CSO AOI AMD 01 Final.docx

6.1 Continuously Open AoIs

The following AoIs are of continuous interest for GVSC. All solution briefs received under these AoIs will be evaluated IAW section 3.2.2 above. NOTE: If government funding and/or resources are unavailable for the proposed effort, all Phase 1 Solution Briefs will be retained by GVSC.

GROUND VEHICLE ADVANCED POWER SYSTEMS: This effort focuses on advancing electrical power systems up to 1.5MW of power for use on Military ground vehicles. The goal of this campaign is to meet the Army’s increasing electrical power needs while improving vehicle efficiency and the power density of power electronics. This will be made possible by exploiting the gains made in emerging power electronic designs and the use of cutting-edge electrical components. These advances will significantly impact future Army vehicle design and will enable the Army to have a decisive overmatch to near peer adversaries.

a. Power System Architecture up to 1.5MW: The objective of power system architecture topic develop architectures that are suitable for delivery of up to 1.5MW of power to vehicle systems and mission payloads. These architectures need to account for hybrid electric or all electric powertrains, high energy loads like cooling system, energy weapons, power export, and legacy 28Vdc/600Vdc power systems. There are three (3) key areas of investigation for this effort: 1) what safety features are needed to make the architecture a viable product; 2) is a voltage greater than 600Vdc needed; and 3) are electric components available at these voltage/power levels.

Technical Point of Contact: Jason Spina, 586-214-2751, jason.a.spina.civ@army.mil

b. Advance Power Electronic Design: This topic focuses on taking advantage of cutting-edge power electronic design to significantly increase power density and power efficiency which will result in smaller devices that require less cooling and are easier to package. This topic includes, but is not limited to, advanced designs such as wideband gap semiconductors, soft switch, zero-volt switching, zero-current switch, modular multi-level converter, active filtering, and all other techniques to meet the focus of increased power density and power efficiency.

Technical Point of Contact: Aric Haynes, 586-202-4190, aric.l.haynes.civ@army.mil

c. Artificial Intelligence or Machine Learning (AI/ML) in Power Management Systems: This topic focuses on advancement in power management systems for ground vehicles as power management will enable more efficient vehicles. This topic incorporates advancements in AI/ML algorithms and knowledge base to adapt to how the vehicle is being used and learn the most efficient way to operate the vehicle. This topic also has two (2) key enablers in advancing AI/ML power system development: 1) power system modeling; and 2) hardware in-the loop software development.

Technical Point of Contact: Jason Spina, 586-214-2751, jason.a.spina.civ@army.mil

d. Wireless Power Transfer: This topic focuses on wireless power transfer up to 1MW of power as there are two (2) target areas for wireless power transfer on Army ground vehicles. The first focus area is a safe, reliable way to recharge the vehicles through wireless recharge stations. The second focus area is wireless power transfer to transfer power between a hull and turret, bypassing the slipring.

Technical Point of Contact: Aric Haynes, 586-202-4190, aric.l.haynes.civ@army.mil

e. Power System Physical Interfaces: Often when developing advance power electronics, the height and width of the design is dictated by the physical interface components, such as connectors, coolant fitting, and cabling. This topic focuses on the necessary advancement of interface components to reduce the physical size of the design. Also, these physical interface components often have very long lead times which can be problematic for procurement and integration, so advanced manufacturing approaches to reduce component lead time will also be explored under this topic.

Technical Point of Contact: Ed Schwartz, 586-571-5381, edward.c.schwartz2.civ@army.mil

f. Ground Vehicle MIL-Rugged Computing Architectures for Artificial Intelligence Applications: The US Army is interested in ruggedized computing architectures designed for running AI applications on military ground vehicles. In order to be considered rugged, the computers would need to meet ATPD-2404 requirements such as operating through pressure washing, submergence in 1 meter of water, gun shock, and operating in a 71C environment with little to no airflow. AI applications for mobility, autonomy, or target recognition largely depend on GPU or GPU-like processing ability with quick access to large amounts of memory. Utilizing MIL-STD-1275F or MIL-STD-3072 electrical power input, what products are available or could be developed to provide the most processing capability in a Standardized A-Kit Vehicle Envelope (SAVE) space claim or smaller and still meet the required environmental conditions?

