Attachment 2 - TO 1 TA - 12

LASER EFFECTS ASSESSMENT, MODELING, AND RESEARCH (LEAMR)

Technical Area 12: Laser Interaction Testing Task Order #1 “Experimental Efforts supporting Laser Effects Research” 16 April 2014

1. SCOPE

To develop and conduct test efforts to support the development and verification of physics based models that accurately predict the target response during laser irradiation. This data will be used to support susceptibility predictions and improve the understanding of target vulnerabilities with actual test data under representative engagement conditions when possible. To provide relevant experimental data used to identify governing physical processes necessary to represent the target response and simplify physics based models to an engineering level such that they can be integrated in engagement and mission level models. The scope of this Task Order (TO) includes coordination with modeling and assessment task areas, development of measurement error budgets, data reduction and analysis, development and enhancements to current measurement techniques, uncertainty quantification from experimental efforts, documentation, data collection and reduction, equipment and computer maintenance associated with all experimental efforts.

2. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

The contractor will conduct experimental efforts using both high power continuous wave (up to Megawatt (MW) class) and kilojoule (kJ) pulse laser systems to analyze material measurements to provide experimental data on materials of interest. This experimental information will be for the development of robust, physics based, predictive target vulnerability capabilities resulting in realistic target lethality thresholds. The contractor should address how they propose to accomplish the following areas for laser/material interaction research:

2.1. Failure Modes Analysis Review (CDRL A004): By reviewing and incorporating the results of the Failure Modes Analysis (FMA) developed under the Assessment Technical Area (TA) Technical Area - 13/Task Order #2 (Attachment 3) into the experimental process, address the following items:

· Identify, understand, and communicate the selection rationale for the critical aimpoints selected and the associated proposed failure mechanisms and modes corresponding to each. The experimental efforts should concentrate on the suggested components or materials associated with the critical aimpoints identified in the FMA. If not, provide rationale why those aimpoints were dismissed.

2.2. Pre-Experiment Analysis (CDRLs A004 and A006): For experiments involving components, sub-systems or systems, address the process for analyzing all applicable documents, such as technical orders, circuit diagrams and operations manuals, and provide a process for determining relevant experimental parameters. In addition, address the approach for base-lining normal operating characteristics of the experiment article(s) in order to identify how and when degradation occurs. This information should be provided as part of the overall test effort.

2.3. Material Characterization Testing (CDRLs A002, A004 and A010): Basic material properties measurements on the materials identified under other sections of this TO should be addressed. Address how the following measurements might be taken and provide rationale why this approach is acceptable:

· Microstructural analysis for material identification

· Mechanical properties (room and as a function of temperature);

· Specific heat

· Thermal conductivity

· Thermal expansion

· Modulus of rupture

· Optical properties (room and as a function of temperature);

· Absorption

· Scattering

· Transmission

· Reflectance

2.4. Experiment Planning (CDRLs A002, A004, A005 and A013): Address experiment planning; using information obtained from all of the efforts described in this TO. Note the established AFRL/RDLE Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) documents when planning experimental activities. Experiment plans should address the following at a minimum:

· The experimental plan should consider the possibility of needing further investigation as new vulnerabilities are exposed. At a minimum the following should be discussed;

· A plan for conducting a thorough literature review to ascertain the state-of-knowledge associated with the experimental requirements and goals. Literature search should show relevant or previously conducted efforts that might help guide proposed test effort.

· Rationale on number of test articles, test article fidelity or traceability. If surrogate procurement is required, a plan for procurement or manufacturing should be developed. In addition, rationale for traceability to target fidelity should be addressed.

· From the FMA generated under Technical Area -13/Task Order #2 (Attachment 3), as well as the expected Directed Energy (DE) environments (spot size, irradiance, dwell time, altitude, speed, engagement geometry, etc.) describe a method for the development of a robust test matrix and address areas where possible deviations might occur and how those would be handled.

· Coordination with the other TAs, Technical Area -13/Task Order #2 (Attachment 3) and Technical Area -14/Task Order #3 (Attachment 4) and develop a presentation of relevant pre-experiment predictions, estimates of the accuracy of those predictions and areas where this test effort will increase accuracy or model fidelity.

· Development of a pre-experiment sensitivity analysis to rank-order pertinent experimental parameters based on the review of the FMA and requirements from the other TAs, Technical Area - 13/Task Order #2 (Attachment 3) and Technical Area - 14/Task Order #3 (Attachment 4). This analysis should address what experimental parameters the test effort will focus on.

· Schedule for test effort, as well as manpower and test resource requirements.

2.5. Experimental Environment (CDRLs A003, A004, A005, A011, and A012): Address the possible development of environmental simulators to imitate the operational or engagement environment of interest (as required by experimental effort that may be needed).Explain how this might be accomplished and what range it might be possible to achieve.

