Air force 14. 1 Small Business Innovation Research (sbir) Proposal Submission Instructions
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| Part of the challenge is to provide low-speckle output noise in the image frame without diffusers or other means that result in loss of a significant fraction of the output power. Two discrete zoom options are also needed to provide either a point source for identification to other sensors, or wide field of view for target illumination. Since many sensors are filtered differently over the 3-5 micrometer band, multi-color solutions are desirable with user control of output band to insure compatibility with ground targeting devices, SUAS, and targeting pod sensors.
Size, weight, power and turn-on time are critical. Batteries are a valuable commodity on SUAS platforms and man-carried or weapon-mounted applications. Hot standby in less than one minute is desirable with continuous run times of up to 30 minutes and intermittent 30 seconds on 1 minute off for up to 4 hours. The size goal for complete illuminator with optics and batteries is the size of current NIR and SWIR illuminators for weapon-mounted applications--3 inches long by 1 inch wide by 2 inches tall. Designed to be mounted on weapon rails or in a SUAS targeting gimbal. Operational range equation must be considered in such a design and investigation. Limited small optical system size for both detector and illuminator drive the utility of the requirement. Cost is a key component, with a 1000-unit quantity goal of under $5,000 each. This drives innovation and efficiency to derive useable and affordable technology. PHASE I: Investigate solid state uncooled or minimally cooled MWIR illuminator solutions for speckle-less pointing and targeting. Through critical experiment and analysis, show for limited optics size that sensor technology range equations show significant signal-to-noise improvement and target ID range improvement over passive only. Calculate system heat, power, and battery life of proposed approach. PHASE II: Develop and demonstrate compact weapon and RPA/SUAS illuminator pointer with integral MWIR zoom optics and band selection. Show power, waste heat and cooler power management consistent with operational consideration and both ground and airborne uses in enclosed small gimbal packages. Show producibility approach to lower user cost in quantities to desired acquisition price point for long range ground-to-ground (100m to 3km) and air-to-ground (1km to 10km) applications. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Commercialize for law enforcement, marine navigation, commercial aviation enhanced vision, medical imaging venous and dermatological applications, and industrial semiconductor and manufacturing process control. REFERENCES: 1. C. Kumar N. Patel., “High Power Infrared QCLs: Advances and Applications,” Quantum Sensing and Nanophotonic Devices IX, Proc of SPIE Vol. 8269 - 826802-1, 20 January 2012. 2. A. Tabirian, D. Stanley, D. Roberts, and A. Thompson., “Atmospheric Propagation of Novel MWIR Laser Output for Emerging Free-space Applications,” Atmospheric Propagation V, Proc. of SPIE Vol. 6951, 14 May 2008. 3. M. Razedhi, S. Slivken, Z. Huang, and A. Evans., “Semiconductor Laser for the 2-5 µm and 7-9 µm Region/Quantum Cascade,” U.S. Army Research Office, Agency Report # 40016-PH, June 2002. KEYWORDS: MWIR, Illuminator, laser pointer, laser illuminator, weapon sight, SUAS, remote piloted aircraft, targeting gimbal, remotely piloted aircraft AF141-130 TITLE: Miniature line-of-sight optical stabilization for hand-held laser marker/designator KEY TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Sensors The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with section 5.4.c.(8) of the solicitation and within the AF Component-specific instructions. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws. Please direct questions to the AF SBIR/STTR Contracting Officer, Ms. Kristina Croake, kristina.croake@us.af.mil. OBJECTIVE: Develop miniature laser line-of-sight (LOS) optical stabilization device for hand-held laser marking/ designation applications that incorporates “see-spot” and target tracking capability. DESCRIPTION: As the size and weight of laser targeting markers and rangefinders have decreased, numerous hand-held (non-tripod) applications have been developed. Unfortunately, these small systems are unstable and require improved line-of-sight (LOS) stability to hold the laser spot on the target at long ranges and to minimize laser jitter over and under the target. Eventual goal is laser on-the-move. Hand-held laser designators do not offer any laser beam stabilization and often lack any imaging or target tracking capabilities. Without stabilization, laser energy is smeared on the target. For example, a 300 microradian divergence laser beam at 1 km will be 30 cm in diameter. Any motion induced by the operator will cause the 30 cm spot to travel on the target. In a scenario where the spot never leaves the target, but is also not stationary, a laser spot tracker may not lock onto the target since the average energy is too low. Another scenario is where the spot “spills-over” the target due to the large spot size relative to the target, and sometimes the lack of an integrated target tracker. In this case, beam energy is completely lost (or worse, placed on the wrong target!). Even with training, the operator can induce LOS disturbances on the order of several degrees during target designation, which can result in 30 feet of