AIR FORCE

SBIR 06.1 Proposal Submission Instructions

 

 

The Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is responsible for the implementation and management of the Air Force SBIR Program.

 

The Air Force Program Manager is Mr. Steve Guilfoos, 1-800-222-0336.  For general inquires or problems with the electronic submission, contact the DoD Help Desk at 1-866-724-7457 (1-866-SBIRHLP) (8am to 5pm EST).  For technical questions about the topic during the pre-solicitation period (1 Nov through 12 Dec 05 ), contact the Topic Authors listed for each topic on the website.  For information on obtaining answers to your technical questions during the formal solicitation period (13 Dec 05 through 13 Jan 06), go to http://www.dodsbir.net/sitis/.

 

The Air Force SBIR Program is a mission-oriented program that integrates the needs and requirements of the Air Force through R&D topics that have military and commercial potential.  Information can be found at the following website:  http://www.afrl.af.mil/sbir/index.htm.

 

 

PHASE I PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

 

Read the DoD  program solicitation at www.dodsbir.net/solicitation for detailed instructions on proposal format and program requirements.  When you prepare your proposal, keep in mind that Phase I should address the feasibility of a solution to the topic.  For the Air Force, the contract period of performance for Phase I shall be nine (9) months, and the award shall not exceed $100,000.  We will accept only one cost proposal per topic proposal and it must address the entire nine-month contract period of performance.

 

The Phase I award winners must accomplish the majority of their primary research during the first six months of the contract.  Each Air Force organization may request Phase II proposals prior to the completion of the first six months of the contract based upon an evaluation of the contractor’s technical progress and review by the Air Force Technical point of contact utilizing the criteria in section 4.3 of the DoD solicitation    The last three months of the nine-month Phase I contract will provide project continuity for all Phase II award winners so no modification to the Phase I contract should be necessary.  Phase I proposals have a 25 page-limit (excluding Company Commercialization Report).  The Air Force will evaluate and select Phase I proposals using review criteria based upon technical merit, principal investigator qualifications, and commercialization potential as discussed in this solicitation document.

 

ALL PROPOSAL SUBMISSIONS TO THE AIR FORCE PROGRAM MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY.

 

It is mandatory that the complete proposal submission -- DoD Proposal Cover Sheet, entire Technical Proposal with any appendices, Cost Proposal, and the Company Commercialization Report -- be submitted electronically through the DoD SBIR website at http://www.dodsbir.net/submission. Each of these documents is to be submitted separately through the website. Your complete proposal must  be submitted via the submissions site on or before the 6:00am EST, 13 January 2006 deadline.  A hardcopy will not be accepted.  Signatures are not required at proposal submission when submitting electronically.  If you have any questions or problems with electronic submission, contact the DoD SBIR Help Desk at 1-866-724-7457 (8am to 5pm EST).

 

Acceptable Format for On-Line Submission:  All technical proposal files must be in Portable Document Format (PDF) for evaluation purposes.  The Technical Proposal should include all graphics and attachments but should not include the Cover Sheet or Company Commercialization Report (as these items are completed separately).  Cost Proposal information should be provided by completing the on-line Cost Proposal form and including the itemized listing (a-h) specified in the Cost Proposal section later in these instructions.  This itemized listing should be placed as the last page(s) of the Technical Proposal Upload.  (Note:  Only one file can be uploaded to the DoD Submission Site.  Ensure that this single file includes your complete Technical Proposal and the additional cost proposal information.)

 

Technical Proposals should conform to the limitations on margins and number of pages specified in the front section of this DoD solicitation.  However, your cost proposal will only count as one page and your Cover Sheet will only count as two, no matter how they print out after being converted.  Most proposals will be printed out on black and white printers so make sure all graphics are distinguishable in black and white.  It is strongly encouraged that you perform a virus check on each submission to avoid complications or delays in submitting your Technical Proposal.  To verify that your proposal has been received, click on the “Check Upload” icon to view your proposal.  Typically, your uploaded file will be virus checked and converted to PDF within the hour.  However, if your proposal does not appear after an hour, please contact the DoD Help Desk.

 

The Air Force recommends that you complete your submission early, as computer traffic gets heavy near the solicitation closing and could slow down the system.  Do not wait until the last minute.  The Air Force will not be responsible for proposals being denied due to servers being “down” or inaccessible.  Please assure that your e-mail address listed in your proposal is current and accurate.   By the end of January, you will receive an e-mail serving as our acknowledgement that we have received your proposal. The Air Force is not responsible for notifying companies that change their mailing address, their e-mail address, or company official after proposal submission.

 

 

AIR FORCE SBIR/STTR VIRTUAL SHOPPING MALL

 

As a means of drawing greater attention to SBIR accomplishments, the Air Force has developed a Virtual Shopping Mall at  http://www.sbirsttrmall.com.  Along with being an information resource concerning SBIR policies and procedures, the Shopping Mall is designed to help facilitate the Phase III transition process. In this regard, the Shopping Mall features: (a) SBIR Impact / Success Stories written by the Air Force; and (b) Phase I and Phase II summary reports that are written and submitted by SBIR companies. Since summary reports are intended for public viewing via the Internet, they should not contain classified, sensitive, or proprietary information. Submission of a Phase I Final Summary Report is a mandatory requirement for any company awarded a Phase I contract in response to this solicitation.

 

 

PHASE I PROPOSAL SUBMISSION CHECKLIST

 

Failure to meet any of the criteria will result in your proposal being REJECTED and the Air Force will not evaluate your proposal.

 

1) The Air Force Phase I proposal shall be a nine month effort and the cost shall not exceed $100,000.

 

2) The Air Force will accept only those proposals submitted electronically via the DoD SBIR website (www.dodsbir.net/submission).

 

3) You must submit your Company Commercialization Report electronically via the DoD SBIR website (www.dodsbir.net/submission).

 

 

NOTE:  Even if your company has had no previous Phase I or II awards, you must submit a Company Commercialization Report.  Your proposal will not be penalized in the evaluation process if your company has never had any SBIR Phase Is or IIs in the past.

 

 

 

Key Personnel

 

Identify in the technical proposal key personnel who will be involved in this project, including information on directly related education and experience. A resume of the principle investigator, including a list of publications, if any, must be included. Resumes of proposed consultants, if any, are also useful. Consultant resumes may be abbreviated. Please identify any foreign nationals you expect to be involved in this project, as a direct employee, subcontractor, or consultant. Please provide resumes, country of origin and an explanation of the individual’s involvement.

 

Phase I Work Plan Outline

 

NOTE:   PROPRIETARY INFORMATION SHALL NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE WORK PLAN OUTLINE

At the beginning of your proposal work plan section, include an outline of the work plan in the following format:

1)       Scope

List the major requirements and specifications of the effort.

2)       Task Outline

Provide a brief outline of the work to be accomplished over the span of the Phase I effort.

3)       Milestone Schedule

4)       Deliverables

a.        Kickoff meeting within 30 days of contract start

b.       Progress reports

c.        Technical review within 6 months

d.       Final report with SF 298

 

 

 

 

Cost Proposal

The on-line cost proposal is part of your proposal’s 25 page limit and must be at a level of detail that would enable Air Force personnel to determine the purpose, necessity and reasonability of each cost element. Provide sufficient information (a through h) on how funds will be used if the contract is awarded. Include any additional cost proposal information as an appendix  in your technical proposal.  The additional cost proposal information will not count against the 25 page limit.

 

      a. Special Tooling and Test Equipment and Material:  The inclusion of equipment and materials will be carefully reviewed relative to need and appropriateness of the work proposed. The purchase of special tooling and test equipment must, in the opinion of the Contracting Officer, be advantageous to the government and relate directly to the specific effort. They may include such items as innovative instrumentation and / or automatic test equipment.

 

      b. Direct Cost Materials: Justify costs for materials, parts, and supplies with an itemized list containing types, quantities, and price and where appropriate, purposes.

 

      c. Other Direct Costs: This category of costs includes specialized services such as machining or milling, special testing or analysis, costs incurred in obtaining temporary use of specialized equipment. Proposals, which include leased hardware, must provide an adequate lease vs. purchase justification or rational.

 

      d. Direct Labor: Identify key personnel by name if possible or by labor category if specific names are not available. The number of hours, labor overhead and / or fringe benefits and actual hourly rates for each individual are also necessary.

 

      e. Travel: Travel costs must relate to the needs of the project. Break out travel cost by trip, with the number of travelers, airfare, per diem, lodging, etc. The number of trips required, as well as the destination and purpose of each trip. Recommend budgeting at least one (1) trip to the Air Force location managing the contract.

 

       f. Cost Sharing: Cost sharing is permitted. However, cost sharing is not required, nor will it be an evaluation factor in the consideration of a proposal. Please note that cost share contracts do not allow fees.

 

      g. Subcontracts: Involvement of university or other consultants in the planning and / or research stages of the project may be appropriate. If the offeror intends such involvement, described in detail and include information in the cost proposal. The proposed total of all consultant fees, facility leases or usage fees and other subcontract or purchase agreements may not exceed one-third of the total contract price or cost, unless otherwise approved in writing by the contracting officer.

 

(NOTE): The Small Business Administration has issued the following guidance:

     “ Agencies  participating in the SBIR Program will not issue SBIR contracts to small business firms that include provisions for subcontracting any portion of that contract award back to the originating agency or any other Federal Government agency.”  See Section 2.6 of the DoD program solicitation for more details.

 

      Support subcontract costs with copies of the subcontract agreements. The supporting agreement documents must adequately describe the work to be performed (i.e. cost proposal). At the very least, a statement of work with a corresponding detailed cost proposal for each planned subcontract.

 

      h. Consultants: Provide a separate agreement letter for each consultant. The letter should briefly state what service or assistance will be provided, the number of hours required and hourly rate.

 

PHASE II PROPOSAL SUBMISSIONS

 

Phase II is the demonstration of the technology that was found feasible in Phase I.  Only those Phase I awardees that are invited to submit a Phase II proposal and all FAST TRACK applicants will be eligible to submit a Phase II proposal.  The awarding Air Force organization will send detailed Phase II proposal instructions to the appropriate small businesses.  Phase II efforts are typically two (2) years in duration and do not exceed $750,000. (NOTE) All Phase II awardees must have a Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) approved accounting system. Get your DCAA accounting system in place prior to the AF Phase II award timeframe. If you do not have a DCAA approved accounting system this will delay / prevent Phase II contract award. If you have questions regarding this matter, please discuss with your Phase I contracting officer.

 

All Phase II proposals must have a complete electronic submission.  Complete electronic submission includes the submission of the Cover Sheet, Cost Proposal, Company Commercialization Report, the ENTIRE technical proposal with any appendices via the DoD submission site.  The DoD proposal submission site at http://www.dodsbir.net/submission will lead you through the process for submitting your technical proposal and all of the sections electronically.  Your proposal must be submitted via the submission site on or before the Air Force activity specified deadline.  Phase II Technical  proposal   is limited to 75 pages.  Phase II Cost Proposal information should be provided by completing the on-line Cost Proposal form and including the itemized listing (a-h) specified in the Cost Proposal section earlier in these instructions.  The commercialization report, any advocacy letters, and the additional cost proposal itemized listing (a through h) will not count against the 75 page limitation and should be placed as the last  pages   of the Technical Proposal file that is uploaded.  (Note:  Only one file can be uploaded to the DoD Submission Site.  Ensure that this single file includes your complete Technical Proposal and the additional cost proposal information.)

 

AIR FORCE PROPOSAL EVALUATIONS

 

Evaluation of the primary research effort and the proposal will be based on the scientific review criteria factors (i.e., technical merit, principal investigator (and team), and commercialization plan).  Please note that where technical evaluations are essentially equal in merit, and as cost and/or price is a substantial factor, cost to the government will be considered in determining the successful offeror. The Air Force anticipates that pricing will be based on adequate price competition. The next tie-breaker on essentially equal proposals will be the inclusion of manufacturing technology considerations.