Technical Point of Contact: Mandel Machart, (586) 282-4877, mandel.j.machart.civ@army.mil

g. Advanced Power Production and Storage: The US Army is interested in advanced power production and storage technologies, including novel batteries and fuel cells. Objectives include those that provide improved durability, reduced costs, and increased energy density, making them an attractive option for military vehicle applications. These technologies also include the ancillary enabling technologies, such as production of hydrogen for hydrogen fuel cells. These may come from industries such as automotive, aerospace, and energy.

Technical Point of Contact: Kevin Centeck, kevin.s.centeck.civ@army.mil

HEAVY TACTICAL VEHICLES (HTV) The mission of PdM Heavy Tactical Vehicle (HTV) is to Transform Combat Support (CS) and Combat Service Support (CSS) Units by Equipping and Supporting Soldiers with Heavy Tactical Wheeled Vehicles and Tactical Trailers, along with their Associated Distribution Platforms and Mission Modules and to provide the Army logistician with the ultimate operational capability to conduct resupply, re-arming, and recovery operations using the most adaptable, survivable equipment available.

a. Tactical Wheeled and Combat Vehicle Rollover and Extraction Capability. Gaps have been identified in supporting the U.S. Army critical Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) Large Scale Ground Combat Operations, specifically within recovery operations. An existing DRAFT Abbreviated-Capability Development Document (A-CDD) has been generated. To date this A-CDD has not been validated. This topic is seeking Tactical Wheeled Vehicle (TWV) rollover and extraction recovery solutions, with potential system level user demonstrations. The solutions are desired to be highly maneuverable, weighing less than 80K lbs. at curb weight (unladen and unarmored), can move swiftly on the battlefield, with a top speed of at least 55 MPH, have cross-country mobility, can lift and flat tow all TWV’s and medium tracked vehicles, and can perform a single vehicle extraction recovery of up to the heaviest Tactical Wheeled Vehicles (TWV), up to 80K lbs., objective 100K, and tracked vehicles. These solutions will assist the Army with informing requirements in this heavy recovery space.

Technical Point of Contact: Richard McKenzie, (586) 282-8847, Richard.D.McKenzie6.civ@army.mil

GROUND VEHICLE ROBOTICS (GVR): The GVR mission is to develop, experiment, demonstrate, test and transition autonomy enabled ground system capabilities and technologies to meet and shape Army requirements.

a. Agile Development of Logistics Material and Technical Services. To rapidly demonstrate and test GVR vehicle autonomy system innovative commercially available solutions for logistics material development that leverage existing autonomy systems, documentation, software and displays. Reducing cost and delivery time is required across the full spectrum of logistics material development. Application of Agile Development Process for maintenance, operation, supply, training materials and services is desired. Leveraging innovative commercial technologies, capabilities, processes, and techniques along with demonstrating the benefits of continuous integration and delivery during the development of operator and maintainer training, technical manuals, publications, and field support is desired. Additionally, the Government seeks alternative methods of delivering the materials to the soldier and collecting feedback and validating the new methods as well as supporting the transition of the new processes to programs of record is desired.

Technical Point of Contact: Mr. Scott Paul Heim scott.p.heim.civ@army.mil

b. Cybersecurity. Commercial software and hardware to address cyber threats, which are a threat in the battlespace. Of particular interest is commercial software that enables the Army and its ground vehicle fleet to adapt to this environment with advancing cybersecurity technologies to become resilient to such threats. This includes applications of AI and quantum decryption as part of cyber security.

Technical Point of Contact: Mr. Phillip Smith, phillip.a.smith.civ@army.mil

c. C-UAS. Commercial technology to counter the threat of drone-based attacks on ground vehicles and their sustainment and command and control support systems. Counter UAS technologies of particular interest include a range of solutions, such as radar and sensor systems, acoustic detectors, and optical sensors, which can detect and track drones in real-time.

