TOPIC RELEASE 2.pdf

THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE

FOLLOWING TOPICS IS JUNE 16, 2020.

THE PHASE I PROPOSAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR THE

FOLLOWING TOPICS IS JULY 13, 2020 AT 2:00PM EASTERN

DAYLIGHT TIME (EDT).

Topic CBI-01

Mobile TAK Solutions for Aiding Decision Making, Supporting Training, and Providing Situational

Awareness

Background:

Mobile applications are revolutionizing the way we approach new technologies for the Department of Defense

(DoD). Lightweight and transportable devices such as smartphones and tablets have demonstrated their potential to change the way we approach decision support capabilities that enable the Warfighter to operate under the threat of

Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) threats. Already, systems such as Nett Warrior have deployed under wartime conditions, increasing situational awareness, decreasing reaction and decision times, and augmenting operational capability. The Tactical Assault Kit (TAK)—a mapping system with a plugin architecture— has seen similar success across the DoD, where operators must routinely execute missions in spectrum denied environments. The four iterations of TAK of interest are ATAK (Android OS), WinTAK (Microsoft Windows OS), WebTAK (web browser based), and VTAK (virtual reality based). Past performance of the ATAK system includes proven ability to promulgate situational awareness in network permissive environments and the ability to effectively and efficiently collaborate and allocate resources and personnel critical to the mission.

The Joint Science and Technology Office (JSTO) Digital Battlespace Management Division is charged with researching and developing technologies to support the Chemical and Biological Defense Program. JSTO develops modeling and simulation tools to generate decision-oriented information and enable enhanced situational awareness with the goal of protecting military and civilian populations from intentional or incidental chemical or biological threats and Toxic Industrial Chemicals/Toxic Industrial Materials.

Objective:

This topic supports the development of ATAK, WinTAK, WebTAK, and VTAK compatible versions of decision support tools and training aids for chemical and biological warning and reporting, hazard prediction, and consequence assessment to the Warfighter. Given that our Warfighters and first responders must operate in environments with little to no network connectivity, proposed software applications should be able to operate both within the cloud and while disconnected. Reliance on network connectivity could mean failure in execution.

Applications may span from simple rules-based applications to tools that take advantage of heterogeneous computing to implement machine learning approaches that enable early warning of exposure to chemical or biological agents. Proposed solutions should speak to current and future DoD requirements with the individual

Warfighter in mind. Situational awareness often develops from the edge of the force, while decisions are made furthest from that edge – the ability to provide a software solution that communicates with other plugins within TAK and promulgates awareness from the flagpole to the fighting hole and increases the rate at which decisions are made in CBRN environments is critical.

Software Considerations:

Successful efforts will:

• Be able to integrate seamlessly across the TAK ecosystem

• Provide minimal footprint and logistics requirements (low size, weight, power and logistic requirements)

• Software must be fully documented and easy to access, modify, and extend (modular)

• Software must be able to comply with DoD standards for authorization to operate

• Software should not require recurring license fees

• Software shall be able to run on a personal computing device and mobile devices in potentially disconnected environments

• Software must be tested, verified, and maintained

• Proposed technical solutions should be “turn-key,” so that an individual could operate the system with a limited amount of additional training

Impact: This topic will ultimately support the Warfighters in an ability to operate in and overcome a CBRN environment through the use of superior tactical decision-making tools, the promulgation of situational awareness, and tactical applications.

References:

Department of Defense. (2004). Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense Program: Report to Congress. Washington, D. C.: DoD.

Department of Defense. (2008). DoD CBRN Defense: Doctrine, Training, Leadership, and Education Strategic Plan.

Washington, D. C.: CBDP.

Department of Defense. (2018). Joint Electronic Library. Washington, D.C.: DoD. Accessed at:

http://www.jcs.mil/Doctrine/

Joint Acquisition CBRNE Knowledge System (2018). JACKS: News and Application Console. Retrieved from JACKS: https://pki.jacks.jpeocbd.army.mil

Joint Publication 3-41, CBRNE Response

Joint publication 3-11, Operations in CBRNE Environments

Low, Cherlynn. What do made for AI processors really do? (2017) Accessed at:

https://www.engadget.com/2017/12/15/ai-processor-cpu-explainer-bionic-neural-npu/

National Academy of Sciences. (1999). Philosophy, Doctrine, and Training for Chemical and Biological Warfare.

