Attch_1_-_ALMS_SOO_(05_May_2016).pdf

BAA RVKD-2014-0001 CALL 0002

Attachment 1

ADVANCED LASER MODELING AND SIMULATION (ALMS)

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES (SOO)

05 May 2016

1.0 PURPOSE

The Air Force Research Laboratory, Directed Energy Directorate (AFRL/RD) is currently developing advanced laser system modeling and simulation capabilities. This effort is being accomplished through the Directed Energy Directorate Laser Division’s (AFRL/RDL) Modeling and Simulation Section at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico.

The motivation behind developing the Laser System Modeling and Simulation (LS M&S) program lies in the following four areas:

Address mission specific problems identified by the Air Force

Reduce risks associated with live tests and laboratory demonstrations

Provide an active repository for ongoing laser research

Advance the understanding of physical phenomenology and systems-level interactions to promote technology development

To support these objectives, developing high-fidelity physics models for the individual stages of a laser system is a top priority. Additionally, modeling the systems-level interaction between the stages of the laser system requires identifying and establishing linkages between laser component models. A model of a complete system incorporating laser source, beam control, atmospheric propagation and target effects will equip AFRL with a full system simulation and analysis capability that is grounded in high-fidelity physics-based modeling. Therefore, the integration challenges of linking these models together into a comprehensive end-to-end framework must also be addressed.

2.0 BACKGROUND

The Laser System Modeling and Simulation section is currently working on modeling laser source and beam control phenomenology. The emphasis on laser source modeling is a result of requirements for higher laser power and better beam quality emerging from planning concepts in the operational environment. Particular focus has been devoted to understanding the physical effects inside optical fiber, developing models for Diode-Pumped Alkali Lasers (DPAL), and coordinating efforts to provide higher fidelity models for atmospheric propagation and beam control. Additionally, there is also a need to integrate these models into an end-to-end laser weapon system model. Solutions for interfacing between models will require deliberate interface control steps in the early stages of code development. Preparations must be made to rewrite existing codes for integration with larger models. Eventually, a mid-to-long term goal is to ensure that the envisioned laser system end-to-end model can leverage the computational resources of the Department of Defense (DoD) High Performance Computing (HPC)

Modernization Program. This will require establishing the Laser Division’s role in the Directed

Energy High Performance Computing Software Applications Institute (DE HSAI) that is currently being constructed. Integration of developed models into the DE HSAI will be done upon coordination with the Government.

3.0 BAA RVKD-2014-0001: TECHNICAL AREA 3 - ADVANCED LASER MODELING

AND SIMULATION

This effort falls under the Laser Simulation, Research and Analysis (LSAR) Broad Agency

Announcement (BAA), BAA RVKD-2014-0001, Technical Area 3 – Advanced Laser Modeling and Simulation, which states:

The objective of this Technical Area is to develop the theory and execute models related to laser systems: including but not limited to gas, solid state, fiber, and semiconductor lasers; beam control technologies and atmospheric propagation; power and thermal management; and platform dynamics. This Technical Area supports research and development in RDL and will make use of the developed tools to model laser systems and subsystems for military applications. Once code development is complete, verification and validation using test data, laboratory results and standard DoD Verification and Validation (V&V) techniques will be performed to ensure new models are accurate. This Technical Area includes, but is not limited to:

Developing physics-based models of current and future laser systems, subsystems, and components (e.g., laser devices; beam control, beam combination and propagation; power and thermal management; and platform dynamics)

Determine interface control requirements for linking multiple models in an end-to-end physics simulation of a laser system

Identifying and characterizing potential issues associated with modeling current and future laser systems and subsystems

Verifying and Validating models

Development of computational grids for multidimensional simulations

Creating visualizations of modeling results

Knowledge of Linux and Windows operating systems used for modeling

Quantifying model uncertainties

Software configuration management

4.0 SCOPE

The scope of this effort is as follows:

Develop a suite of high-fidelity, component-level models within AFRL/RDL to address mission specific needs. Emphasis is placed on those components in the laser system chain identified as a high priority at the Division level.

Run simulations using the high-fidelity models to reduce the risks associated with future live demonstrations. To this end, predictive modeling capabilities are required.

Transition mature, verified and validated models towards an integrated, HPC compliant end-to-end system package. Interface control standards must be established and clearly communicated to model developers.