Technical Point of Contact: Mr. William Norton, william.d.norton18.civ@army.mil

FORCE PROJECTION TECHNOLOGY (FPT): The FPT provides mission lifecycle engineering for Army Combat Support and Combat Service Support equipment for gap crossing, petroleum & water systems, combat engineering, material handling, and fluid and petroleum quality surveillance. Its laboratories facilitate research, development, and engineering services to support fuels, fluids, water, wastewater and military bridging systems to keep the US Army in motion anytime, anywhere.

a. Demand Reduction

i. Alternative Sources of Water / Atmospheric Water Extraction (AWE). The Army has gaps in the ability to supply potable water to distributed, semi-independent units conducting multi-domain operations in a contested logistics environment. Currently, Large Tactical Water Purification Units that must be stationary during operation are used to produce bulk drinking water, which is then stored, bottled, and distributed tethering units to long lines of resupply.

Technical Point of Contact: Jay Dusenbury, Ph.D., james.s.dusenbury.civ@army.mil

b. Predictive Logistics and Maintenance. GVSC is interested in commercial software and integrated hardware solutions that provide the Army, and joint and multinational partners where possible, with improved sustainment posture through improved precision and accuracy in sustainment operations, such as maintenance and equipment status, and tracking of classes of supply, such as major end items, fuel, water, and spare parts. Specific interests in this area follow.

Technical Point of Contact: Pete Marrero, pedro.marrero.civ@army.mil

i. Logistics Tracking and Planning. GVSC is pursuing improved tracking of classes of supply, to include through multinational partners and channels. The purpose is to provide improved status reports to facilitate rapid, accurate decision making. Ideal solutions will provide not only Army visibility, but compatibility or integration into joint and multinational partners. While envisioned as software, integrated software-hardware solutions will be considered. Training, modelling, and simulation software to facilitate improved understanding, tracking, and decision making may be applicable here as well. In general, ideal proposals will include or culminate in successful demonstrations and pilot implementations that show paths to transition.

Technical Point of Contact: Pete Marrero, pedro.marrero.civ@army.mil

ii. Smart Fuel Metering and Management. Provide near real-time understanding of fuel status, fuel (supply) availability/quantity, location, and supply actions. The objective is to extend the operational reach and readiness of the Warfighter by providing fuel awareness and fuel management decision support for commanders in Multi Domain Operations throughout the range of military operations. Commercial sensors, software, or integrated hardware-software solutions to support his project will support the ability to collect fuel measurement data from collapsible bags at fuel points during field experiments with the Army and United States Marine Corps (USMC). Additionally, commercial solutions to assist in the development of a fuel management system to enable commodity managers to track and account for material as it is received, stored, transported, issued, and consumed delivering end-to-end visibility shared across the enterprise. Selection will be made on the basis of enabling the warfighter to improve decisions, manage multiple fuel sources, reduce demand, balance loads, and improve efficiencies within contingency bases, optimizing fuel management in expeditionary environments.

Technical Point of Contact: Jay Dusenbury, Ph.D. james.s.dusenbury.civ@army.mil

iii. Supply Chain Visibility and Assessment. The Army is pursuing improved tracking and understanding of its supply chain, to provide better understanding and therefore improved decisions on sourcing and transportation, and selection of various products and materials. This includes solutions that provide clear sources of supply for integrated circuits, components, and even raw materials to include manufacturer, means of transportation, country of origin, and other information. This interest includes the ability to certify or track components to manage risk of tampering or counterfeiting. This interest includes the ability to assess risk and identify alternate sources of supply in the event of supply chain disruptions.

Technical Point of Contact: Thomas Vern, thomas.e.vern.civ@army.mil

c. Advanced Manufacturing. New and novel technologies in the realm of advanced manufacturing technologies to include innovative technologies and processes to produce high-quality products with increased efficiency and reduced waste. This includes the integration of digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT), to create smart factories that can adapt to changing production demands for supply of parts and services of interest to GVSC.

Technical Point of Contact: Jose Mabesa. jose.r.mabesa2.civ@army.mil

d. Autonomous Resupply. GVSC is interested in technologies that allow the Army to enhance multi domain distribution, extend reach, and increase the volume of supplies to dispersed formations through advanced platforms.

Technical Point of Contact: Pedro Marrero. pedro.marrero.civ@army.mil

e. Advanced Power and Energy Solutions. GVSC is interested in technologies that allow the Army to field alternative energy solutions through advanced solutions such as fuel cells, advanced batteries, microgrids.

