NAVY SBIR 18.1 Topic Descriptions

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Ground/Sea Vehicles

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Marine Corps Tactical Wheeled Vehicles including LVSR, MTVR, MRAP, MATV, HMMWV and JLTV.

OBJECTIVE: Develop extended life Transparent Armor (TA) by using innovative materials, design, manufacturing processes, and test methodology to reduce maintenance and lifecycle cost.

DESCRIPTION: Transparent Armor, in some form or fashion is used in all armored military vehicles. Sizes range from small side windows and vision blocks to large windshields up to 48 cm by 102 cm. It is constructed of multiple layers of glass laminated together with a spall liner to protect the occupants inside the vehicle. TA is expensive and the replacement of delaminated TA is currently costing the Marine Corps $15M to $20M per year. Unfortunately, current TA has a relatively short life-span as it typically delaminates in 3-4 years resulting in significant cost and reduced vehicle readiness. For some platforms, TA is the most unreliable component on the vehicle.

Much of the recent research has been focused on reducing the weight of TA and the use/development of exotic materials. While this work is needed and important for the future of TA it fails to address an apparently inherent flaw, delamination. The Marine Corps needs TA that lasts longer and is inexpensive, having little to no impact on initial purchase costs and a reduction in overall lifecycle costs.

ATPD-2352T is the current purchase description for TA. This specification sets the requirements that must be used in developing new TA. Unfortunately, ATPD-2352T falls short in identifying a test to address long term durability or service life. A test methodology shall be developed to predict the useful life of TA with respect to delamination.

This topic seeks to explore innovative and alternative TA designs for military vehicles. Of particular interest are concepts that satisfy the following criteria:

The Phase I effort will not require access to classified information. If need be, data of the same level of complexity as secured data will be provided to support Phase I work. The Phase II effort will likely require access to classified information, and the contractor will need to be prepared for personnel and facility certification for access and maintenance of classified information and material.

Work produced in Phase II may become classified. Note: The prospective contractor(s) must be U.S. Owned and Operated with no Foreign Influence as defined by DOD 5220.22-M, National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual, unless acceptable mitigating procedures have been implemented and approved by the Defense Security Service (DSS). The selected contractor and/or subcontractor must be able to acquire and maintain a secret level facility and Personnel Security Clearances, in order to perform on advanced phases of this contract as set forth by DSS and the Marine Corps in order to gain access to classified information pertaining to the national defense of the United States and its allies; this will be an inherent requirement. The selected company will be required to safeguard classified material IAW DoD 5220.22-M during the advance phases of this contract.

PHASE I: Develop concepts to improve the service life of TA by exploring the use of alternative materials, design, maintainability, and manufacturing techniques that meet the requirements outlined above. Develop concepts for an accelerated aging test methodology that evaluate the expected life of transparent armor. Demonstrate the feasibility of the concept in meeting the Marine Corps needs. Feasibility will be established by material testing and analytical modeling, as appropriate. Provide a Phase II plan that identifies performance goals, key technical milestones, and addresses technical risks. This Phase II plan will include specifications for the prototypes to be constructed.

PHASE II: Based on the results of the Phase I effort and the Phase II plan, develop a process and prototypes for testing. The prototypes will be scaled from a quarter to full size depending on the technology and test requirements. The prototypes will be evaluated to determine if the performance goals defined in the Phase II development plan and the requirements outlined in ATPD-2352T have been met. System performance will be demonstrated through prototype evaluation and modeling to include durability, ballistic, optical, and environmental performance. Results will be used to refine the design to optimize performance. Prepare a Phase III plan to transition the technology to the Marine Corps.

It is probable that the work under this effort will be classified under Phase II (see Description section for details).

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Upon successful completion of Phase II, the contractor will be ready for full-scale application, testing, demonstration, implementation, and commercialization. The Marine Corps could buy future TA through a Phase III contract if the contractor has the manufacturing capacity. The technologies developed under this topic would have direct application to other Department of Defense applications including other services’ TA on Tactical Wheeled Vehicles, Aircraft, and vision blocks.

The technologies developed under this topic would be of interest to police departments for their armored vehicle and riot police shields. The technologies would also have applications for the security industries that use ballistic glass for things like armored trucks and facility protection at banks and embassies.

REFERENCES:

1. “ATPD-2352T Purchase Description Transparent Armor.” U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC), Research Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM), May 8, 2013.