target designation error at a range of 2 to 3 km. Thus there is a need for a compact laser marking/designation system capable of compensating for small disturbances induced by the operator. New technologies must be developed that can stabilize laser beams (and possibly imaging LOS) without the size and weight impacts of previous systems. Using modern image sensors, such as a short-wave IR (SWIR) or a 1064 nm sensitive EO camera, and a target tracker, the laser spot could be placed on a target and maintain pointing accuracy even with gross user motion. Since the SWIR or Low Light EO targeting camera system is capable of seeing the laser spot, the system could provide the user with a digital video feed along with the laser spot position in the scene. Recent developments have been focused on small, hand-held target designators the size of a 1-liter water bottle that have both direct-view optics, electro-optical day/night sights, and laser pointer/illuminator/designator. Concepts that help stabilize these compact multifunction instruments are needed. This may include an all-aperture stabilization or laser beam stabilization with feedback, and electronic stabilization of the other sensors. In any case, the LOS needs to be indicated to the operator for the location of the IR non-visible beam direction and target location. Peak powers from Q-switched lasers for military applications are exceedingly high. For short pulses of 1 to 20 nanoseconds, peak powers of over a megawatt are not unusual with average powers for some systems exceeding 10 watts. Approaches must be compatible the intense powers and damage thresholds represented in these types of laser systems. PHASE I: Investigate innovations for stabilizing laser designator or rangefinder beams to less than 50 microradians RMS. Perform experiments showing the ability to reject low-frequency (0-10Hz) angular motions with displacements of plus or minus 2 degs-all axes. Develop algorithms/simulations predicting LOS jitter performance. Develop design concepts for miniaturization into a hand-held form factor. PHASE II: Develop a hand-held sized prototype capable of integrating the see-spot imaging system, laser designator, laser beam steering system, and video display. This prototype will demonstrate the feasibility of the system recommended in Phase I. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Develop, integrate and transition for military applications in Air Force, Army, and Marine Corp laser targeting devices. Commercial applications in rangefinders and markers for surveying, long-range hunting sight applications, security, and industrial measurements. REFERENCES: 1. Sweeney, M.; Rynkowski, G; et.al.; “Design considerations for fast-steering mirrors (FSMs),” SPIE Proceedings Vol. 4773, Optical Scanning 2002, Stephen F. Sagan; Gerald F. Marshall; Leo Beiser, Editors, pp.63-73. Published: 4 June 2002 DOI: 10.1117/12.469197. 2. Konadu, K; Yi, Sun; et.al.; "Robust positioning of laser beams using proportional integral derivative and based observer-feedback control," American Journal of Applied Sciences, 10 (4): 374-387, 2013, ISSN: 1546-9239. 2013 Science Publication, doi:10.3844/ajassp.2013.374.387, Published Online 10 (4) 2013, http://thescipub.com/pdf/10.3844/ajassp.2013.374.387. 3. Kluk, D; Trumper, D; "A High Bandwidth, High Precision, Two Axis Steering Mirror," http://aspe.net/publications/Spring_2008/Spr08Ab/2746-Trumper.pdf. 4. Hilkert, J; “A comparison of inertial line-of-sight stabilization techniques using mirrors,” SPIE Proceedings Vol. 5430, Acquisition, Tracking, and Pointing XVIII, Michael K. Masten; Larry A. Stockum, Editors, pp.13-22, 27 July 2004; 10 pages; 17 papers; DOI: 10.1117/12.541808. 5. A. Sijan, "Development of highly compact and low power consumption athermal military laser designators," Proc. SPIE 8541, Electro-Optical and Infrared Systems: Technology and Applications IX, 85410U (October 24, 2012); doi:10.1117/12.974522; http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.974522. KEYWORDS: laser designator, laser marker, stabilization, line of sight, optical jitter suppression, laser rangefinder AF141-131 TITLE: Electromagnetic Radiation Effects on Weapons and Energetic Materials KEY TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Weapons The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with section 5.4.c.(8) of the solicitation and within the AF Component-specific instructions. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws. Please direct questions to the AF SBIR/STTR Contracting Officer, Ms. Kristina Croake, kristina.croake@us.af.mil. OBJECTIVE: Perform innovative research in electromagnetic radiation (EMR) effects on energetic materials (EMs). Develop electrical and physicochemical models of EMs to predict safety and energy output under various physical, chemical, and EMR conditions. DESCRIPTION: Ubiquitous radio frequency (RF) and electromagnetic radiation (EMR) usage is an important characteristic of modern military. While EMR offers many benefits, there are disadvantages associated with the EMR-rich environment. One of the disadvantages of EMR is “Hazard of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance" (HERO). HERO may cause inadvertent activation of a munition. A fundamental and scientific understanding is lacking as to why and how EMR impacts explosives at the molecular level and causes an inadvertent activation of the explosive. Besides the inadvertent initiation of an explosive material, EMR could alter an explosive’s performance.
