STCD_BAA_20180627_Final_Ver1_Additional_Topic.pdf

Short Title: BAA S&TCD 2018

Solicitation Number: BAA-18-R-STCD

United States Army

Communications-Electronics

Research Development and Engineering Command

SPACE and TERRESTRIAL

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTORATE

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT 2018

Solicitation issued by: Aberdeen Proving Ground-

Army Contracting Center

Posting Date: 20Jun2018

Contents

I. INTRODUCTION

General Information

Basic Research

Applied Research

Points of Contact

II. SCOPE AND RESEARCH INTEREST INTRODUCTION FOR TOPICS

Topic Number: S1801

Topic Number: S1802

Topic Number: S1803

Topic Number: S1804

Topic Number: S1805

Topic Number: S1806

Topic Number: S1807

Topic Number: S1808

Topic Number: S1809

Topic Number: S1810

Topic Number: S1811

Topic Number: S1812

Topic Number: S1813

Topic Number: S1814

Topic Number: S1815

Topic Number: S1816

Topic Number: S1817

Topic Number: S1818

Topic Number: S1819

Topic Number: S1820

Topic Number: S1821

Topic Number: S1822

Topic Number: S1823

III. WHITE PAPER AND PROPOSAL INFORMATION

General White Paper and Proposal Information

White Paper Preparation, Submission, and Evaluation

Proposal Preparation, Submission, and Evaluation

IV. OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION

Certificate of Current Cost and Pricing Data

Type of Contract

Cost-Sharing

Awards

Restrictive Marking on Proposals

Representations and Certifications

I. INTRODUCTION

1. The Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), solicitation number BAA-18-R-STCD, is sponsored by the US Army Communications, Electronics, Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC), Space and Terrestrial Communications

Directorate (S&TCD) and will be open for five (5) years from the date of original issue. The BAA will be valid through 19 June 2023, unless terminated sooner. This

BAA includes research interests from the S&TCD, which is located at Aberdeen

Proving Ground (APG), Maryland.

2. CERDEC develops and integrates command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) technologies that enable information dominance and decisive lethality for the networked Warfighters. The

CERDEC S&TCD provides the Army with secure communications/networking technologies through research and development (R&D) innovations.

S&TCD has six Program Divisions: Cyber Security and Information Assurance

(CSIA), Satellite Communications Systems (SATCOM), Systems Engineering, Architecture, Modeling and Simulation (SEAMS), Radio Frequency Communications

(RFC), Tactical Communications (TC), Operations (OPS). Each Division has a specific mission area of responsibility in support of the Army’s need for the most modern strategic and tactical communication technologies.

General Information

1. The BAA is issued under the provisions of Parts 35.016 and 6.102(d)(2)(i) of the

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), which provides for the competitive selection of research and development proposals submitted in response to this announcement.

FAR 35.016 provides for the issuance of a BAA as a means of soliciting proposals for basic and applied research and that part of development not related to the development of a specific system or hardware procurement. To be eligible for consideration and possible contract award, the technology or methodology shall be either basic research, applied research, advanced technology development not for a specific system/hardware, or demonstration and validation. BAAs may be used by agencies to fulfill their requirements for scientific study and experimentation directed toward advancing the state-of-the-art or increasing knowledge or understanding rather than focusing on a specific system or hardware solution. The BAA shall only be used when meaningful proposals with varying technical/scientific approaches can be reasonably anticipated.

Basic Research

Defined as research directed toward increasing knowledge in science with the primary aim being a fuller knowledge or understanding of the subject under study, rather than any practical application of that knowledge.

Applied Research

Is an effort that normally follows basic research, but may not be severable from the related basic research; attempts to determine and exploit the potential of scientific discoveries or improvements in technology, materials, processes, methods, devices, or techniques; and attempts to advance the state-of-the-art.

2. This BAA is a hybrid combining elements of an open, two-step, and with calls BAA offering maximum flexibility to the organization and opportunities for respondents.

An open BAA allows for white paper submittals at any time until the expiration of the

BAA. White papers and proposals will be evaluated according to the instruction described herein.

A two-step BAA will invite potential offerors to submit brief descriptive white papers in lieu of full proposals. Full proposals are then requested from those potential offerors selected in the white paper evaluation process. When proposals are received, they are evaluated and selected according the procedures described herein.

While the BAA will remain open allowing white paper submission at any time, the

Government might also issue requests transmitted via “calls”, using the Federal

Business Opportunities (https://www.fbo.gov/) bringing attention to one or more areas of interest requesting potential offerors to submit a white paper. The “calls” might further define the technology/government needs etc. or will simply request a white paper for a specific topic.

3. White papers may be submitted at any time during the life of this BAA, as well as in direct response to a Call. The Government may award a contract at any time during the life of this BAA. An award may also be made after the BAA expiration date if the white paper is received before the expiration date occurs. This award may occur no later than six (6) months after the BAA expiration date. Offerors that submit a proposal without first submitting a white paper may not be eligible for award.

