Department of the navy (don) 17. 1 Small Business Innovation Research (sbir) Proposal Submission Instructions introduction

OBJECTIVE: Advance the state of 1550nm laser technology, and design and develop an LMA that will support current Lightweight Wide Aperture Array (LWWAA) operation while lowering the module’s cost.

DESCRIPTION: The Lightweight Wide Aperture Array (LWWAA) is part of the Sonar system installed on-board VIRGINIA-class Submarines. LWWAA uses fiber optic sensing technology to support detection of acoustic contacts. With the wide adoption of 1550nm laser technology, and the resulting end of life of select components associated with the current 1310nm laser technology, it will become harder and more expensive to maintain the production line for the current Laser Module Assembly (LMA) for both the new platforms under construction and the current platforms in the Fleet. As the VIRGINIA class platform has many years of service life remaining, any gaps in availability of replacement components and repair assets will cause a reduction in system performance, as failed LMAs will not be able to be repaired/replaced. The small business should develop an updated LMA that operates in the 1550nm region while meeting the system’s noise requirements and fitting within the existing LMA footprint.

Specific goals include:
• Develop an initial concept design, model the key elements, define the key component technological milestones.
• Demonstration of key technology milestones, which will include a laser that meets the noise requirements defined below
•Demonstrate a fully integrated 1550nm LMA that meets the assembly’s physical and performance requirements. When possible, utilize standard commercial components, while will allow for a wider base of potential suppliers along with a longer shelf life for support of in-service assets.

Basic Requirements Include:

PHASE I: Define and develop a concept to utilize state of the art telecommunications standards in updating the LWWAA LMA to meet the goals and requirements stated in the description. This would include assessing the feasibility of producing the described LMA and identifying the risks of meeting the specified performance. Testing and modeling results shall be provided to the Navy. The Phase I Option, if awarded, should include the initial layout and capabilities to build the LMA unit in Phase II.

PHASE II: The small business will develop and deliver prototypes based on the concept developed in Phase I and demonstrate the key capabilities specified. Two prototypes will be provided to the government for independent evaluation. The company will prepare a Phase III development plan to transition the technology for Navy and potential commercial use.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: In supporting the transition to Navy use, Phase III will further refine and develop a first article production unit that can undergo a full set of performance and environmental testing, including power, shock, and vibration testing. Full environmental qualification testing (EQT) will be conducted as specified by the Navy. Upon successful completion of EQT, the first article unit will be tested within the LWWAA processing string to certify against the performance metrics at the system level. Private Sector Commercial Potential: The work performed under this SBIR has the potential to be used in high-performance communication systems (e.g. telecommunication backhaul networks) that require high-performance, narrow-line width laser sources.

REFERENCES:

1. Strachan, David. "Designing Fiber Optic Systems.” Evertz Microsystems. 26 Feb 2016; http://www.evertz.com/resources/Designing-Fiber-Optic-Systems.pdf.

2. St. Arnaud, Bill. “1310nm vs. 1550nm window for 10GbE.” IEEE, 26 Feb 2016; http://www.ieee802.org/3/10G_study/email/msg00022.html.

3. Steenbergen, Richard. “Everything you always wanted to know about Optical Networking – but were afraid to ask.” NANOG 48.26 Feb 2016; https://www.nanog.org/meetings/nanog48/presentations/Sunday/RAS_opticalnet_N48.pdf.

4. C. K. Kirkendall and A. Dandridge, "Overview of high performance fiber-optic sensing," Journal of Physics D-Applied Physics, vol. 37, pp. R197-R216, 2004.-

KEYWORDS: LWWAA; LMA; fiber optic sensor receiver; hybrid signal path technology; telecommunications laser; SONAR sensors.

Questions may also be submitted through DoD SBIR/STTR SITIS website.

N171-064

TITLE: Oil-less Cooking Deep Fat Fryer (DFF) Replacement

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Materials/Processes

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMS397 – OHIO Replacement Program Office

OBJECTIVE: Develop Oil-less Cooking Deep Fat Fryer (DFF) to reduce maintenance and decrease fire risk in an effort to replace currently existing Deep Fat Fryers (DFF) in the OHIO Replacement (OR) galley design.

DESCRIPTION: The baseline OR galley design currently includes two legacy VIRGINIA CLASS DFFs and two electric combination ovens. New technologies/solutions including but not limited to infrared heating, radiant emitter and spectrally selective emitters are sought to replace the baseline DFF. Benefits of replacing the DFF include removal of cooking oil to eliminate the need for an Aqueous Potassium Carbonate (APC) system in the OR galley resulting in APC system cost and space savings; reduction in food preparation cost; and decreasing or eliminating fried foods for health reasons.