PHASE I: Develop theory, and develop first principle physics based physicochemical and electrical models and algorithms for EMs and EMR interaction. Deliverables include a technical report documenting the theory of model development, proof that models and algorithms are relevant, feasible and valid for at least some classes of materials under key parametric conditions of EMR and materials. PHASE II: Enhance and refine the models and algorithms developed in Phase I. Show by analysis and experiments that they are accurate and valid for multiple classes of materials under a number of various physical, chemical and EMR parametric conditions. Deliverables include detailed technical reports, algorithm and model specifics, rationale, and experimentally demonstrated validation evidence for multiple materials under scores of parametric conditions of EMR and material property variations. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Military applications are munitions safety, and munitions performance characterization. Commercial applications include explosives safety weapons for law enforcement; automobile airbag enhanced safety, reliability, and efficient airbags. REFERENCES: 1. Craig M. Tarver, Effect of Electric Fields on the Reaction Rates in Shock Initiating and Detonating Solid Explosives, Shock Compression of Condensed Matter, 2011. AIP Conf Proc. 1426, 227-230 (2012). 2. Jonathan Parson, et al, Pulsed Magnetic Field Excitation Sensitivity of Match-type Electric Blasting Caps, Review of Scientific Instruments, AIP, Vol 81, 2010, pages 105115-1 to 105115-7. 3. Douglas G. Tasker, et al, Electromagnetic Effects on Explosive Reaction and Plasma, Proceedings of 14th International Detonation Symposium, Idaho, April 11-16, 2010. 4. D. G. Tasker, et al, Electromagnetic Field Effects in Explosives, Shock Compression of Condensed Matter, 2009. AIP Conf Proc. 335-338. 5. R. J. Lee, et al, Effect of Electric Fields on Sensitivity of an HMX based Explosive, Shock Compression of Condensed Matter, 2007. AIP Conf Proc. 963-966. 6. Sang-Eui Lee, et al, Microwave Properties of Graphite Nanoplatelet/epoxy composites, Journal of Applied Physics, Vol 104, 2008, pages 033705-1 to 033705-7. KEYWORDS: energetic materials, explosives, electromagnetic radiation, physicochemical model, electrical equivalent circuits, modeling, power, energy, pulse width, continuous wave, CW, pulsed energy, figure of merit, algorithms, chemical composition. AF141-132 TITLE: Wide Field of View High Speed Strap Down Stellar Inertial Instrument KEY TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Weapons The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with section 5.4.c.(8) of the solicitation and within the AF Component-specific instructions. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws. Please direct questions to the AF SBIR/STTR Contracting Officer, Ms. Kristina Croake, kristina.croake@us.af.mil. OBJECTIVE: Develop a compact, low profile, wide field-of-view day/night stellar inertial technology for use in severe weapon environments (vibration, thermal, etc.). DESCRIPTION: A solution is needed for weapon and long-range platform operations with minimal reliance on GPS, or preferably without any GPS. A precision navigation solution that operates with minimal reliance on GPS, or preferably without any GPS, is needed for airborne platforms as well as air launched weapons. One potential solution is a stellar inertial navigation sensor consisting of a star tracker coupled to an inertial measurement unit (IMU). However, currently available stellar inertial sensors operating without GPS augmentation are not capable of providing GPS-quality accuracies. One reason for this is the error in the estimate of the orientation of the horizon plane, and hence the local vertical vector. Each microradian error in the local vertical translates to about six meters of error for Earth coordinate (lat/long) estimates. Sensors that directly observe or measure the local vertical accurately on a moving vibrating airborne platform can greatly increase accuracy. Another problem with the present-day stellar inertial sensors is the narrow field of view of the star tracker. A wide field-of-view star tracker would reduce errors due to platform movements and vibrations. Proposals should describe a breadboard-level inertial navigation system (INS) coupled to other sensors, such as star trackers, to provide a complete non-GPS navigation solution. Accuracy, size, weight and power (SWaP) estimates for near-term prototypes should be provided and fully justified. The need is for a day/night wide field-of-view WFOV Strap Down Star Tracker for very high speed missile and long range weapon applications with secondary applications to remote piloted aircraft (RPA) and ground applications for North Finding. The location of a sensor for advanced high speed missiles and platforms is frequently non optimal and requires a small footprint. The sensor must be strap down without mechanical gimbal or mirrors and have a large FOV. Approaches to address severe vibration and heat must be self-normalizing without in situ calibration or more than 30 seconds of initialization. The technology should operate day or night with thin cloud obscuration from 1,000 feet to 100,000-foot and higher altitudes. The approach should not be dependent on collocation or hard mounting to the IMU. A thin package for body mounting is needed to lack of depth and volume in the most probable mounting location for best view of objects. Atmospheric effects of turbulence and refraction as a function