Attach 1 - SOO FINAL.pdf

FA9451-18-S-0003 Call 0004 Attachment 1

Laser Vulnerability Research-Assessments (LVR-A)

Statement of Objectives (SOO)

25 MAR 2020

1.0 PURPOSE

The Air Force Research Laboratory, Directed Energy Directorate, Laser Effects, Modeling & Simulation Branch (AFRL/RDLE) researches high energy laser interaction with systems of interest to the Air Force to understand, quantify, predict and assess the high energy laser (HEL) lethality and target vulnerability. The objective of this Call is to develop and utilize engineering and engagement level models to perform probabilistic target vulnerability assessments that accurately predict the target response during laser irradiation and to quantify susceptibility in the context of confidence and probability, integrate vulnerability data and effects models with mission level models to ensure proper representation of target susceptibility to laser systems in mission studies. In addition, perform parametric studies for analyzing the laser performance trade space for current and future continuous-wave high energy laser (HEL) systems and possible comparisons to high energy pulsed lasers.

2.0 BACKGROUND

The Laser Vulnerability Research (LVR) Program, as a program under AFRL/RDLE, contributes to the Air Force goal of an effective and optimized end-to-end laser weapon system by researching the corresponding vulnerability of threat targets of interest. Weapon lethality has a direct link to target vulnerability, which is supported by the development of engineering and engagement level models to perform probabilistic target vulnerability assessments. The LVR Program has developed state-of-the-art predictive and experimental processes over decades of research.

However, the increase in threat system from foreign adversaries requires AFRL/RDLE to develop novel engineering and engagement level tools to address new materials, components, system of interest to the Air Force and the evaluation of HELs for the future battlespace. AFRL/RDLE is also developing tools to explore threat system response after laser induced damage to determine HEL weapon effectiveness as a viable solution to denied airspace.

The vulnerability analyses of these new targets requires evaluation of more complex aim points including; internal aim-points, optical systems, and as well as impacts from expected aerodynamic environments. Innovative engineering and engagement analysis approaches are necessary to advance the state-of-the-art engagement simulations under representative conditions and environments.

The technical objectives of this Call fall under Technical Area #3 (Laser Vulnerability Assessments) and #4 (Laser Engagement Modeling) of the “Pulsed And Continuous wave Innovation For Integration and Effects Research (PACIFIER)” Broad Agency Announcement

(BAA), FA9451-18-S-0003.

3.0 SCOPE

3.1 Intelligence Coordination for Target and Threat Characterization (CDRLs A004 A005, A006, A007):

Develop Intelligence requests and coordinate with DoD Intelligence agencies to develop target exploitations, geometry models, and system level failure analysis logic trees (FALTS), as well as HEL weapon exploitations.

o Identify target performance characteristics, design specifications, system redundancies, Concept of Operations (ConOps), design variants, system proliferation, design drawings, material types/alloys, and other target characteristics necessary to perform laser vulnerability studies.

Develop or improve existing target geometry models based on SolidWorks, Ballistics Research Laboratory Computer Aided Design (BRL-CAD), STereoLithography (STL), Fast Shotline Generator (FASTGEN), Solids Modeling Tool (SMT), as well as other formats common to Computer Aided Design within the DoD community.

Coordinate with National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC), Missile and Space Intelligence Center (MSIC), Joint Aircraft Survivability Program Office (JASPO), Joint Technical Coordinating Group for Munitions Effectiveness (JTCG/ME), and other agencies to leverage existing target geometry model databases to reduce duplication of effort.

Perform reverse engineering when target or system characterization data is limited.

o Verify representative material acquisitions (coupon, component, or system level) using internal and external resources.

Submit the target geometry models (TGM) to the relevant intelligence agency to ensure it has been developed using appropriate and relevant information to generate a representative TGM. The Contractor is responsible for any required changes.

Prepare appropriate documentation and packages (Phase 1-2) for the High Energy Laser Review and Approval Process Team (HEL-RAPT) tri-service review and coordinate reviews with Army and Navy lethality Teams

3.2 Develop and Demonstrate State-of-the-Art Engagement and Engineering Models for Predicting Laser Effects (CDRLs A001, A004, A005, A006, A007, A008):

Perform research and development in modeling techniques for the development of engineering level engagement models for laser interaction and target effects.

Develop the capability to accurately predict the effect of a laser on materials commonly used in ground, air, and space systems.

Develop engineering level engagement models for simulating the effect of continuous wave kilowatt-Megawatt (kW-MW class) laser systems for structural damage, coupled thermal mechanical damage, sensor damage, high explosive ignition, material flammability, and other phenomenology observed in HEL system interactions with air, ground, and space systems. This effort should closely coordinated with the physics based Modeling & Simulation (M&S) research activities under Technical Area -2.

The focus should include addressing further development of shotline vulnerability tools, flyout models, seeker models, statistical analysis tools and Vulnerability Modules (VM), including Hitpoint Interrogation using Target Statistics (HITS), GALAXY-DAKOTA, LaserFX, (Integrated Weapons Environment for Analysis (IWEA) and Advanced Framework for Simulation Integration and Modeling (AFSIM) and existing VMs.