The high-level requirement for the OR galley as a whole is the ability to prepare, in one hour, enough food to feed two-thirds of the crew (those not on watch at any given time), during each of three meals in a twenty-four hour period. Since the nominal OR crew is 155 personnel, the required overall throughput is food for 104 personnel.

The most recently approved submarine force menu card includes nine items required to be cooked in the DFF in a twenty-eight day cycle:
- French fried potatoes

- Chicken fried steak

- Chicken cordon bleu
- Fried shrimp

- Fried chicken

- Home fried potatoes
- Fried fish portions

- Fried catfish

- French fried okra

The legacy DFF can cook French fries at the rate of approximately 80 pounds per hour. A replacement cooking system should be able to cook the same food in a comparable or shorter time than the DFF. Additionally, the proposed cooking system must fit in the physical space already allotted for the DFF in the OR galley arrangement (each existing DFF is 15” x 25” x 38”), as well as consume no more electrical power than already accounted for in the OR electrical distribution system (Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) design is 30 kW). Existing commercially available oil-less cooking systems are not qualified for submarine operation.

PHASE I: The company will develop a conceptual design for an Oil-less Cooking Deep Fat Fryer appropriate for food preparation meeting the requirements described above. The company will demonstrate the feasibility of the concept of meeting Navy needs and will establish that the equipment can be reasonably developed into a useful system for the Navy. The Phase I Option, if awarded, should address technical risk reduction; and provide performance goals and key technical milestones.

PHASE II: Based on the results of Phase I and the Phase II Statement of Work (SOW), the company will develop an Oil-less Cooking Deep Fat Fryer prototype for testing and delivery on a lab scale under the appropriate conditions to simulate a submarine environment. The prototype will be evaluated to determine its capability in meeting the performance goals defined in Phase II SOW and the Navy requirements, as stated previously, for food preparation, including the Navy Standard Core Menu (NSCM) and associated Standard Navy Recipe Cards. System performance will be demonstrated through evaluation over the required range of parameters. Evaluation results will be used to finalize a system that will meet Navy requirements. The company will prepare a Phase III development plan to transition the technology to Navy and potential commercial use.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The company will be expected to support the Navy in transitioning the DFF replacement equipment for Navy use on Ohio Replacement Submarines, and potentially retrofitted onto prior classes of submarines. The company will finalize and fabricate the equipment to determine its effectiveness in an operationally relevant environment. The company will support the Navy for test and validation to certify and qualify the system for transition into operational Navy use. Following testing and validation, the technology is expected to produce results outperforming the current DFF in regard to meeting the Navy’s requirements for food preparation while eliminating the need for an APC system. Private Sector Commercial Potential: Innovations in food preparation equipment and techniques would have wide application in the private sector. Such technologies would operate under the same basic principles and technology developed under this SBIR.

REFERENCES:

1. Navy Surface Ship Electric Fryers (Installation, Operation, Service & Parts) Manual, August 2005 http://fm-xweb.frymaster.com/service/udocs/Manuals/819-6004%20AUG%2005.pdf

2. Chemistry of Deep-Fat Frying Oils, by E. Choe and D.B. Min http://nfscfaculty.tamu.edu/talcott/courses/FSTC605/Class%20Presentations-2014/Frying%20Oils.pdf-

KEYWORDS: Deep Fat Fryer; Combination Oven; Open Deep Fat Fryers; Infrared Heating; Radiant Emitters; Spectrally Selective Emitters.

Questions may also be submitted through DoD SBIR/STTR SITIS website.

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Battlespace, Electronics, Sensors

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMS 485, Maritime Surveillance Systems Program Office

OBJECTIVE: Develop a cost-effective, innovative approach potentially using active broadband sonar techniques that will leverage today’s commercial high-frequency technology to enable the automatic detection of marine mammals, sea turtles, and other protected biologics; UUVs; potential hazards; and human swimmers/divers as an alternative to the current approach.

DESCRIPTION: The Navy currently uses high-frequency narrowband sonar systems to detect marine mammals, hazards, and other applications. Although equipped with effective custom-designed marine mammal sonar detection systems, these systems are aging and are very expensive to maintain. A next-generation marine mammal sonar is needed to replace currently fielded systems, which are fabricated from hardware that is being obsolete. This topic is intended to lead to the development of new innovative data processing algorithms and software to identify marine mammals, sea turtles, and other biologics and objects that must be avoided such as nets, Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs), and human swimmers. The algorithms and software can leverage Commercial-Off-the-Shelf (COTS) “fish finder” technology to minimize life-cycle costs. In addition to being more effective at biologic detection, this system is intended to reduce manning and operation costs by reducing the number of crew required to stand watch for biologics.