of altitude and novel approaches to derive down vector without magnetic gradiometers must be addressed. To provide additional space object versus star discrimination with severe vibration, a high speed sensor is anticipated for operation to derive angle rates as well as absolute position independently. Address dual use of the technology for AFSOC ground targeting sensors, RPA platforms, and fixed wing fighter and bomber aircraft. It is envisioned a Phase II limited flight demonstration joint with the Air Force Test Pilot School, Naval Post Graduate School, or University or Prime Contractor is a key desirement to establish transition readiness. PHASE I: Design a navigation sensor that can provide GPS comparable accuracy without any GPS. Simulate multiple flight trajectories and estimate accuracy using high fidelity models that take into consideration weather, clouds, and other environmental conditions, platform movement, rotation, and vibration. The design should be mature at the end of the Phase I effort with lab demo of critical elements. PHASE II: Develop and integrate component technologies, interfaces, and software necessary to demonstrate a prototype of the navigation sensor in the laboratory and outdoors - preferably at low elevation and at high elevation. A flight test ready prototype at the end of the Phase II effort is highly desirable. Develop an ICD and transition plan and coordinate with Air Force platform programs and DoD Inertial Systems prime contractors for rapid technology insertion. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Develop and transition a deployable navigation sensor for use in government and defense industry applications. REFERENCES: 1. Horsfall, R. B.; "Stellar Inertial Navigation," Aeronautical and Navigational Electronics, IRE Transactions on, vol. ANE-5, no.2, pp.106-114, June 1958, doi: 10.1109/TANE3.1958.4201596. 2. Brown, A.; Mathews, B, and Nguyen, D. GPS/INS/Star Tracker navigation using software defined radio. Proceedings of 29th Annual AAS Guidance and Control Conference 2007. 3. Veth, M., Raquet, J., "Alignment and Calibration of Optical and Inertial Sensors Using Stellar Observations," Proceedings of the 18th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS 2005), Long Beach, CA, September 2005, pp. 2494-2503. www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA462968. KEYWORDS: Star Tracker, navigation sensor, guidance, navigation, strap down, high speed sensor AF141-133 TITLE: High Performance Angular Rate Sensors for Compact Inertial Guidance without GPS KEY TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Weapons The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with section 5.4.c.(8) of the solicitation and within the AF Component-specific instructions. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws. Please direct questions to the AF SBIR/STTR Contracting Officer, Ms. Kristina Croake, kristina.croake@us.af.mil. OBJECTIVE: Develop advanced miniaturized angular rate sensors (Gyros) to address military weapons environment and need to improve inertial measurement unit accuracy to very low drift strategic grade in a tactical weapon sized inertial package. DESCRIPTION: Very little investment in precision inertial measurement unit (IMU) technologies for tactical weapons has been made in recent years due to reliance on GPS and other radio navigation technologies. The goal of this research is to address gaps in very high performance angular rate sensors to improve tactical IMUs to strategic grade for long-range weapons guidance without GPS. A good form factor to consider is the Honeywell HG1700 fiber laser gyro IMU. It provides reasonable performance under a wide range of operation when disciplined with periodic GPS inputs. The drift rates of the fiber laser and accelerometer errors cause navigation errors over longer flight times for long range weapon and RPA platforms. Sixty seconds of flight time without GPS results in meters of error. Several hours can result in kilometers of error. Improvements to existing angular rate sensors are needed to improve long term guidance without GPS update at an affordable cost. A small IMU footprint is needed for weapons IMU (i.e., performance of a Honeywell HG9900 or Northrop Grumman LN250 in a Honeywell HG1700 form factor). The IMUs are typically mounted at the rear of a weapon and can experience severe vibration and heat. To minimize impact to existing weapon load out and form factor, the goal is to fit into existing IMU packages with a rate sensor goal footprint or 10 cubic inches or better for a Tri-Axial rate sensor package with integrated electronics. This area also includes the support electronics/electro-optics to transition into integrated radiation and severe environment package. Directory: wp-content -> uploads -> 2016 2016 -> 2017 afoCo Landmark Scholarship Program 2016 -> Instructions for the Preparation of Camera-Ready Contributions to the Conference Proceedings 2016 -> Step student Scholarships for Year 10-13 2016 -> The united church of canada 2016 -> Idan raichel biography – May 2016 Brief Producer, keyboardist, Lyricist, composer and Performer Idan Raichel 2016 -> An introduction to centre’s interventions expanding access to justice 2016 -> Sanchar Shakti 2016 -> Unit analysis should help here. We want number of bananas 2016 -> The Autobiography of Elder Joseph Bates 2016 -> The Great Heat and the Rhode Island Deep Water Bay Scallop (Argopecten irradians) Fishery 1875-1905 Download 1.72 Mb. Share with your friends:
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