FA8651-17-S-0003_UPDATED_March_2019.pdf

13 March 2019

Solicitation Number:

FA8651-17-S-0003

Notice Type:

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation

FEDERAL AGENCY NAME:

Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate 101 W. Eglin Blvd Eglin AFB FL 32542-6810 BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA) TITLE: Armament Technology

BAA TYPE: Initial Announcement

BAA NUMBER: FA8651-17-S-0003

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER(S): 12.800 Air Force Defense Research Sciences Program

WHITE PAPER DUE DATE AND TIME: This BAA will remain open through 12 March 2022 or until amended or superseded. It may be reissued and/or amended periodically, as needed. This BAA is set up in two parts: (1) Basic Open BAA, in which white papers may be submitted at any time during the open period, and (2) CALL BAA, in which proposal CALL announcements may be issued by the Government in FedBizOpps or Grants.gov under FA8651-17-S-0003. For these white papers, it is recommended prior to submission, each submitter consult with the technical POC to discuss the topic of interest;. The two parts of this BAA are explained in greater detail in separate sections below. White papers may be submitted at any time during the open period to afrl.rwk.baaworkflow@us.af.mil IAW the instructions in Section IV.

BASIC OPEN BAA:

OTHER THAN WHITE PAPERS, NO PROPOSALS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED AGAINST THIS BASIC

OPEN BAA. A letter request for proposal (RFP) will be issued by the Contracting Officer (CO) when needed after a technical review of a white paper. Due dates and times will be specified in each letter RFP issued by the CO in accordance with the instructions for proposals in response to white papers and CALLS provided in this document. There will be no other announcement issued for this requirement.

Offerors should monitor the Federal Business Opportunities website (http://www.fbo.gov) and Grants.gov in the event this announcement is amended. Oral proposals may be requested on a case by case basis. It is anticipated that the cumulative amount for awards issued under this BAA will not exceed $500,000,000.

The amount of resources made available for this BAA will depend on the quality of the proposals received and funds availability. Award amounts will vary.

CALL BAA:

Periodically over the period of this BAA, proposal CALL announcements (CALLS) may be issued in FedBizOpps under FA8651-17-S-0003 to request proposals for specific topics areas. Proposals in response to the CALLS will be accepted as specified in the individual CALLS and evaluated in accordance with the Proposal Review Information (Section IV. B.) Offerors should monitor the Federal Business Opportunities website at http://www.fbo.gov in the event this announcement is amended or CALLS are issued.

I. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

1. STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVE/ NEEDS: This is a BAA of the Air Force Research Laboratory, Munitions Directorate (AFRL/RW) under the provisions of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) paragraph 6.102(d)(2), which provides for competitive selection of research proposals.

Proposals submitted in response to the BAA that are selected for award are considered to be the results of full and open competition and in full compliance with the provisions of PL 98-369, the Competition in Contracting Act of 1984.

This acquisition is unrestricted. Small businesses are encouraged to propose on all or any part of this solicitation. The NAICS Code for this acquisition is 541712 (for Research and

Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology), and the small business size standard is 1000 employees for Research and Development in the

Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except biotechnology).

For purposes of this announcement, research is defined to be scientific study and experimentation directed at increasing knowledge and understanding in relation to long term national security needs. It is an enhancement to related exploratory and advanced development programs. A program should be designed to demonstrate well-defined and substantive research results, should not be overly ambitious or open-ended, and should not be a paper study that inherently requires a substantial testing effort. Any significant testing is unlikely; however, there is a possibility of experimental testing to support battle lab experiments proposed under this BAA. Programs to support Team Eglin Technology Demonstration

Programs may also be considered under this BAA.

Under some circumstances, the Government expects that narrowly focused proposals for specific research interests under the research areas outlined in this BAA may be required during the time of this open announcement. Under those circumstances, proposal CALL announcements (CALLS) may be issued in FedBizOpps under FA8651-17-S-0003 to request proposals for specific topic areas. These subsequent CALLS will contain specific objectives and descriptions of the specific topic area to be addressed, anticipated period of performance, information peculiar to the specific topic area, and the expected dollar range for proposals received under a CALL. Proposals in response to a BAA CALL will be evaluated in accordance with the Proposal Review Information as outlined in Section (IV.B.).

AFRL/RW awards to educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and private industry for research in armament technology. This BAA is intended to cover, in general nature, all research areas of interest to this Directorate. Offerors contemplating a submission to AFRL/RW are strongly encouraged to contact the AFRL/RW technical Point of Contact (POC) for the research area to ascertain the extent of interest AFRL/RW may have in a specific research project.

AFRL/RW is the primary Air Force organization concerned with conventional munitions technology development. AFRL/RW plans and executes research, development, and test of conventional munitions, and supports conventional munitions Weapons Program Offices. There are three divisions within the Munitions Directorate that conduct research and development (R&D). They are the Ordnance Division, the Strategic Planning and Integration Division, and the Weapon

Engagement Sciences Division.