 

The Air Force will utilize the Phase I evaluation criteria in section 4.2 of the DoD solicitation in descending order of importance with technical merit being most important, followed by the qualifications of the principal investigator (and team), and followed by commercialization plan.  The Air Force will use the phase II evaluation criteria in section 4.3 of the DoD solicitation with technical merit being most important, followed by the commercialization plan, and then qualifications of the principal investigator (and team).      

 

 

NOTICE:  Only government personnel and technical personnel from Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), Mitre Corporation and Aerospace Corporation, working under contract to provide technical support to Air Force product  centers   (Electronic Systems Center and Space and Missiles Center respectively), may evaluate proposals.  All FFRDC employees at the product centers have non-disclosure requirements as part of their contracts with the centers.  In addition, Air Force support contractors may be used to administratively process or monitor contract performance and testing.  Contractors receiving awards where support contractors will be utilized for performance monitoring may be required to execute separate non-disclosure agreements with the support contractors.

 

 

On-Line Proposal Status and Debriefings

 

The Air Force has implemented on-line proposal status updates and debriefings ( for   proposals not selected for an Air Force award ) for small businesses submitting proposals against Air Force topics. At the close of the Phase I Solicitation – and following the submission of a Phase II via the DoD SBIR / STTR Submission Site ( https://www.dodsbir.net/submission ) - small business can track the progress of their proposal submission by logging into the Small Business Area of the Air Force SBIR / STTR Virtual Shopping Mall  (http://www.sbirsttrmall.com). The Small Business Area (http://www.sbirsttrmall.com/Firm/login.aspx) is password protected and uses the same login information as the DoD SBIR / STTR Submission Site. Small Businesses can view information for their company only.

 

To receive a status update of a proposal submission, click the “ Proposal   Status / Debriefings ”  link at the top of the page in the Small Business Area ( after logging in ). A listing of proposal submissions to the Air Force within the last 12 months is displayed. Status update intervals are: Proposal Received, Evaluation Started, Evaluation Completed, Selection Started, and Selection Completed. A date will be displayed in the appropriate column indicating when this stage has been completed. If no date is present, the proposal submission has not completed this stage. Small businesses are encouraged to check this site often as it is updated in real - time and provide the most up - to- date information available for all proposal submissions. Once the “ Selection Completed “ date is visible, it could still be a few weeks ( or more ) before you are contacted by the Air Force with a notification of selection or non – selection.  The Air Force receives thousands of proposals during each solicitation and the notification process requires specific steps to be completed prior to a Contracting Officer distributing this information to small business.

 

The Principal Investigator (PI ) and Corporate Official ( CO ) indicated on the Proposal Coversheet will be notified by Email regarding proposal selection or non - selection.  The Email will include a link to a secure Internet page to be accessed which contains the appropriate information. If your proposal is tentatively selected to receive an Air Force award, the PI and CO will receive a single notification. If your proposal is not selected for an Air Force award, the PI and CO may receive up to two messages. The first message will notify the small business that the proposal has not been selected for an Air Force award and provide information regarding the availability of a proposal debriefing. The notification will either indicate that the debriefing is ready for review and include instructions to proceed to the “ Proposal Status / Debriefings “ area of the Air Force SBIR / STTR Virtual Shopping Mall or it may state that the debriefing is not currently available but will be within 90 days. If the initial notification indicates the debriefing will be available within 90 days, the PI and CO will receive a follow – up notification once the debriefing is available on - line. All proposals not selected for an Air Force award will have an on – line debriefing available for review. Available debriefings can be viewed by clicking on the “ Debriefing “ link, located on the right of the Proposal Title, in the “ Proposal Status / Debriefings “  section of the Small Business Area of the Air Force SBIR / STTR Virtual Shopping Mall.  Small Businesses will receive a notification for each proposal submitted. Please read each notification carefully and note the proposal number and topic number referenced. Also observe the status of the debriefing as availability may differ between submissions (e.g., one may state the debriefing is currently available while another may indicate the debriefing will be available within 90 days ).

 

IMPORTANT: Proposals submitted to the Air Force are received and evaluated by different offices within the Air Force and handled on a topic - by- topic basis. Each office operates within their own schedule for proposal evaluation and selection. Updates and notification timeframes will vary by office and topic. If your company is contacted regarding a proposal submission, it is not necessary to contact the Air Force to inquire about additional submissions.  Check the Small Business Area of the Air Force SBIR / STTR Virtual Shopping Mall for a current update. Additional notifications regarding your other submissions will be forthcoming

 

We anticipate having all the proposals evaluated and our Phase I contract decisions by mid-May.  All questions concerning the evaluation and selection process should be directed to the local awarding organization SBIR Program Manager.  Organizations and their Topic numbers are listed  later in this section (before the Air Force Topic descriptions).

 

 

FAST TRACK

 

Detailed instructions on the Air Force Phase II program and notification of the opportunity to submit a FAST TRACK application will be forwarded with all AF Phase I selection E-Mail notifications.  The Air Force encourages businesses to consider a FAST TRACK application when they can attract outside funding and the technology is mature enough to be ready for application following successful completion of the Phase II contract.

 

NOTE:

1)       Fast Track applications must be submitted  Not   Later Than 150 days after the start of the Phase I contract.

2)       Fast Track phase II proposals must be submitted Not Later Than  180  days after the start of the Phase I contract.

3)     The Air Force does not provide interim funding for Fast Track applications.  If selected for a phase II award, we will match only the outside funding for Phase II.

 

For FAST TRACK applicants, should the outside funding not become available by the time designated by the awarding Air Force activity, the offeror will not be considered for any Phase II award.  FAST TRACK applicants may submit a Phase II proposal prior to receiving a formal invitation letter.  The Air Force will select Phase II winners based solely upon the merits of the proposal submitted, including FAST TRACK applicants.

 

 

AIR FORCE PHASE II ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM

 

On active Phase II awards, the Air Force will select a limited number of Phase II awardees for the Enhancement Program to address new unforeseen technology barriers that were discovered during the Phase II work.  The selected enhancements will extend the existing Phase II contract award for up to one year and the Air Force will match dollar-for-dollar up to $500,000 of non-SBIR  government   matching funds.  Contact the local awarding organization SBIR Manager for more information. (See Air Force SBIR Organization Listing)

 

 

AIR FORCE SBIR PROGRAM MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENTS

 

The Air Force reserves the right to modify the Phase II submission requirements.  Should the requirements change, all Phase I awardees that are invited to submit Phase II proposals will be notified.  The Air Force also reserves the right to change any administrative procedures at any time that will improve management of the Air Force SBIR Program.

 

 

PHASE I SUMMARY REPORTS

 

All Phase I award winners must submit a Phase I Final Summary Report at the end of their Phase I project. The Phase I summary report is an unclassified, non-sensitive, and non-proprietary summation of Phase I results that is intended for public viewing on the Air Force SBIR / STTR Virtual Shopping Mall. A summary report should not exceed 700 words, and should include the technology description and anticipated applications / benefits for government and / or private sector use. It should require minimal work from the contractor because most of this information is required in the final technical report. The Phase I summary report shall be submitted in accordance with the format and instructions posted on the Virtual Shopping Mall website at http://www.sbirsttrmall.com.

 

 

AIR FORCE SUBMISSION OF FINAL REPORTS

 

All final reports will be submitted to the awarding Air Force organization in accordance with Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL).  Companies should not submit final reports directly to the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AirForce SBIR 06.1 Topic Index

 

 

AF06-001               High Power Optical Amplifier

AF06-002               Spatial Resolution and Conformal Boundaries Within EM-PIC Simulations

AF06-003               Traveling Wave Marx Generator

AF06-004               Radio Frequency Effects on Electronics Algorithm

AF06-005               Transportable Ultrashort Pulsed Laser Systems and Technology

AF06-006               Aero-Optics Research and Development

AF06-007               Increased Range Neutron Response High Explosives Detection

AF06-008               Transient Wave Based Command and Control Systems

AF06-009               Turbulence Inner Scale Sensor

AF06-010               Electric Oxygen Iodine Laser Diagnostics

AF06-011               Synthetic/Sparse Aperture Imaging Techniques

AF06-015               Wearable Computer for Enhanced Situation Awareness

AF06-016               Decision Support Technologies for Weapon System Logistics Investment Decisions

AF06-017               Laser Eye Protection Field Evaluation Device

AF06-018               Network Threat Monitoring, Intrusion Detection and Alert System for Distributed Mission Operations (DMO)

AF06-019               Photosensitive Visor for Flight Helmets

AF06-020               Aircrew Personnel Lowering Device

AF06-022               Next Generation Architecture for Night Vision Imaging

AF06-023               Advanced Sensor to Identify and Quantify Contaminants in Cockpit Air

AF06-024               Enhanced Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) for Distributed Network Applications

AF06-025               Sensor Fusion Tactics Trainer

AF06-026               Linguist’s Ambiguity Tutor and Rehearsal System (LATARS)

AF06-027               Gaming and Training Environment for Counter Space Operations

AF06-029               Untethered Datalinks for Use in Simulation Environments

AF06-030               Knowledge Assessment System for Evaluating Performance in Dynamic Environments

AF06-031               Intelligent Information Decluttering for UAV Displays

AF06-033               Instrumented Anthropomorphic Prototype for Non-Lethal Weapons Effects

AF06-034               3D Image Conversion to Editable Voxelized Anatomical Model

AF06-035               Development of a Deployable Biomarker-Based Health Biomonitor (DBHM)

AF06-036               Remote Personnel Assessment

AF06-037               Quantitative Assessment of Influence Operations

AF06-038               Innovative Tools for Information to Decisions in Biosciences

AF06-039               Desalinator for One-Man Survival Kit

AF06-040               Distributed Methods for Assessing the Readiness of Coalition Workgroups, and Teams

AF06-043               Developing Crew Resource Management (CRM) Skills for Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) Teams

AF06-044               Immunity from Threat Based on Measured Injury Causation

AF06-045               Networked Electronic Warfare Training System (NEWTS)

AF06-047               Semantic Interoperability of C2 Tools and Technologies

AF06-048               Mission Rehearsal Capability for Feasible Dynamic ISR Tasking in Support of Effects Based Assessment

AF06-049               Real-Time Effects Assessment Management System

AF06-050               Exploiting Dynamic Text Sources (e.g., Chat) for Improved Battlespace Awareness

AF06-051               Track Type Prediction Algorithm

AF06-052               Semantically Correct Interoperability of Executable Architectures

AF06-053               Knowledge-based Technologies to Support Predictive Mission Awareness

AF06-054               Argumentation-based Approaches to Enhance Dynamic Time Critical Decision-Making

AF06-055               Uncertainty Visualization for Modeling and Simulation of Complex Systems

AF06-056               Tri Band Radome Design for Airborne Antennas

AF06-059               Automated Metadata Generation, Indexing and Cataloguing

AF06-060               Enabling Monitoring and Analysis of Concept-Based Event Information in Text.