4. This announcement must be general in nature, identify the areas of research interest, include criteria for submitting and evaluating white papers, and solicit the participation of all offerors capable of satisfying the Government's needs. Proposals that are selected for award are considered to be the result of full and open competition and in full compliance with the provisions of PL 98-369, the Competition in

Contracting Act of 1984. Resulting agreements may be in the form of purchase orders, contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements depending upon the specifics of the effort, such as extent of Government involvement, actual scope of work, and cost.

5. CERDEC encourages industry interested in conducting scientific research, educational institutions, small businesses, and small disadvantaged business concerns, historically black colleges, university and minority business enterprises and https://www.fbo.gov/ institutions to submit white papers. Eligible prospective offerors also include

Canadian firms participating in the Defense Development Sharing Program.

6. The Government will consider Contractor Teaming Arrangements, as set forth in

FAR Subpart 9.6, or Defense Research and Development Pools as set forth in FAR

Subpart 9.7.

7. The offeror, by submission of an offer or execution of a contract in response to this solicitation, certifies that the offeror is not debarred, suspended, declared ineligible for award of public contracts, or proposed for debarment pursuant to FAR 9.406-2. If the offeror cannot certify, or if the status of the offeror changes prior to award, the offeror must provide detailed information as to its current status.

8. This BAA is an expression of interest only and does not commit the Government to make an award or pay white paper or proposal preparation costs generated in response to this announcement. The cost of white paper and proposal preparation for response to a BAA is not considered an allowable direct charge to any resultant contract or any other contract. Any award will be made subject to availability of appropriated funds. Prospective offeror is reminded that only a duly warranted

Contracting Officer may obligate the Government to an agreement involving expenditure of Government funds. The Government reserves the right to fund all, some, one, or none of the white papers or proposals received under this BAA. The

Government anticipates making multiple awards subject to availability of funds.

9. This BAA may be amended to add new topics. Interested parties should be alert for any BAA amendments that may be published on the Federal Business Opportunities

(FBO) Webpage, https://www.fbo.gov

Points of Contact

1. All submissions and technical questions or clarifications should be sent via email to the Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) associated with the respective Research

Topic, with the Contracting Officer, Contract Specialist, and Acquisition

Management Team Mailbox (see below) included on the cc line. No discussions by the technical staff are to be held with offeror, after white paper or proposal submission, without permission of the Army Contracting Command Contracting

Officer.

2. Contractual questions may be directed to Contracting Officer, Johanna T. Hersch, at email: johanna.t.hersch.civ@mail.mil, or to Contract Specialist, Andrew Pilone, at email: andrew.m.pilone.civ@mail.mil. Acquisition Team Mailbox:

usarmy.apg.rdecom-cerdec.mbx.stcd-amt@mail.mil https://www.fbo.gov/

II. SCOPE AND RESEARCH INTEREST INTRODUCTION

FOR TOPICS

This part of the BAA contains statements of the Research Interests required by the

CERDEC S&TCD. Each statement identifies a TPOC. Prior to white paper submission, questions on technical matters and availability of project funding relating to a particular

Research Interest should be directed to the TPOC identified for that Research Interest.

1. If development in certain topic areas requires the interaction of several investigators from interdisciplinary areas, white papers and proposals for comprehensive research programs will be considered. Only a limited number of such large programs can be initiated under this BAA. Inquiries related to comprehensive and interdisciplinary programs within the mission area of this directorate should be addressed to the TPOC.

2. NOTE: When responding/inquiring on a specific area of research, refer to the Topic

Number listed on the following appropriate pages.

Topic Number: S1801

Tactical Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO)

Division: Cyber Security and Information Assurance

Technical POC: Mr. Steve Lucas, stephen.w.lucas.civ@mail.mil

Secondary POCs: Mr. Jonathan Santos, jonathan.m.santos.civ@mail.mil

Mr. Brian Dempsey, brian.m.dempsey.civ@mail.mil

The S&TCD Cyber Security and Information Assurance (CSIA) Division is interested in the means of ensuring soldier security, survivability, and continued operation of tactical and strategic information systems at all classification levels in the face of cyber-attack.

The following is a list of areas of research that the STCD CSIA division is interested in, and would like further information on novel approaches to addressing these research areas, especially focused on tactical networks:

Technologies for cyber electromagnetic activities (CEMA) and DCO situational awareness and situational understanding and common operating picture of host-based protections, information, and vulnerabilities.

Technologies to create improved cyber data analytics and correlation capabilities.

High fidelity decoy and deterrence capabilities for resource constrained environments.

Tracking data provenance in disconnected environments.

Technologies that apply big data analysis to cyber events to assess attacks and risks.

Technologies to map cyber events against mission plans and assess mission impacts.

Technologies for coordination between defensive cyber, offensive cyber, network operations, and spectrum capabilities.

Technologies to assess cyber component performance to help shape metrics and quantitative analysis of tools to enable evaluation of S&T investments prior to deployment; technology assessments that correspond to real world conditions.

Technologies in software assurance to address common weaknesses and enumerations in software development.

Technologies to develop assurance models for domain specific software development languages.

Technologies to develop a root of trust, including but not limited to, trust negotiation tools based on data trust models.

Trust determination scoring mechanisms for decision support.

Architectures that maintain trust models when developed from un-trusted components.