Perform parametric studies for analyzing the laser performance trade space for current and future continuous-wave HEL systems and possible comparisons to high energy pulsed lasers

Develop the software necessary to interface the engineering model with engagement or mission level models such as an Application Programming Interface.

Support the development of (DE-JMEM) Weaponeering tools as necessary.

3.3 Model Verification, Validation, and Accreditation (CDRLs A001, A004, A006, A007, A008):

Perform internal model verification and validation for assessment and engagement models and model components developed for predictive laser/material interaction simulations. Utilize analytical, numerical, methods of manufactured solutions, or similar methods to verify proper implementation and experimental data representative of the intended use case for validation of the engagement model or model component.

Perform literature review to identify prior analytical, numerical, or experimental results published by AFRL, other DoD agencies, Government, industry and academia to optimize the use of existing research in the verification and validation process.

Provide recommendations for validation experiments when existing data is unavailable and utilize resultant test data for validating assessment and engagement models for the particular applications.

Support DoD Verification, Validation, and Accreditation process as necessary to accredit predictive engagement models for use by program offices.

3.4 Experimental Coordination and Data Analysis (CDRL A004):

Provide failure mode analysis, target/material/component recommendations, and test matrix recommendations to maximize applicability to assessment activities.

Provide diagnostic recommendations and corresponding justification as the measurement applies to laser susceptibility, target vulnerability, engineering model development, and model validation.

Support test readiness reviews, test planning working groups, hot washes, and data reviews to ensure proper coordination with experimental teams and maximize the utility of test results for target vulnerability assessments.

Develop stochastic fragility functions from component and subsystem testing for components that cannot be accurately modeled using current tool sets to be used to support system level target vulnerability assessment analysis

3.5 Target Vulnerability Assessment (CDRLs A004, A005, A006, A007):

Perform target vulnerability assessments utilizing target exploitation to identify components susceptible to laser damage, analyze critical components using engineering and engagement level models to determine susceptibility requirements and corresponding functional system response, quantify accessibility using engagement angle and spot size dependent analysis of the susceptibility requirements, and determine irradiance, spot size, and other laser characteristic thresholds for the desired target effect.

Perform uncertainty quantification analyses to propagate random and systematic uncertainties to develop probabilistic laser susceptibility requirements at various confidence levels and develop vulnerability modules such that data can be readily integrated into engagement and mission level models.

Coordinate with mission and campaign level modeling groups to ensure vulnerability data is properly integrated for HEL system studies

Develop target folders to include all documentation of the data acquired during target characterization and exploitation process, model inputs, run matrix, model assumptions, and data contained in the assessment readiness reviews and assessment data reviews.

3.6 Software, Database, and Hardware Maintenance (CDRL A004):

Provide software version control and distribution control compliant with DoD standards for existing and newly developed engagement-based models built under this TO.

References should include MIL-HDBK-61A (SE) and the AF Software Guidebook.

Maintain engagement models, such as shotline and flyout models, and software subroutines, written in languages such as C++, Fortran, Python, and Matlab, to perform laser vulnerability assessment studies, including bug fixes related to physics algorithms, compliance with latest compilers, and developing users, programming, and analyst manuals to accompany software releases.

Optimize and maintain the use of physics and engineering level models including physical hardware, networking, cluster computing resources, and associated software.

The scope of this Call includes program plan development, coordination with Department of Defense (DoD) intelligence offices, reverse engineering, developing target geometry models and system level Failure Analysis Logic Trees (FALT), Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA), coordination with experimental and physics modeling programs, development of measurement error budgets, data reduction and analysis, engineering and engagement model development and enhancements, uncertainty quantification, documentation, as well as optimizing the use of software, databases, and computer hardware for engineering and engagement simulations.

4.0 MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES:

4.1 Incorporate all program management and security tasks required to oversee the successful and efficient performance of all task activities outlined above. This will include providing the skills and resources required to plan, organize, coordinate, direct, accomplish, and document technical efforts and track funding requirements, use an effective cost, schedule, and technical performance control system, and implement an efficient organizational structure flexible to the changing requirement and workloads.

4.2 Track the status of deliverables against schedule, track expenditures against both the budget and approved activities in the program plan, and report technical progress on ongoing activities.

Provide this information as requested by the Government or on a monthly basis with information being provided no later than the 10th of the following month. The format will be determined by the Government and the Contractor. ,

4.3 Coordinate with the LVR-A Program Manager (PM) to develop a Management Plan that describes:

Schedule with key milestones

Participants with rationale why those participants are qualified to conduct the effort (years of relevant work experience, current efforts, expertise for example)

Budget breakout/required for each specific task proposed under this effort with rationale how the activity supports either the Assessment or High End modeling Activities

Critical paths and potential risks along with off ramps or solutions to buy down risk (specialized manpower, additional computer equipment, etc.)

Deliverables for each technical objective.

4.5 Provide updates on staffing to include new hire activity, identifying what this potential hiring action provides to the Government related activities.