AF06-061               Multi-INT Ontology Mediation Services

AF06-062               Reprogrammable High Assurance Internet Protocol Encryptor

AF06-063               Asymmetric Adversary Tactics and Strategy Generation

AF06-064               Automated Signal Processing for Information Exploitation

AF06-065               Acquiring Probabilistic Knowledge for Information Fusion

AF06-066               Systems-of-Systems Data Utilization Patterns

AF06-067               Robust Complex Systems

AF06-068               Cyber Operations

AF06-069               Advanced Radio Frequency and Optical Connectivity to support Network-Centric Operations

AF06-070               Innovative Command and Control (C2) Technologies to Enable Force Synchronization for Effect

AF06-071               TACTICAL INFORMATION INTEROPERABILITY & MANAGEMENT (TIIM)

AF06-072               Locating and integrating members for virtual ad-hoc teams

AF06-073               Collaborative Sense Making

AF06-076               Anticipatory Capabilities for Complex, Dynamic Environments

AF06-077               Command Decision Support and Explanation from Fused Structured and Unstructured Information Sources

AF06-079               Data Fusion of Eddy Current, Ultrasonic, and Radiographic Data

AF06-080               Nonfluid Transportable Aircraft Deicing System

AF06-081               Recycling Composite Material

AF06-082               Affordable Manufacturing for Lightweight High Thermal Conductivity Graphite Heat Sinks for Fighter Avionics Modules

AF06-083               Coolanol 25R Replacement for Military Aircraft Radar Cooling Systems

AF06-084               Friction Stir Welded Aluminum Machining Preforms

AF06-085               Nanocomposites for Lightweight Electronic Enclosures

AF06-086               Net Shape Forming of Ceramic Matrix Composites

AF06-087               Warpage/Distortion in Machining 7050-T7451 Alloy Components

AF06-088               Protective Coating for Large-Diameter Bearing Races

AF06-089               Innovative Corrosion Protection via Cold Spray Kinetic Metallization

AF06-090               Clutch Material for Aircraft Vertical Takeoff Systems

AF06-091               Corrosion Modeling and Life Prediction Supporting Structural Prognostic Health Management

AF06-092               Automated Delamination Onset and Growth Prediction in Composite Structures

AF06-093               Techniques for Producing High Strength, Affordable Spinel Windows

AF06-094               High Performance Cage Sensors for Rolling Element Bearing Health Monitoring

AF06-095               Three-Dimensional Nonlinear Structural Analysis Methods for Gas Turbine Engine Metallic Components and Component Assemblies

AF06-096               Wear Resistant Coatings for Aluminum and Titanium Alloy Housings and Flanges

AF06-097               Damage Identification Algorithms for Composite Structures

AF06-098               Erosion Resistant Coatings for Polymer Matrix Composites

AF06-099               Methodologies for Integration of Prognostic Health Management Systems with Maintenance Data

AF06-100               Improved Additives for Perfluoropolyalkylether (PFPAE) Lubricants with Silicon Nitride Rolling Elements

AF06-101               Advanced Prognostic Health Management Technologies Using Integrated Detection Techniques with Physics of Failure Mode

AF06-102               Aircraft Damage Locator

AF06-103               Advanced Manufacturing Processes for Reduced Cost of Ceramic Matrix Composite Engine Components

AF06-104               Three-Dimensional Deformation and Life Prediction Methods for Ceramic Matrix Composite Components

AF06-105               Solid Rocket Motor Nozzles Made From Tantalum Carbide Continuous Fiber Composites for Boost Applications

AF06-106               Lightweight Conformal Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Shielding

AF06-107               Air Sensor for Hydraulic Fluid

AF06-108               Integrated Materials for Efficient Airframe Structures

AF06-109               Photo-Electrochemical Generation of Hydrogen for Fuel Cell Operation

AF06-110               Materials for Terahertz Frequencies

AF06-111               Materials for Midinfrared (mid-IR) Laser Sources

AF06-112               Continuous Runway Load-Deflection Evaluation Methodology

AF06-113               Advanced Detection of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)

AF06-114               Improved Manufacturing Technology for Investment Casting Cores

AF06-115               Improved Manufacturing Technologies for Polymer Matrix Composite Engine Components

AF06-116               Corrosion Prediction for Nonchrome Based Coatings Systems

AF06-118               Resistant Coatings for Metal Turbine Blades

AF06-119               High Temperature Sensors for In Situ Interrogation of Damage States in Structural Materials Components

AF06-120               Manufacturing Structures in a Limited Production Environment

AF06-121               Graphical User Interface for Fire Modeling Codes

AF06-123               Analytical Techniques for Complex Logic Devices in Safety-Critical Applications

AF06-124               Air Target Sensor Techniques for Automatic Target Recognition (ATR)

AF06-125               Miniature Wide Band Power Amplifiers for Miniature Munitions

AF06-126               Airframe Materials for Hypersonic Tactical Missiles

AF06-127               Techniques for Remotely/Autonomously Detecting and Destroying Chem/Bio Agents

AF06-128               Modeling and Simulation of Biological Agent Response to Combustion Effects

AF06-130               Improved Omnidirectional Multiband Antenna for Miniature Munitions

AF06-131               Measuring Particulate Entrained Mass-Flow from Internal Detonations

AF06-132               Fatigue Resistant Wire for Airborne Applications

AF06-133               Multi-mode Weapon Algorithms for Future Miniature Munitions

AF06-135               Novel Power Supply for Miniature Munition

AF06-136               Desensitizing Weapons Via Multi-part Explosives

AF06-137               Novel Multi-mode Seeker Dome for Miniature Munitions

AF06-138               Self Healing Materials for Airframe Structures

AF06-139               Airborne Radar Ground Clutter Mitigation

AF06-140               NOVEL INFRARED (IR) EMISSIVE DEVICES

AF06-141               Micro Munition Technologies

AF06-142               Advanced LADAR Research for Munition Seekers

AF06-143               Home on Structured Interference/Multipath

AF06-144               Micro Fuel Cell (MFC) for Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) Power

AF06-145               Innovative Fuze Technology Research

AF06-146               Electro-Explosive Effects (E-Cubed, E3)

AF06-147               Micro Damage Mechanisms

AF06-148               Biologically Inspired Adhesive Microstructure

AF06-149               Collision Avoidance

AF06-150               1.6 Hazard Class Detonator

AF06-151               Synthetic alternative binder systems for melt castable explosive fills.

AF06-152               Telemetry and Flight Termination System Technologies

AF06-153               Novel Thermal Management Solutions for Confined Electronics

AF06-162               Identification of Integrally Bladed Rotor (IBR) Damping

AF06-163               Thermal Barrier Coatings (TBC) Lifing Technologies

AF06-164               Development of Hydrocarbon-Based Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs)

AF06-165               Low-Weight, Low-Cost Sensors and Low-Overhead Processing Algorithms for Damage Detection in Aircraft Disk and Blade Propulsion Turbomachinery

AF06-166               Accessory Health Management Based on Very High Frequency (VHF) Characteristics

AF06-167               Sensor and Control for Active Combustion Pattern Factor Systems

AF06-168               Thermal Barrier Coating (TBC) Process Condition Monitoring

AF06-169               Smart Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC) Technologies

AF06-170               Energy Harvesters/Storage System for Onboard Power for Remote Micro-electromechanical Systems (MEMS) Sensors/Devices with Long Mission Times

AF06-171               Health Management for Gas Turbine Engine Accessory Components

AF06-172               Probabilistic Analysis of Military System Development Program

AF06-173               Exploration of Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) Battery for Space Application

AF06-174               Power and Aeropropulsion

AF06-175               Nanoparticle Synthesis and Coating for Exchange Coupled Permanent Magnets

AF06-176               Combustion Evaluation Device for Hypersonic Propulsion

AF06-177               Reduced-Order Stability Model for Combustion Systems

AF06-178               Prognostics for Switch-Mode Power Supplies (SMPS)

AF06-179               Advanced Composite Analysis Capability for Advanced Manufacturing Methods

AF06-180               Long-Endurance Power Systems for Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

AF06-187               Advanced Composite Blade Design

AF06-188               Ignition and Efficient Combustion of Alternative Scramjet Fuels

AF06-189               Electrical Contacts and Packaging for Diamond and Diamondlike High-Power Devices

AF06-190               Development of Computed Tomography  (CT) Software Techniques for Detecting Aging of Rocket Motors

AF06-191               Improved Computed Tomography(CT) Imaging of High Z Materials

AF06-192               Small Launch Vehicles Providing Responsive and Affordable Spacelift

AF06-193               Advanced Rocket Propulsion Technologies

AF06-194               Innovative Rocket Propellant Ingredients

AF06-195               Electrically Conducting Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane (POSS) Kapton Polyimides.

AF06-196               Propellant Ingredients for Solid Rocket Motors

AF06-197               Navigation-Grade Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)

AF06-198               Network-Centric Warfare Connectivity for Electronic Attack

AF06-199               Real-Time Digital Receiver Rapid Prototyping Testbed

AF06-200               Digital Receiver Geolocation Technology Simulation

AF06-201               Simulation Technologies to Rapidly Evolve EA Sensor Resource Management Concepts

AF06-202               Integration of Risk Analysis into Acquisition Cost, Schedule, and Performance Evaluation Tools

AF06-203               Automatic Self-Tasking for Dynamic Sensor Management

AF06-204               Long-Duration, Eye-in-the-Sky Monitoring for Airfield Threat Detection

AF06-205               Multiband Array Radiators

AF06-206               High-Efficiency Extremely High-Frequency (EHF) Power Amplifiers

AF06-207               Ground-Based Radar Performance Improvements

AF06-208               Adaptive Signal Processing to Counter Jamming

AF06-210               Hyperspectral Algorithms for Anomaly Detection

AF06-211               Two-Color Infrared (IR) Simulation Tools

AF06-212               Indium Antimonide Substrate Growth for Affordable Large-Format Mid-Infrared (IR) Imagers

AF06-213               Low-Cost, High-Performance Inertial Rate Sensors

AF06-214               Low-Profile Tamper Detection Sensors

AF06-215               Lightweight, Miniature Sensor Payload for a Mini-UAV

AF06-216               Coatings for Millimeter Wave (MMW) Electronics

AF06-217               Signature Prediction and Uncertainty Analysis for Recognition Applications

AF06-218               Hyperspectral Identification for Collaborative Tracking

AF06-219               Signal Processing and Exploitation for High-Dimensional Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)

AF06-220               Passive Three-Dimensional (3-D) Imaging and Ranging

AF06-221               Low-Cost Day/Night Imaging Sensors for Micro/Mini-Uninhabited Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

AF06-222               Hyperspectral Detector Enhancement Using Auxiliary High-Resolution Imagery

AF06-223               Multi-Phenomenology Sensing and Sensor Control in Unmanned Intelligence Vehicle (UIV) for ATR and Tracking of Dismounts and Vehicles

AF06-231               Load Bearing Antenna Structure for Small  Unmanned Air Vehicles (SUAV’s)

AF06-232               High-Speed Valves for Smart-Material Based Electrohydrostatic Actuators (EHAs)

AF06-233               Automating Error Quantification and Reduction for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

AF06-234               Innovative Structural Joining Concepts and Analysis Techniques

AF06-236               Sense and Control for Efficient Aerostructure

AF06-237               Rapid Mission Planning and Operation for Space Access Vehicles

AF06-238               Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Ground Operations Positioning System (UGOPS)

AF06-239               Structural Energy Storage in Air Vehicle Structure

AF06-240               Geometry Manipulation Through Automated Parameterization (GMAP)

AF06-241               Innovative Near Space (High Altitude Air) Platform Technologies

AF06-242               Sensors for Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Immune Fly-By-Light (FBL) Systems

AF06-243               Surface Measurements – Flow Field Correlations Resulting in Applicable Cavity Flow Field Control

AF06-244               All-Surface Landing Capability Development

AF06-245               Accurate, Stable Clock for Small Low Power Anti-Jam GPS User Equipment

AF06-246               Sensing of Upper Atmosphere

AF06-248               Real-Time Specification of Battlespace Environment

AF06-250               Radar Ionospheric Impact Mitigation

AF06-251               Electro-Optical (EO) Sensor Management

AF06-252               Advanced Algorithms for Exploitation of Space-Based Optical Spectral Imagery

AF06-253               Low Power GPS Signal Acquisition Using Asynchronous Logic

AF06-254               Home-on-Jam Technologies

AF06-255               Optical Jitter Control for Laser Communications

AF06-256               Next Generation Programmable Gate Array

AF06-257               Advanced Transmitter and Receiver (T/R) Module Technology For Space Radar

AF06-258               Electronically Scanned Array (ESA) Performance Prediction Model

AF06-259               Space Radar Reflector Producibility

AF06-260               Satellite Programmable Frequency Transceiver

AF06-261               Standardized Satellite Electrical Internal Interface

AF06-263               Space Object Characterization with Space Based Hyperspectral Imagery

AF06-264               Prognostic Models for Cryo Cooling (Heat Transfer and Heat Dissipation) Systems

AF06-265               Advanced Prognostics Technology for Digital-Based Electronic Systems and Their Components

AF06-267               Tunable Spectral Response in Space-Based Systems

AF06-268               New Sensing Capabilities for Space Situational Awareness

AF06-269               Cold Atom Optical System for Space

AF06-270               Autonomous Flight Termination & Satellite Based Telemetry System for Launch Vehicles