Policy driven Technologies for identity/authentication and access control.

Mobile device security Technologies.

Technologies for attack prediction and adversarial reasoning.

Technologies for dynamically modifying applications in order to randomly change the available attack surface of a program.

Defensive cyber maneuver capabilities for applications, systems, and networks to create a moving target that will cause the cost, time, and/or skill level of the attacker to be so high it’s not economically viable.

Security enhancements for software defined networking for de-centralized architectures.

Technologies for security in the cloud environment for both strategic and tactical environments.

Hardware mechanisms Technologies for secure boot load and continuous monitoring of critical software.

Anomaly intrusion sensor training capabilities to reduce the amount of time required to define typical system behavior.

Operating system kernel agnostic Technologies that provide kernel level protection from rootkit malware. Of interest are Technologies for dynamic memory allocation protection capabilities.

Technologies using Graphic Processing Units (GPUs) for cyber security data processing including GPUs as an attack vector.

Technologies for the modeling and simulation of cyber security events with a defense-in-depth approach in place.

Technologies or approaches to Exta-Scale core systems and their application to cybersecurity including advanced persistent threat detection through big data fusion.

Technologies to address cyber security in the supervisory control and data acquisition

(SCADA) environment and/or weapon platforms.

Technologies to ensure the security of data processed and routed through tactical networks or on a system to include understanding an assessing the security based upon data provenance and assessing differences between malicious and benign data modifications.

Technologies to securely modify data and destroy or detect embedded malware or steganographic information.

Technologies to disguise valid systems and information flows amongst fake systems and information flows.

Technologies to secure Containers, Virtual Machines, Hypervisors, Microservices, and Service Oriented Architectures.

Technologies to securely migrate technologies on networks between hosts.

Metrics and measures to assess efficacy and efficiency of software assurance tools and techniques and dynamically tailor developer interactions based on trends and analysis.

Technologies to circumvent passive attackers from gaining information about networks.

Technologies that leverage software defined network (SDN) to create new defensive cyber capabilities.

New security-oriented routing protocols and self- healing network protocols.

Technologies that leverage machine learning in order to make cyber determinations.

Technologies that leverage quantum computing or quantum encryption to protect data flows and networks.

Technologies that are inherently secured against being broken by a quantum system.

Techniques for processing information while performing minimal decryption.

Biometrics.

Wearable technologies for Identity and Access Management.

Continuous authentication techniques for de-centralized and disconnected environments.

Technologies to ease and expedite cyber forensics.

Technologies for digital assistants to support the cyber decision making process of users.

Technologies for adding security features directly into radio waveforms.

Technologies for assessing specialized crypto embedment into multiple types of devices.

Technologies that assess how well existing or new TRANSEC and COMSEC algorithms and techniques protect networks, systems, and data.

Technologies in the area of cross domain solutions (CDS) that allow for automated analysis and transfer of information flows especially for non-fixed formatted message types.

Technologies for multi-level security.

Technologies to secure Cyber Physical Systems & internet of things (IoT).

Techniques supporting Monitoring & assessments of Cyber engagement states, impacts, and outcomes.

Techniques for Cyber Obfuscation, Deception, and Diversion.

Machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques that support self-healing software code.

Techniques for automated software coding decision aids to minimize coding induced vulnerabilities.

Topic Number: S1802

Cooperative Beamforming

Division: Radio Frequency Communications (RFC)

Technical POC: Mr. Erick Ortiz Palou, erick.e.ortiz-palou.civ@mail.mil

Secondary POC: Mr. Jeremy Scott, jeremy.d.scott36.civ@mail.mil

S&TCD is interested in the development of cooperative beamforming radio systems with robust anti-jam (AJ) and low probability of intercept/low probability of detection

(LPI/LPD) capabilities suitable for dismounted use. The proposed R&D should address

AJ and LPI/LPD in both link directions (transmit and receive) as well as any necessary coordinating communications between nodes. Proposed R&D solutions should, at a minimum, support communications between a dismounted squad of soldiers and a distant vehicle (100 meters up to several kilometers away from the squad). Desired R&D topics will address the technology necessary to implement this capability in a manner that can support a scalable network with a low size, weight, power, and cost (SWAP-C) suitable for dismount use. Proposed development solutions should utilize a secure HW/SW architecture and information assurance (IA) approach, or, at a minimum, responses must explain a clear and low-risk path that shows how the design can support incorporation of

IA measures at later stages of development.

The maturity of the proposed technology should be at a technology readiness level (TRL)

4 or higher, although TRL 3 technology that can rapidly reach TRL 4 will be considered.

The end state of the effort should be a set of demonstration/proof of concept systems at

TRL 5 or 6 that can be tested in an outdoor field environment.

Topic Number: S1803

Low Probability of Intercept/Low Probability of Detection (LPI/LPD) Squad Area

Networks (SQAN)

Technical POC: Mr. Patrick Charles, patrick.n.charles.civ@mail.mil

S&TCD is interested in the development of novel LPI/LPD and anti-jam (AJ) capabilities for wireless squad area networks to support communications for dismounted soldiers.