2. Patel, P. J.; Hsieh, A. J.; Gilde, G. A. Improved low-cost multi-hit transparent armor. DTIC. Accession Number ADA481074. Nov 1, 2006. (http://www.dtic.mil/get-tr-doc/pdf?AD=ADA481074)

3. Pascoe, J. A., et al. (2013). "Methods for the prediction of fatigue delamination growth in composites and adhesive bonds – A critical review." Engineering Fracture Mechanics 112-113: 72-96. (available at the Author’s institutional repository: https://repository.tudelft.nl/islandora/object/uuid%3Ae22dcf36-b9be-4b7a-b7fa-4626e8d5f393)

4. Grujicic, M.; Bell, W. C.; Pandurangan, B. Design and material selection guidelines and strategies for transparent armor systems. Materials and Design (34). Elsevier Publishing. 2011.

KEYWORDS: Transparent Armor; Laminated Glass; Ballistic Glass; Test Methodology; Reduced Life Cycle Cost; Accelerated Aging

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Materials/Processes

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PM151.2, Shelters-Field Feeding-Containers Team, LED lighting for softwall and rigid-wall shelters

OBJECTIVE: Develop a Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting system on flexible substrates that have small form factor, low weight, low power consumption, and low heat output. The systems are intended for use in Marine Corps soft-wall and rigid wall shelters.

DESCRIPTION: The Marine Corps has used LED lighting systems in soft-wall and rigid-wall shelters. Testing has shown that current LED lighting has not provided the energy efficiencies and cost savings originally desired. Output from the current LED technology is less than fluorescent lighting, requiring more LED lights to reach equivalent lighting levels. Additionally, the color/wavelength of many of the LED systems causes headaches and eye fatigue. The current LED lights also create more heat than fluorescents, adding thermal load to shelter interiors. The LED lights are also heavy and large.

The objective of this SBIR topic is to develop new LED lighting technology based on printed or micro LEDs that can be affixed to thin, flexible substrates less than 0.125 inches thick. A single LED shall not have a panel area greater than 1 ft2. The weight would be less than 1lb./ft2. The lights shall provide a light output range of 10-1100lux. Optimal performance will be 540lux, at 30 inches above the floor. For a Command Operations Center (COC) or Office, a single LED light shall be capable of producing 325lux Threshold (T) or 540lux Objective (O) in Day Mode; 30lux (T) or 55lux (O) in Blackout Mode. For General Purpose, a single LED light shall be capable of producing 110lux (T) or 215lux (O) in Day Mode; 10lux (T) or 20lux (O) in Blackout Mode. The operating color for the white, or Day Mode, lighting shall be between 3600K and 5000K. In blackout mode, the LED output shall meet the chromaticity requirements of u'=.180, v'=.500, and r'=.055 using 1976 Uniform chromaticity scale. No more than 5% of the total energy emitted shall be above 700 nanometers and begin as close to 600 nanometers as possible. 95% of the total energy should be confined within 400-600 nanometers.

The lights shall have individual control via on/off and Day Mode/Blackout Mode switches. The lights shall be capable of being “daisy chained” together, via power cords. The lights shall be powered from 120 VAC 50/60Hz, or 12-24 VDC. The maximum power draw per light, shall be less than 20W in Day Mode, and 10W in Blackout Mode. The lights shall be water tight. The lights shall be capable of operating in ambient temperatures from -40°F to +125°F. The lights shall be capable of being stored in ambient temperatures from -50°F to +160°F. The operating temperature for the LED lights, in Day Mode, shall be less than 101°F.

PHASE I: The company will develop concepts for a flexible LED lighting system that meet the requirements described above. The company will demonstrate the feasibility of the concepts in meeting Marine Corps needs and will establish that the concepts can be developed into a useful product for the Marine Corps. Feasibility will be established by material testing and analytical modeling, as appropriate. Examples of the modeling and testing would include, but not be limited to, modeling of signal attenuation, structure and weight reduction, thermal resistance, and coupon testing. The small business will provide a Phase II development plan with performance goals, key technical milestones, manufacturing processes and capabilities, and that will address technical and manufacturing risk reduction. This Phase II plan will also include specifications for a prototype.

PHASE II: Based on the results of Phase I and the Phase II development plan, the small business will develop a prototype evaluation. The prototype, along with the manufacturing processes, will be evaluated to determine capability in meeting the performance goals defined in the Phase II development plan and the Marine Corps requirements for the flexible LED lighting system. System performance, and cost effectiveness, will be demonstrated through prototype evaluation and modeling or analytical methods over the required range of parameters including numerous deployment cycles. Evaluation results will be used to refine the prototype and manufacturing methodology into an initial design that will meet Marine Corps requirements. The company will prepare a Phase III development plan to transition the technology to Marine Corps use.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Upon successful completion of Phase II, the company will be expected to support the Marine Corps in transitioning the technology for Marine Corps use. The company will develop the flexible LED lighting system for evaluation to determine its effectiveness in an operationally relevant environment. The company will support the Marine Corps for test and validation to certify and qualify the system for Marine Corps use.

