Attach 3d - AET Task Order 4 SOO dated 5 May 2021.pdf

FA9451-21-S-0002

Attachment 3d

ADVANCED ELECTROMAGNETIC TECHNOLOGY

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES (SOO)

TASK ORDER 4

HPEM Material & Plasma Science & Technology

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 novel HPEM Weapon Concept into its own program, or incorporation/use of new HPEM components and materials into another HPEM

Program.

2.0 TASK ORDER DESCRIPTION

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.

3.0 TASK ORDER OBJECTIVES

The objective of this task order is to advance Air Force HPM capabilities by performing research and development in Topic Area 4: HPEM Material & Plasma Science & Technology of

Technical Area, Electromagnetic Weapons Technologies (EMWT).

Explore and model microwave or millimeter-wave radiation interactions with

HPEM materials and the atmosphere.

Develop, model and test novel materials and components relevant to heat exchangers capable of utilizing electromagnetic energy as a power source.

Studies of material interactions with mm-wave radiation are expected to involve incident power levels ranging from a few mW to 100’s of kW.

Develop microwave and millimeter-wave powered plasma sources, associated high voltage power systems, magnetic field systems, beam conditioning systems, and beam direction systems.

Design, develop, fabricate, test, and analyze HPEM components for use in

HPEM-relevant plasma and material interaction systems. The definition of components includes, but is not limited to, electron beam-related sources, vacuum diodes, pulsed power interfaces, pulsed power components (such as capacitors, pulse forming systems), timing and triggering components, pulsed power diagnostics, HPEM diagnostics, HPEM loads and antennas.

Investigate the initiation and sustainment of direct-drive and ponderomotively driven quasi-free-space plasmas in conditions similar to those present at various levels of the atmosphere. CW Plasma sustainment studies of interest are expected to involve the use of microwave drive power levels approaching or exceeding 10 kW.

4.0 DELIVERABLES

4.1 Data

Contract Data Requirements Lists (CDRLs) A001 – A014 are applicable to the Task Order.

CDRL A001: Presentation Materials As Required

CDRL A002: Status Report Monthly

CDRL A003: Scientific and Technical Report ETE

CDRL A004: Developmental Design Drawings and Associated Lists As Required

CDRL A005: Test Plan As Required

CDRL A006: Computer Program End Item

Documentation As Required

CDRL A007: Software User’s Manual As Required

CDRL A008: Technical Report As Required

CDRL A009: Computer Software Product End Items As Required

CDRL A010: System Safety Hazard Analysis Report

(SSHA) As Required

CDRL A011: Safety Assessment Report (SAR) As Required

CDRL A012: Contract Funds Status Report (CFSR) Quarterly

CDRL A013: Operations & Maintenance Instructions of R&D equipment As Required

CDRL A014: Government Property Inventory Report Semi Annual

4.2 Software

If applicable on this Task Order.

4.3 Hardware

4.4 Other

5.0 PERIOD AND PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Work will primarily be performed at the contractor’s facilities and Kirtland AFB. However, participation in meetings, tests, and other efforts at Kirtland AFB and other locations may be desired. The project is intended to be a 45 month technical effort, with an additional 3 months allotted for final report preparation.

6.0 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.

7.0 SECURITY

This Task Order effort does not require a Secret facility clearance or safeguarding capability.

Refer to 8.0 Security in the Basic SOO.

8.0 FOREIGN PARTICIPATION

Foreign participation is prohibited on this effort.

9.0 CONTRACTOR ACQUIRED PROPERTY

The offeror should propose Contractor Acquired Property (CAP) as required to fulfill the proposed effort.

10.0 REQUIRED TRAVEL

Task Order work related to technical research, expertise, or demonstration may be required at various CONUS locations. Furthermore, participation in equipment assessment, equipment removal or transport, system test studies, technical interchange meetings, and conference attendance may be required.

11.0 OPERATIONS SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS

Refer to 12.0 Operations Security Considerations in the Basic SOO.

12.0 SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIRMENTS

Refer to 14.0 Supplemental Requirements in the Basic SOO.

13.0 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

Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.

President’s Day

Memorial Day

Juneteenth

Independence Day

Labor Day

Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Veteran’s Day

Thanksgiving Day

Christmas Day