AF06-271               Lightweight Hybrid Radio Frequency (RF) and Optical Instrument

AF06-272               Satellite Design Automation (SDA) for Responsive Space

AF06-273               Plug-and-Play Structures for Satellite Applications

AF06-274               Next Generation Solar Cells Based on Nanostructures

AF06-276               Combining Remotely Located GPS Antennas

AF06-277               Reliable, Lightweight and Volume Efficient Electrical Harnessing

AF06-283               Threat Detection, Validation, and Mitigation Tool for Counterspace and SSA Operations

AF06-284               Miniature Frequency Agile RF Beacon Receivers for Ionospheric Effects Monitoring

AF06-292               Intumescent Material Passive Fire Protection Technique for Aircraft Engine Nacelle

AF06-293               Electronic Virtual Thermal Mapping Device

AF06-294               Mutil-mode Sensor Characterization

AF06-297               Develop Flow-Field Seeding for Large Tunnels

AF06-298               Non-Invasive Model Attitude and Deformation Measurement

AF06-299               Aeropropulsion Test Facility Diagnostics

AF06-300               Hypervelocity Projectile Position, Angle of Attack, and Velocity Detection System

AF06-301               Gas Turbine Particle Matter Emission Characterization

AF06-302               Volatile Particle Condensing Chamber for Turbine Engine Emissions

AF06-303               Telemetry for Testing Applications

AF06-306               Optical /Technology for Cryo-Vacuum Mirrors

AF06-311               Directed Energy Targets with Un-hardened Electronics

AF06-312               Threshold-capable Multi-wavelength High Energy laser Protection

AF06-313               Optimization of Parameter Identification for Flutter and Flying Qualities

AF06-314               Aeroservoelastic Predictive Analysis Capability

AF06-316               Noncoherent Telemetry Demodulator

AF06-317               Automated Analysis of Datalink Transmissions (AADT)

AF06-318               Identification and Tracking of Juvenile Desert Tortoises

AF06-320               Ground Loads Predictive Analysis

AF06-325               Automation of Analysis of Digital X-Ray Images

AF06-326               Environmentally Friendly Cleaning for Titanium Welds and Brazing

AF06-327               Dielectric Measuring Tool for Radome Checkout

AF06-328               Coating Application using Liquefied Powder

AF06-329               Next Generation Supply Chain Management Practices, Processes and Systems

AF06-330               Advanced MRO Multi-Echelon Planning and Scheduling

AF06-331               Filtration of Used Non-destructive Testing Fluids

AF06-332               Use of Environmental Forensics for Trichloroethylene (TCE) Plume Delineation

AF06-338               Noninvasive Pressure Measurement of Aircraft Pressurized Lines

AF06-339               Advanced Frangible Composite Structure

AF06-340               Tiled Ultra High-Resolution Light Engine

AF06-341               Advanced Rigid Composite Tower

AF06-342               Thermoplastic Large, Ground-Based Radomes

AF06-344               Multi-spectral Physics-based Projector

AF06-345               Blast-Resistant Composite Panels for Composite Tactical Shelters

AF06-346               Delamination and Water Intrusion Detection

AF06-347               Low Cost Wear Resistant Surfaces for Composite Shelter

AF06-350               Medium Caliber Gun Barrel Bore Coatings

AF06-351               Eliminating Legacy Performance Barriers Imposed on New Systems

AF06-353               High Efficiency Flexible Photovoltaic Modules

AF06-354               Noise Suppressor (Hush House) Fire Suppression

AF06-355               Damage Detection and Identification in Composites

AF06-356               Damage Detection and Identification of Adhesive Bonding in Metal Components

 

AirForce SBIR 06.1 Topic Descriptions

 

 

AF06-001               TITLE: High Power Optical Amplifier

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Electronics, Space Platforms

 

STATEMENT OF INTENT: This topic holds the greatest potential for meeting the technical needs of our warfighters supported by PEOs and Centers.

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop innovative designs and concepts to enhance reliability and output power of High Power Optical Amplifier (HPOA) for SATCOM Laser Communications

 

DESCRIPTION: Tomorrow’s warfighters will require significantly greater battlefield bandwidth to access all of the information required to maximize mission effectiveness.  Historically, SATCOM (Satellite Communications) has played a key role in providing bandwidth to remote battlefield locations, and laser communications based SATCOM offers more than a three order of magnitude increase in communications capacity over existing RF (Radio Frequency) based SATCOM.   Since High Power Optical Amplifiers (HPOAs) are an enabling technology for laser communications, the availability of HPOA’s promotes warfighter’s mission effectiveness.   Given that the useful operating lifetime communications satellites can exceed twenty years, HPOA reliability is crucial to cost effective delivery of bandwidth to the warfighter. This topic seeks to advance the state of the art of HPOA, particularly with respect to reliability and output power.   Goals include optical bandwidth of 1450 and 1500 nm [TBR], minimum gain of 20 dBm [TBR], minimum output power 500 mW[TBR], noise < 3 dB[TBR], output power variation < .5 dB[TBR], isolation > 30 dB[TBR], optical input power (typ) 4 dBm[TBR], operating temperature range between –40 degrees C and +80 degrees C, weight < 2 lbs.  The HPOA should be capable of withstanding 300 krads total dose, heavy ions to linear energy transfer (LET)  60, and dose rate to 108 rads/sec. 

 

PHASE I: Evaluate HPOA design options leading to enhanced reliability.   Design HPOA and simulate operation over a broad range of environmental and temperature ranges.

 

PHASE II: Fabricate a minimum of eight prototype HPOAs.  Characterize for power output, wavelength, mean time to failure, operating temperature range, and radiation tolerance.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: High power optical amplifiers have numerous commercial and military applications, including transmission of data over fiber optic lines.

 

REFERENCES: 1. S.G. Lambert and W.L. Casey, "Laser Communications in Space", Norwood, MA: Artech House, Inc., 1995

 

2. J.A. Abate, J.R. Simpson, et al., “Reliability concerns for double clad fiber lasers for space based laser communications,” IEEE Trans. MILCOM, vol. 2, pp. 936 – 942, (1997)

 

KEYWORDS: High Powered Optical Amplifier, Satellite communications, Wavelength,. Bandpass, Laser communications, Output power

 

 

AF06-002               TITLE: Spatial Resolution and Conformal Boundaries Within EM-PIC Simulations

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Weapons

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop a strategy for handling complex features within an electromagnetic - particle-in-cell (EM-PIC) model which maintains at least second order global accuracy. Convergence should be demonstrated.

 

DESCRIPTION: Many of the numerical tools which are used in the design and testing of  HPM sources are built upon FDTD techniques and rely on a tensor product grid with stair stepped boundaries.  This combination requires globally a very fine resolution grid to accurately predict the effects of small scale features.  Furthermore, due to the stair-stepping boundary approximation, the global order reduces to first order for sufficiently high resolution.  Even on todays massively parallel computers, it is unfeasible to solve this problem with resolution alone.  Traditionally for pure electromagnetics these issues are overcome with one of the three techniques; body fitted coordinates [1], fractional cell or mixed boundary elements[2,3] or fully unstructured mesh techniques[4].  These techniques have various advantages and disadvantages which are very problem dependent.  Currently none of these techniques have been shown to be feasible for a large scale EM-PIC codes, which implies not only do these techniques need to maintain a high level of accuracy, they also need to be energy conserving, scale to large numbers of processors and support particles.

 

PHASE I:  The goal of Phase I is threefold: first, a survey of techniques which are capable of solving the complex geometry problem; second, identification of a solution technique; third, prototype implementation into either a test code or AFRL provided model. Prototyped implementation should be verified.

 

PHASE II:  The goal of Phase II is implementation of the algorithms into fully functioning codes, complete with particle emission and propagation. Algorithm should be shown to be scalable, stable and globally second order accurate for problems defined in Phase I. Issues such as self force, grid heating, non-physical radiation and self heating should also be mitigated.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION:  As well as electromagnetic generation, a conformal PIC code would also help in the simulation of the following defense related technologies; plasma opening switches, ion propulsion, and hypersonic drag reduction. A conformal PIC code would also help in simulating plasma processing (etch and deposition) and fluorescent lamps, which would have industrial impact. In addition, conformal boundaries would help many areas of basic plasma research such as dusty plasmas, particle accelerators, Q-machines, Malmberg-Penning traps, magnetic fusion plasmas and laser-plasma interaction.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Karmesin, S.R., P. C. Liewer, and J. Wang, "3D Electromagnetic Parallel PIC in Nonorthogonal Meshes", Plasma Science, IEEE International Conference on June 5, 1995. http://sciserv er.lanl.gov:80/cgi-bin/sciserv.pl?collection=confs&journal=ieee1912& issue=v1995i0506&article=138_3eppinm.

 

2. Railton, C. and J. Schneider, "An Analytical and Numerical Analysis of Several Locally Conformal FDTD Schemes," IEEE Trans. on Microwave Theory and Tech., Vol. 47, 1999, pp. 51-66.

 

3. Dridi, K., J. Hesthven, and A. Ditkowski, "Staircase-Free Finite-Difference Time-Domain Formulation for General Materials in Complex Geometries," IEEE Trans. on Ant. and Prop., Vol. 49,  May 2001, pp. 749-756.

 

4. Hesthaven, J. and T. Warburton, "Nodal High-Order Methods on Unstructured Grids, I. Time-Domain Solution of Maxwell's Equations," J. Comp. Phys., Vol. 181, 2002, pp. 186-221.

 

KEYWORDS: microwaves, electromagnetic, PIC, FDTD, non-conformal boundaries,

 

 

AF06-003               TITLE: Traveling Wave Marx Generator

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Electronics, Weapons

 

OBJECTIVE: Development of a fast, repeatable, high rep rate Marx generator system using traveling wave triggering techniques.

 

DESCRIPTION: This effort will develop and demonstrate design concepts for a compact, lightweight pulsed power generator system capable of delivering pulse repetition frequencies (PRFs) of several kilohertz (kHz) at voltages ranging from 50-300 kilovolts (kV) into an approximately 100 ohm load.  Present pulsed power generators are generally centered around two primary technologies:  resonant transformers and Marx generators.  Whereas resonant transformer technology is capable of producing voltages on the order of 1 Megavolt (MV) and PRFs of several kHz, they are generally heavy due to the large volume of insulating oil required.  Marx generators, on the other hand, can be made very compact and lightweight, especially when designed to drive impulsive sources.  However, their performance is usually limited to <100 Hz and exhibit large erection jitter.  For future DoD applications, it is desirable to develop lightweight pulsed power technology that will deliver consistent, low jitter performance at higher PRFs. Precision triggering and low erection jitter are keys to performance.  The use of traveling wave switches is a possible solution to this problem.   

 

PHASE I: Perform innovative research on available or completely new pulsed power generator concepts. Phase I will build and test a working model capable of at least 30 kV and 1 second bursts of fast, low jitter, pulses.  Develop an initial commercialization concept and plan.  

 

PHASE II: Develop and demonstrate a prototype high-PRF Marx generator capable of delivering the required output.  Develop a business and commercialization plan for the Phase II engineering development and marketing program. 

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: Military uses of this technology include airborne and ground-based pulsed radar systems and high power microwave systems.  Civilian sector applications include pulsed radar, counter mine, and numerous manufacturing applications. 

 

REFERENCES: 1. C.E. Baum, “Traveling-Wave Switches and Marx Generators,” Switching Note 33, Air Force Research Laboratory/DEHP, Kirtland AFB NM, March 2005. 

 

2. C. E. Baum and J. M. Lehr,  "Parallel Charging of Marx Generators for High Pulse Repetition  Rates," Ultra-Wideband, Short-Pulse Electromagnetics 5, P.D. Smith and S.R. Cloude, eds, Plenum Press, New York, 2002.   

 

3.  J.R Mayes and W.J. Carey, “Sub-nanosecond Jitter Operation of Marx Generators,” Proc. International Pulsed Power Conference, 2001. 

