ATTACHMENT 7 - Topics.pdf

HDTRA1-18-S-0002

2021 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. However, the application of active systems to diagnostics and characterization is allowed.

• Static portal monitors.

• Helium-3 based neutron detection.

• Detectors requiring cryogenic cooling

• Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

TOPIC: NT-21-DET-01

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY FOR RADIOLOGICAL NUCLEAR EFFECTS

DTRA seeks innovative research and development on emerging technologies for radiological nuclear threats. These technologies will provide an enhanced capability to the warfighter for characterization of the nuclear battlefield. These technologies must allow for improved capabilities to collect, analyze, exploit, and attribute nuclear detonation data and signals.

Considered solutions will be limited to the following categories:

• Casualty analysis dosimeter – Dosimeter which can be attached to or sewn into uniforms to record high doses (Rem). Must be rugged and insensitive to heat/sunlight

• EMP detector – Portable alarming monitor for electromagnetic pulses, recording their magnitude. Must be resistant to environmental EMP triggers (e.g., lightning).

• Neutron capture gamma detector – Detector optimized for detection of 3-12 MeV gamma rays with background-reducing cosmic ray rejection capability.

• Low-power, low-altitude radiation detecton – Beta-gamma sensors capable of being deployed on airborne platforms capable of traveling with and monitoring plumes.

• Low-power, high-altitude plume detection – Beta-gamma sensors capable of being deployed on airborne platforms capable of traveling with and monitoring plumes.

• Enabling Algorithms for Nuclear Contamination Avoidance Analysis and Mapping

• Sensor format for multi-modal networking – An enhancement over the N42 data format to allow for the inclusion of multi-mode sensor data with radiation sensor data.

• Edge processing – Data processing electronics and software for aggregating local nuclear and multi-modal sensor data to take advantage of sensors in a situation of intermittent or non-existent cloud communications.

TOPIC: NT-21-DET-02

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY FOR CONVENTIONAL NUCLEAR INTEGRATION

DTRA seeks innovative research and development on emerging technologies to enable the warfighter to effectively conduct military operations in a post nuclear weapon detonation environment. These technologies will provide an enhanced capability to the warfighter through an understanding of how the environment has changed, the resulting impacts on the warfighter, and improved decision making by accounting for the nuclear hazard.

Potential categories include:

• Nuclear battlefield early warning system capable of fusing data from a variety of modalities (e.g., seismic, acoustic, optical, weather, radiological, etc.) to rapidly (within 2-3 minutes) locate/characterize a nuclear explosion and provide a predicted hazard area.

• Radiation hazard mapping fusion with multiple sensor packages – single map from multiple platforms (e.g., unmanned, ground vehicles, manned and unattended) and various quality (e.g., imagers, isotopic, dose rate, etc.)

TOPIC: NT-21-DET-03

INNOVATIVE MODIFICATIONS TO EXISTING FIELDED WIDE AREA AND TACTICAL

SENSORS FOR NUCLEAR EXPLOSION HAZARD CHARACTERIZATION

DTRA seeks innovative solutions to demonstrate the ability to modify commercially or government fielded non-radiation sensors and software to detect, locate, identify, track, characterize, and/or mitigate hazards resulting from a nuclear explosion. In this context, hazards are defined as any effect from the nuclear explosion, transient or persistent, with the potential to degrade a DoD force’s ability to shoot, move, or communicate.

Solutions are sought for a wide range of scenarios to include enabling ground forces to recognize and maneuver around hazards (including, but not limited to radiation) resulting from the nuclear explosion.

Solutions specific to CBRN units or other highly specialized units will not be considered. The intent is to maximize impact across the force. Solutions primarily addressing data movement (e.g. networking) and data storage will not be considered. Solutions addressing direct detection of ionizing radiation (alpha, beta, gamma, or neutron) will not be considered. Preference will be given to solutions that leverage existing program of record (POR)-fielded (or planned to be fielded) hardware.

TOPIC: NT-21-DET-04

ENABLING CAPABILITIES TO COUNTER NUCLEAR THREAT NETWORKS

DTRA seeks innovative technical solutions to enable the Department of Defense (DoD) to degrade or defeat nation-state adversary nuclear threat networks in “competition short of armed conflict.” In this context, a nation-state nuclear threat network may contain complex connections similar to violent extremist organizations (VEOs), criminal organizations, proxies, conventional forces, or strategic forces.

Desired solutions will aid DoD in anticipating and understanding future nuclear threat networks and their evolution, highlight and monitor nuclear threat networks through signature discovery and exploitation, and/or provide decision support during counter nuclear threat network operations. Responsive solutions will focus on developing a Department of Defense understanding of the network and opportunities for DoD exploitation.

Solutions addressing direct or indirect detection of ionizing radiation (alpha, beta, gamma, neutron, or any form of active interrogation) will not be considered. 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 training data so DTRA can evaluate whether the offeror has access to or can generate sufficient training data to successfully complete the project.