2. DELIVERABLE ITEMS:

a. Data Items: To be determined for each individual award; however, the following reports are anticipated to be required at a minimum:

i. Final Report

ii. Funds and Man-hour Reports

iii. Status Reports

Reports are anticipated to be required monthly for Contracts and quarterly for

Assistance Instruments.

b. Software: Deliverables to be determined based on each award.

c. Hardware: Deliverables to be determined based on each award.

d. Other: Interim Reports and Presentation Materials (as required)

3. OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

The announcement incorporates FAR and supplemental provisions and clauses by references. For

Contracts, the full text of provisional and clauses can be found at http://farsite.hill.af.mil/. For Grants and

Agreements, the full text articles can be found at http://www.onr.navy.mil/Contracts-Grants/submit-proposal/grants-proposal/grants-terms-conditions.aspx http://farsite.hill.af.mil/

a. This effort may require a SECRET facility clearance and SECRET safeguarding capability. Offerors must verify their Cognizant Security Office information is current with Defense Security Service (DSS) at www.dss.mil.

b. Export Control: Information involved in this research effort may be subject to Export

Control (International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) 22 CFR 120-131, or Export

Administration Regulations (EAR) 15 CFR 710-774). If effort is subject to export control then certified DD Form 2345, Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement, will be required to be submitted with proposal.

c. Export Controlled Items: As prescribed by DFARS 225-7901-4, DFARS 252.225-7048, Export-Controlled Item (JUN 2013), is contained in this solicitation (as shown below).

This clause shall be contained in ALL solicitations and resulting contracts.

4. OTHER INFORMATION:

a. Base Support/Network Access: If contractor determines use of available base support to be in their best interest, it must be included as such in the proposal.

Use of available base support will not be assumed during technical evaluation unless proposed.

b. In accordance with AFRL/CC Policy on Employment of Non-US Citizen Contractors dated 4 October 2016, Contractor employees requiring access to USAF bases, AFRL facilities, and/or access to U.S. Government Information Technology networks in connection with the work on this BAA must be U.S. Citizens. Possession of a permanent resident card (“Green Card”) does not equate to U.S. Citizenship. This requirement does not apply to foreign nationals approved by the U.S. Department of

Defense or U.S. State Department under international personnel exchange agreements with foreign governments. Any waivers to this requirement will be granted in writing by the Contracting Officer prior to providing access. The above requirements are in addition to any other contract requirements related to obtaining a Common

Access Card (CAC).

c. Multiple awards subject to Fair Opportunity are not anticipated.

d. Human subjects may be used in the research studies under this effort. Clause 252.235-

7004, Protection of Human Subject (Jul 2009), will be included in all contracts awarded under this BAA.

e. Data Rights Desired:

i. Technical Data: Unlimited Rights

ii. Non-Commercial Software (NCS): Unlimited Rights

iii. NCS Documentation: Unlimited Rights http://www.dss.mil/

iv. Commercial Computer Software Rights: Customary License

The Air Force Research Laboratory is engaged in the discovery, development, and integration of warfighting technologies for our air, space, and cyberspace forces. As such, rights in technical data and NCS developed or delivered under this contract are of significant concern to the Government. The Government will therefore carefully consider any restrictions on the use of technical data, NCS, and NCS documentation which could result in transition difficulty or less-than full and open competition for subsequent development of this technology. In exchange for paying for development of the data, the Government expects technical data, NCS, and NCS documentation developed entirely at Government expense to be delivered with Unlimited Rights.

Technical data, NCS, and NCS documentation developed with mixed funding are expected to be delivered with at least Government Purpose Rights. Offers that propose delivery of technical data, NCS, or NCS documentation subject to Government Purpose Rights should fully explain how the data was developed at private expense. Specifically, offers must explain what technical data, NCS, or NCS documentation developed with costs charged to indirect cost pools and/or costs not allocated to a Government contract will be incorporated, how the incorporation will benefit the program, and whether those portions or processes are segregable.

Offers that propose delivery of technical data, NCS, or NCS documentation subject to Limited

Rights, Restricted Rights, or Specifically Negotiated License Rights will be considered.

Proposals should fully explain what technical data, NCS, or NCS documentation developed with costs charged to indirect cost pools and/or costs not allocated to a Government contract will be incorporated and how the incorporation will benefit the program and whether those portions or processes are segregable.

Offerors SHALL provide data rights/software assertions, as part of their proposal submittal, as required by DFARS 252.227-7017, Identification and Assertion of Restrictions on the

Government’s Use Release, or Disclosure of Technical Data or Computer Software.

Assertions must be completed with specificity. Each assertion must identify both the data/software and each such item, component, or process listed. Nonconforming assertions will be rejected and will require resubmittal.

Terms used in this section are defined in the clauses at 252.227-7013, Rights in Technical

Data–Noncommercial Items, and 252.227-7014, Rights in Noncommercial Computer Software and Noncommercial Computer Software Documentation.

THIRD PARTY SOFTWARE (COMMERCIAL AND NONCOMMERCIAL):

DFARS 252.227-7014(d) describes requirements for incorporation of third party computer software. Any third party software (commercial or noncommercial) to be incorporated into a deliverable must be clearly identified in the proposal. Prior to delivery of any third party software, the contractor will obtain an appropriate license for the Government, and the written approval of the contracting officer.