Though commercial “fish-finder” technology has advanced significantly since the development of the Navy’s current marine mammal detection sonar system, the commercial “fish finder” systems are designed to alert users about the presence of fish rather than to accurately detect and identify marine mammals. Despite commercial broadband sonar systems having the range and resolution to detect marine mammals, the software to correctly identify and track these animals, which are difficult to detect since they often travel in groups of three or less, has not been developed. New algorithms and innovative techniques are needed to accurately detect, classify, and track small and large marine mammals (and other protected small species such as sea turtles) using the high-resolution capabilities of broadband sonar and matched filter receivers. When implemented, this technology could have a wider application in both the oil exploration and fishing industries, which also have requirements to avoid marine mammals.

The product described in the topic is expected to increase mission capability, increase performance, and/or reduce life-cycle costs. By utilizing high frequency broadband sonar techniques, the resolution of objects in the water will be enhanced to enable the specific identification of marine mammal order and fish species; hazards such as fishing nets; warning of the presence of swimmers and divers; and threats to ships such as UUVs. The required coverage includes a horizontal radius of at least 2 km, a volume approximately bounded by depths of 50 meters above and below the projector assembly/array center (nominally at a 50 to 100-meter depth below the surface), and continuous 360-degree coverage (on the horizontal axis). This high-frequency sonar cannot negatively affect the performance of the core platform passive and active surveillance capabilities. Life-cycle costs are minimized by adopting the usage of COTS technology to enable relatively inexpensive fabrication and commercial-grade reliability.

PHASE I: The Navy uses high-frequency sonar systems to detect mammals in the ocean, other wildlife, hazards, and small mobile man-made objects. Develop an innovative method, modeling tool, and feasibility study for an active sonar capability that can detect and identify marine wildlife in the vicinity of a ship. The focus of this research is in the development of methods, algorithms, and software to accurately detect and identify mammalian and reptilian marine life using a compact suite of transducers and other hardware that can be installed on a small ship. Develop a technical concept for implementation, a development plan, and a cost estimate to complete the design and prepare for production. The Phase I Option, if awarded, will include the initial design specifications and capability description to build a prototype in Phase II.

PHASE II: Based upon the Phase I results and the Phase II Statement of Work (SOW), the awardee will develop and deliver detailed specifications and a design for the sonar system prototype, both hardware and software. Subsequently, it will develop, implement, and deliver an operational prototype of the complete system and perform data collection and testing at sea in environments representative of Navy requirements, with an emphasis on the detection of smaller inhabitants such as sea turtles and seals. The awardee will compare realized results with predicted results and identify technical areas requiring additional development. The awardee will prepare a Phase III development plan to transition the technology for Navy and potential commercial use.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The awardee will be expected to support the Navy in transitioning the technology to Navy use. In conjunction with potential subcontractor teammates, the awardee will further refine the design and develop a production-ready sonar system. It will develop a user-friendly Human Machine Interface and enable user representatives to operate the system and validate the HMI and data display architecture. Additionally, the awardee will support operational testing, qualification, and approval by the Navy and National Marine Fisheries Service. After receiving approval, the awardee will be responsible for the production of and installation support for five or more sonar systems as an alternative in future marine mammal sonar systems in the SURTASS fleet other Navy applications. Private Sector Commercial Potential: The completed product has commercial applications for fishing, marine life research, marine life data gathering and tracking, oil exploration, and Government fishing enforcement agencies. The product is expected to be exportable without restrictions.

REFERENCES:

1. Zhang, Z.Y. “Echo time spreading and the definition of transmission loss for broadband active sonar.” Proceedings of ACOUSTICS 2011, Paper Number 97, 2 November 2011. URL last visited 7 Sept 2016: http://www.acoustics.asn.au/conference_proceedings/AAS2

2. Zhang, Z.Y. “Diver Detection Sonars and Target Strength: Review and Discussions.” 14th International Congress on Sound and Vibration (ICSV14), 9 July 2007. URL last visited 7 Sept 2016: http://www.acoustics.asn.au/conference_proceedings/ICSV14/papers/p221.pdf.

3. Simpson, Patrick K. & Denny, Gerald F. “A Comparison of Broadband and Narrowband Fisheries Sonar Systems.” Report No. SFS-01-01. August 19, 2001. Scientific Fishery Systems (scifish.com). URL last visited 7 Sept 2016: http://traktoria.org/files/sonar/fishing/a_comparison_of_broadband_and_narrowband_fisheries_sonar_systems.pdf.