Technical Point of Contact: Laurence Toomey. laurence.m.toomey2.civ@army.mil

GROUND VEHICLE MATERIALS ENGINEERING (GVME) The GVME mission is to provide materials technologies and engineering support to ground systems from cradle to grave to enhance warfighter readiness. GVME supports a diverse materials mission to include corrosion, coatings, joining, additive manufacturing, and material and manufacturing applications, all supported by a characterization and failure analysis branch with in-house testing capabilities.

a. Ceramic Material Technologies. Ceramic materials for application in military parts to take advantage of properties such as exceptional hardness, wear resistance, corrosion resistance and applicability for high temperature environments. Areas of particular interest include applications for lightweighting, non-conductive, and non-magnetic applications.

Technical Point of Contact: Dr. Katie Sebeck, katherine.m.sebeck.civ@army.mil

b. Composites. Applications for composite materials that offer enhanced strength-to-weight ratios, improved corrosion resistance and increased durability compared to traditional materials. Of particular interest are applications for composite rubbers for tracks and wheeled vehicle systems and applications of advanced composites for protective systems.

Technical Point of Contact: Dr. Katie Sebeck, katherine.m.sebeck.civ@army.mil

c. Composite and Transparent Armor. Commercial armor and advanced armor technologies to include transparent armor, reactive armors, and advanced material solutions for enhanced survivability for vehicles, payloads, and personnel.

Technical Point of Contact: Dr. Katie Sebeck, katherine.m.sebeck.civ@army.mil

d. Coatings. Coatings provide means of enhancing the properties of existing materials and components beyond what they are typically capable of. Advanced coating technologies, such as nanocoatings and thin-film coatings, offer improved properties, such as self-cleaning, antimicrobial, and anti-reflective characteristics. Coatings are also used to reduce friction, improve fuel efficiency, and minimize waste. Overall, coating technologies play a critical role in enhancing the performance, reliability, and lifespan of materials and components, while also reducing maintenance and operational costs.

Technical Point of Contact: Dr. Katie Sebeck, katherine.m.sebeck.civ@army.mil

e. Castings. GVSC is interested in advanced technologies which can support low volume, flexible, and responsive production of castings. This includes additive technologies, which enable substitution of the additive manufactured parts for castings, as well as technologies for production of the casting’s mold.

Technical Point of Contact: Dr. Katie Sebeck, katherine.m.sebeck.civ@army.mil

f. Tooling. GVSC is interested in advanced technologies which can support low volume, flexible, and responsive production of tooling. This includes technologies for rapid production of low volume tooling for composites, plastics, and other techniques suitable for low to medium volume production.

Technical Point of Contact: Dr. Katie Sebeck, katherine.m.sebeck.civ@army.mil

STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS AND CAPABILITIES: GVSC seeks innovative, commercially available approaches to selected strategic challenges to improve the Army’s ability to address these challenges.

a. Pilot Programs. As part of its modernization efforts, the Army is determined to find quick solutions to bring innovative technology advancements from industry to the Army's ground vehicle community. The Army is looking to accelerate the development, procurement and integration of commercially derived disruptive capabilities to regain our nation’s technological lead and enabling a third offset strategy. GVSC is committed to create an environment of a low barrier entry to do business with the government in order to obtain access to cutting-edge solutions without the bureaucracy. Consequently, GVSC is interested in a pilot program to improve access to advanced technologies by providing business services that enable non-traditional businesses to provide the innovative products and services that address the problems and service needs described within the CSO.

Technical Point of Contact: Mr. Thomas Vern, thomas.e.vern.civ@army.mil

b. Temporary and Re-locatable Shelters. To facilitate responsive, cost effective, and expedient flexible structures for lab capabilities, GVSC is looking for commercial temporary or re-locatable structures or shelters that can supplement permanent facilities. Included in these structures or shelters is “turn-key” engineering and construction of permanent facilities to enable the temporary or re-locatable shelters. This interest includes shelters and structures that are compliant to Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) 705 standards.

Technical Point of Contact: Mr. Thomas Vern, thomas.e.vern.civ@army.mil

c. Innovative Training Aids and Simulators. With increases in onboard capabilities and increasing technical sophistication of ground vehicles, GVSC is interested in commercial solutions that can improve training, fielding, and maintenance of ground vehicles. This includes providing training and simulations using on-board computing capabilities, but also includes standalone equipment.

Technical Point of Contact: Mr. Thomas Vern, thomas.e.vern.civ@army.mil

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