Any third party software to be delivered to the Government that are not reasonably identifiable at proposal submission, must still be approved by the contracting officer prior to incorporation into a system deliverable. This obligation to obtain pre-approval by the contracting officer, as described above, continues throughout contract administration.

The Government will neither accept nor execute a DD Form 250 for the software deliverables until the Contractor obtains from all third party software suppliers and/or vendors (Licensor) licenses that comply with the following terms and conditions for the Government (Licensee):

1. The license shall not subject the Government to liability that is indefinite or indeterminate, such as an indemnification clause, as it would constitute an obligation in advance or in excess of an appropriation and violate the Anti-Deficiency Act.

2. The license shall not create a contingent liability for the Government. This includes, but is not limited to: unilateral price increases, automatic assessment of charges, and automatic renewal of the license.

3. The license shall be governed by Federal Statutes, Case Law, and Federal Regulations, and shall not be subject to the laws or jurisdiction of any municipality, state, or foreign country.

4. The license shall not include non-substitution language that would preclude or limit the

Government from using another vendor/reseller and/or product to fulfill Government requirements.

5. The license shall not comment on entitlement to attorney fees.

6. The Licensor shall not have the authority to unilaterally terminate the license. All remedies available shall be consistent with the Disputes Clause in the underlying basic contract.

7. The Licensor shall not have the right to enter the premise or monitor the networks of

Licensee for the purpose of auditing the use of the license.

8. The Licensor shall not use any injunctive relief clauses as the Licensor cannot prevent the Licensee from performing mission operations.

9. The Licensor shall not have the authority to control any litigation between a third party and the Licensee.

10. The Licensor shall not use the fact that the Licensee is using the Licensor's products in any notification to the public (e.g., no publicity rights permitted).

Additionally, the Contractor may be required to obtain licenses that comply with the following terms and conditions, based on the Government’s needs:

1. The license shall not disclaim all warranties through use of an “as is” provision.

2. The license shall neither restrict the Government from using the product at various sites nor limit use of the product by various Government agencies or third parties performing work on behalf of the Air Force under Armament Technologies. In performance of Armament Technologies

Government personnel as well as Government contractors may use the software.

3. The license shall not limit the Government’s use of the software at other Government and

Government contractor sites.

4. The license shall not require automatic updates or give Licensor the authority to unilaterally replace the software.

5. The Licensee shall not be restricted from copying or embedding elements of accessible code into other applications (e.g., nesting code, derivative works).

The Contractor may obtain agreement from the Licensor to insert the clause below to its respective software licenses intended to be transferred to the Government:

“In the event that any of the provisions of the [Software License] are determined to be inconsistent with

Federal law and/or do not otherwise satisfy the Government's needs, the parties to the [Software License] hereby agree that such provisions shall be null and void as they pertain to the Government. Specifically, the following sections are hereby deleted from the [Software License] [and/or amended as indicated below]:

If the Licensor will not agree to the terms and conditions cited herein and/or as contained in DFARS

227.72, the Contractor shall retain the current license on behalf of and for the benefit of the US

Government if permissible under its license and such use will not subject the Government to the terms of the license.

The Contractor shall provide documentation to clearly correlate or map software license(s) to:

a) Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINS);

b) Contract Deliverables (CDRLS);

c) Paragraphs in the statement of work (SOW); and

d) Portions of any functional block diagrams and/or system architecture diagrams, so that it can be readily determined where certain commercial software corresponding to certain software license agreement(s) are physically located on the system to be delivered under the contract.

ORDNANCE DIVISION (RWM)

The Ordnance Division (RWM) directs and conducts research and exploratory and advanced development research of fuzes, damage mechanisms, and energetic materials for air launched munitions for use with a full array of launch platforms including fighter, bomber, and Remotely Piloted Vehicle. Recent AF Core

Functional Master Plan gaps have led to technology needs in support of high velocity penetrating weapons, air superiority, long range strike and high speed strike platforms, and future capability for functional defeat.

RWM consists of the Energetic Materials Branch (RWME), Fuzes Branch (RWMF), Lethality, Vulnerability, and Survivability Branch (RWML), and Damage Mechanisms Branch (RWMW). RWME operates the High

Explosives R&D (HERD) facility which is responsible for the development of energetic materials from concept formulation through pilot plant production for transition into existing or future inventory weapon systems. RWMF is responsible for the research and development of technologies to enable precision burst point control initiation of current and future weapon systems. Examples of precision burst point control include post-impact hard target intelligent fuzing and high-closing rate air-to-air and air-to-ground target imaging and aim point selection. RWML conducts research to assess the performance and effectiveness of conventional inventory and conceptual weapon systems, both kinetic energy and directed energy, lethal and non-lethal, against a myriad of potential targets. The objective of this effort is to support the warfighter in assessing inventory and concept weapons against existing and developing targets. RWML uses and develops tools that range from supercomputer class computational mechanics codes to specialized engineering models. RWMW interests range from a fundamental understanding of detonation and reaction processes for the formation of damage mechanisms (i.e., directed fragmentation fields, multi-phase blast) to ordnance system survivability and end-game performance (e.g. sled track verification and/or arena characterization for later lethality estimates). Specific research interests are in the shock response and equation of state for the damage mechanism materials, including inert, reactive, and explosives; relevant target materials and improved constitutive strength descriptions; fracture and fragmentation; penetration mechanics; and improving the suite of diagnostics to best extract the high-rate and violent environments of these ordnance systems. Current specific interests reside in multi-functional materials, such as those possessing structural benefits as well as contributing to the energy-on-target for the most efficient of weapon designs. Also desired are highly agile and end-game responsive adaptation to the weapon-on-target conditions; tailorable output that ensures optimal energy use while limiting collateral damage.

