-81414A

7.0 SECURITY

It is necessary for the contractor to implement and maintain a security program to accomplish this effort, which includes the following: 1) Staff and maintain personnel with sufficient security clearance levels that allow access to data necessary to execute the program; and 2)

Ensure use of appropriate security protection methods commensurate with the security level of the material provided and generated during performance of this effort required by the draft DoD

Contract Security Classification Specification, DD Form 254 and associated Security

Classification Guidance. See Invitation to Bid, Attachment 3 for a draft of the DD Form 254.

Operations Security (OPSEC) and specific Program Protection procedures, policies and awareness are essential to reducing program vulnerability from successful adversary collection and exploitation of critical information and critical program information (CPI). OPSEC guidance and the Critical Information Lists (CIL), will be provided upon request by the

AFRL/RDOSC OPSEC/Program Protection Office (POC: Mr. Brian Young, brian.young.9@us.af.mil,505-846-1332. While working on the Government installation, OPSEC guidance and training will be provided by the AFRL/RDOSC OPSEC office. Program Protection measures shall be implemented in conjunction with OPSEC and the applicable Security

Classification Guides (SCGs).

8.0 ENVIRONMENT, SAFETY AND OCCUPATION HEALTH PROGRAM

The contractor will establish an Environment, Safety and Occupational Health (ES&OH) program IAW federal state and local safety and environmental regulations free from those conditions that can cause death, injury, occupational illness, damage to or loss of equipment or property or damage to the environment. The contractor will comply with all precautions established by the Air Force, Air Force Research Laboratory Phillips Research Site and Directed

Energy Directorate specified in this document during all activities performed in connection with this contract. The regulation requirements change periodically and the contractor will comply with the most current rules.

8.1 Occupational Health: When operating on Government installations the contractor will comply with provisions of all Air Force, Kirtland Air Force Base, and Phillips Research Site

(PRS) occupational health standards and requirements specified in this document (AFRL RDOI

61-103) as applicable.

8.2 System Safety Program: The contractor will comply with system safety permit requirements contained in AFI 91-202 AFRL SUP 1. These requirements apply to activities performed on Government properties and/or with Government personnel and/or at acquired properties and/or with Government-owned property.

8.3 Safety: The contractor will report all mishaps (to include personnel injuries, and damage to

Government property or equipment and accidental chemical releases) that occur as a result of the contractor’s activities to the contract management authority and AFRL/Det 8 Safety Office

(505-846-2273) and the AFRL Environmental Office (505-846-4574) as soon as possible not to exceed 24 hours after the mishap. If the Government elects to conduct an investigation of the mishap, contractor and subcontractors will cooperate fully with Government personnel until the investigation is completed. The contractor and subcontractors will secure the mishap scene and impound evidence/wreckage until released by the Government Contracting Officer. The contractor and subcontractors will comply with mishap reporting requirements contained in

PRSOI 91-101. The contractor and subcontractors will immediately comply with required toxicology testing and provide required medical information/records to the medical officer in the event of an Air Force mishap.

8.4 The contractor will comply with Air Force safety regulations and complete an approved

Safety Plan IAW AFI 91-202 AFRL SUP 1 before experiments may be conducted within

Government facilities.

9.0 SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

9.1 Science and Technology Program Protection: Performance of this contract will require

Contractor employees to have access to Critical Technology Elements (CTE), Enabling technologies, Critical Program Information (CPI) or other potential sensitive information.

Contractor employees will be required to protect this information from disclosure to unauthorized personnel and companies. Program protection measures will be provided by the

Government Program Manager. In the event the program has an established Science &

Technology Protection Plan (STPP) or Program Protection Plan (PPP) the Contractor shall adhere to and be compliant with the guidance established in the Science & STPP/PPP.

In the event that the STPP/PPP identifies additional security requirements above those of the

NISPOM the Contractor will provide a plan to comply with those requirements within 30 days of the STPP/PPP release.

The Contractor shall notify the Government Program Office immediately within 24hrs of all security incidents involving loss, compromise, or suspected compromise of CTE/CPI IAW

DoDM 5200.01-V3, Enclosure 6. CTE/CPI involved in the incident shall be specifically identified in inquiry and investigation reports. The Contractor shall ensure that Controlled

Unclassified Information (CUI) and associated Critical Information shall be protected to prevent adversary collection and exploitation. The Contractor shall comply with DoDI 5200.48 CUI.

Contractors will be required to accomplish an initial Standard Form 424, “Research and Related

Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded)” and review/update this form annually. The Contractor shall provide an initial report of personnel working on the contract at time of award and be required to provide an updated list anytime new personnel join. In the event a security risk is identified and the government has determined the security risk exceeds the acceptable threshold, the contractor will be notified and informed of the termination/decline of award. Government will be only required to provide a general statement of the reasoning due to government OPSEC measures.