Performance metrics will involve verification and validation of models against experimental data, code optimization and run-time, ability to handle uncertainty quantification, and predictive capabilities in support of experimental tests.

5.0 OBJECTIVES OF WORK TO BE PERFORMED

The contractor shall develop physics-based models of laser weapon system components spanning from laser source to beam control to atmospheric propagation. The contractor shall develop these new models, or modify existing software, to be usable by laboratory research personnel and provide documentation for the software code along with instruction manuals for the end user.

The software models developed or modified by the contractor are expected to be used by researchers to improve their understanding of physics and systems level phenomenology.

Modeling and simulation will be employed side-by-side with theoretical analysis and experimental tests for conducting laser weapon system research at AFRL. Modeling and simulation requirements will include the capability to run complex computational physics solvers and the ability to execute large numbers of simulation runs with full control over input variables.

Within this context, the contractor shall address how they propose to accomplish all of the following tasks:

5.1 TASK 1: BEAM CONTROL MODELING

5.1.1 Physics Component Models:

5.1.1.1 Beam Control Modeling:

Develop and execute detailed physics models of adaptive beam control and jitter reduction techniques; target acquisition, tracking and pointing; and individual beam control components, e.g., beam expanders, beam splitters, wavefront sensors, fast steering mirrors, etc.

Incorporation of control and tracking algorithms into the DE HSAI.

Modify and further develop the capabilities of existing software. This approach will be especially attractive if appropriately suited Government-owned, non-proprietary, or open-source software can be repurposed to meet AFRL needs. This type of research extends beyond basic tool application into research for new methods of laser weapon system and engagement modeling.

5.1.1.2 Atmospheric Propagation Modeling:

Detailed atmospheric propagation modeling of high energy lasers using high-fidelity wave-optics codes for various laser wavelengths, beam formats, power, platform altitude and velocity incorporating the aero- and platform effects, and the ability to integrate the beam control modeling above for atmospheric compensation and target engagements.

Detailed atmospheric propagation modeling of pulsed laser sources in order to determine the effects of diffraction, jitter, absorption, scattering, atmospheric and aero-optical turbulence, and pulse broadening for various scenarios and targets of interest.

Incorporation of atmospheric propagation modeling into the DE HSAI.

Modify and further develop the capabilities of existing software. This approach will be especially attractive if appropriately suited Government-owned or non-proprietary or open-source software can be repurposed to meet AFRL needs. This type of research extends beyond basic tool application into research for new methods of laser weapon system and engagement modeling.

The results will be formatted and made available for target effects modeling and simulation.

5.1.2 Interface Control and Code Interoperability:

Coordinate software interface control standards with the DE HSAI to integrate models into a common/modular architecture for end-to-end physics-based laser system simulation capability.

Determine process and model integration to manage uncertainties between physics component models.

Define interface control standards for model interactions and prepare Interface Control

Documents (ICDs).

Prioritize component model interfacing for near term mission specific needs.

5.1.3 Laser System Modeling & Simulation Support (LS M&S):

• Support V&V of software.

• Implementation of HPC compliant protocols and formats.

• Use new and existing models in support of system optimization and trade study analyses.

• Prepare reports, brief findings at conferences, and submit technical articles.

5.1.4 Software Development Plan:

• Work Breakdown Structure

• Schedule/Gnatt Chart

• Project Organization and Resources

• Risk Management

5.2 TASK 2: LASER SOURCE MODELING

5.2.1 Physics Component Models:

• Develop and execute detailed physics models related to laser systems, including but not limited to: gas, solid state, fiber, and semiconductor laser sources. The desired outcome is to develop innovative methods for accurately modeling and predicting laser sources and any associated engagement or environmental effects, such as platform motion, that may adversely affect the laser source output.

• Modify and further develop the capabilities of existing software. This approach will be especially attractive if appropriately suited Government-owned, non-proprietary, or open-source software can be repurposed to meet AFRL needs. This type of research extends beyond basic tool application into research for new methods of laser weapon system and engagement modeling.

• Provide Size Weight and Power (SWaP) trade studies between various laser systems including beam combination techniques used for scaling. These SWaP analyses support bigger picture systems integration challenges.

• Conduct thermal and power management studies for various laser sources. These studies will either establish or corroborate existing thermal and power limitations for the laser sources of interest.