STRATEGIC PLANNING AND INTEGRATION DIVISION (RWP)

The Strategic Planning and Integration Division (RWP) is responsible for coordination and implementation of RW strategic planning as well as management and execution of particular high priority, high visibility programs and demonstration activities. Strategic planning consists of overall RW investment planning;

determining warfighter issues and requirements related to munitions and the transition opportunities for science and technology. RWP consists of the Capability Planning Branch (RWPB) and the Capability

Concept Integration and Management Branch (RWPI).

WEAPON ENGAGEMENT SCIENCES DIVISION (RWW)

The Weapon Engagement Sciences Division (RWW) is organized into three Core Technical Competencies

(CTCs). The first CTC, Terminal Seeker Sciences, directs and conducts basic, exploratory, and advanced development research in weapon terminal seeker technology. Next, the Munitions Aerodynamics Sciences, Guidance Navigation and Control CTC explores algorithms, processors, control loops, and airframes for affordable air-to-air and air-to-surface conventional munitions. Finally, the Modeling and Simulation

Evaluation Sciences area conducts research that allows the evaluation of system level performance and effectiveness of advanced munitions concepts through high-fidelity, ground testing. Furthermore, much of the technology focus is on autonomous precision-guided air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions, with decreased susceptibility to counter measures, improved weather performance, enhanced utility, and decreased cost. The RWW Division is comprised of the following organizational branches to conduct this mission: Integrated Guidance Simulations (RWWG), Integrated Sensing and Processing (RWWI), Weapon

Dynamics and Control Sciences (RWWN), Weapon Seeker Sciences (RWWS), and Munitions

Aerodynamics Sciences (RWWV).

The descriptions of the technical areas are organized by scientific discipline, and the reader may note some overlap between sections. The following narratives are intended to provide an abbreviated description of the prospective research areas. These descriptions are not meant to be exhaustive, but rather to challenge the reader to create and submit truly creative proposals that have the potential to dramatically shift existing air delivered munitions paradigms. These descriptions furnish specific examples of areas of interest and

Directorate focal points associated with these technology areas. However, any submitted white paper or proposal must be grounded in achievable technology goals.

RESEARCH AREA 1 - WEAPON AIRFRAME SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH (RWWV)

Advances in weapon airframe system technologies are required to take advantage of emerging developments in weapon guidance and navigation systems, networked communication systems, and precision effect ordnance and fuzing systems. The goal of this work is to perform research on technologies for development of agile weapon airframes that are capable of being deployed or dispensed from unmanned and manned platforms (e.g., 5th-6th generation fighters) and which are capable of delivering precision controlled effects against fixed and mobile ground targets and air targets in highly contested engagement scenarios (i.e. Anti-Access/Area Denial). Enabling technologies in the following research areas are of interest: Agile weapon airframes for all size scales and flight regimes (e.g., low Reynolds number micro-scale airframes, air-launched unitary subsonic to supersonic guided weapons, air-launched supersonic to low hypersonic air-intercept, and long-range hypersonic strike weapons); high agility airframes capable of aggressive flight maneuvers for terminal target intercept; networked collaboration, modular weapon systems; compressed carriage munitions and release mechanism; robust, low-cost, compact control and actuation systems (aero and propulsive) for small weapons; compact power for small weapons; and small weapon design, carriage, and dispensing technology. Airframe technology research efforts should have a sound basis in credible theories, principles and methodologies of dynamical systems, aerodynamics, structural dynamics, material sciences, propulsion, and aeromechanics; should exploit advances in other weapon subsystem technologies (e.g., advanced sensors and seekers, guidance and control algorithms, networked enabled weapons and information architectures, controlled effects ordnance, divert and attitude control systems, etc.); should be amenable to further development through sound principles of systems engineering; and should offer the potential for significantly improving affordable weapon aerial systems capabilities, effectiveness and producibility. In the context of this research area, innovative and novel concepts based upon emerging science and technology are encouraged; incremental evolutionary capability of existing technologies are of low interest.

Technical POC: Dr. Reasor

AFRL/RWWV

(850) 882-8221 daniel.reasor@us.af.mil

RESEARCH AREA 2 - BIOPRINCIPIC SENSORS, INFORMATION PROCESSING, AND CONTROL

(RWWI)

Both biological systems and smart munitions collect information on their own state and from the environment, process that information, and make some decision. In the case of a seeker (eye), the sensor may collect spatial, spectral, temporal, and/or polarization information. The resulting decision may be that of detecting, recognizing, tracking, or intercepting an object. The decision may also be that of changing position or direction of motion for vehicle guidance or navigation or for better viewing of a target.