Flexible LED lighting has direct application in home, commercial, industrial, and automotive lighting. The application of color LEDs can provide displays for marketing, point of sale, and advertising. Flexible LED lighting strips can be used for personal lighting devices (e.g., first responders, military, police, and recreational).

REFERENCES:

1. Department of Defense. MIL-PRF-44259E, Performance Specification, Light Set, Portable, Fluorescent. 29 June 2009.

2. Department of Defense. MIL-STD-810G, Environmental Engineering Considerations and Laboratory Tests. 31 October 2008.

3. Department of Defense. MIL-STD-1472G, Design Criteria Standard, Human Engineering. 11 January 2012.

4. USON for Energy Efficient Light Emitting Diode (LED) Lighting. Quantico, VA. 29 November 2010.

5. Underwriters Laboratories. UL 8752, Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) Panels. 13 June 2012.

6. “Nth Light.” Nth Degree Technologies Worldwide Inc. 31 July 2017. https://www.ndeg.com/

7. “PiXey.” Rohinni LLC. 31 July 2017. http://www.rohinni.com/

8. “Flexible type, 400 x 50MM.” LG Display. 2014. http://www.lgoledlight.com/portfolio_page/400x50mm/

KEYWORDS: LED; OLED; Micro LED; Printed LED; Flexible LED; Organic LED; Light Panels

N181-003

TITLE: USMC Ground Radio LPI/LPD Interference Mitigation Active Communication Antenna

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Information Systems

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Command and Control Infrastructure Services (C2IS), Networking on the Move (NOTM) Program of Record

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 Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.

OBJECTIVE: The Multiband Ground Radio program needs to reduce the radio frequency (RF) signature of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF). The September 2016 Marine Corps Operating Concept (Reference 1) identifies a critical task to “Operate with Resilience in a Contested-Network Environment.” The development of Low probability of Detection (LPD) and Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) antenna that simultaneously provide interference mitigation is the solution to the critical subtask of “Role of Signature in Offense and Defense” and allows us to operate with resilience in the contested-network environment as per the Marine Corps Operating Concept (MOC).

DESCRIPTION: Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM) utilizes multiple communications systems, in particular dismounted ground radio systems, to interconnect with the Networking on the Move (NOTM) program. In an operational environment, the tactical communications systems encounter interference with reduced available spectrum and increased demand in data. Dismounted Marines need to be able to operate without being detected by the enemy and/or emitting RF. Increasing use of the electromagnetic spectrum reduces the available channels to communicate and increases interference between co-adjacent channels in combat. The development of technology solutions for increasing spectrum availability require systems to use spatial diversity, interference mitigation, and manage output power with directional gain so that systems may be closer, be non-detectable outside the main beam, and share the same spectrum. A communications system that simultaneously provides a small form-factor, on-the-move communications, and LPI/LPD capability with interference mitigation is a technological challenge.

MARCORSYSCOM is looking for a solution that will provide an interference mitigation active antenna that will connect to the AN/PRC-117G via the J3 or J6 ports. These ports provide Ethernet, USB, or RS232 capability and one of these standards will be used for the antenna interface. Reference 2 provides a link to the AN/PRC-117G manufacture and specification sheet and Reference 3 provides a sample supplier of weatherproof cables to attach to the J3 or J6 ports. The connector used for these ports is standardized among the family of tactical radios and therefore a solution for the AN/PRC-117G will also work with other tactical radios just needing a different cable or connector. A technical paper that provides a good description of the problem to obtain LPI/LPD transmissions is titled “Hiding Information in Noise: Fundamental Limits of Covert Wireless Communication” and is provided in Reference 4.

