A3 - TO02 SOO - Final.pdf

FA8650-20-S-5008

Attachment 3

Statement of Objectives

Task Order 0002

PICASSO

Physics-based and In-situ Composite Analysis and Simulation Solutions

1.0 Objective/Scope:

While much of the focus of AFRL and the polymer matrix composite (PMC) research team has traditionally been on applications for exquisite AF aircraft and propulsion applications, there is an increasing demand in developing material and processing techniques to serve expendable, attributable, and limited life aircraft technologies. These applications can often take on greater design risk, and allow for faster development and transition cycles. Limited life technologies require material development, improved processing that can increase performance and readiness, reduce costs, and enable acquisition and design agility.

The overall objective of this task order is to respond to these new demand signals by providing basic and applied research in agile manufacturing, such as additive manufacturing and other processing methods, including hybrid processes, combining conventional and disruptive technologies. This will enable increased complexity, low cost, near-net shape, and agile processing in polymer (organic, hybrid, and inorganic) matrix composites (PMCs). Emphasis will be placed on development of new materials and optimized formulations, scalability, topology optimization, physics-based processing science, process model and simulation development, and other methods that will overall accelerate innovation and technology availability of PMCs for limited life technologies.

2.0 Technical Requirements:

2.1 Material Development and Modification for Processing:

Develop materials and formulations on neat polymers, reinforced polymer composites, inks and materials with a emphasis on processing compatibility. Perform processing and characterization of developed materials and formulations to determine morphology, defect state, process, properties and performance relationships.

2.2 Processing and Topology Optimization Model Development:

Modify existing and create new software and hardware to enable design of composite parts through topology optimization and agile processing approaches. Perform processing, fabrication, modeling and characterization of PMC materials and structures using these agile processing and topology optimization approaches to achieve the desired material performance.

Evaluate and study materials made with these approaches and assess the influence of methods on PMC materials.

2.3 Scale-up of Materials and Processing Technique:

Further advance techniques, research methods, procedures and protocols developed under AFRL/RXC funded on-site research efforts. Scale-up small scale laboratory batches and

FA8650-20-S-5008

Attachment 3 formulations towards industrial sized scales. Determine how laboratory processing methods translate to larger scale processing techniques and larger and more complex parts.

2.4 Comparison of Prediction to Performance:

Perform modeling, fabrication, and characterization necessary to evaluate materials performance and determine the ability to integrate PMC materials into aerospace components and determine functionality & feasibility of new components.

2.5 Accomplishing Desired Research:

In order to accomplish desired research, interact with national and international experts necessary to understand new and emerging application requirements and develop collaborative relationships to exploit technical capabilities in emerging PMC materials and processes application areas.

3.0 Management Review:

Reviews will be an informal, ongoing activity due to the nature of the on-site research work. This can include reviews that will occur during the weekly Research Group (RG) meetings held between the government and contractor personnel. The contractor shall actively participate in both informal meetings and formal RG meetings. In addition, the contractor shall present the results of its R&D efforts at conferences and publish the results in appropriate peer-reviewed scientific journals.

4.0 Deliverables:

CDRLS A001, A002, A003, A004, A005, A006 and Hardware (Finished research samples and residual test materials)

5.0 Operations Security (OPSEC) Requirements:

All contractors shall participate in all activities associated with the disciplines of the organization’s OPSEC program following appropriate measures required for this particular contract. This is required in an effort to reduce program vulnerability from successful adversary collection of possible sensitive unclassified and/or proprietary information, and violations of export control requirements. The prime contractor will ensure that all subcontractors, if applicable, conform to these requirements as required by the prime contractor. Guidance can be provided by AFRL/RX Security as needed.

Program Protection Plan (PPP): Any potential critical program information (CPI) generated as part of this effort will be reviewed to determine the need for a PPP, or to be included as part of an existing PPP.