A clear understanding of how the natural systems collect and process information to make these kinds of decisions may lead to revolutionary sensor concepts for autonomous weapons, as well as other machine vision applications. Thus, RWWI is interested in sensors, information processing, and control methods that leverage understanding of design principles found in biological systems. Our focus in bioprincipics

(the discipline of understanding and applying the principles on which biological systems work) is on leveraging efforts previously aimed at understanding how life forms collect and process environmental information. The Government wants to use what is understood about the natural sensors to build small and affordable autonomous munitions sensors. Sensors of interest include electro-optical / infrared

(EO/IR), mechanosensors of various types and applications (including acoustic sensors), magnetosensors, and chemosensors. An integrated sensor design includes not only the hardware component, but the "software" or "algorithm" that does the information processing. The Government is interested in sparse sensing (compressive sensing) concepts, and analog and hybrid processing techniques when they show speed and accuracy advantages over pure digital processing. Proposed concepts should support the mission of the Munitions Directorate and Weapon Engagement Sciences

Division.

Technical POC: Dr. Nicholas I. Rummelt

AFRL/RWWI

(850) 883-0886

Fax: (850) 882-3344 nicholas.rummelt@us.af.mil mailto:nicholas.rummelt@us.af.mil

RESEARCH AREA 3 - AUTONOMOUS TARGET RECOGNITION (RWWI)

RWWI is interested in investigating all aspects of Autonomous Target Recognition (ATR) technology as it applies to seekers for conventional guided weapons. Interests range from basic signal and image processing foundations through tower and flight test of advanced real time ATR/host signal processor implementations. Technical approaches in the areas of pattern recognition, computer vision, deep learning, machine learning, autonomous systems, and cooperative systems as they apply to weapon seekers are of interest. The following technologies and research areas are of particular interest:

a. Deep learning and convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for weapon seeker target acquisition or re-acquisition

b. Investigations of deep learning and/or CNNs leading to a better fundamental understanding of their operation and limitations for ATR/computer vision.

c. Approaches for real-time / on-line training or adaptation of CNNs or deep networks

d. Approaches for training deep networks with synthetic target data that result in good target recognition performance when using real target data (e.g. synthetic to real domain adaptation)

e. Approaches for cooperative / collaborative ATR using multiple lower-cost networked weapon seekers

f. Approaches for the compact representation of target appearance information

g. Approaches for automatic / autonomous handoff of target cue information from ISR or fire control sensors to weapon seekers to improve the ability of the weapon seeker to acquire or re-acquire the target selected by the ISR or fire control system

h. Methods or tools for the assessment, evaluation, or prediction of ATR performance

i. Methods or tools for predicting the signature of a target in one sensor domain given its signature in a different sensor domain (e.g. view with SAR sensor and predict signature in IR)

j. Approaches to use / incorporate scene context (provided by an ISR or fire control system) for target re-acquisition by a weapon seeker

k. Approaches to perform image processing, computer vision, or ATR functions directly using compressively-sensed image data before (or instead of) image reconstruction

l. Technologies, research, or approaches that integrate weapon, ISR, and/or fire control subsystems to provide greater overall kill effectiveness, shorter overall kill timelines, lower overall costs, reduced operator burden, and/or greater system autonomy. Topics in this area may be pursued in partnership with other AFRL TDs (e.g. Sensors Directorate)

Technical POC: David Gray

AFRL/RWWI

(850) 883-0849 david.gray.20@us.af.mil

RESEARCH AREA 4 - HARDWARE-IN-THE-LOOP SIMULATION TECHNOLOGIES (RWWG)

RWWG is interested in developing advanced capabilities related to hardware-in-the-loop and digital simulation of guided weapon designs. RWWG exercises simulations to verify weapon performance, with particular emphasis on target acquisition, tracking, and guidance performance during terminal homing.

Sensors and algorithms for Strategic and Theater Missile Defense concepts developed under the Missile

Defense Agency (MDA) and Tactical Munitions subsystems developed within AFRL/RW are evaluated.

Weapons tested typically include visible, imaging infrared, millimeter-wave, and/or LADAR seeker subsystems. Emphasis for simulation technology research is placed on advancement and improvements to scene projection/projector technologies, real-time target scene generation techniques, target phenomenology methods, simulation architectures, millimeter-wave simulators, cryogenic chamber simulator, wide field-of-view flight motion simulators, and high bandwidth motion simulators.