 

4.  F.E. Peterkin, et al., “Modular Compact Marx Generator,” Proc. AMEREM 2002 Conference, Annapolis MD, June 2002.  

 

KEYWORDS: Marx Generator, Pulsed Power, High Voltage, High Repetition Rate, High Power Microwave

 

 

AF06-004               TITLE: Radio Frequency Effects on Electronics Algorithm

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Electronics, Weapons

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop and demonstrate time-dependent, multi-conductor, transmission line (MTL) algorithms for analyzing the electromagnetic coupling effects on cables and active electronics due to unwanted, ultra-wideband, radio-frequency wave exposures based on the electromagnetic topological decomposition formulation.

 

DESCRIPTION: The key aspects of modeling the electromagnetic coupling effects on cables and active electronics deal with: 1) the treatment of electromagnetic (EM) coupling between chaotic, ultra wideband (UWB) signals and shielded MTLs, and 2) the process involved in decomposing a complex electromagnetic network system into smaller and manageable modular pieces by developing detailed electromagnetic coupling models for different modular pieces. The intent of this work is to come up with electromagnetic coupling effects software, which is based on the MTL formulation for analyzing the electromagnetic coupling effects of packaged, linear and nonlinear electronic circuit boards, located inside semi enclosed cavities, such as personal computers, buildings, vehicles and aircraft. To date, all known transmission line software have very limited capabilities. One such code developed commercially in 1990, the CRIPTE code, is limited to analyzing linear electromagnetic network systems because of the use of the frequency domain approach.  Another transmission line code, called NULINE, was developed back in 1996, and it uses either the frequency domain approach or the time domain approach; however, the time domain approach is limited strictly to a single wire over a perfectly or imperfectly conducting ground plane. These limitations came about mainly because these codes are written more than 10 years ago with limited computational power available at that time. With advent of more powerful computers, it is now possible to develop time-dependent, MTL software that can investigate computationally intensive electromagnetic coupling effects on not just shielded cables but on large apertures and re-radiation off the cables by coming up with more sophisticated lumped circuit models in dealing with the overall response of active linear and nonlinear electronic elements excited by UWB signals. The frequency band of interest for this project is 200 megahertz to 10 gigahertz.

 

PHASE I: Perform survey of the physics behind UWB coupling on cables and active printed circuit boards in the open literature. Apply innovative mathematical/numerical techniques for EM topological decomposition modeling for solving complex electromagnetic networks of shielded cables and active electronic components under chaotic UWB exposure to perform transient EM effects analysis.

 

PHASE II: Develop and demonstrate the time-dependent, shielded, MTL algorithms. Come up with a software package, consisting of the MTL coupling effects software and the graphic user interface (GUI) program, which can be tested with existing UWB systems. The GUI program shall be developed specifically for the purpose of decomposing a complex electromagnetic network that can be interfaced directly with the MTL coupling effects software. Will require a business and commercialization plan for marketing this technology.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military uses of this technology combined with other Maxwell solvers to carry out the susceptibility and vulnerability analysis of complex electronic systems due to unintentional high power microwave irradiation. Civilian applications include methods to harden and protect commercial electronic systems from unwanted strong radio-frequency wave exposure.

 

REFERENCES: 1. F. M. Tesche, M. V. Ianoz and T. Karlsson, "EMC Analysis Methods and Computational Models," A Wiley-Interscience Publication, John Wiley & Sons. Inc., New York, 1997.

 

2. C.E. Baum, “Some Simple Formulae for Transient Scattering,” Interaction Notes 558, Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, NM, February 2000.

 

3. ESI Group, http://www.esi-group.com/SimulationSoftware/, CRIPTE code.

 

4. J. P. Parmantier and P. Degauque, “Modern Radio Science 1996,” pp. 151-177, “Topology Based Modeling of Very Large Systems,” J. Hamelin (ed.), Oxford U. Press, 1996.

 

5. C. E. Baum, J.B. Nitsch and R. J. Sturm, “Review of Radio Science 1993-1996,” Ch. 18, pp. 433-464, “Analytical Solution for Uniform and Nonuniform Multiconductor Transmission Lines with Sources,” W. R. Stone (ed.), 1996.

6. J. P. Parmantier, “Numerical Coupling Models for Complex Systems and Results,” IEEE Trans. on Electromagnetic Compatibility, Vol. 46, No. 3, pp. 359-367, August 2004.

 

KEYWORDS: High Power Microwave, Ultra-wideband, Electromagnetic Transient Analysis, Computational Electromagnetics, Electromagnetic Coupling, Telegrapher’s Equation, S-Parameter Analysis

 

 

AF06-005               TITLE: Transportable Ultrashort Pulsed Laser Systems and Technology

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Electronics, Weapons

 

OBJECTIVE: Demonstrate novel concepts for generating and amplifying ultrashort (fs-TW) laser pulses using architecture amenable to mobility.

 

DESCRIPTION: The Air Force is interested in promoting and conducting innovative research on promising new technologies relevant to the development of femtosecond Terawatt (fs-TW) laser systems that have a minimal number of optical elements, high average power, excellent beam quality, and are easily portable.  Ultrashort pulsed laser technology has advanced rapidly in the last 10 years.  Numerous domestic & international programs have demonstrated pulsed laser systems with peak powers in the Terawatt and even Petawatt ranges and average powers approaching the kilowatt (kW) level.  These high intensity ultrashort lasers have been shown to have interesting propagation and materials interaction properties.  Unfortunately, traditional ultrashort laser systems are complex and not particularly well suited for applications which require maintenance-free and mobile operation because they typically incorporate complicated optical trains with many reflective surfaces.  The ideal fs-TW system is one in which the oscillator and amplifiers are monolithic - a single solid state material engineered to incorporate all of the optical elements necessary to generate and/or amplify an ultrashort laser pulse.  In particular, the pulse stretching and compression techniques require complicated optical elements with large gratings.  Potential oscillator candidates include mode-locked semiconductor lasers, fiber lasers, and solid-state laser oscillators.   Potential amplifier candidates include semiconductor amplifiers, diode pumped fibers, diode or fiber laser pumped thin disks, and laser pumped gases (contained within a hollow core fiber).  Candidate concepts must be capable of producing very high peak energy pulses, with high average power (that is high repetition rate) and excellent beam quality.  Furthermore, the overall system must have a high degree of reliability, require minimal maintenance, and have a variable pulse frequency and operational mode (eg. kHz, sub-kHz, and burst mode operation).  Finally, high overall energy efficiency is a critical consideration for mobility.  System integration issues must be considered.  For example, the individual components within the overall system must be compatible with one another and produce an efficient and conveniently packageable ultrashort pulsed laser system.

 

PHASE I: Identify, model, and/or demonstrate a promising fs-TW system or components.  Although laboratory demonstrations at the TW power level are likely to be beyond the scope of a Phase I effort, a clear scaling path including component demonstrations and modeling to the desired power is essential. 

 

PHASE II:  Model, build, and demonstrate a suitable fs-TW system that meets the notional requirements identified above.  If appropriate, build and demonstrate a portable prototype version of the system.  Initiate system studies to determine packaging, size, and weight requirements for the overall system.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Possible applications include industrial welding, beacons and illuminators for upper atmosphere remote sensing, and as a portable source for material interaction studies.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Koechner, W., "Solid-State Laser Engineering," 5th ed., Springer Series in Optical Sciences, ed. A.L. Schawlow, A.E. Siegman, and T. Tamir, Vol. 1. 1999, New York: Springer-Verlag.

 

2. Set, S.Y., et al., "Ultrafast Fiber Pulsed Lasers Incorporating Carbon Nanotubes," IEEE J. Quant. Elect. 10(1), 137 - 146, 2004.

 

3. Zayhowski, J.J. and J. A. L. Wilson, "Miniature, Pulsed Ti:Sapphire Laser System," IEEE J. Quant. Elect. 38(11), 1449 - 1454, 2002.

 

4. Kasparian, J., et al., "White-Light Filaments for Atmospheric Analysis," Science. 301, 61 - 64, 2003.

 

5. Teodoro, F.D., et al., "Diffraction-Limited, 300-kW Peak-Power Pulses from a Coiled Multimode Fiber Amplifier," Opt. Lett. 27(7), 518 - 520, 2002.

 

KEYWORDS: ultrashort lasers, fs-TW lasers, pulsed lasers, lasers, atmospheric propagation

 

 

AF06-006               TITLE: Aero-Optics Research and Development

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Electronics, Weapons

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop optical or flow control technologies to compensate for high-energy laser degradation suffered when a high energy laser (HEL) beam is propagated through aircraft-induced optical turbulence.

 

DESCRIPTION: High performance HEL aircraft must incorporate large fields of regard in order to enhance mission capability and to provide for greater missile self-defense coverage. Unfortunately, aircraft motion perturbs the refractive index field over most of the field of regard near the HEL exit aperture. As a result, the outgoing HEL undergoes extreme disturbances due to shock waves, turbulent shear layers, and regions of separated flow. The net effect of the large, rapidly-varying wavefront turbulence on the HEL beam produces degraded beam quality and decreased HEL energy-on-target. Since aero-optical turbulence contains a significant high frequency content, current state-of-the-art adaptive optics (AO) systems cannot adequately compensate for their effects. The purpose of this effort is to develop advanced AO technologies to permit high bandwidth (>2 kHz closed loop) HEL compensation of aircraft boundary layer-induced turbulent flow fields. The end product of this effort shall be the development of new high bandwidth laser wavefront sensors, adaptive optics components, near-field laser beacons, etc., as well as, means to mitigate or suppress aero-optical turbulence. In addition, this effort may explore novel turret designs to minimize flow field effects and approaches that utilize electro-optical mechanical hardware (the current standard), all optical, or hybrid concepts. Some approaches may seek to mitigate, reduce, or shift the frequency spectrum of the turbulence flow itself while other approaches may seek to increase the bandwidth of AO system components including sensors, laser beacons, deformable mirrors. In addition, other approaches may culminate in entirely new approaches to solve the aero-optics HEL problem.

 

PHASE I: The offeror shall develop a concept for a subsystem or component in lieu of a complete AO system.  Phase I shall encompass a preliminary design of at least one of the following: a conceptual hardware/software design of the strawman AO concept, control system architecture, sensor design, a conjugate mirror design, flow control devices, or turret design, etc. Performance analysis and modeling shall establish concept feasibility. 

 

PHASE II: Demonstrate, in a cost effective way, the enhanced adaptive optics component and/or flow control hardware based on the approach developed in Phase I. The offeror shall propose a cost-efficient Phase II proof of concept hardware demonstration that will realistically test the utility and performance of the concept.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: It is expected that an adaptive optic or flow control subsystem based on the hardware developed under this research, with economical considerations folded in, would have both commercial and military applications.  The military applications include all those with requirements for atmospheric compensation through turbulent media and from moving platforms to moving targets such as the Airborne Laser, the C130 Advanced Tactical Laser, Laser Strike Fighter, Relay Mirror, UAVs, aircraft surveillance systems and the like.  Inasmuch as optical turbulence affects the commercial or civilian areas such as astronomy, laser communications, and power beaming, the AO components developed under this SBIR will likewise have a high commercial potential.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Gilbert, K. G., (1982) “KC-135 Aero-optical Turbulent Boundary Layer/ Shear-Layer Experiments” in “Aero-Optical Phenomena”, Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, Vol 80.

 

2. Fitzgerald, E.J. and Jumper, E.J. (2002) “Scaling Aero-Optic Aberrations Produced by High-Subsonic-Mach Shear Layers,” AIAA Journal, 40(7), pp. 1373-1381.

 

3. Jones, Mike I. And Erich E. Bender (2001) “CFD-Based Computer Simulation of Optical Turbulence Through Aircraft Flowfields and Wakes,” AIAA Paper 2001-2798.

 

4. Jumper, E.J., and Fitzgerald, E.J. (2001) “Recent Advances in Aero-Optics,” Journal of Advances in Aerospace Science, 37 (3), pp. 299-339.