Communications range can/should be traded off to achieve better AJ and LPI/LPD performance and extended battery life. The minimum throughput should support voice communications and the transfer of still-frame images; however, higher throughput is desirable and would be expected in benign operating conditions. The waveform should have mobile ad-hoc networking capability (e.g. no fixed infrastructure required, self-forming, self-healing) and support a scalable network. Furthermore, the desired solution should be implementable on low SWAP-C hardware suitable for dismount use. The proposed effort can incorporate commercial standards/technologies; however, they should demonstrate innovate and novel development techniques. Proposed development solutions should utilize a secure HW/SW architecture and information assurance (IA) approach, or, at a minimum, must explain a clear and low-risk path that shows how the design can support incorporation of IA measures in later stages of development.

The maturity of the proposed technology should be at a TRL 4 or higher, although TRL 3 technology that can rapidly reach TRL 4 will be considered. The end state of the proposed effort should be a set of demonstration/proof of concept systems at TRL 5 or 6 that can be tested in an outdoor field environment.

Topic Number: S1804

Millimeter Wave (mmW) Communications

Technical POC: Mr. Emanuel Merulla, emanuel.j.merulla.civ@mail.mil

S&TCD is interested in the development of novel capabilities for mmW communications for application to the tactical battlespace, which provide for high throughput, while maintaining anti-jam (AJ) and low probability of intercept/low probability of detection

(LPI/LPD) characteristics. Necessary communications ranges vary by application but should be practical for tactical scenarios. S&TCD is willing to trade-off some throughput for additional range and better multi-path performance. S&TCD is particularly interested in the research and development of technologies that will support the use of mmW for on-the-move (OTM) applications on ground vehicles and other mobile platforms. This may include but is not limited to: high update-rate beamforming/beam-steering antennas, multi-path resilient waveforms, and mobile ad-hoc networking protocols that support mmW waveforms. Proposed effort can incorporate commercial standards/technologies, however should demonstrate the development of novel and innovate techniques.

Proposed development solutions should utilize a secure HW/SW architecture and information assurance (IA) approach, or, at a minimum, must explain a clear and low-risk path that shows how the design can support incorporation of IA measures in later stages of development.

technology that can rapidly reach TRL 4 will be considered. The end state of the effort should be a set of demonstration/proof of concept systems at TRL 5 or 6 that can be tested in an outdoor field environment.

Topic Number: S1805

High Frequency (HF) Communications

Technical POC: Mr. Mahmoud Khalil, Mahmoud.m.khalil.civ@mail.mil

Secondary POC: Mr. Daniel Duvak, daniel.v.duvak.civ@mail.mil

S&TCD is interested in the development of an HF communications system with anti-jamming (AJ) and low probability of intercept/low probability of detection (LPI/LPD) capabilities. The proposed system should also be backward compatible with legacy HF systems and provide improvements where applicable and feasible. Desired R&D topics will address the technology necessary to implement this capability in a manner that can support a scalable network and have the means to interface with existing Army networks

(e.g. Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T)). Innovative technologies are being sought to maximize HF throughput while minimizing size, weight, and power

(SWAP) and providing LPI/LPD and AJ characteristics.

S&TCD is interested in analysis of HF radio and waveform characteristics that implement LPI/LPD and AJ features useful to the Army. There is also interest in architecture and integration analysis including interfaces and standards that facilitate HF insertion into Army tactical and soldier platforms.

Topic Number: S1806

Spectrum Obfuscation

Technical POC: Alex Chang, kauteng.a.chang.civ@mail.mil

Secondary POC: Nabil Hossain, nabil.a.hossain.civ@mail.mil

S&TCD is interested in the development of innovative ideas, approaches, or techniques that decoy, redirect or obfuscate the radio frequency (RF) spectrum in order to confuse or degrade the effectiveness of enemy electronic warfare capability. The research approaches should target obscuration across the electromagnetic spectrum at the command post level to mitigate enemy reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition (RSTA) capabilities and reduce the ability to identify battlefield signatures and risk of detection of personnel and command posts. S&TCD is also interested in research that enables new and novel schemes of maneuver in the electromagnetic spectrum.

Near peer adversaries can significantly degrade the Army’s network in a hostile electromagnetic environment. While the addition of anti-jamming (AJ) and diversity increases a level of network resiliency, the Army also desires to have decoy or obfuscation capabilities for the RF domain. Submissions may include proof-of-concept systems with multichannel capability to represent Battalion and Brigade-level command post electromagnetic signatures that increase communications resiliency by adding the ability to decoy and conceal primary assets. Submissions must provide the metrics and techniques used to evaluate and demonstrate the effectiveness of the concealment techniques.

The following research focus areas, without prioritization, are of interest:

Techniques and technologies to present false signatures, thus creating false alarms for enemy direction finding and geolocation;

Use of obfuscation devices to cloud the RF spectrum and overwhelm reactive jammers; prevention of self-interference through planning & management of electromagnetic order of battle and/or automated real-time processes;

Recommended use cases and further development of electronic schemes of maneuver to support electronic obfuscation;

Obfuscation metrics.