Technical POC: Dr. Tony Thompson

AFRL/RWWG

(850) 883-0867

Fax: (850) 882-4128 rhoe.thompson@us.af.mil

RESEARCH AREA 5 - ADVANCED SCENE GENERATION (RWWG)

Integral to the development of advanced munitions programs is the capability at AFRL/RW to perform high fidelity simulation-based testing of munitions, components and systems. The current capability to generate synthetic imagery for high fidelity hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) and Autonomous Target Recognition (ATR) algorithm testing is based on a toolbox of independent Government and industry tools for predicting threat characteristics, environmental effects, and munitions hardware and software performance. The evolution in complexity and capability of modern weapons systems, however, is leading to demands for higher fidelity and performance from test simulations. In addition, the integrated nature of the modern battlefield requires test simulations to encompass not only the weapon itself, but also a variety of other systems. New scene generation (SG) techniques are needed in the areas of characterization of Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and Air Force threats, urban environments, chemical/biological effects, coupling and integration of scene generation software, multiple sensor views, and advanced computing techniques. These SG improvements must be designed to streamline the process for evaluating guided munitions concepts from initial design to final implementation, lowering development costs and shortening time from drawing board to battlefield.

The improved testing realism will provide confidence that the munitions will perform as expected under a much wider variety of combat conditions than previously possible.

Technical POC: Mr. Charles Coker

AFRL/RWWG

(850) 882-4629

Fax: (850) 882-4128 charles.coker@us.af.mil

RESEARCH AREA 6 - EO/IR/LADAR COMPONENT RESEARCH (RWWS)

RWWS has an interest in developing the components and systems necessary for imaging and non-imaging electro-optic, infrared, and ladar systems. These include, but are not limited to, optical sources, detectors and their readout integrated circuits, beam pointing/scanning and wide-field-of-view/multi-aperture techniques, detection schemes, and discrimination, ranging, and acquisition systems. Interests range from complete systems and devices to basic materials and components operating in subsonic through hypersonic regimes. These include the following: Optical Sources: Optical sources of various wavelengths from the visible to the long wavelength infrared (< 12 microns) are desired. Detector systems: Single element and array detectors sensitive in the visible to the long wavelength infrared range are desired. Rapid rise times (approaching a nanosecond) are desired, as is operability without cryogenic cooling. Beam pointing and beam scanning systems: Systems that can rapidly steer a laser beam as well as the field of view of the detector are desired. Systems capable of search/track modes and variable fields of view are also desired. Detection schemes: Various incoherent and coherent detection schemes are of interest.

Discrimination, ranging, and acquisition systems: Systems that can discriminate the signal from the background environment, condition the signal, and store the data are required. These systems should be able to resolve time differences as small as or smaller than a nanosecond, dynamically adjust the gain of any amplification stages, allow variable timing/ranging techniques, and/or minimize range uncertainty.

Technical POC: Mr. James Savage

AFRL/RWWS

(850) 882-4250

Fax: (850) 882-4260 james.savage.2@us.af.mil

RESEARCH AREA 7 - NAVIGATION AND CONTROL TECHNOLOGY (RWWN)

RWWN is developing global positioning system (GPS) anti-jam technology, geo-referenced alternative to

GPS navigation, control algorithms for agile autonomous micro air vehicles and micro munitions, vision-based guidance methodologies, control algorithms for path planning and task assignment of cooperative systems of munitions and air vehicles, track fusion and on-line state estimation methods for fusing target tracks between weapon platforms, methodologies for operators to supervise the time critical control of collections of cooperating air vehicles, small and low cost components for secure low probability of intercept data links on micro weapons, and network topologies and routing algorithms for small to large networks of munitions with line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight links. GPS technologies of interest are anti-jam techniques including spatial (beam forming and/or null steering) and temporal anti-jam technologies, and miniature

GPS antenna technologies. Biologically inspired but mathematically rigorous techniques are being pursued for agile and vision-based guidance and control. Cooperative control methodologies currently emphasize integrated path planning and task assignment, hedging for un-modeled (adversarial induced) uncertainty, and information theoretic bounds on performance of cooperative networks. Data link technologies are needed that will yield extreme miniaturization while being compatible with current and future military tactical networks.

Technical POC: Mr. Steven Stockbridge

AFRL/RWWN

(850) 883-5750

Fax: (850)882-0715 steven.stockbridge@us.af.mil

RESEARCH AREA 8 - MODELING, SIMULATION, & ANALYSIS (MS&A) OF ADVANCED WEAPON

CONCEPTS (RWWG)

The goal of this work is to develop/modify and employ models used to analyze advanced weapon concepts and their related concepts of employment to highlight technologies worthy of consideration for investment.

The objective is to apply, modify and/or combine engineering, engagement (one-on-one), mission (few-on-few), systems-of-systems, campaign (many-on-many, military worth), level modeling techniques, tools, and analysis methods as well as virtual and constructive digital simulation which lend themselves to the quick and effective evaluation of advanced weapon concepts. Concepts include, but are not limited to, intercommunicative weapons, novel damage mechanisms, lethal and novel destruct mechanisms, multiple targeting, and time critical delivery. Detailed modeling includes, but is not limited to, sensors, aerodynamics, autopilots, navigation and guidance schemes, propulsion, warheads, fuzes, datalinks, error filters, environment (wind, fog, and dust), lethality, vulnerability, and threats. Scenario development and visualization at each level of MS&A is also sought. Research into new simulation toolsets and architectures designed for this purpose will also be considered. Additionally, environmental factors that influence a weapons performance can be considered. This can include but not be limited to urban environments, collaborative simulation environments, Anti-Access Area-Denial (A2AD) type environments, scenario generation and infrastructure simulation common to environments that weapons may operate in. Existing tools of interest include, but are not limited to, ESAMS, RADGUNS, MATLAB/Simulink, AFSIM, EADSIM, and STORM. White papers and proposals should be designed to demonstrate substantive knowledge in any or all of the specific areas of MS&A. Some or all of the work performed under this BAA Research Area will be performed on-site (e.g. at the Government facility).Personal/facility security clearances at the

SECRET level may also be required.