 

5. Oljaca, M., and Glezer, A. (1997) “Measurements of Aero-Optical Effects in a Plane Shear Layer,” AIAA Paper 97-2352.

 

KEYWORDS: adaptive optics, turbulent flow, aero-optics, coherent flow structures, separated flow, shear layers, aerodynamic boundary layers.

 

 

AF06-007               TITLE: Increased Range Neutron Response High Explosives Detection

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Electronics, Space Platforms, Nuclear Technology

 

OBJECTIVE: Development of ability to detect sealed containers of high explosives at greater ranges. For this topic, this means develop improved gamma ray diagnostics, with better combined spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution, and improved detection algorithms, in order to improve background rejection.

 

DESCRIPTION: Develop design concepts for increased range neutron (n) response detection system for high explosives (HE). This requires both higher yield, re-usable, reliable 14 million electron volt (MeV) neutron sources (for which there are already good ideas), and greatly improved neutron return radiation diagnostics (which is the goal of this SBIR topic). This is in order to discriminate against nitrogen (N) background in the atmosphere, ~ a kilogram per cubic meter (m). Background: Neutron induced gamma emission is an established technique for detecting HE at short range (~ 3m). This can be done by the use of thermal neutrons for activation analysis, or by the use of fast neutrons (14 MeV from Deuterium-Tritium (DT) fusion reactions) to cause prompt gamma emission from inelastic scattering or other nuclear reactions. Detecting HE at large distances (>/~ 100 m) is extremely desirable and difficult. A possible way to detect HE at distances ~ tens of meters to perhaps 100 m. is the second approach. Inelastic neutron scattering by 14 MeV neutrons has cross sections of 25 millibarns (mb) for producing 5.1 MeV gammas from N, 100 mb for producing 4.4 Mev gammas from C (carbon)and 100 mb for producing 6.1 MeV gammas from O (oxygen). This can be used to determine the stoichiometric ratio of N, C, and O in neutron bombarded samples. Analytic estimates, using the cross sections for prompt gamma production by 14 MeV neutrons incident on C, O, and N indicate that a dose of 100 millirem (2 x 10^6 n/cm^2) on a 50 kg block of typical high explosive will produce ~ 3.0 x 10^7 5.1 MeV gammas from the N, ~ 1.3 x 10^8 4.4 MeV gammas from the C, and ~ 1.3 x 10^8 6.1 MeV gammas from the O. This will result in ~ 250 of the 5.1 MeV gammas/m^2 , and ~ 1,000 each of 4.4 MeV and 6.1 Mev gammas/m^2 at 100 m distance (sample to detector). These numbers (of gammas/m^2 at the detector versus dose or fluence at the sample) will scale inversely with distance (sample to detector) squared. If the source to sample distance equals the sample to detector distance, the required source strength scales as inverse fourth power of distance. This ignores atmospheric attenuation. The size and use of detector(s) determines how many neutrons and gammas/m^2 are required for identifying and locating the HE. Diagnostic development would be as important as source development, and may be quite difficult. The ideal gamma diagnostics would have combined high energy resolution, short time resolution, and good directional resolution with wide directional coverage, operable over a wide dynamic range of incident gamma flux. Simpler schemes using arrays of detectors with just good energy and time resolution, such as triangulation, could work in non-terrestrial environments, where there is no nitrogen atmosphere and virtually no nitrogen in the soil. In the terrestrial environment, background likely requires directional resolution as well as energy and time resolution to overcome it. The existing gamma ray telescopes used in astronomy (on satellite born systems) are very low flux systems. Developing higher flux versions is a possible approach to solving this problem. 

 

PHASE I: Requires innovative R&D of diagnostics for detecting sealed explosive containers at ranges of tens of meters or greater in earth atmosphere environment. This may require simultaneous spectral, spatial, and temporal resolution to greater extent than present radiation detector technology provides. It may also require new analysis schemes.

 

PHASE II: Develop a feasible detection concept, implement a significant part of the new detection concept. Develop a business and commercialization plan for the Phase II engineering development and marketing program.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military uses of this technology include fixed and mobile high explosive detection systems for force protection. Civilian sector applications include more efficient and increased throughput screening of vehicles and cargo containers for Homeland Defense, law enforcement, public safety, and counter mine systems.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Tsahi Gozani, “Novel Applications of Fast Neutron Interrogation methods,” Nucl.Instr. Methods in Physics Research A 353, 635 (1994).

 

2. G. Vourvopoulos and P.C.Womble, “Pulsed Fast/Thermal Neutron Analysis: A Technique for Explosives Detection,” Talanta 54, 459-468 (2001).

 

KEYWORDS: detection, high explosives, neutron response, radiation detector technology, gamma emission, gamma production

 

 

AF06-008               TITLE: Transient Wave Based Command and Control Systems

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform

 

OBJECTIVE: To develop and demonstrate a transient wave based command and control system.

 

DESCRIPTION: A transient wave based command and control system would have several advantages over the carrier wave based command and control systems currently being used. Carrier wave based command and control systems have limitations. They have a high probability of intercept and a high potential for jamming. They are also limited in bandwidth and therefore limited in data transmission rates. Therefore, we are interested in developing a transient wave based system which would have virtually zero probability of intercept, a low potential for jamming and would be able to achieve very high data transmission rates, on the order of  100 kB/second or better.

 

PHASE I: Provide a feasibility concept to determine if it is possible to modify existing carrier wave controlled systems so that they can be controlled by a transient wave based system. Develop a prototype to demonstrate this capability. Develop an initial commercialization concept and plan.

 

PHASE II: Develop and demonstrate a working transient wave based command and control system with a working range on the order of 10’s of meters. Investigate antennas to be implemented in the system to transmit and receive wideband signals with minimal dispersion. Develop a business and commercialization plan for the Phase II engineering development and marketing program.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Phase III will require the commercial development of the transmit and receive chip sets to be integrated into transient wave based command and control systems. Size and type of packaging should be designed for substitution into existing carrier wave based systems.

 

REFERENCES: 1. D. Porrat and D. Tse, "Bandwidth Scaling in Ultra Wideband Communication," Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of California, Berkeley

 

2. T. Tibebe, "Simulation Study of Ultra-Wideband Communication System," Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University College London

 

3. R.J. Fontana, “Recent System Applications of Short Pulse Ultra Wideband (UWB) Technology”, IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, Sept. 2004, page 2087

 

4. R.J. Fontana; J.F. Larrick, J.E/ Cade, “A Low Cost Ultra Wideband System for UAV Communications and High Resolution Radar Applications”, Proceedings of the Precision Strike Technology Symposium, Baltimore, MD, Oct 8-9, 1997.

 

KEYWORDS: Command, Control, Wideband, Transient, Remote Control, Ultra wideband

 

 

AF06-009               TITLE: Turbulence Inner Scale Sensor

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Weapons

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop a simple technique to estimate the inner scale of turbulence along arbitrary atmospheric paths.  Final deliverable would include a sensor package to measure inner scale.

 

DESCRIPTION: Atmospheric turbulence generally degrades performance of imaging & laser propagation systems because the wave propagates through a region with non-uniform index of refraction.  Typical effects resulting from this turbulence are beam broadening, jitter, and irradiance fluctuations.  Often simulation results for such systems are compared to experiments where light propagates through the atmosphere, but suffer from the lack of atmospheric turbulence information along the propagation path.  To understand such cases the power spectral density (PSD) of the refractive index field is important.  The PSD is a function of the spatial wave number, and depends on the refractive index structure constant Cn2, the inner scale and the outer scale.  In most cases the outer scale can be considered infinite without deleterious effect.  Cn2 is usually not measured at the same time and along the same path as the light in propagation experiments.  However, moments of Cn2, like the coherence length r0, the log amplitude variance, isoplanatic angle and the Greenwood frequency are often measured and give some information on the refractive index structure constant.  This leaves the inner scale.  Often knowledge of the inner scale of turbulence would benefit the comparison, but usually the inner scale isn't measured at the experiment, so in the simulation the inner scale is assumed to be zero, although it becomes the grid size by default.  If available, average values of inner scale from similar locations can be used.  Having a simple way to measure or even estimate the inner scale along the propagation path would give the analyst a much better idea of the turbulence spectrum and enhance comparison to experiment.  Typical scenarios of interest include vertical and near-vertical paths starting at ground level going to an altitude of 24 km and the reverse path.  In the most stressing cases the log amplitude variance could be as large as 0.3, and the coherence length as small as a few centimeters.

 

PHASE I: Perform a study to identify a technique for estimating the inner scale of turbulence that is easy to implement and can be used along arbitrary propagation paths.  Provide a preliminary design for an inner scale sensor based on that technique.

 

PHASE II: Develop and build the sensor and demonstrate on a wide range of propagation problems using the technique developed in Phase I.  Typical problems would include measurements with both cooperative and non-cooperative sources, possibly laser guide stars. Final deliverable would include a sensor package for measuring inner scale along an arbitrary atmospheric path.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: It is expected that an inner scale sensor based on the concepts proposed under this research would have both commercial and military applications. The military applications include all those with requirements for laser systems propagating through turbulent media such as ground based lasers, tactical laser weapons and laser communications. Commercial markets include areas such as astronomy, laser communications, and power beaming.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Roggeman, M.C., and Welsh, B., "Imaging through Turbulence," CRC Press, Boca Raton, (1992)

 

2. Hill, R. J., "Review of Optical Scintillation Methods of Measuring the Refractive-Index Spectrum, Inner Scale and Surface Fluxes", Waves in Random Media 2 (1992), 179-201.

 

KEYWORDS: adaptive optics, atmospheric turbulence, turbulent media, inner scale

 

 

AF06-010               TITLE: Electric Oxygen Iodine Laser Diagnostics

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Sensors, Weapons

 

OBJECTIVE: Design a suite of turn-key diagnostics that produce quantitative data about species generated in electrically driven oxygen iodine lasers.

 

DESCRIPTION: Instead of using a chemical reaction to produce single delta oxygen (SDO), electric oxygen iodine laser (EOIL) devices rely on direct electrical excitation. The excitation process does not produce a single clean product but a variety of excited state oxygen molecules, O atoms and various other radicals. Currently O atom scavengers, such as NO2, are also used in these experiments and the by-products of these reactions must be known. Sensitive diagnostics are needed to probe what species are produced and in what concentrations.

 

PHASE I: Conduct research on how to quantify concentrations of O atoms and species, including NO, produced during scavenging. The methods of analysis should rely on spectroscopic methods. Diagnostics should be compact and not require extensive calibration. Prototype apparatus should be designed for Phase II.

 

PHASE II: The prototype designed in Phase I (including software)should be built and tested. Actual minimum detectable yields and operating conditions should be reported. Designs for streamlining the apparatus to make it rugged and turn-key operational should be pursued. Run-time and pathlengths must be addressed and incorporated into the design to make it compatible with current experimental hardware.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: Build the new diagnostic product and field test it in the appropriate lab environment. Civilian application: Final product can be used for environmental monitoring of these species.  Upper atmosphere chemistry would be relevant.

 

REFERENCES: 1. D. L. Carroll,a) J. T. Verdeyen, D. M. King, J. W. Zimmerman, J. K. Laystrom, B. S. Woodard, N. Richardson, K. Kittell, M. J. Kushner, and W. C. Solomon. Appl. Phys. Lett. 85, 1320 (2004).

 

2. D.S. Stafford and M. J. Kushner, J. Appl. Phys. 96, 2451 (2004).

 

3. W.T. Rawlins, S. Lee, W.J. Kessler, and S. J. Davis, Appl. Phys. Lett. 86, 051105 (2005).

 

KEYWORDS: EOIL diagnostic,oxygen-iodine-laser,nitric oxide,O atoms,quantitative spectroscopy

 

 

AF06-011               TITLE: Synthetic/Sparse Aperture Imaging Techniques

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Sensors, Electronics, Space Platforms

 

OBJECTIVE: Utilize active lasing with sparse and/or synthetic aperture techniques to characterize Resident Space Objects (RSOs). 