Topic Number: S1807

Every Receiver a Sensor (ERAS)

Technical POC: Mr. Jonathan Lee, jonathan.j.lee34.civ@mail.mil

Secondary POC: Mr. George Palafox, george.palafox.civ@mail.mil

S&TCD is interested in broadening and deepening the Army’s ability to sense the Cyber-

Electromagnetic Operational Environment (EMOE) in a congested and contested operating environment for the purpose of augmenting the Commander’s Situational

Understanding (SU). The ERAS program aims at developing technology that leverages available idle RF receiver systems to become part of a task-able distributed network of sensors providing near-real time sensed spectrum data.

One of these receiver types will be RF tactical communications radio systems. During radio idle times, the radio system will act as a sensor and will be tasked to perform sensing operations remotely and/or via integrated Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) policies that incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques for radio nodes in

Distributed Intermittent Limited (DIL) environments.

S&TCD is interested in the development of DSA algorithms that incorporate AI techniques for ingesting sensed spectrum at the tactical edge and performing real-time analytics to determine necessary alterations to accepted radio parameters: frequency

(shifting, hopping, diversity, etc.), space, time, polarization, modulation, power adaptation, and other new previously unexplored parameters in support of potential mission changes.

These algorithms should consider the processing power of the host radio node as well as power efficiency usage for minimal power cost (e.g. utilization of efficient low-power chip technology, etc.) to the host radio node while incorporating methods/techniques for efficient real-time dissemination across tactical Army communication network of sensed electromagnetic spectrum information. The algorithms should enable radio nodes to communicate with other network radio nodes for efficient distribution of spectrum sensing tasks. The algorithms should promote increased spectrum efficiency and mitigate adverse effects of congested and contested RF environments. The algorithms should incorporate big data analytic techniques to aid in advising radio nodes of potential radio parameter changes to support the mission.

Topic Number: S1808

Antennas and Antenna Technologies for Tactical Communications

Technical POC: Mr. Mitchell Mayer, mitchell.s.mayer.civ@mail.mil

Secondary POC: Dr. Shuguang Chen, shuguang.chen.civ@mail.mil

S&TCD is interested in the development of antennas encompassing a wide diversity of technologies and capabilities to support communications for air, ground or dismounted platforms. The proposed research should investigate innovative approaches that enable both evolutionary and revolutionary advances in science, devices, or systems to improve antenna performance.

The research approaches must provide the bandwidths, gains, and Size, Weight and

Power (SWaP) reductions to enable wide deployment and link closures between the functional elements of networked nodes consisting of dismounted soldiers, unattended sensors, remote communications relays, highly mobile command and control elements, air tiers, and direct and indirect fire weapons.

The following research focus areas, without prioritization, are of interest:

Amplification circuits that transform antenna designs through order of magnitude improvements in signal-to-noise performance and power efficiency.

Approaches that have potential to reduce size, weight, and power associated with signal distribution and coupling.

Designs that provide useful bandwidth over an octave or more for air, ground or dismounted applications.

Innovative integration methods to mount distributed antenna systems onto tactical platforms without drilling new holes or using existing bolts that may not optimize placement locations.

Multifunction capabilities for platforms in multi-mission environments with reduced visual signatures.

Body worn / weapon mounted antennas to support MUOS and terrestrial communication applications.

Conformance to non-tactical platforms for covert operations.

Applications to multiple input multiple output (MIMO) technologies.

Wideband spectrum monitoring.

RF performance of ballistic radomes and reducing radome costs.

Cosite interference mitigation solutions.

Autonomous systems / sub terrain communications.

All antenna designs/technologies that meet any of the above focus areas are of interest under this BAA topic. The maturity of the proposed technology should be at a TRL 4 or higher, although TRL 3 technology that can rapidly reach TRL 4 will be considered. The end state of the effort should be a set of demonstration/proof of concept systems at TRL 5 or 6 that can be tested in an outdoor field environment.

Topic Number: S1809

Airborne Line of Sight (LOS) and Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) Range Extension and Reach-back Communications On-the-Halt and On-the-Move

Division: Satellite Communications Systems (SATCOM)

Technical POC: Rahul Pandya, rahul.pandya@us.army.mil

Secondary POC: Helen Muzzelo, helen.w.muzzelo.civ@mail.mil

The S&TCD is interested in addressing innovative, practical, and cost effective technology solutions to the technical barriers associated with range extension and airborne communications. This includes ground-air-ground and satellite communications used to extend current/emerging tactical networks and provide reach back. Efforts can include range extension for terrestrial radios, surrogate satellites (e.g. Unmanned Aerial

Systems (UAS), Aerostat payloads) to augment/supplement space-based satellite communications, or new/unique services that could be provided by airborne payloads.

The joint force requires an aerial layer transport capability to provide a high capacity, persistent end-to-end connectivity that is responsive to all users over extended distances, in complex, urban terrain, and while on the move. This capability satisfies requirements gaps in command and control, battle space awareness, and net-centric environment as identified by U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC).

Proposed efforts should include a comprehensive analysis of the current state-of-the-art in the appropriate technology areas for an airborne communications relay payload.

Proposed efforts should include a demonstration of the proposed payload utilizing existing or newly developed ground terminals.