Technical POC: Ms. Judith Sherrill

AFRL/RWWG

(850) 883-3953 judith.sherrill.1@us.af.mil

Technical POC: Mr. Rusty Coleman

AFRL/RWWG

(850) 883-2333

Rusty.coleman.1@us.af.mil

RESEARCH AREA 9 – LETHALITY, VULNERABILITY, AND SURVIVABILITY (RWML)

The Air Force Research Laboratory, Munitions Directorate has the mission to assess the performance and effectiveness of conventional inventory and conceptual weapon systems, both kinetic energy and directed energy, lethal and non-lethal, against a myriad of potential targets. The objective of this effort is to support

AFRL/RW in assessing inventory and concept weapons against existing and developing targets. This work is broken out into three areas: 1.) Target Vulnerability and Weapon Effectiveness, 2.) Computational

Mechanics, and, 3.) Novel Test Instrumentation and Techniques

1. Target Vulnerability and Weapon Effectiveness

The goal of this work is to collect data, conduct research, develop/modify and employ responsive modeling tools, target models, and processes as part of AFRL's R&D efforts. These efforts will identify potential vulnerabilities in targets and their subcomponents for conventional or concept weapons to exploit. They will also enable understanding and predictive capability for the effectiveness of inventory, developmental, and conceptual munitions when deployed against targets and critical components. Targets of interest can include but are not limited to mobile, fixed (above and below ground), hard and deeply buried, chem-bio and air-to-air. This research will allow development of new techniques or enhancement of existing techniques to measure and compare weapon effectiveness, collateral damage, and potential collateral hazards. Research will include improvements in our ability to predict and measure component vulnerability and functional defeat allowing assessment of weapon effects that degrade a target's ability to perform its intended functions without necessarily destroying it. It could also include research and modeling of new or conceptual damage mechanisms. Development of new target and associated functional models as well as advanced methodologies to capture the physics of structural response to conventional weapon effects would improve our abilities to assess current and conceptual weapons and ways to exploit high interest targets or newly discovered vulnerabilities. Research to enhance or develop methodologies to account for the target critical equipment/components, and their interconnections, and associated failure logic and failure modes could be required. Mathematical methods related to statistics and stochastic modeling, as related to lethality and vulnerability modeling are of interest. Tools of interest for this section include, but are not limited to AJEM, ARM, BLASTX, BRL-CAD, Endgame Framework, FastCD, FASTGEN, FATEPEN, IMEA, JWS, CUSP, ORCA, PENCURV, PDAM, STMG, VALUE, WEAPS, and WinBLAST. In addition to improving any existing toolsets, new methods for integrating high-fidelity computational mechanics codes into existing lethality frameworks and toolsets are an area of emerging interest. Simulation frameworks of interest are

Endgame Framework, IWEA, MEVA, and AFSIM.

2. Computational Mechanics

The performance assessment and development of advanced conventional weapon systems requires the capabilities to model complex weapon/target interaction phenomena and to predict environments produced by impacting, penetrating, and detonating warheads. The emphasis of this effort is the development and validation of first principles continuum mechanics codes (finite-element, finite difference) yielding high fidelity weapon and target simulations. Areas of particular interest include penetration mechanics, high strain rate fracture dynamics and constitutive modeling, modeling the shock survivability of fuze electronic components, predictive models for the change in material properties due to thermal cycling (energetics and electronics), fragmentation, mesoscale modeling (metals and energetics), the use of molecular dynamics and computational chemistry to guide the development of more accurate continuum scale and meso-scale material models for reactive (energetics, reactive metals) and non-reactive materials, localized shear band formation, high pressure/high strain rate modeling of geologic and geologically derived materials, modeling of reacting droplet and particulate flows, equation of state and constitutive models for chemical and biological agents, numerical modeling of neutralization mechanisms for biological and chemical agents, hydrodynamic ram, atomization and aerosolization of chemical and biological agents, direct numerical simulation of detonations, coupled detonation physics and multi-phase flow, turbulent flows, accurate and efficient boundary interface treatments, the ability to span several orders of magnitude in spatial and temporal length scales, and advanced numerical methods. In addition, statistical and stochastic methods to generate special purpose fast running models from large-scale datasets produced with computational mechanics codes is an emerging need. Innovative theoretical, computational and experimental projects that specifically address the problems of interest and result in an improved predictive capability are the goal.

3. Novel Test Instrumentation and Techniques

The goal of this area is to research and develop new test instrumentation or equipment, and/or, techniques for gathering and analyzing test data in order to: 1.) gather data with respect to new damage mechanisms and/or novel effects, and, 2.) reduce the cost and/or manpower needed to collect weapon effects data using existing methods.