Retrieved from Strategies to Protect the Health of Deployed U.S. Forces: Force Protection and Decontamination: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK225131/

US Army (2018). “CBRN Force Modernization Strategy.”

http://www.jcs.mil/Doctrine/ http://www.jcs.mil/Doctrine/ https://pki.jacks.jpeocbd.army.mil/ https://pki.jacks.jpeocbd.army.mil/ https://pki.jacks.jpeocbd.army.mil/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK225131/

Topic CBI-02

Augmented Reality Solutions for Aiding Decision Making and Providing Situational Awareness (SA)

Background:

Mobile software solutions are revolutionizing the way we approach new technologies for the Department of Defense

(DoD). Lightweight hand-held and mounted devices such as heads-up displays, smartphones, and tablets have demonstrated their potential to empower rapid and real-time decision making by the Warfighter to operate effectively under the threat of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) weapons. Recent successes include mobile systems such as Nett Warrior (NW) and the Tactical Assault Kit (TAK)—a mapping system with a plugin architecture. Both have been deployed under wartime conditions providing a common operating picture across forces and command echelons, increasing situational awareness, decreasing reaction and decision times, and enhancing operational capability. Building on these recent successes in mobile platforms, augmented reality is being explored for tactical use. Augmented reality (AR) by definition is an enhanced version of the physical, real-world where elements are superimposed by computer-generated or extracted real-world sensory input such as sound, video, graphics, or haptics. AR technology has a wide range of applications for CBRN operations and could be implemented on a heads-up display (HUD) or a range of other end-user devices (EUDs) such as mobile phones or tablets.

The Joint Science and Technology Office (JSTO) Digital Battlespace Management Division is charged with researching and developing technologies to support the Chemical and Biological Defense Program. JSTO develops modeling and simulation tools to generate decision-oriented information and enable enhanced situational awareness with the goal of protecting military and civilian populations from intentional or incidental chemical or biological threats and Toxic Industrial Chemicals/Toxic Industrial Materials.

Objective:

This topic supports the development of AR applications for TAK to aid in situational awareness and decision-making in CBRN threat environments from sensing and alerting, characterizing the threat, mapping/visualization of contaminated areas and contamination on surfaces, and any other applications to enable operations in contaminated environments, decontamination procedures, and CBRN casualty treatment. In regards to HUDs, this topic is solely focused on software solutions and proposed solutions should leverage hardware platforms already under consideration or selected for fielding by the Services. All proposed HUD AR plug-ins should be able to interface and share data seamlessly across the variants of TAK mentioned. Given that our Warfighters must operate in environments with little to no network connectivity, proposed software applications should be able to continue to operate if network connectivity is lost as reliance on network connectivity could mean failure in execution. Proposed

AR applications may involve adapting currently fielded/previously developed applications to an AR platform or the development of new tools. Further, applications may span from simple rules-based applications to tools that take advantage of heterogeneous computing to implement machine learning approaches—AR integrated with 3-D visualization (e.g. urban environments) is of specific interest. Applications should leverage and communicate with other tools, sensors, and fielded equipment to automate outputs and minimize manual input required by the

Warfighter. Additionally, the design of proposed AR applications should focus on minimizing cognitive overload, especially for HUDs. The approach may involve customizable layers depending on mission requirements and the

EUD the application is being viewed on.

Software Considerations:

Successful efforts will:

• Be able to integrate seamlessly with and share data across TAK variants

• If displayed on a HUD, be able to clear any AR overlays quickly to regain full field of vision

• Simplify AR output to minimize cognitive overload while maximizing situational awareness (specifically for HUD), AR displays on other EUDs may have slightly more complex outputs as appropriate

• Provide minimal footprint and logistics requirements (low size, weight, power and logistic requirements)

• Hardware that attaches to the individual should do so without interfering with the form, fit, and function of

CBRN protective gear such as gas masks

• Software must be fully documented and easy to access, modify, and extend (modular)

• Software must be able to comply with DoD standards for authorization to operate

• Software should not require recurring license fees

• Software shall be able to run on a personal computing device and mobile devices in potentially disconnected environments

• Software must be tested, verified, and maintained

• Proposed technical solutions should be “turn-key,” so that an individual could operate the system with a limited amount of additional training

Impact: This topic will ultimately support the Warfighters in an ability to operate in and overcome a CBRN environment through the use of superior tactical decision-making tools, the promulgation of situational awareness, and tactical applications while keeping their eyes on the fight ahead.

References:

Department of Defense. (2004). Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense Program: Report to Congress. Washington, D. C.: DoD.

Department of Defense. (2008). DoD CBRN Defense: Doctrine, Training, Leadership, and Education Strategic Plan.

Washington, D. C.: CBDP.

Department of Defense. (2018). Joint Electronic Library. Washington, D.C.: DoD. Accessed at:

http://www.jcs.mil/Doctrine/

Joint Acquisition CBRNE Knowledge System (2018). JACKS: News and Application Console. Retrieved from JACKS: https://pki.jacks.jpeocbd.army.mil

Joint Publication 3-41, CBRNE Response

Joint publication 3-11, Operations in CBRNE Environments

Low, Cherlynn. What do made for AI processors really do? (2017) Accessed at:

https://www.engadget.com/2017/12/15/ai-processor-cpu-explainer-bionic-neural-npu/

National Academy of Sciences. (1999). Philosophy, Doctrine, and Training for Chemical and Biological Warfare.

