Atch_2_-_SOO_CALL_004_FA9453-19-S-0001_dtd_14_Apr_19.docx

Statement of Objectives (SOO)

Simulation of 3-D HF Propagation for Ionosphere Characterization

Dated 14 April 2019

Scope:

To provide research, development, test and evaluation capabilities to improve the development and implementation of space environment models and sensor data sources to meet various Air Force space weather system needs in order to specify, forecast, mitigate, and exploit environmental impacts on Department of Defense (DoD) space and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems. Provide research and development to advance the space environment specification using radio frequency (RF) remote sensing and modeling of impacts on operational systems. Perform research and development, integration, and testing at the AFRL/RVB Mission Data Analysis Center (RMDC), which supports a myriad of Battlespace Environment Division (AFRL/RVB) space weather missions, and enables these RVB missions to transition technologies to DoD operations.

Objective:

AFRL/RVBX SEEM Program requires capabilities to determine and demonstrate the detailed association between environmental conditions and specific impacts on radio frequency (RF) systems; establish the utility of environmental models to specify or forecast specific conditions; and quantitatively characterize the environmental effects on RF services. SEEM research efforts will require technical skills to improve remote sensor analysis; develop HF propagation techniques; modeling and simulation to characterize ionosphere impacts on HF systems; and distributions of results for research and development and capability demonstration; and the technology transition to DoD operations. Expanding the RMDC core capabilities to address SEEM requirements with innovative methods to improve information access, analysis, and dissemination. Research and develop an optimum approach to perform 2D and 3D HF propagation, using generic computer system architectures, to support RF remote sensing and system characterization at deployed facilities.

(1) develop and interface HF propagation applications to address impact on DoD operation; optimize 3D HF propagation technology for integration with remote sensing; develop 2D and 3D HF signal simulation for ionospheric impact assessment

(2) develop innovative approaches for managing large quantities of HF remote sensing information; support RMDC operations to process and manage remote sensing data; expand data storage, access, and data management approaches for HF propagation information; develop data processing and interface for HF signal use by regional ionospheric model

(3) develop standalone applications to specify ionosphere propagation at remote locations using local HF signals; optimize HF propagation approach to operate on generic system architectures; implement ionospheric specification using local HF measurements;

(4) implement approaches to consolidate HF propagation and ionosphere specification for transfer to remote facilities; develop information compression techniques to facilitate data transfer to the user community; implement web-service technologies to provide secure information transfer to the user community;

(5) enhanced space weather message definition to include space environment impacts on HF systems.

CALL 004 to BAA FA9453-19-S-0001 Page 2 of 2