 

DESCRIPTION: Space Situational Awareness (SSA) requirements include the need to remotely characterize RSOs.  Sparse/synthetic aperture imaging techniques can provide a cost effective means of obtaining highly resolved target imagery from long stand-off distances.  On-going efforts in the astronomical community have primarily focused on passive ground and space-based interferometry techniques (e.g.  NASA's Space Interferometry Mission and Keck Interferometer).  This goal of this project is to develop ground-based active (laser) imaging techniques utilizing sparse apertures. Pupil-plane imaging techniques do not require high quality optics and are scalable to very large apertures.  The challenge is to develop small-scale test systems that can be scaled to very large apertures, such as 10 to 30 meters.

 

In order to image Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, the system will also need to be able to track the satellite (which orbits the earth in a period of approximately 90 minutes), so will need to be able to slew rapidly.  Significant innovation will be required for such a system. 

 

A significant advantage of pupil-plane imaging techniques is that they do not require hardware to phase the apertures and atmospheric compensation is accomplished using software algorithms.  The proposed systems should be designed consistent with existing and/or small (0.53um) advances in laser technology.  As an example, a 40-joule to 100-joule solid state (1.0 um) Nd:Glass laser has been demonstrated by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. 

 

PHASE I: The Phase I product will be developing concepts for active (laser) imaging, synthetic/sparse aperture techniques, scalable to ground-based 10 to 30 meter apertures.

 

PHASE II: The phase II product will be to build and demonstrate (in a laboratory) a small-scale prototype system scalable to ground-based 10 to 30 meter apertures.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military applications of these concepts include improved space surveillance capabilities, for which the ability to image objects at great distances is critical.  Private sector commercial applications could include determination of satellite health, such as after collisons with space debris during launch (e.g., the Space Shuttle).  Imaging techniques could also be applied to astronomical objects such as near Earth asteroids or other solar system objects. 

 

REFERENCES: 1.  Lawson, P.R.(ed.), "Principles of Long Baseline Interferometry" (1999).

 

2.  Hjellming, R.M.(ed.), "An Introduction to the Very Large Array" (the VLA Green Book), Edition 2.

 

KEYWORDS: SSA, RSO, characterization, active imaging, interferometry, sparse aperture, aperture

 

 

 

AF06-015               TITLE: Wearable Computer for Enhanced Situation Awareness

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Human Systems

 

STATEMENT OF INTENT: This topic holds the greatest potential for meeting the technical needs of our warfighters supported by PEOs and Centers.

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop a high performance wearable computer system to enhance target detection, recognition, and situation awareness.

 

DESCRIPTION: What is needed to bring the next generation of day/night vision enhancement systems to life is a powerful, light-weight, efficient, wearable computer optimized for image processing.  The desired system will take sensor data from one or more sensors and process the video streams to perform tasks such as: image enhancement, target detection, target recognition, and as such would improve situation awareness. The system will also be required to interface internal or external databases to enable the overlay of additional information on the enhanced imagery and provide a thorough literature review of the current state-of-the-art in wearable computing. In addition, the contractor shall plan what steps need to be taken in order to develop a wearable computer system that will perform real time video processing of sensor data and display the augmented information to the user. The contractor shall develop one or more viable, high-level designs that could be built and tested in Phase II.  

 

PHASE I:  Perform an analysis of alternatives and document the strength and weaknesses of competing platforms due to processing power, power consumption, battery life, weight, network bandwidth, and video input/output capabilities.

 

PHASE II: Build and demonstrate a wearable computer system that can process video streams in real time. The system would be lightweight, energy efficient for long battery life in the field, and powerful enough to process video streams in real time. In addition, the system shall be robust enough for laboratory, limited field testing, and concept demonstrations.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Wearable computers and augmented reality technology is envisioned to help in many tasks where users are presented with a large amount of information and where performance would be enhanced by having additional information overplayed on the real world. Air-traffic controllers could use such a system to automatically overlay the information about the flight number and destination merely by looking at a plane. The training and simulation industries would reap great benefits from high-performance image processors and generators.  Finally, the technology developed in this program would also lead to great enhancements in the computer and entertainment industries.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Anliker, U. ; Beutel, J. ; Dyer, M. ; Enzler, R. ; Lukowicz, P. ; Thiele, L. ; Troster, G.  “A Systematic Approach to the Design of Distributed Wearable Systems.” In IEEE Transactions on Computers Volume: 53, Issue: 08, August 2004, pp. 1017 - 1033 

 

KEYWORDS: Wearable computer, augmented reality, sensor fusion, image processor, image enhancement

 

 

AF06-016               TITLE: Decision Support Technologies for Weapon System Logistics Investment Decisions

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Materials/Processes

 

STATEMENT OF INTENT: This topic holds the greatest potential for meeting the technical needs of our warfighters supported by PEOs and Centers.

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop support technologies for establishing a repeatable, structured, and integrated decision-making process providing insight into existing and new technology weapon system logistics decisions.

 

DESCRIPTION: The development of a sound, structured and integrated simulation model to assist in investment decision analyses for existing and future weapon systems is critical.  The availability of a consistent, effective evaluation process which includes logistics considerations will ensure the technology and system initiatives for our weapon systems can be evaluated, documented and developed into an integrated investment strategy that provides the greatest return on our limited investment dollars.  The goal of this research is to provide a product that incorporates current technologies for use in developing and justifying these weapon systems investment decisions. 

 

This research and methodology development is relevant to Department of Defense weapon systems and technologies because credible engineering and logistics analysis tools and methods are needed to assess the realistic performance benefits of proposed investments.  This decision support technology will provide decision-makers with improved insight to the most beneficial investment strategies.  Credible logistics models such as the Logistics Composite Model (LCOM) are an important enabling technology for this capability to ensure data input from all levels of the organization can be integrated effectively and used to understand the system performance and affordability of various logistics support options.  Proposed methodologies should consider enhancements to legacy simulation tools and must be capable of executing on commercial-off-the-shelf desktops or workstations.  Any graphical depiction and output should comply with industry or international standards.  Methodologies implementing the collaborative environment should be open and standards-based to support interfaces to other analysis, simulation and modeling tools.

 

PHASE I:  Develop new analytical capabilities/requirements of the structured approach. Develop an integration concept for the model’s graphical input interface, the simulation engine itself, output tool module, and proof-of-feasibility demonstration of key enabling concepts.

 

PHASE II: The researcher will design, develop, and demonstrate a structured, collaborative, integrated approach for evaluating system/technology investment information to provide an assessment of weapon system performance given a specific logistics scenario/concept.  The researcher will also detail the plan for Phase III effort.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: The desired product of Phase III is a robust, off-the-shelf collaborative, integrated methodology for evaluating system/technology investment information for use in defense and commercial product development and manufacturing. Investment decision methodologies that incorporate community-accepted data and engineering/simulation evaluations for logistics performance effectiveness are applicable to all manufacturing industries, and to communication and information systems.  Industry and service organizations that strive to obtain the greatest return for their investment dollars can benefit from this capability.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Boyle, E. LCOM Explained. AFHRL-TR-90-58 (1990), AD A224497

 

2. McGinnis, L. F. BPR and Logistics: The Role of Computational Models Proceedings of the 1998 Winter Simulation Conference P.A. Farrington, H. B. Nembhard, D.T. Sturrock, and G.W. Evans, eds. (1998)

 

KEYWORDS: Modeling and Simulation, Mission Capable (MC), Sortie Generation Rate (SGR), Supply Chains, Logistics, Maintenance

 

 

AF06-017               TITLE: Laser Eye Protection Field Evaluation Device     

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Human Systems

 

STATEMENT OF INTENT: This topic holds the greatest potential for meeting the technical needs of our warfighters supported by PEOs and Centers.

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop a device to measure the optical density of LEP spectacles, goggles, and visors for use by operational military units.

 

DESCRIPTION: Advances in laser component technologies have lowered the cost and increased the capability, and therefore applications, of lasers by military forces. These advances have put lasers on the vanguard of revolutionary change in modern warfare. The use of lasers for precisely guiding smart bombs, illuminating targets, range finding, aircraft self-protection, laser weapons, and secure communications is extensive and expanding. On the other hand, these lasers create a unique potential for ocular injury of military members as both hazards (buddy lasing) and threats (use by hostile forces). Aside from avoidance, the principal countermeasure against eye injury is laser eye protection (LEP) in the form of goggles, spectacles, and visors. There is not currently, nor will there be in the near future, a single LEP device that can protect eyes against this myriad of laser systems, while minimizing negative impacts on vision, in a format that is compatible with all of the various Air Force missions. As a result, numerous types of LEP will be required to properly protect our personnel. The Air Force currently has three LEP devices in the field, each with a distinct spectral and optical density profile, and three more are scheduled to become available within the next one to two years. The existence of multiple protection configurations presents the opportunity for operators to select the wrong LEP for the laser threat(s) or hazard(s) they will face. Also, since the technologies used in these LEP are new, we have very little experience with field use and operational lifetime of these devices. So, even though the leading-edge technologies used for these high-performance LEP devices are thoroughly tested in the laboratory, we cannot be certain the devices will “perform as advertised” throughout their projected lifetime. The ability to “field check” the protection levels of LEP would be very beneficial because it would: (1) cultivate confidence of personnel in their laser-protective equipment; (2) verify that the LEP on hand (or selected) is the proper protection against the anticipated threat(s) and/or hazard(s); and (3) provide some opportunity for scientists and engineers to collect information on the useful operational lifetimes of new LEP technologies. Therefore, the goal of this effort will be to design, develop, and fabricate a user friendly, self- contained, moderately priced device capable of evaluating the protection levels of LEP out in operational flying squadrons. This will be a relatively small device (e.g. a floor-standing copier or small refrigerator) that can be used by Air Force Life Support Equipment technicians in a non-secure shop environment to verify that any given piece of LEP meets its specifications. It will operate in either a scanning mode or a single wavelength check mode. One must be able to place the LEP into a light tight chamber, enter an identification code for the article to be evaluated, select a scan or single wavelength evaluation, enter the wavelength (if that’s chosen), and hit a “start” button. The unit would then either scan through the region of 400 nm to 1400 nm and measure the optical density (OD) as a function of wavelength, or measure the OD at the selected wavelength for any LEP format (true spectacle, clip-on spectacle, mini-visor, visor, and side shields) fabricated using absorptive technology, reflective technology, or a combination of the two with a precision of ± 0.1 OD over the range of 0 OD to 5 OD. The device would then provide the technician with the results according to a means of their choosing.  Since OD as a function of wavelength in fielded LEP is generally clasified SECRET, the security of the data output/display must be safeguarded commensurately.  Because OD as a function of wavelength will be classified SECRET for many LEP articles, the reference database of spectra must also have hardware and/or software protections against unauthorized alterations or theft.

 

PHASE I: Perform a technology feasibility assessment and deliver, if determined to be feasible, data to support the feasibility assessment, a description of the conceptual solution, and a technology/technologies development proposal.

 

PHASE II: Execute the technology development plan proposed in Phase I, and demonstrate the solution by delivering a prototype device.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: There is likely to be solid interest throughout the military community since directed energy is one of the DoD Key Technology Areas. Self-protection against lasers is already becoming an issue for some new systems going to the field. In addition to the Air Force, the Army and Navy are also developing and fielding LEP for their unique requirements. In the Air Force, this product would probably be deployed at the wing level, but could find its way to the squadron level depending upon the price and demand. In the Army and Marines, it would probably be deployed at the battalion or company level, and in the Navy it would be deployed on all ships any part of whose company is at risk of laser exposure. Reserve and Guard units may also have use for this device, depending upon the concepts for LEP deployment and use by these organizations. The commercial market is difficult to predict, but companies specializing in design, development and fabrication of high performance laser protective eyewear have estimated that up to one-third of the cost of a laser eye protection device is attributable to labor costs for the tedious, yet precise, manual process of verifying protective performance. Automating this process holds forth the prospect of increasing the throughput of the inspection process by up to a factor of ten, significantly reducing this cost component for future LEP acquisitions. However, to be most useful to industry the device needs to be able to measure power, prism, haze and distortion, in addition to optical density, and to provide a variety of data output options ranging from very simple (good/bad indicator lights) to complex enough for scientific or engineering applications, e.g. storing data on a computer disk, or printing of a numerical table (spreadsheet), or a spectrum in graphical format so that the data is amenable to failure analysis applications. It is well within the realm of possibility that the component technologies will find spin-off applications, such as quality control devices, spectroscopy, and other measurement technologies.

