Flash and Laser Airborne Protection Systems (FLAPS)

The objective of this effort is to conduct exploratory and advanced research and development of materials technologies to control, manipulate, and protect against photonic energy. Research involved in the processing, structure, properties and performance of photonic materials will provide a means to mature and transition the highest priority products needed by the Air Force. These efforts will ultimately result in developed technologies that can be transitioned to legacy, developmental and future Air Force system components to provide an increase in aircrew protection, performance and efficiency while reducing cost and accelerating manufacture. The objective of this program is to increase aircrew survivability to flash-blindness and directed energy threats through unique and innovative R&D solutions, and to advance the current state-of-the-art in photonic materials technologies, interactions, and applications. Separate Task Orders will contain specific requirements relative to a particular program's technical objectives. Some of the key technical areas of interest include Optical Materials and Processing, Hardening Materials and Processing, Liquid Crystal Processing, Warfighter Protection. To accomplish these tasks, the contractor will have to have experience in developing, fabricating, and transitioning optical materials into personnel protection systems. The contractor shall also provide detailed technical input in order to resolve potential programmatic and technical issues encountered at the senior leadership level, as well as special security assistance up through the secret level to maintain proper control of the material classification. These results will then be presented to AFRL and the individual System Program Offices (SPO).
The following initial Task orders are anticipated:
Task Order 0001: Flash-Blindness Protection
Task Order 0002: Laser Eye Protection