Attach 1 - AET Basic IDIQ SOO dated 5 May 2021.pdf

FA9451-21-S-0002

Attachment 1

ADVANCED ELECTROMAGNETIC TECHNOLOGY (AET)

BASIC ID/IQ STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES (SOO)

5 May 2021

1.0 BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Directed Energy Directorate (RD), High-Powered

Electromagnetics Division (RDH), located at Kirtland AFB, is the Air Force’s Center of

Excellence for research in High Powered Electromagnetic (HPEM) technology and functions as the Air Force Materiel Command’s center for HPEM technology development, acquisition, transformation, and support.

AFRL/RDH is composed of highly specialized research facilities and HPEM scientists and engineers that work in close partnership with the AF, DoD, and industry to provide innovative technologies.

The objective of the AET Program is to investigate, develop, and ultimately transition new High

Power Electromagnetics (HPEM) Weapon concepts, HPEM materials and components, and compact pulsed power topologies. The program will also evaluate and leverage advances in prime power technologies to optimize size, weight, and power (SWaP) for future weapon systems. Successful transition entails transitioning the new HPEM Weapon Concept into its own program, or incorporation/use of new HPEM components and materials into another HPEM

Program.

2.0 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This focuses on the technical areas of Electromagnetic Weapons Technologies (EMWT). The objectives of these technical areas are to investigate, develop and ultimately transition novel

HPEM Weapon concepts, HPEM materials and components, and compact pulsed power topologies. The scope encompasses areas of research from basic principle physics up to system integration level efforts and leverages other research methods such as computational modeling to achieve objectives. The objectives can be divided into six overarching topic areas: 1. Repetitive

Pulsed Power (EMWT); 2. Charged Particle Beam (CPB) Interactions; 3. Compact, Low Duty

Factor Prime Power; 4. HPEM Material & Plasma Science & Technology; 5. HPEM

Fundamental Research; and 6. Solid State HPEM.

The AET Program encompasses six (6) specific technical areas:

a. Technical Area 1: “Repetitive Pulsed Power”

The research effort will be to investigate and advance compact, pulsed power technologies suitable for driving high power electromagnetic sources including Marx banks, pulsed forming networks, pulse forming lines, linear transformer drivers, hybrid pulsed power topologies, nonlinear transmission lines, solid state switches, gas switches, capacitors, transformers, insulating dielectrics, varactors, resistors, magnetic and dielectric, conducting and structural materials that enable compact, pulsed power systems suitable to drive high power electromagnetic sources.

In addition, the research will study and develop prime power sources and strategies for compact energy storage, charging, discharging and power conditioning of pulsed power systems compatible with use in airborne platforms. The research will include computer analysis and modeling of pulsed and prime power systems and components to predict and evaluate performance, operational suitability, and lifetime.

Research will include design, development, engineering, fabrication, assembly, analysis, and testing of pulsed and prime power topologies and components.

b. Technical Area 2: “Charged Particle Beam (CPB) Interactions”

The Air Force Research Laboratory has recently begun a research effort to investigate the effects that high energy particle beams (HEPBs) and the radiation produced by them can have on electronic components and systems. This research effort can be divided into two components: the first component focuses on understanding and characterizing the effects that high energy particle beams can have on electronic systems, and the second component entails designing and building an accelerator with which to perform effects tests.

The effects research component includes identifying and procuring various electronic components and systems of interest for testing; understanding the details of their operation;

designing, fabricating, and assembling test fixtures for these assets to enable remote operation and monitoring; and then conducting tests involving placing these electronic components and systems within the path of high energy particle beams and documenting changes in their operation. Procurement of ancillary equipment to operate test assets and materials for assembling the test fixtures may be necessary, as well as performing modeling and simulation of high energy particle beam propagation through various media and beam interactions with targets. The research may also involve building up or developing new diagnostics as appropriate, and developing or modifying exiting data acquisition systems to record data.

Occasional travel requirements are expected in order to support experimental test campaigns at off-site locations.

The accelerator development component of the research will first involve modeling and simulation of particle accelerators to include both existing accelerator topologies as well as novel accelerator schemes, i.e. laser or plasma wakefield accelerators. This effort will then entail designing, developing, fabricating, testing, and analyzing particle accelerator systems and components for eventual use in the effects testing. Included in the definition of these components and systems are linear accelerators, superconducting accelerator structures, microwave sources, ultrafast lasers and optics, plasma sources for wakefield accelerators, dielectric wakefield accelerating structures, and prime energy stores.

c. Technical Area 3: “Compact, Low Duty Factor Prime Power”

This research effort will focus on developing compact, prime power technologies optimized for power density and specific power for intermittent, high power, pulsed operation, and high efficiency to utilize as compact energy storage and power conditioning sources for Directed

Energy Systems.

This effort will develop, evaluate performance, operational suitability, efficiency and lifetime of compact, prime power technologies and components that have pervasive applications to a breadth of electromagnetic systems, including but not limited to compact energy storage and power conditioners that derive and store power intermittently from airframe bus, and as well as independent compact power generation, energy storage and power supplies, novel switching power supply topologies, transformer designs utilizing low core loss, high saturation flux density magnetic cores and innovative insulations, batteries, fuel cells, ultracapacitors, and hybrid power sources.

