ATTACHMENT 7 - FY22 NTD Topics v1.pdf

HDTRA1-18-S-0002

2022 Topic Call

ATTACHMENT 7: LIST OF TOPICS

Note –

Proposals submitted under this list of topics involving the following technologies will not be evaluated:

• Active interrogation for search applications

• Static portal monitors

• Anti-neutrino detection

• Cryogenic cooling

• Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The application of active systems to diagnostics and characterization is allowed.

Topics listed are not in priority order.

TOPIC: NT-22-DET-01

ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES FOR NUCLEAR DETECTION

DTRA seeks solutions for the passive detection, location, and characterization of gamma and neutron radiation and electromagnetic pulse (EMP) detection. Approaches involving the passive detection of gamma and neutron radiation are expected to demonstrate the detection and identification of source decay in a variety of operational settings, as well as the discrimination between special nuclear material (SNM), industrial, medical and naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM). Approaches involving EMP detection should demonstrate an innovative, low cost, long-endurance dismounted battlefield sensor capable of detecting and providing an alarm notification of electromagnetic pulse (EMP) detections at energy levels which may result in an upset or permanent damage to electronic components. Specifically, proposals should focus on emerging, enabling technologies that have demonstrated advanced capabilities, but are not yet integrated into higher technology readiness level (TRL) detection systems. Proposals must describe how the system’s integration tasks for the new capability would provide value to the DTRA mission during the performance of the effort. Proposals must include preliminary physical measurements and analysis to support potential improvements.

General areas of major improvement may include, but are not limited to: Sensor electronic packaging to meet harsh environmental use conditions (e.g., temperature extremes, high radiation, vibration), background insensitive isotope identification algorithms, or detection material development. DTRA expects selected project(s) to be at TRL 5-6 by the end of the project.

Proposals involving sensor electronic packaging are encouraged to involve innovations in components, circuit boards, assembly, modules, or systems suitable for radiation detection systems.

Proposals involving detector material development must demonstrate prior development with sufficient indicators that the work would start at TRL 4 and manufacturing readiness level (MRL) 4. Furthermore, the proposal must demonstrate a clear and significant performance advantage indicating how the new material would contribute to the DTRA mission with respect to current commercial offerings.

DTRA will not consider proposals involving the design or development of technologies to be used on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). Solutions must clearly demonstrate potential for military utility.

TOPIC: NT-22-DET-02

UBIQUITOUS RADIATION HAZARD DETECTION SYSTEMS FOR TERRAIN TOLERANT

ROBOT (UNMANNED) SYSTEMS IN SUPPORT OF CBRN RECON AND SURVEILLANCE

SYSTEM

DTRA seeks the development of radiation detectors that can be integrated into the Robot Operating System (ROS) interface. Such autonomous platforms are envisioned to performing multitasking operations with a number of other sensors and mission roles to provide high operational flexibility in varying environments and terrains. As such, the radiation sensor will need to exhibit low size, weight, and power (SWaP) (i.e., unit volume: threshold – 50 cm3 and objective – 15 cm3, <100mW power dissipation, and mass comparable to what a small robot arm might handle). The sensor would need to provide an alarm at air kerma dose rates of >2mR/hr within 1 minutes of exposure. Additional requirements include 0-50C operating temperature, Robot Operating System (ROS) software interface, and IP/Ethernet or USB3.1 hardware interface. This development should include the detector system up to the integration interface to the platform. This effort will not support the purchase of Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV) or Quadraped-UGV (Q-UGV) platforms. This small, self-contained sensor is intended for future integration into small UGVs or Q-UGVs to provide situational awareness to potentially hazardous radiation dose rates.