Technical POC: Dr. Kirk Vanden

AFRL/RWML

(850)883-2658

Kirk.vanden@us.af.mil

RESEARCH AREA 10 - DAMAGE MECHANISMS RESEARCH (RWMW)

Technologies and concepts are sought for effective, robust and affordable warhead and ordnance components in the areas of: counter Hardened and Deeply Buried Targets (HDBT), Air Dominance Missiles, High Speed Weapon and Long Range Strike weapons, ordnance of modular architecture weapons, Close

Air Support, Area Attack for tactical interdiction, miniature weapon platforms, and to counter Weapons of

Mass Destruction (c-WMD). More specific, near term challenges provide the call for research interests are in the shock response and equation of state for warhead materials (inert and reactive); research into relevant target materials, specifically high strength concrete and ultra-high performance concrete and improved constitutive strength descriptions; fracture and fragmentation; penetration mechanics; and improving the suite of diagnostics to best extract the high-rate and violent environments of these ordnance systems. Innovative technologies for multi-functional materials are sought to provide structural benefits as well as contribute to combustion or detonation energy. There is interest in unique, innovative and high-performance payoff of technologies that integrate the ordnance package in accordance with the larger system or engagement scenario. Also desired are highly agile and end-game responsive adaptation of the ordnance package; tailorable output that ensures optimal energy use while limiting collateral damage;

selectable effects that maximizes the use of system data and capabilities. Warhead and end-game effector technologies are sought for low-cost but effective Air Dominance missiles as well as future self-defense missile capability. Traditional and non-traditional HDBT concepts are sought maximize the loadout and effectiveness of 5th Generation aircraft.

Technical POC: Mr. Nydeia Bolden

AFRL/RWMW

(850) 882-6867

Fax: (850) 883-1380 nydeia.bolden@us.af.mil

RESEARCH AREA 11 - FUZE RESEARCH (RWMF)

RWMF develops, demonstrates, and transitions technologies that have application to fuzes for air-delivered weapons, including, but not limited to, guided and unguided bombs, missiles, and submunitions. Fuzes must reliably remain in a safe mode until the appropriate post-deployment environments (such as freefall) are sensed; the fuze must then arm the weapon and, upon receiving a signal from a target detection device

(TDD), initiate the explosive fill (or other damage mechanism). RWMF thus seeks proposals for innovative technologies that can be integrated into the design or testing of air-delivered weapon fuzes.

RWMF is particularly interested in fuzes (including submunition fuzes) and related component or material technologies that are capable of surviving the repetitive, multi-axis shock environment experienced by a fuze during penetration of a hardened target and functioning the warhead. Materials that mitigate all or some portion of the shock spectrum are also of interest. Unique inertial detection devices or non-inertial detection devices are of interest. However, current test technologies do not fully duplicate the multi-axial fuze environment in terms of duration, repetitive high-acceleration loading, and other aspects of the mechanical loading profile. This necessitates extremely expensive sled tests for fuze research, testing, qualification, and performance evaluation. Therefore, there is interest in laboratory and field test techniques and equipment to duplicate these repetitive, multi-axial shocks. Additional penetration fuzing-specific research tasks of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Develop a jam-resistant, greater than 250 kilobits/second shock-hardened wireless Data Link for two-way communication with a fuze during a weapon's deep underground penetration event;

• Develop a hardened, passive, unpowered, tri-axial device that irreversibly and measurably changes some physical configuration or property without relaxation/hysteresis to record the peak acceleration as a back-up data point for tests when a hardened fuze data recorder fails;

• Develop a low-cost (<$100), shock-hardened accelerometer;

• Develop non-inertial techniques and appropriate devices for detecting voids and layers during hard target penetration; and

• Develop miniature, shock hardened transmitter and antenna to burst stored digital data upon command to retrieve post event recorded data from a buried warhead. It would also be useful for the purpose of locating a test item.

RWMF is also interested in improved sensors, techniques, and/or systems for second safety environment sensing (as defined in Mil-Std-1316) for a wide range of demonstration projects from miniature munitions to safety critical payloads on hypersonic airframes. In the area of miniature and micro-munition fuzing, research tasks of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Reliable miniature three port air valve with temperature operating range of -55 to +75 degree C

• Ground profiling fuze sensor technology

• Active imaging aimpoint selecting fuze sensor technology

In the area of fuzing the payloads on high speed airframes, research tasks of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Ground profiling fuze sensor technology

• Survivable conformal antenna and radome technology

The final area of focused interest is in the area of in-line and out-of-line initiation systems. RWMF Advanced

Initiation Science group is interested in novel ignition devices or ignition circuitry that can enhance reliability while reducing energy budgets for initiation systems. Additionally, concepts that would enable novel warhead designs are of interest. The Government is also interested in novel or more inherently robust manufacturing processes that can be applied to components within initiation systems. Finally, there is interest in modeling and simulation methods or techniques for characterizing performance of those systems.

• Pressing of various energetic materials of interest to the United States Air Force

• Development, build and test of various detonator designs

• Research,…