2.6. Experiment Execution (CDRLs A002, A004, A005, A007 and A013): Provide proposed plan for laser propagation and laser-target effects experiments. In addition, focus on the following areas: experiment site preparation, optics layout, instrumentation, data acquisition, calibration, diagnostics, test execution and experiment article transportation and storage. Innovative experiment techniques are encouraged (address how they are applicable). If the experimental technique has not been proven, or, has a risk of resulting in ambiguous results, note where and what experiments, innovative diagnostics, or additional data processing methods are needed to resolve the issues prior to integration into test execution.

2.7. Post-Experiment Data Reduction (CDRL A004): Address approach for compilation and reduction of all applicable data collected during Experiment Execution. The analysis should include estimates of uncertainty in the results, comparisons of the results with pre-experiment predictions, and an analysis of the sources thought to cause any discrepancies.

2.8. Post-Experiment Failure Analysis (CDRL A004): Provide analysis approach for component/subcomponent, or system/subsystem failures to determine the local or system-level causes. Show results from comparison with pre-experiment FMA and provide rationale for deviation. Additional measurements and consultation may be required to determine cause of failure if data are not conclusive.

2.9. Countermeasure Studies (CDRLs A004, A005, and A006): Address approach for analysis and experimentation to estimate or establish hardening requirements for a system of interest. Consider reliability and maintainability impacts as part of the trade analysis criteria during the evaluation of proposed hardening designs to establish a balanced and realistic hardening concept. Proof of concept studies will be conducted to verify concepts and characteristics. Address approach to design and test-related issues related to hardening concepts to improve the shielding and reduce susceptibility of the system. Document the potential impacts that any proposed hardening concepts might have on reliability and maintainability and other pertinent operational characteristics of the system.

2.10. Unique Target Fabrication (CDRLs A003, A004, A005, A011 and A012): Address the need to acquire, design and fabricate test articles for all experimental-related efforts. Define the process to properly characterize the target at the material level and the final fabrication level (sub scale or full scale level) that will show traceability to the original sample. The test articles should be designed to provide a highly controllable target interaction and response measurement. Example targets include materials, components, sub-systems and systems related to missile booster, countermeasures, aircraft, warheads, electronics, satellites, ground targets, communication networks, and other targets of interest to DoD (Department of Defense).

2.11. Special Diagnostics (CDRLs A003, A004, A010 and A011): Document the need to acquire or design/develop special diagnostics to measure laser-material interaction and responses. This should include recommended hardware required to evaluate physical, optical, mechanical, chemical and thermal properties of interest for modeling.

2.12. Counter-Countermeasures Studies (CDRLs A004, A005, A006, and A012): Provide a plan to evaluate new lethality enhancement and Counter-Countermeasures (CCM) techniques to mitigate countermeasures (CM). Approach should evaluate mitigation for both operational and hardening countermeasures to encompass the full spectrum of threats. The plan should include development of test and modeling requirements to address the CCMs under evaluation.

2.13. Contingency Planning and Range Safety (CDRLs A004, A005, A006 and A013): Provide a study plan to quantify the safety of laser experiments on national test ranges to include, but not limited to, White Sands Missile Range and the Western Test Range. Coordination will be required with test range safety official to evaluate proposed test scenarios to determine associated safety risks. Recommendations to minimize or alleviate safety issues may be required. Predictive avoidance analysis may be required to meet DoD standards for safely operating lasers in and through the atmosphere.

3. TRAVEL

Provide a cost estimate for possible travel to support efforts outlined above. For evaluation purposes travel should be for the following trip:

3.1. Trip for two (2) to Huntsville, AL for three (3) days. Include in costing

· Airfare

· Meals and Incidental Expenses (M&IE), http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/104877?utm_source=OGP&utm_medium=print-radio&utm_term=perdiem&utm_campaign=shortcuts

· Lodging

· Rental Car

4. OTHER DIRECT COSTS (CLIN 0002)

Provide a list of potential material and equipment requirements with Rough Order of Magnitude (RoM) pricing (fully loaded) not to exceed $1.5M

5. SCHEDULE, DATA ITEMS, AND OTHER DELIVERABLES

5.1 Start Work: Date of Approval (DOA)

5.2 End of Technical Effort (ETE): DOA + 12 months

5.3 CDRL A002: Test Plan: As required

5.4 CDRL A003: Developmental design drawings & associated lists: As required

5.5 CDRL A004: Presentation Material: As required

5.6 CDRL A005: Status Report: Monthly

5.7 CDRL A006: Technical Report – Studies/Services: As required

5.8 CDRL A007: Scientific and Technical Report and Checklist: Draft due 30 days after ETE. Final due 90 days after ETE.

5.9 CDRL A010: Test/Inspection Report: As required

5.10 CDRL A011: Technical Report – Study/Services – Test Hardware Documentation: As required

5.11 CDRL A012: Test Hardware (Prototype): As required

5.12 CDRL A013: Management Plan: As required

6. TASK ORDER OFFICER(S)

· Primary: Robert Ulibarri

· Alternate: Sam Herrera