Another objective of this effort is to develop on-the-move airborne communications that could interface with Wideband commercial Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, Medium

Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites, military Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite and

Protected Extremely High Frequency (EHF) Narrowband Satellite communications.

Key technology challenges include but are not limited to:

mailto:helen.w.muzzelo.civ@mail.mil

Interoperability with legacy waveforms such as SINCGARS, EPLRS, etc., for LOS;

Interoperability with MILSATCOM requirements for BLOS.

Enhances communications range extension, transition and relay capabilities of the

Aerial platform.

Ability to support next generation Military and Commercial waveforms.

Ability to minimize size, weight and power (SWaP).

Ability to provide coverage over tactical LOS distances or BLOS transmission capability (e.g., SATCOM).

Low Cost.

Mountable on various airborne vehicles, including manned and unmanned Aircraft and Aerostats.

Ruggedized: e.g., able to withstand moderate impacts, harsh environmental conditions. Does not increase platform vulnerability.

Topic Number: S1810

Tactical Satellite Communications On-the-Move (SOTM) Research

Technical POC: James Gallagher, james.j.gallagher56.civ@mail.mil:

Secondary POC: Page Pully, william.p.pully.civ@mail.mil

The S&TCD is interested in new technologies that enhance Tactical SATCOM on-the-move (OTM) and At-The-Halt (ATH) performance and/or reduce size, weight, and power

(SWAP) and recurring cost. Tactical SATCOM systems must also evolve with new and fluid operational concepts. Specific goals of development include: adaptable and autonomous control and improved network security.

Tactical SATCOM systems are integrated on crowded tactical vehicles, including vehicles with turrets. There is interest in low profile antenna systems (e.g. 6-12 inches or less in height) that maintain performance at low look angles (e.g. 10-20 degrees), and distributed antenna technologies to ease integration. There is interest in both military (X, Ka, and Q) and commercial (L, X, Ku, and Ka) frequency bands for these antenna subsystems.

Tactical SATCOM systems will be used to operate, manage and engage autonomous vehicular platforms. SATCOM control systems which will allow the Government to fully manage autonomous SATCOM terminals is of interest.

Tactical SATCOM systems are targets of electronic warfare. There is interest in technologies that counter electronic warfare. This includes, autonomous control systems which will allow the network to adapt to fluid operational mission needs, spread spectrum systems for jamming resistance, and systems with improve security requirements to protect the tactical network.

mailto:james.j.gallagher56.civ@mail.mil mailto:william.p.pully.civ@mail.mil

The cost of Tactical SATCOM systems, continues to challenge the Army’s ability to field large quantities of these systems. Technologies that significantly reduce costs are of interest.

There is also interest in all subsystems of the SOTM terminal, including the OTM tracking systems (electronic and mechanical), amplifier systems, converter systems, receiver systems, aperture (antenna) systems, modem systems, baseband systems, and control systems.

Topic Number: S1811

Advanced Satellite System Control Capabilities

Technical POC: Rich Hoffmann, paul.r.hoffmann4.civ@mail.mil

Secondary POC: Tania Perciaccante, tania.j.perciaccante.civ@mail.mil

The S&TCD is interested in innovative, practical, and cost-effective technology solutions to the technical barriers associated with optimizing satellite network control. Technology solutions in the areas of optimized architectures, virtualized environments, efficient and timely centralized database for streamlined management, efficient systems of systems technologies, real-time optimization (e.g. power control) planning, monitoring, and positive control are needed in order to utilize satellites most efficiently and support the maximum number of users. Key technical challenges include efficient and robust data transfer between user terminals and control system terminals, implementation of an efficient architecture to support data storage and translation between multiple individual functions, the utilization of automation where appropriate to reduce control operator workload, and advanced algorithms to support real time optimization, trending analysis and troubleshooting.

Efficient and effective satellite communications is an important requirement for current

Army forces. Diverse terminal and user requirements, advanced satellite features, and multiple operational environments makes satellite system control challenging. The contested environment is particularly challenging, requiring support for robust and resilient communications as well as advanced interference location techniques. The objective of this effort is to develop control systems that support maximum satellite efficiency while reducing operator burden in all operational environments.

Key technology challenges include, but are not limited to:

Efficient use and management of satellite resources

Reduced SATCOM control center operator burden - Centralize account and password management, single-sign on, automate internal/external system interactions.

Speed and automation for detection of anomalies (equipment failure, interference or configuration) for global real time situational awareness (SA).

mailto:tania.j.perciaccante.civ@mail.mil

Speed and automation for link planning and support for automated service request process.

Monitoring and control of satellite resources

Interference detection, characterization and Geolocation

Contingency planning and network restoration

Network data trend analysis and visualization

Efficient addition of new payloads, terminals, modems, and waveforms.

Integration with legacy operations system components

Information Assurance (IA) controls to include Defense In Depth, Out of Band

Management.

Efficient and robust database management to include virtualized infrastructure, intelligent learning for trending and data analysis, continuous monitoring and network management standards.