4. Letter of Authorization for SURTASS LFA. Department of Commerce. 15 August 2008. URL last visited 7 Sept 2016: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/permits/lfa_loa_2008.pdf.

5. Jefferson, Thomas A., et al. “Marine Mammals of the World.” Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. 1993. URL last visited 7 Sept 2016: https://swfsc.noaa.gov/uploadedFiles/Divisions/PRD/Publications/Jeffersonetal93(14).pdf.-

KEYWORDS: Broadband Sonar Capabilities; Compressed High-Intensity Radar Pulse (CHIRP); Pulse Coding for Sonar; Marine Mammal Detection and Tracking; Acoustic Transducer for Sonar; Digital Signal Processing for Sonar

Questions may also be submitted through DoD SBIR/STTR SITIS website.

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Human Systems

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: IWS 9.0 ZUMWALT INTEGRATED COMBAT SYSTEM

OBJECTIVE: Develop a computerized innovative interactive visual, audio, and kinesthetic training program that increases the speed of learning, comprehension, and performance aboard ships to better cross-train sailors quickly.

DESCRIPTION: The operation of modern warships is complicated. Sailors on board must be thoroughly trained before attempting to sail or fight with the advanced technologies embodied in the systems-of-systems that envelop the ship environment. The current trend is to reduce staffing to minimize risk and automate wartime functions with the help of computer-guided systems. Learning to operate these advanced systems effectively without a plan can be cost prohibitive, thus, the need for advanced training techniques is necessary. This topic is focused on finding the best combination of human interaction and computer-guided learning techniques to improve training. Coupled externally with existing combat system simulation systems, a human trainer will teach sailors how to effectively learn and operate advanced ship systems quickly and accurately using psychological training techniques. One primary output for this effort is a curriculum for “training the trainer” to enhance the use of existing computer simulation training. The target system is the human brain, and although it may be possible to read from a computer screen and learn, this effort is about reaching each individual and coaching him or her to reach the highest potential possible using capabilities of the subconscious mind. This topic is about accelerating learning and improving performance. It is not about replacing the existing training systems.

There are three major deliverables for this SBIR, not including the Phase I Final Report. 1) In Phase II the small business shall deliver a course curriculum training manual, in source text, such that the Navy can reproduce, update, extend and use for training courses of the future. 2) the small business will build and deliver a computer based training video which demonstrates core techniques with presentations depicting the use of psychological tools and extended techniques 3) small business will build and deliver an example training manual using the course curriculum template TBD representative topic for the Zumwalt class combat system. The goal is development of an effective set of methods and processes which will increase sailor learning speed, comprehension, and performance with the aid of advanced human behavioral techniques.

On board and underway the trainer will be crew member(s) who become experts at the training techniques. The Navy expects to be self-sufficient in this training task. Sailors will be trained to use their subconscious mind, akin to what is known as “being in the zone” - a concentration level or “state” modern athletes use when describing their enhanced abilities at the top of their game. By using “psychological anchoring” (a mental marker) for states of awareness, the operator will be calm, at a high state of functional awareness, and react at peak performance levels.

One potential technology is Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), which enables faster training and learning with better comprehension than previous training techniques. This method incorporates creating psychological anchors to assist individuals in learning. Cooperative learning is another successful teaching strategy in which small teams, each with students of different levels of ability, use a variety of learning activities to improve their understanding of a subject. Other technologies that address rapid training are encouraged to be applied to reach the best solution set.

The crux of this research effort is to discover how to accelerate learning using the subconscious mind in a military context. The results will provide metrics for determining the level of each trainee’s improvement during that session of training, and logged such that improvement metrics over time can be captured. The innovation sought will provide each trainee the ability to improve their training time efficiency and learning retention, and enhance their actual performance - all by a goal factor of two times or greater. By addressing the foundational skills at a deep level whereby the sailor can act nearly instinctively in his or her role, the Navy will have expanded capabilities and create an advantage that empowers the fighting force with expertise in their actions and supports fielding a precision team.

PHASE I: The company will identify and develop a concept for an improved teaching tool. The concept will explain in detail the technique to be employed through a description of how the particular behavioral patterns will be used to create the desired outcomes. The developed concept will explain what advances are to be gained by creating applications with stimulus and response patterns that act as psychological anchors for future behavior. Feasibility will be determined with testing metrics designed with control groups trained in the traditional manners of teaching. The outcomes based on testing will prove the efficacy of the methods used. A Phase I Option, if awarded, will develop a roadmap that will be required to show how this technology will be matured into a prototype. An initial layout and capabilities description will be provided in the Phase I Option.