TOPIC: NT-22-DET-03

REAL-TIME RADIATION TRANSPORT ESTIMATION/CALCULATIONS

DTRA seeks Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) solutions for testing and evaluation of radiation detectors to allow for operationally relevant scenarios to be performed safely and effectively. To do so, the radiation detector response function algorithm must receive realistic estimations of radiation flux at the detector. Often, solutions rely on pre-configured source locations and geometries in order to recall a pre-run simulation (e.g., Monte Carlo) of the radiation transport in a complex scene. This restricts changes in environment, sources, and locations within the AR/VR environments. Flexibility in scenarios is important and rapid, near-real time radiation transport estimations are required. This topic requests proposals for real-time radiation transport estimations for integration within AR/VR environments. Solutions should focus on both point and distributed radiation sources that can be placed anywhere in the VR environment, account for attenuation due to objects/structures, and propose a methodology to query the environmental geometry to pull relevant data for radiation transport. Proposals should address the detection of gamma and neutron sources to properly estimate radiation detector response.

TOPIC: NT-22-DET-04

MODERNIZING RADIOLOGICAL AND NUCLEAR (RN) DATA PROCESSING,

MANAGEMENT, FUSION, AND DISPLAY IN A FUTURE JOINT ALL DOMAIN COMMAND

AND CONTROL (JADC2) ENVIRONMENT

DTRA seeks proposals to study and increase our understanding of how RN data can be effectively integrated into JADC2 common operating environments to increase our understanding of the nuclear battlespace in order to enable better decision making.

Desired solutions will aid DTRA in understanding gaps between the current state of RN operations and the JADC2 vision for future operations and will consider the Joint and Service-specific needs with the following attributes:

1. Automated movement of RN information from tactical levels to Joint, Service, and JADC2 common operating environments.

2. The ability to display and remotely task RN sensors or use RN sensor readings to task non-RN sensors (e.g. RN sensor alert triggers MQ-9 to acquire an optical image of a passing vehicle).

3. The ability to interface with existing CBRN Warning/Reporting systems and generate automated RN Warning/Reporting messages.

4. The ability to process, manage, fuse, and display RN sensor data with non-RN data using existing data formats to increase battlespace awareness, while ensuring system/data redundancy and integrity.

Solutions must address the relationships and gaps (between the current state and desired JADC2 future state described above) in existing technologies, standards, and doctrine in use by the Services to include, but not limited to, Tactical Assault Kit (TAK), Joint Warning and Reporting System (JWARN), Integrated Sensor Architecture (ISA), ANSI N42.42, HPAC, and Joint Effects Module (JEM). Solutions should also strive to achieve commonality between the RN and Chemical/Biological (CB) communities when possible.

TOPIC: NT-22-DET-05

ENABLING CAPABILITIES TO COUNTER NUCLEAR THREAT NETWORKS

DTRA seeks innovative technical solutions to enable the Department of Defense (DoD) to proactively and comprehensively deter, degrade, or defeat nation-state adversary nuclear threat networks in “competition short of armed conflict.” A nation-state nuclear threat network contains complex connections (links and nodes) similar to non-state threat networks (i.e., violent extremist and criminal organizations). A nation-state nuclear threat network may be further complicated by the operations of multinational networks (with the support of the state’s resources) or unwitting partners to the nuclear threat activity.

Desired solutions will aid DoD in understanding and anticipating active and emerging nuclear threat networks through their evolution. These solutions will detect and characterize networked-nuclear threats through signature discovery and exploitation, and/or provide planning support to counter nuclear threat network operations. Responsive solutions will focus on developing situational awareness of the threat network and support opportunity analysis for operational exploitation. Anticipated solutions may enhance or supplement existing sensing capabilities and sensor data to provide further illumination of emerging nuclear threats in light of DoD operational objectives.

Solutions proposing research and development of ionizing radiation detectors (alpha, beta, gamma, neutron, or any form of active interrogation) are outside the scope of this topic.

Solutions proposing the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will not be considered.

Solutions proposing the use of machine learning or artificial intelligence must include a discussion on access to both training and operational data to enable DTRA’s evaluation of risks and opportunities related to successful project completion and/or technology transition.