Topic Number: S1812

SATCOM Resiliency Technologies

Technical POC: Rich Hoffmann, paul.r.hoffmann4.civ@mail.mil

Secondary POC: Tania Perciaccante, tania.j.perciaccante.civ@mail.mil to the technical barriers associated with improving the protection and resiliency of satellite communications. Improving system availability in congested and contested environments. Current and emerging contested environments up to and including peer threats should be considered. This applies to all types of commercial and military satellite communications, including Narrowband, Wideband, and Protected SATCOM as well as all segments including the terrestrial terminal segment, the satellite payload and bus segment, and the control segment.

The Army currently leverages multiple commercial and military satellite communications across the enterprise and all tactical echelons. The S&TCD is seeking technologies that add system resiliency to currently fielded systems through software and/or hardware modifications or additions, as well as adding resiliency to the satellite communications network through the use of emerging systems. Technologies are sought that are complementary with current and future Army SATCOM waveforms (e.g. Frequency

Division Multiple Access, Time Division Multiple Access, Multi-Frequency Time

Division Multiple Access).

Providing Protected, or Anti-jam (AJ), Anti-Scintillation (AS), low probability of intercept/ low probability of detection (LPI/LPD) capabilities and waveforms for both communications and satellite network management.

AJ waveforms that can co-exist with user communications in the same bandwidth segments mailto:tania.j.perciaccante.civ@mail.mil

Small form factor, low cost AJ waveform implementations that can support very low throughputs (e.g. 2 kbps) to provide significant AJ protection in low bandwidth environments.

Development of advanced situational awareness, control concepts, algorithms, and implementations for SATCOM systems.

Innovative solutions to reducing interference through advanced digital processing techniques supporting as many types of interference as possible, including wide bandwidth and dynamic interference.

Integrated AJ systems leveraging multiple mitigations, including automated, intelligent and learning systems that can support optimum response to interference based on available mitigations.

Efficient and flexible approach to adding resiliency to satellite communications, including effective network interfaces to optimize traffic flow.

Cost effective, scalable Radio Frequency (RF) and antenna technologies supporting flexible connectivity to simultaneous satellites or frequency band changes without manual reconfiguration (e.g. X, Ku, commercial and military Ka).

Low size, weight, and power (SWAP), low cost, satellite ground terminal integration solutions supporting ease of operation for the Soldier.

Beam forming solutions supporting interference nulling, leveraging current

MILSATCOM satellite payloads (e.g. Wideband Global SATCOM) and future commercial and MILSATCOM payloads.

Novel geo-location solutions, leveraging current MILSATCOM payloads (e.g.

Wideband Global SATCOM).

New satellite system approaches to support resilient and high throughput connectivity for enterprise and tactical use (e.g. emerging commercial Ka, LEO/MEO mega-constellations, and or Nano/Small Satellites).

Efficient, virtualized, and scalable architecture solutions supporting Army mission thread and Multi-Domain Battle (MDB) end to end connectivity.

Topic Number: S1813

Advanced Technologies for Fixed and Transportable Satellite Earth Terminals

Technical POC: - Steve Lescrinier, stephen.p.lescrinier.civ@mail.mil

Secondary POC: Koh, James, james.koh.civ@mail.mil to the technical barriers associated with improving the capacity and performance of fixed and transportable satellite communications earth terminals, as well as reducing the physical space and support requirements for terminals and associated equipment.

The Army fields and operates fixed and transportable satellite terminals in a variety of military (SHF, EHF) and commercial (L, C, X, Ku, Ka, Q, W, V) frequency bands for tactical and strategic communications. Specific bands of current interest include GBS

(20 GHz), Wideband Global SATCOM (7/8 GHz and 20/30 GHz) and mailto:ames.koh.civ@mail.mil

MILSTAR/Advanced EHF (20/44GHZ). There is interest in support for high capacity communications among terminals as well as support for small aperture communications on-the-move terminals.

The Army is actively pursuing the application of a standards-based digital architecture terminal, which converts analog radio frequency subsystems to all digital signal processing functions. These functions include modem, multiplexing, switching, routing, patching, and link adaptation functions. The digital interfaces for these functions are based on the technical interface standard for Digital Intermediate Frequency (IF) published by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Telecommunications

Industry Association (TIA), the Open Standard Digital IF Interface (OSDI) for SATCOM

Systems (ANSI/TIA 5041).

The objective of this effort is to develop cost effective technology solutions to enable increased equipment utilization and bandwidth efficiency for fixed and transportable satellite communications ground terminals.

Development of advanced processing, waveforms, coding, and other techniques to enable more efficient channel and bandwidth utilization while maintaining signal quality in the presence of random errors during transmission.

Development of advanced modem architectures and technologies that enable the digital processing of satellite communications signals as close to the antenna as possible.

Development of processing techniques to leverage diversity to support robust, resilient and efficient communications over multiple satellite links.

Antennas that can simultaneously communicate with multiple satellites, bands and polarizations.

Antennas that can track MEO and LEO satellites in addition to GEO satellites and also support make before break, or soft handoff between satellites.

More efficient power amplifiers and low noise amplifiers and block converters with improved Mean-Time-Between-Failure (MTBF).

Technologies that support and build upon ANSI/TIA 5041 for digitizing terminal subsystems.