The trade space of performance, lifetime, size and specific power of prime power systems in relation to overall for performance, volume and mass of potential electromagnetic weapons systems will be investigated.

Within this effort, the design, construction, and utilization of existing test stands at AFRL/RD will occur, and experiments to determine functionality, environmental operability, integration and life-time of prime power technologies will be performed not only on the bench but also when operated within the entire system for which the subsystem was designed.

d. Technical Area 4: “HPEM Material & Plasma Science & Technology”

This research effort will focus on developing a fundamental physical understanding of the interaction of millimeter wave radiation with high temperature materials and using this understanding to develop materials applicable to power beaming applications.

Modeling capabilities and materials data gained will be used to develop heat exchanger technology in which millimeter wave energy absorbed by the high temperature material is transferred to a working fluid in a configuration feasible for use in power generation or propulsion applications.

This effort will require characterizing and modeling temperature-dependent conductivity and complex permittivity, as well as changes in crystal structure, grain size, and vitrification of high temperature materials that may result from mm-wave heating at temperatures up to 2500 degrees C. Material performance will be characterized at very high continuous wave (CW) or quasi-CW millimeter wave power densities, up to ~30 MW/m2 in air. Due to the extreme environments in which these materials will be studied, it is expected that characterization and modeling of millimeter wave interactions with surface and atmospheric plasmas will also be required.

Responses focusing heavily or exclusively on application-oriented technology demonstrations, i.e. launches of a beamed energy propulsion vehicle, will not be considered responsive to this topic.

In addition to the mm-wave research, this research effort will also include a focus on developing a fundamental understanding of the initiation and sustainment of low pressure (≤ 1atm) plasmas using high power microwave (HPM) or high power millimeter wave beams.

Discussions should focus on laboratory-scale direct and ponderomotively driven quasi-free-space plasmas having lifetimes of >5 seconds and sustained with a multi kW microwave beam.

Quasi-free-space implies multiple Debye lengths between the main plasma body and the wall of the containment vessel.

Further studies will include higher power HPM-driven plasmas as well as HPM-driven plasmas in various magnetic field configurations.

This effort is expected to require the development of novel HPM drive systems for various plasma configurations, which may involve the development of custom HPM sources and focal arrays.

e. Technical Area 5: “HPEM Fundamental Research”

This research effort will focus on fundamental research and development on the interactions of materials for use in next generation HPM systems. The research will include the development, modeling, and testing of materials heated using high power microwave or millimeter-wave radiation. Developing, modeling and testing novel materials and components relevant to heat exchangers capable of utilizing electromagnetic energy as a power source. Studying microwave and millimeter-wave powered plasma sources, associated high voltage power systems, magnetic field configurations, beam conditioning techniques, and beam direction techniques necessary for heating materials and generating plasmas. Studying the physics of materials in extreme environments of high power microwave tubes, computationally and experimentally, particularly extending the state-of-the-art in novel materials and condensed matter pertaining to electron field emission physics. Developing and testing improved theoretical and numerical models for neutral outgassing of various anode materials for HPM tubes. Developing and testing models to explain the relationship of the magnetic properties of ferrites to the efficiency, frequency and pulse lengths of electromagnetic radiation propagating through magnetic dispersive nonlinear transmission lines.

Exploring innovative coupling techniques for frequency selection and extraction of high power microwaves from nonlinear transmission lines.

Simulating and exploring the effects and mitigation of defects in dielectrics and insulators, particularly in relation to the mechanisms of electrical breakdown.

Due to the importance of HPEM-related fundamental research to broader research programs at

AFRL, the majority of contractor work will be performed in close collaboration with government personnel at AFRL facilities; however, it is expected that in order to achieve research goals, it may be necessary to access specialized skills and capabilities that are available in other areas such as universities.

f. Topic Area 6: “Solid State HPEM”

The goal of this effort is to investigate, develop, and ultimately transition nonlinear transmission line (NLTL) or other solid-state based High Power Electromagnetics (HPEM) weapon concept(s). The work will include the development of system(s) utilizing a nonlinear transmission line (NLTL) or alternative solid-state high power microwave source(s) integrated into a vehicle and/or vehicles including but not limited to suitable user interfaces, embedded controls, and diagnostics. Work will include the development and study of operational suitability, efficiency, and lifetime of solid-state HPEM systems. The effort will include but is not limited to ruggedization, performing lifetime tests on system components, of the solid-state source, pulsed power, prime power source and antenna(s).

This effort will focus on the design and develop solid-state HPEM source(s), antenna(ae), pulsed and prime power systems that are suitable for integration into a various types of vehicles as required by exigencies of the program.

Research efforts will focus on increasing, as required by exigencies of the program, the range and effectiveness of solid-state HPEM systems on select target sets. In addition, evaluation of the trade space of performance, volume and mass of solid-state HPEM sources, antenna(ae), pulsed and prime power subsystems in relation to overall performance, volume and mass of potential solid-state based HPEM weapons systems will be required.