5.2.2 Interface Control and Code Interoperability:

Coordinate software interface control standards with the DE HSAI.

Determine process and model integration to manage uncertainties between physics component models.

Define interface control standards for model interactions and prepare ICDs.

Prioritize component model interfacing for near term mission specific needs.

5.2.3 Laser System Modeling & Simulation Support (LS M&S):

Support V&V of software.

Implementation of HPC compliant protocols and formats

Use new and existing models in support of system optimization and trade study analyses.

Prepare reports, brief findings at conferences, and submit technical articles.

5.2.4 Software Development Plan:

5.3 TASK 3: LASER SYSTEM MODELING INTEGRATION AND ANALYSIS

5.3.1 Size, Weight and Power Trade Study and Analysis Tools:

Use the existing SWaP toolkit to choose system components and help determine what technology areas would see the greatest benefit from further research and development efforts in order to meet mission requirements, reduce SWaP and optimize the trade space.

Modify and further develop the capabilities of existing software. This approach will be especially attractive if appropriately suited Government-owned or non-proprietary or open-source software can be repurposed to meet AFRL needs. This type of research extends beyond basic tool application into research for new methods of laser weapon system SWaP modeling.

Baseline SWaP parameters against commercial-off-the-shelf solutions for laser system components if available.

Conduct systems engineering trades based on results of SWaP studies.

Incorporate mission requirements into the SWaP tool to help define the constraints of the trade space for an aircraft integrated laser weapon system.

Develop the SWaP toolkit to be flexible enough to be used for multiple system configurations.

5.3.2 Interface Control and Code Interoperability:

Coordinate software interface control standards with the DE HSAI to integrate modeling tools in common/modular architecture for end-to-end physics-based laser system simulation capability.

Determine process and perform model integration of the various component level models in order to establish a system level M&S capability. Manage uncertainties in the system level and SWaP toolkits and be able to perform optimization studies using established software such as DAKOTA (Design Analysis Kit for Optimization and Terascale

Applications).

5.3.3 Laser System Modeling & Simulation Support (LS M&S):

• Support V&V of software.

• Implementation of HPC compliant protocols and formats.

• Use new and existing models in support of system optimization and trade study analyses.

• Prepare reports, brief findings at conferences, and submit technical articles.

5.3.4 Software Development Plan

6.0 OTHER

Work will be on Kirtland AFB but may also include other sites such as the Chestnut Range, Los

Alamos National Lab, and Sandia National Lab in Albuquerque. However, participation in tests at other remote locations may be required.

Modeling and simulation task timelines will be sensitive to test and demonstration schedules.

Developed models will support live demonstrations by providing pre-test predictions and will guide experimental procedures. Division-wide modeling and simulation efforts will also require collaboration between the separate AFRL Laser Division branches and programs. Contractors can expect to interact with members from across multiple technical disciplines within the Laser

Division.

Not all of the modeling and simulation efforts will require the development of new software.

Modifying and further developing the capabilities of existing software may be sufficient or in some cases preferential. This approach will be especially attractive if appropriately suited

Government-owned or non-proprietary or open-source software can be repurposed to meet

AFRL needs. The desired outcome is to develop innovative and effective methods for accurately modeling and predicting physical effects such as atmospheric propagation, platform motion, target slewing etc. This type of research extends beyond basic tool application into research for new methods of laser weapon system and engagement modeling.

Additionally, enabling existing software models to effectively pass information within an integrated framework is one of the primary directions the Laser Division is seeking to take the software tools developed by the LS M&S program.

7.0 SCHEDULE, DATA ITEMS, AND OTHER DELIVERABLES

Start Work: Date of Award (DOA)

End of Technical Effort (ETE): DOA + 57 months

CDRL A001: Computer Software Product End Items: As required

CDRL A002: Presentation Material: As required

CDRL A003: Status Report: Monthly

CDRL A004: Technical Report-Study/Services: As required

CDRL A005: Scientific and Technical Report and Checklist: Draft due 30 days after ETE; Final due 90 days after ETE

CDRL A006: Management Plan

CDRL A007: Software Development Plan (SDP)

8.0 SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

The contractor shall adhere to all Supplemental Requirements stated in Attachment 2 to BAA

RVKD-2014-0001 CALL 0002 and shall include this attachment as part of the proposed

Statement of Work (SOW).