The requirements for this communications systems are as follows: The system must support a minimum throughput of 2 Megabits per second (Mbps), transmission range of up to 70nm, and be able to transmit in at least one band from L Band (0.5GHz) to X Band (12GHz) (Threshold) or transmit in multiple bands (Objective) but include L Band as one of the bands, and be a light-weight man-packable system weighing no more than 5lbs. (Threshold) - (not including the battery). The active antenna should sense all frequencies between 0.5GHz and 12GHz (Threshold) and be able to output the frequency power spectrum (Threshold). The active antenna system will operate on battery power for 8 hours of continuous use (Threshold). The system will be able to be charged or run on 110V AC, 12V DC power sources and be able to be powered by the AN/PRC-117G (Threshold). The system will be undetectable outside of the main beam (3dB point is the main beam) and will have a non-detectable RF signal that is below the ambient RF noise floor from 100MHz to 50GHz 99% of the time (Threshold) and should be undetectable by a non-cooperative system within the main beam (Objective). A non-cooperative system is one that does not have knowledge (e.g., enemy or neutral system) of the transmission waveform. The system must be able to null adjacent frequency interference from at least one source (Threshold) and up to four sources (Objective). The system shall be usable in all tactical environments and preference is given to a system concept with no moving parts (reduced maintenance). The active antenna shall be able to be reconfigurable or reprogrammable to allow for future changes or upgrades.

Work produced in Phase II may become classified. Note: The prospective contractor(s) must be U.S. Owned and Operated with no Foreign Influence as defined by DOD 5220.22-M, National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual, unless acceptable mitigating procedures can and have been implemented and approved by the Defense Security Service (DSS). The selected contractor and/or subcontractor must be able to acquire and maintain a secret level facility and Personnel Security Clearances, in order to perform on advanced phases of this contract as set forth by DSS and the Marine Corps in order to gain access to classified information pertaining to the national defense of the United States and its allies; this will be an inherent requirement. The selected company will be required to safeguard classified material IAW DoD 5220.22-M during the advance phases of this contract.

PHASE I: The company will develop concepts for an interference mitigation active antenna that meets the requirements described above. The company will demonstrate the feasibility of the concepts in meeting Marine Corps needs and establish the concepts that can be developed into a useful product for the Marine Corps. Feasibility will be established by material testing and analytical modeling, as appropriate. The small business will provide a Phase II development plan with performance goals and key technical milestones, and that will address technical risk reduction. This Phase II plan will include specification for a prototype.

PHASE II: Based on the results of Phase I and the Phase II development plan, build an operational prototype for evaluation. The prototype will be evaluated to determine its capability in meeting the performance goals defined in the Phase II development plan and the Marine Corps requirements for the interference mitigation active antenna. System performance will be demonstrated through prototype evaluation and modeling or analytical methods that demonstrate the communications throughput and LPI/LPD detection requirements. Evaluation results will be used to refine the prototype into an initial design that will meet Marine Corps requirements. The company will prepare a Phase III development plan to transition the technology for Marine Corps use.

It is probable that the work under this effort will be classified under Phase II (see Description section for details).

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Support the Marine Corps in transitioning the technology for Marine Corps use. The company will develop interference mitigation active antenna for evaluation to determine its effectiveness in an operationally relevant environment. Support the Marine Corps for test and validation to certify and qualify the system for Marine Corps use.

Directional antennas with interference mitigation have potential use in any application in which close-in interference and long-range gain is desired. A potential commercial application is in digital signal broadcasts to provide a directive antenna and reduce interference in directions not in the main 3dB beam. Products such as these are already available on the commercial market but not with the active ability to cancel interference.

REFERENCES:

1. “Marine Corps Operating Concept.” September 2016, http://www.mccdc.marines.mil/MOC/

2. AN/PRC-117G Wideband Tactical Radio, July 2017, https://www.harris.com/solution/harris-falcon-iii-anprc-117gv1c-multiband-networking-manpack-radio

3. AN/PRC-117G Cables and Information, July 2017, http://www.tacticaleng.com/radio-cables/an-prc-117g/

4. Bash, Boulat A.; Goeckel, Dennis; Guha, Saikat; Towsley, Don, “Hiding Information in Noise: Fundamental Limits of Covert Wireless Communication”, 30 May 2015, https://arxiv.org/abs/1506.00066

KEYWORDS: Interference Mitigation; Low Probability of Intercept; LPI; Low Probability of Detection; LPD; Active Antenna; Communications; Tactical Radios; Active interference cancellation

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Materials/Processes

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: MCCUU, FROG Tropical Clothing, MC uniforms

OBJECTIVE: Develop a low-cost and durable flame-resistant (FR) treatment for the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU).

DESCRIPTION: In response to the need to provide flame protection, the Marine Corps developed flame-resistant (FR) combat uniforms, utilizing materials with inherently FR fibers (e.g., FR rayon and meta and para-aramids). Although these FR materials provide FR protection, they are significantly more expensive and less durable, compared to the non-FR combat/duty uniform, the MCCUU, where this material is a 50/50 blend of nylon and cotton (NYCO). The durability issues have impacted the cost to the Marine Corps since these FR uniforms must be replaced more frequently increasing procurement and logistical costs.