1_-_Statement_of_Objectives.pdf

PHASED ARRAY

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES (SOO)

BAA-RVKD-2014-0001 CALL 0003

14 October 2016

1.0 PURPOSE

The Fiber Laser and Beam Combination (FLBC) program at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Directed Energy Directorate, Laser Division (AFRL/RDL) is pursuing research and development into technologies that enable phased array laser weapon systems that are intended for integration onto airborne tactical platforms. The purpose of this call is to solicit new efforts in beam-control concepts relevant to an array-based system, enabling optical components and devices for such a system, and systems level integration and design work of an array-based laser weapon system capable of being integrated onto an airborne tactical platform. As such, both systems level integration and research into key optical components and enabling technologies are relevant to this effort.

2.0 BACKGROUND

Under the FLBC program and its predecessors, the Air Force Research Laboratory , Directed Energy Directorate (AFRL/RD) has been investing in research of advanced fiber laser sources and array-based laser weapons systems using fiber lasers. Multiple concepts for an aircraft-conformal phased array have been validated in both modeling and simulation and scaled-laboratory experiments. The phased array concept is predicated on using optically independent transmitting telescopes for the array, as previous work has shown that this is the only approach determined to be scalable to the size, weight, and power (SWaP) requirements of a high speed airborne tactical platform. While there are several viable array-based beam control concepts, certain key enabling technologies and optical components require additional development in order to achieve sufficient readiness to incorporate into a fieldable system. This effort seeks to advance the readiness of those components and demonstrate them in a manner relevant to this phased array concept.

3.0 SCOPE

The scope of this Call includes research, development, integration, and testing of novel optical components and devices, and beam control techniques which enable advanced phased array laser system beam control. Technologies which enable the laser system to be fuselage conformal or nearly conformal including non-gimbal based beam steering devices are of interest. Additional items of particular interest for this Call are: 1. enabling technologies for array-based beam control concepts such as high-resolution phased array

BAA RVKD-2014-0001 CALL 0003

Attachment 1 imaging and wavefront sensing; 2. auxiliary and dual use functions of the transmit and receive aperture for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), target designation, laser ranging, or other applications; and 3. developments that improve efficiency, reduce SWaP, ruggedize for use in real-world systems, and improve optical characteristics which enable phase-locking and coherent fiber-laser beam combination in the far field on an extended, non-cooperative target (i.e., phased array target-based phase sensing).

4.0 TECHNICAL OBJECTIVES AND GOALS

The technical objectives of this Call fall under Technical Area 6: High Power Fiber Development and Beam Combination of the Laser Simulation Analysis and Research (LSAR) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), BAA-RVKD-2014-0001. While AFRL/RDL is investing in technologies spanning a wide range of technical readiness levels, this effort is focused on the longer-term need of a conformal phased array weapon system. As such, the following are deemed relevant and critical for this effort:

phased arrays and tiled arrays; monolithic beam control; extended-beacon multi-conjugate adaptive optics; characterization of aero-optic turbulence;

simulation of wave-optics; experimentation with complex optical-mechanics;

collection and analysis of experimental data; development and demonstration of phased array imaging, wavefront sensing, beam-control functions, and the conceptual development of phased array fuselage conformal systems.

It is anticipated the work will be performed at both a contractor’s facility and in a Government laboratory using Government test ranges. The Government has the option to award more than one contract to meet its in-house and out-of-house research and development plans.

Task 1: Out-of-House Phased Array System Development

The out-of-house research and development effort requires the contractor to develop and demonstrate novel beam-control concepts for array-based systems. In turn, this research and development effort will advance the technology needed to eventually meet packaging, volume, weight, and operational requirements for airborne-tactical platforms.

Desired personnel expertise is as follows:

o The Principal Investigator (PI) should be well versed in Fourier optics, statistical optics, radiometry, lasers, imaging through turbulence, and speckle phenomena. In particular, the PI should have subject-matter expertise in phased-array/tiled-array/monolithic beam control, extended-beacon/multi-conjugate/woofer-tweeter adaptive optics, and distributed-volume/aero-optic turbulence characterization. The PI should show a strong publication record in the areas listed above to include peer-reviewed journal articles, conference papers, and technical reports.

o Modeling and Simulation, Design, and Analysis - The PI’s engineering staff should have the following qualifications: firm knowledge of MATLAB® for data reduction and analysis, wave-optics simulations, and existing hardware-software interfaces; experience with Zemax or equivalent software for detailed optical-system designs; and experience with Solidworks or equivalent software for detailed opto-mechanical designs.