Development of software defined digital modems that implement Frequency division multiple access (FDMA), Spread spectrum multiple access (SSMA), Multiple-

Frequency Time division multiple access (MF-TDMA), and other commonly used

SATCOM waveforms.

Innovative solutions to improve strategic and tactical DoD SATCOM architectures, to include ground terminals, satellite payloads, and control systems.

Topic Number: S1814

Narrowband SATCOM Transport Controller Research

Technical POC: Peter A. Bach, peter.a.bach4.civ@mail.mil mailto:peter.a.bach4.civ@mail.mil

Space and Terrestrial Communication Directorate (S&TCD) is interested in innovative, modular and cost-effective SATCOM transport controller technologies that enable cross-hub command and control operations of narrowband tactical networks. S&TCD is interested in modular machine learning capabilities that interface with third party transport controllers to that enables rapid real-time course of actions (COA) solutions to maintain or improve transport and network performance availability and reliability.

Transport Controllers and Machine Learning modules should support common programmable interfaces to enable integrating with multi-vendor hub modems to provide a common user interface.

Efficient and effective satellite communications is an important requirement for joint forces that support global operations where one transport solution or multiple disparate transports limited the ability to provide adequate real-time corrective measures to disadvantage users. This requires a Transport Controller that’s capable to manage, monitor and modify multi-vendor transport solutions from remote locations in a single interface. Integrated transport controllers enable opportunities for higher mission data availability and reliability when operating in non-traditional environments. Non-traditional environments include contested, congested, increase dependencies on cloud services or increase in network users.

Technologies to monitor and configure dependent third-party hub modem(s) and user transceiver(s) for narrowband SATCOM operations

Enabling third party technologies insertion for enhanced capabilities against evolving threats

Ability to manage and provision multi-vendor waveforms across transport elements

Leveraging Smart Routing (SR) technologies for IP and non-IP data that leverages and integrates with Commercial of the Shelf (COTS) Network Appliances.

Ability to orchestrate Transport services to distant users for streaming and transferring data from user defined service gateways

Ability to manage modular network transport element(s)

Network and transport monitoring with modular machine learning technologies to provide COA’s for mitigation of transport reliability

Ability to provide network discovery and manage transport/ network diversity paths to each available transceiver

Ability to use technologies to alert users of transport/ network concerns and service quality conditions

Ability to use technologies that enable secure data Containers, Virtual Machines, Hypervisors, Micro services, and Service Oriented Architectures to enable and manage over the air updates

Ability to failover to third party transport controller solutions

Technologies to provide identifiable network element (s) transport health indicators

Technologies that enable cross-hub multi-vendor transport spectrum interference monitoring and reporting

Ability to manage link budgets for multiple space payload technologies and provide network alerts on user defined mission parameters.

Technologies that provide real-time statistical models, classifications, metrics and historical of transport interferences with corrective actions resolutions.

Topic Number: S1815

Multiband Platform SATCOM Software Defined Radio Research

Technical POC: Peter A. Bach, peter.a.bach4.civ@mail.mil

Space and Terrestrial Communication Directorate (S&TCD) is interested in innovative, modular and cost effective Tactical Platform SATCOM Software Defined Radio (SDR) technologies solutions that support large scale deployments over SATCOM, Cellular and

Line of Sight (LOS) links. S&TCD is also interested in backwards compatibility to current the Joint Battle Command – Platform (JBC-P) SATCOM waveforms and

TRANSEC with a modular design to adapt new waveforms as needed to operate in various RF environments. The multiband platform SATCOM SDR should provide common programmable interfaces to interface with various transport controllers and end user transceivers, which enables rapid real-time course of action’s (COA’s) solutions to maintain or improve transport and network performance availability and reliability.

Efficient and effective modular (UHF, L, S, V, C, X, Ku and/or Ka band transceivers)

SATCOM communications is an important requirement for joint forces that support global operations where one transport solution or multiple disparate transports limit the ability to provide adequate real-time corrective measures to disadvantage users. This requires a SDR that is capable of support existing and new waveforms while monitoring and modifying transports for optimizations. SDR should be interoperable with and managed by a third-party SATCOM Software Defined Hub modems. Integrated with

Cellular and LOS radios for path diversity and relay capabilities when operating in non-traditional environments. Non-traditional environments include contested, congested, increase dependencies on cloud services or increase in network users.

Capable of vehicle integrations within an eight-inch square mounting form factor

Ability to manage and provision government and third-party waveforms

Capable of supporting MUOS, BFT and Iridium waveforms

Capable of supporting Government approved Software Modular Framework

Ability to support modular TRANSEC modules that complies with DOD Key

Management systems mailto:peter.a.bach4.civ@mail.mil

Ability to support Hub-Spoke and Mesh Networks

Ability to support Low Probability of Interception/Detection (LPI/LPD) waveforms

Capable of supporting Hub orchestration services for Waveform changes and modifications

Capable for supporting multiple RX, TX and TX/RX modes

Capable to supporting Return links on different SATCOM RF bands

Capable to support Receive only for GBS services

Ability to provide Forward link relay broadcasts LOS

Technologies that perform transport monitoring and reporting

Abil…