Retrieved from Strategies to Protect the Health of Deployed U.S. Forces: Force Protection and Decontamination: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK225131/

US Army (2018). “CBRN Force Modernization Strategy.”

http://www.jcs.mil/Doctrine/ https://pki.jacks.jpeocbd.army.mil/ https://pki.jacks.jpeocbd.army.mil/ https://pki.jacks.jpeocbd.army.mil/

Topic CBI-03

Modeling Hazard Dissemination from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)

Background:

Advancements in drone technology over the past decade have revolutionized how the Department of Defense (DoD) conducts missions. These advancements have reduced costs, improved performance, and led to the widespread and ubiquitous use of drones in many other areas ranging from agriculture to construction. However, as with any technology, the potential use of drones for nefarious purposes also increases as the technology matures. The small cross section of the vehicle, low motion profile, and low operating altitude pose difficulties in detection by common radar systems. Technological advancements also allow drones to carry higher payloads and fly longer distances.

These increased payloads can potentially be utilized to transport larger quantity of hazardous materials. Autonomous control allows operation from distance and the ability to conceal operator identity. As a result, along with counter-

UAV efforts within the DoD, accurately modeling dissemination of hazards from drones is necessary to protect and maintain lethality of the force, as well as to protect civilian populations.

The Joint Science and Technology Office (JSTO) Digital Battlespace Management Division is charged with researching and developing technologies to support the Chemical and Biological Defense Program. JSTO develops modeling and simulation tools to generate decision-oriented information and enable enhanced situational awareness with the goal of protecting military and civilian populations from intentional or incidental chemical or biological threats and Toxic Industrial Chemicals/Toxic Industrial Materials.

Objective:

This topic supports a multi-phase effort with an end goal of developing a new Incident Source Module (ISM) to be integrated into the DTRA-developed modeling and simulation tool, Hazard Prediction and Assessment Capability

(HPAC). Phase I of the effort focuses on a feasibility study while Phase II involves the ISM development.

The initial feasibility study aims to determine how physics based models that represent the air flows around UAVs and accounts for rotor downwash can be implemented into HPAC. The main question to be explored is the level of resolution necessary for the models to adequately represent air flows around aerial vehicles. The study should also document the proposed development and implementation plan for incorporating the new ISM into HPAC.

The ISM should provide the capability of representing the air flows around the aerial vehicle and account for rotor downwash and propeller propwash to accurately predict hazard concentrations and areas when agents are disseminated by single and swarms of rotary-wing, fixed-wing, or a mixture of the two types of drones. In addition to modeling moving drone(s), in the case of rotary-wing aircraft, modeling of air flow around hovering UAVs should be included. The effect of atmospheric conditions on dispersion flows around the aerial vehicle(s) should also be considered by the model. Moreover, functions allowing settings of vehicle direction, moving rate and sprayer dissemination rate should be developed.

To support operations requiring fast assessments, the ISM and incorporated model should avoid complicated setup and long run time. Therefore, the ISM should include a library of drones with specifications needed for modeling.

Variable parameters such as payload should be bounded to reality (e.g. for an aerial vehicle allowing 50 lb of payload, the user should not be allowed to enter any value greater than that).

Software Considerations:

Successful efforts will:

• Demonstrate feasibility of implementing physics based models to represent effect of airfields around drones within HPAC

• Provide a user-friendly ISM in HPAC that allows modeling of single and swarms of hovering and moving aerial vehicles

• Work with experts specialized in aerial aircraft modeling and HPAC development and integration team

• Implement agile project development process

• Software must be fully documented and easy to access, modify, and extend

• Software must comply with DoD standards for authorization to operate

• Software should not require recurring license fees

• Software should be able to run on personal computing devices

• Software must be tested, verified, and maintained

• Proposed technical solutions should be “turn-key” so that an individual could operate the system with a limited amount of training

Impact:

This topic aims to support the Warfighter with an ability to operate in and overcome a CB contested environment through increased understanding of the threat and hazard area.

References:

Department of Defense. (2004). Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense Program: Report to Congress. Washington, D. C.: DoD.

Department of Defense. (2008). DoD CBRN Defense: Doctrine, Training, Leadership, and Education Strategic Plan.

Washington, D. C.: CBDP.

Department of Defense. (2018). Joint Electronic Library. Washington, D.C.: DoD. Accessed at:

http://www.jcs.mil/Doctrine/

Joint Acquisition CBRNE Knowledge System (2018). JACKS: News and Application Console. Retrieved from JACKS: https://pki.jacks.jpeocbd.army.mil

Joint Publication 3-41, CBRNE Response

Joint publication 3-11, Operations in CBRNE Environments

US Army (2018). “CBRN Force Modernization Strategy.”

https://pki.jacks.jpeocbd.army.mil/ https://pki.jacks.jpeocbd.army.mil/