Discussions should include the development, design, construction, testing, analysis, and implementation of enabling technologies for compact, solid-state HPEM based weapon systems.

This effort will include the design, build, and utilization of test stands at AFRL/RD for performing experiments to determine functionality, environmental operability, integration and life-time of that subsystems and/or components, not only on the bench but also when operated within the entire solid-state HPEM system(s). In addition to experimentation, the effort will include the development and/or utilization of models to optimize the design and integration of solid-state based HPEM systems, subsystems and components, and to validate the experiments.

3.0 OVERARCHING PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

Work in this area shall include, but is not limited to: 1) the development of compact repetitive pulsed power topologies complementary to HPEM source development, as well as the development and transition of novel component and pulsed power technology with pervasive applications to a breadth of EM sources, 2) the investigation of the interactions of charge particle beams and their associated radiation with materials and electronic systems, 3) the development of low duty factor, compact prime power systems for delivery power and energy needed to

Directed Energy sources on various platforms either directly or by driving pulsed power subsystems, 4) the investigation of the interaction of HPEM and various HPEM generated plasmas with materials used in HPEM systems and/or HPEM applications, 5) fundamental research into the physics involved in the interactions between materials used in HPEM systems, components or subsystems and HPEM and the various types of plasmas generated by HPEM;

HPEM materials including, but not limited to cathode and anode materials, ferroelectrics and antiferroelectrics, insulators, and heat sink materials, 6) fundamental and applied research into the generation of HPEM signals using solid-state sources which may include but are not limited to the use of Non-Linear Transmission Lines (NLTLs).

4.0 DELIVERABLES:

4.1 Data

The following items are representative of the type of data that is necessary for AET. Task

Order SOOs will specify which CDRLs are applicable.

CDRL A001: Presentation Materials

CDRL A002: Status Report – Technical Status Report

CDRL A003: Scientific and Technical Report – Final Report

CDRL A004: Developmental Design Drawings and Associated Lists

CDRL A005: Test Plan

CDRL A006: Computer Program End Item Documentation

CDRL A007: Software User’s Manual

CDRL A008: Technical Report – Study Services

CDRL A009: Computer Software Product End Items

CDRL A010: System Safety Hazard Analysis Report

CDRL A011: Safety Assessment Report

CDRL A012: Contract Funds Status Report

CDRL A013: Operations and Maintenance Instructions of R&D Equipment

CDRL A014: Government Property Inventory Report- GFP/CAP

4.2 Software

Specified at the Task Order level.

4.3 Hardware

4.4 Other

Potential “other” items include Status Reports, Computer Program End Item Documentation, and Software User’s Manuals

5.0 PERIOD AND PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Ordering period on the basic Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract will be 60 months. Task Order period of performance will be specified at the Task Order level.

6.0 SCHEDULE, DATA ITEMS, AND OTHER DELIVERABLES

A schedule will be provided as guidance for completing the project at each Task Order level.

7.0 BASE SUPPORT

The offeror will be offered access to AFRL facilities located at Kirtland AFB. These facilities are located where the HPEM research will primarily be conducted in buildings on Kirtland Air

Force Base. Other locations may be added depending on project requirements.

8.0 SECURITY (APPLIES TO ALL TASK ORDERS)

The contractor shall implement a security program to accomplish this effort, which includes the following: Have and maintain personnel staffing with sufficient security clearance levels that allow access to the data necessary to execute the program; Provide and maintain secure facilities necessary to process and store the data generated under this effort; Have and maintain the ability to handle and store unclassified, proprietary, and classified information to perform this activity;

and ensure use of appropriate security protection methods commensurate with the security level of the material provided and generated during performance of this effort. See FA9451-21-S-0002

Attachment 5 for the DoD Contract Security Classification Specification, DD Form 254.

9.0 FOREIGN PARTICIPATION

Foreign participation is prohibited on this effort.

10.0 CONTRACTOR ACQUIRED PROPERTY

11.0 REQUIRED TRAVEL

Study/expertise/demonstration related work may be required at various CONUS locations requiring travel to/from those locations. Furthermore, participation in equipment assessment, equipment removal or transport, system test studies, technical interchange meetings or demonstrations at remote locations, and conference attendance may be required.

12.0 OPERATIONS SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS

The Directed Energy Weapons (DEWS) Technology Security Classification Guide (SCG) (31

January 2018) will apply to this effort and can be provided upon request. All applicable health, safety, and environmental regulations will also apply.

13.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

Any scheduled Government Furnished Property (GFP) will be provided at the Task Order level.

14.0 SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

The contractor shall adhere to all supplemental requirements stated in Attachment 2 to FA9451-

21-S-0002.

15.0 CONTRACT HOLIDAYS:

Contract Holidays: The prices/costs include holiday observances; accordingly, the Government will not be billed for such holidays, except when services are required by the Government and are actually performed on a holiday. The following days are contract holidays:

New Year’s Day

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

President’s Day

Memorial Day

Juneteenth

Independence Day

Labor Day

Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Veteran’s Day

Thanksgiving Day

Christmas Day