o Development - The PI’s engineering staff should have the following qualifications: hands-on experience aligning, testing, and troubleshooting optics for scaled-laboratory experiments; hands-on experience with electro-optic components including drive electronics, electro-optic modulators, acousto-optic modulators, deformable mirrors, fast-steering mirrors, DC motors, and spatial-light modulators; hands-on experience with visible and near-infrared cameras and their various interfaces including USB, Firewire, Cameralink, etc. and associated frame grabbers;

and hands-on experience with pulsed or CW, visible or near-infrared, solid-state/fiber lasers.

o Demonstration - The PI’s engineering support staff should have the following qualifications: proven track record of learning, implementing, and developing control algorithms and image-processing algorithms;

experience developing new hardware-software interfaces using LabView or MATLAB; and experience with real-time firmware development using FPGAs, GPUs, and CPUs.

Relevant technologies include:

New concepts and developmental work on high resolution phased array imaging and wavefront sensing to enable phased array target-based phase sensing

Enabling technologies, modeling and simulation, and analysis of novel array– based, beam-control concepts

Experiments to validate and reduce risk for fully functional phased array concepts in the presence of distributed-volume atmospheric aberrations

Potential dual uses of the transmit and receive apertures for ISR, target designation, or other applications

Novel beam steering devices

Fiber Laser interface technologies addressing integration challenges to include transmit/receive isolation solutions

Aircraft fuselage conformal or nearly conformal windows and system concepts enabling a conformal window

Development and implementation of algorithms and experience with real-time firmware development.

Ultimately of interest under this research and development effort are integrated and comprehensive laboratory and field experiments. These experiments shall demonstrate the technologies relevant to an array-based system functioning together at relevant power levels, ranges, and bandwidths.

Task 2. In-House Laboratory Efforts

The in-house laboratory research and development effort requires the contractor to perform and execute experiments, modeling and simulation, and analysis with an emphasis on high- and low-power integrated laboratory and field experiments to demonstrate novel beam-control concepts that support array-based systems. This work shall be performed in AFRL buildings at Kirtland AFB. These experiments will be in the areas of phased array imaging and wavefront sensing, extended-beacon/multi-conjugate/woofer-tweeter adaptive optics, distributed-volume/aero-optic turbulence characterization, and phased array target-based phase sensing which support the development of novel beam-control concepts relating to array-based systems. The contractor should have a deep technical understanding of all technologies though the emphasis will be on integration and test. The Contractor should also have experience with implementation of algorithms and real-time firmware.

The contractor shall develop innovative concepts to advance the state of the art with respect to phased array components/subsystems and must, as a minimum, have an innovative solution for at least one component/subsystem. It is acceptable for submission to address only one of the components/subsystems, but more than one component/subsystem is preferable. This work shall be performed at the contractor’s facility.

For in-house laboratory efforts, routine onsite availability is required so proposals should address how the PI will regularly support the on-going research efforts at AFRL/RDL.

5.0 OTHER INFORMATION

In order to successfully transition the technology, experimental conditions must replicate relevant systems environments and target engagements either in the laboratory or in the field and may require the use of vacuum chambers or wind tunnels and the control of target dynamics or real-time system monitoring. AFRL/RD has certain testing capabilities at its facilities on Kirtland AFB and White Sands Missile Range, the use of which can be negotiated should they be applicable to the proposed efforts. It is not anticipated the proposal will include sufficient detail to identify field test requirements reliably. The Offeror can assume the Environmental Laser Test Facility (ELTF) will be the location of the yet to be determined field tests. ELTF is located at Kirtland AFB and will not require special transportation, housing, or Per Diem type compensation for employees assigned to Kirtland AFB.

6.0 SCHEDULE, DATA ITEMS AND OTHER DELIVERABLES

Start Work Date of Award (DOA) End of Technical Effort (ETE): DOA + 57 months CDRL A001: Presentation Material – As required CDRL A002: Status Report – Quarterly CDRL A003: Technical Report – Quarterly CDRL A004: Scientific and Technical Report and Checklist – Draft due 30 days after ETE; Final due 90 days after ETE CDRL A005: Physical Inventories Report – Annually

7.0 SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

The contractor shall adhere to all Supplemental Requirements stated in Attachment 2 to BAA-RVKD-2014-0001 CALL 0003 and shall include these Supplemental Requirements as an attachment to the proposed Statement of Work (SOW).