 

REFERENCES: 1. “Beam Weapons Revolution,” Jane’s International Defense Review, pp 34-41, August, 2000.

2. “An Automatic High Resolution Scanning Densitometer applied to Optical Spectroscopy,” A.P. Laquidara, Journal of the Mexican Society of Instrumentation, Vol. 3 No. 6, 1996.

3. “An Automatic Light Spectrum Compensation Method for CCD White Balance Measurement,” Dahong Qian, James Toker, IEEE Transactions on Consumer Electronics, Vol. 43, No. 2, May 1997.

4. ANSI Standard Z136.1. American national standard for the safe use of lasers. American National Standards Institute, Inc., New York. 2000.

5.ANSI Standard Z87.1 American national standard for occupational and education eye and face protection. American National Standards Institute, Inc., New York. 1993.

 

KEYWORDS: Automated Systems,Densitometer,Laser eye protection (LEP),

Optical Density,Spectrum Analyzer,Visual performance,

Quality Control

 

 

AF06-018               TITLE: Network Threat Monitoring, Intrusion Detection and Alert System for Distributed Mission Operations (DMO)

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Sensors

 

STATEMENT OF INTENT: This topic holds the greatest potential for meeting the technical needs of our warfighters supported by PEOs and Centers.

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop a Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) and High Level Architecture (HLA) compatible embedded network threat monitoring system to constantly detect and mitigate intrusion attempts across a Distributed Mission Operations (DMO) network.  

 

DESCRIPTION: Current network intrusion monitoring tools are not robust enough to be useful in high fidelity simulation environments in real-time.  Moreover, the capacity to identify, track, diagnose and remediate/inoculate a high fidelity network from these attacks without negatively impacting the training that is taking place, does not exist today. Network attacks are rarely known in the DMO environment because identifying them and alerting engineers to the events unfolding has not been done to date.   An innovative tool is needed which will allow continuous monitoring and intrusion detection of the DMO network.  The tool should be compatible with the current DIS and HLA standards, and be able to display entity attributes and specific threats to them.  The tool should also be able to diagnose the threat and its potential impact on the DMO training event and to inoculate the network against the attack.  The developed tool must enable system threat assessments to be displayed while the simulation is running so that remediation can occur in real-time.  In some cases, the identification of a network attack or intrusion attempt could result in a graceful degradation of capabilities while minimizing the impact on the training experience.  The Air Force is seeking development of innovative tools and techniques that can efficiently monitor high fidelity networks in real-time and permit the identification, targeting and remediation of threats and attacks to the network, ideally without impacting the performance of networked real-time simulations in DMO using both DIS and HLA.  

 

PHASE I: Phase I will develop a prototype Intrusion detection, alarm and mitigation tool for a DIS/HLA DMO environment and provide a demonstration and report.

 

PHASE II: Phase II will result in a fully integrated intrusion detection and attack mitigation capability which is useable in real-time DMO environments and provides the capabilities outlined above.  It will also result in test and evaluation of the developed tool and will provide documentation of results in a technical report.  

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: The capability to provide real-time network intrusion and attack detection, diagnosis and inoculation of ongoing network threats in an interactive DIS/HLA simulation environment does not exist today.  Phase III Dual Use potential is significant since both the military and commercial sectors actively participate in distributed simulation environments.  Distributed simulation events can include participants from all over the world.  The need is for the development of a DIS/HLA compatible embedded network threat monitoring system to constantly detect and mitigate intrusion attempts across a distributed simulation network.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Purdy, Lt. SG Jr., Wuerfel, R., Barnhart, Lt. D., and Ewart, R. (1997). Network Evaluation for Training and Simulation. AFRL-VA-WP-TR-1998-3013. ADA344849

 

2. Bryant, R., Douglass, Capt. S., Ewart, R., Slutz, G. (1994). Dynamic Latency Measurement Using the Simulator Network Analysis Project. I/ITSEC conference.

 

3. Andel, Lt. T., Zydallis, Lt. J (1998). Coyote ’98 Data Evaluation. AFRL/VACD report.

 

4. Barbuceanu, M., & Fox, M.S. (1995). The architecture of an agent building shell. In M. Woodridge, K. Fischer, P. Gmytrasiewicz, N. Jennings, J.P. Muller, & M. Tambe (Eds.), Working notes of the IJCAI-95 workshop in agent theories, architectures, and languages (pp. 264-275), Montreal, Canada.

 

KEYWORDS: Distributed Mission Operations, Network Threat Assessment, Network alert, DMO training effectiveness, DMO Network Security, Distributed Interactive Simulation, DIS Standards, High Level Architecture, HLA Standards

 

 

AF06-019               TITLE: Photosensitive Visor for Flight Helmets

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Electronics, Human Systems

 

STATEMENT OF INTENT: This topic holds the greatest potential for meeting the technical needs of our warfighters supported by PEOs and Centers.

 

OBJECTIVE: Research and apply variable-transmittance technologies that can be incorporated into a single day/night visor for the aircrew HGU-55/P Helmet.

 

DESCRIPTION: With the advent of Helmet-Mounted Displays (HMDs), the pilot no longer has the option of raising the visor when transitioning from high to low light level conditions; therefore, a variable-transmittance visor is required. Previous efforts have developed continuously variable transmissivity visors using liquid-crystal shutter technology and visors consisting of relatively thick base/cap pairs. This approach increases the cost, adds distracting secondary reflections, and complicates manufacture and customizing/trimming the visor’s fit to prevent light leakage around the nose/oxygen mask area. A simpler, low-cost approach to providing this variable transmissivity capability that will also allow the curved visor to be customized (trimmed) for individual pilots is required. The technology design goals include: spectral neutrality, fail clear, have fast transitions with no irising and be compatible with polycarbonate helmet visors. These additional goals for visor attributes are listed as design parameters that must be considered during development in order to ultimately have a successful commercialized product.

 

PHASE I: Identify and develop material technologies for a curved, low-cost, customizable, variable-transmittance visor. Determine required drive electronics. Identify system level/device requirements and program high-risk areas. At the end of Phase I, provide a report of accomplishments and lessons learned.

 

PHASE II: Develop a prototype into a functional, rugged visor with drive electronics that will be able to undergo testing (flight trials, integration and compatibility assessments, environmental, etc.) when mounted onto a standard Air Force HGU-55/P helmet. The new device must interface and be compatible with systems which are used with existing day and night time visors, i.e., prescription spectacles, laser eye protection spectacles, and oxygen masks. The prototypes will undergo testing and operational assessment to insure aircrew/equipment compatibility.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Low-cost, variable-transmittance technology can also have civilian sector applications in the areas of space suit helmet visors, race helmets, welding, eyewear, windows, automobile/aircraft/spacecraft windows, non-emissive displays.

 

REFERENCES:

1. Barfield, W. and Furness, T. (1995).  “Virtual environments and advanced interface design”.  New York: Oxford University Press.

 

2. Taheri, B., Palffy-Muhoray, P., Kosa, T., & Post, D. L. (2000). Technology for electronically varying helmet-visor tint. In R. J. Lewandowski, W. Stephens, L. A. Haworth, & H. J. Girolamo (Eds.), Proceedings of the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE): Head-Mounted Displays V, 4021, 114-119.

 

KEYWORDS: helmet-mounted display, HMD, tint, shutter, visor, variable transmittance, electro-optical, customized trimming, ambient light, illumination, illuminance

 

 

AF06-020               TITLE: Aircrew Personnel Lowering Device

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Human Systems

 

STATEMENT OF INTENT: This topic holds the greatest potential for meeting the technical needs of our warfighters supported by PEOs and Centers.

 

OBJECTIVE: Research and apply technologies that can be incorporated into an improved aircrew personnel lowering device.

 

DESCRIPTION: The current aircrew personnel lowering device (PLD) was developed during the Vietnam era to help parachutists extricate themselves from trees.  The PLD, integrated with the bail parachute, is large and bulky.  The PLD case contains approximately 140 feet of 0.75 inch tubular webbing folded 140 times.  Multiple elastic straps sewn in the PLD case on each side are used to secure the webbing.  While this system has served its function, modern day aircrew require an improved streamlined version of this system to provide extraction capability.  The desired system is small and compact (fits in flight suit pocket), incorporates manual activation of slow (2-3 ft / second) controlled descent, and accommodates a load of up to 350Lbs.  Technological challenges are foreseen with the control descent mechanism.  This device will have to be miniaturized and withstand the applied load forces.  Component stress, heat management, resistance, degradation and structural integrity are critical challenges that must be addressed.  The USAF is seeking innovative technological solutions to address the requirement for a modern PLD.

 

PHASE I: Identify and develop material technologies for a compact PLD. Identify system level/device requirements, components, and program high-risk areas. At the end of Phase I, provide a report of accomplishments and lessons learned with technology demonstrations of a breadboard and model or PLD prototype.

 

PHASE II: Develop a prototype into a functional PLD that will be able to undergo laboratory and government tests to demonstrate performance.  Laboratory tests will be performed to validate component and system level performance.  Operational assessments will be performed to asses aircrew/equipment compatibility.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: This technology can be utilized by climbers and emergency rescue teams such as firemen.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Multi-Command Operational Requirement Document CAF-MAF-AETC 319-93-I-A, "Aircrew Protection/Support/Escape Systems," Jan 99.

 

KEYWORDS: Lowering Device,Escape Systems

 

 

AF06-022               TITLE: Next Generation Architecture for Night Vision Imaging

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Human Systems

 

STATEMENT OF INTENT: This topic holds the greatest potential for meeting the technical needs of our warfighters supported by PEOs and Centers.

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop a new device architecture for enhancing vision under low illumination conditions

 

DESCRIPTION: Image intensifier (I2) tubes are commonly used in head-mounted devices that are designed to aid vision at night.  I2 tubes are analog devices that integrate the sensor, light amplifier, and display.  The amplifier within the I2 tube is a microchannel plate, which must be suspended in a vacuum, thereby complicating fabrication and permitting certain image defects.  Many I2 tubes employ a coherent fiber optic bundle to re-invert the image after amplification, adding weight, size, and complexity.  Further, I2 tubes do not lend themselves to the use of digital image enhancement techniques or the display of images produced by outboard sensors or computers.

 

Advances in technology now make possible the fabrication of solid-state micro displays and near infrared imaging arrays.  A next logical step is to combine these technologies, perhaps even integrating them on one substrate, along with addressing and control structures, into a sensor/display package similar to the I2 tube.  Further, it may be possible to incorporate digital computing devices on the substrate.  This architecture would enable real time digital image enhancement and could ultimately outperform and replace the I2 tube.  This program will develop candidate architectures based on the preceding ideas and produce a demonstration device. 

 

It is envisioned that the next generation system can be built with smart three dimensional packaging of multiple Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) subsystems, and a micro display matrix.  The CMOS based image sensors must deliver very high frame rates, and permit parallel readouts.  The computing stage would follow a Single-Instruction Stream Multiple-Data Stream (SIMD) architecture such as Geometric Arithmetic Parallel Processor TM.  Though the know how of individual stage synthesis is well known and proven in the market place, off-the-shelf products do not exist for system integrators to build the envisioned next generation night vision system.  Identifying high performing candidates for each stage, synthesizing each individually, fabricating each by standard micro fabrication process and integrating them by a robust and inexpensive 3D packaging would be necessary.  Thermal isolation between the CMOS sensor plane and the computing planes would have to be addressed. Phase I efforts will include an analysis of alternatives, examining at a minimum: imaging array technology, miniature display technology, onboard computing, image processing, approaches for inserting information (symbology and imagery), weight, size, and power consumption.  A recommendation of the best alternative should also be identified in a detailed technical report, written at the end of this phase.

 

PHASE I:  Develop candidate architectures for the construction of a solid-state sensor/display package similar to the I2 tube.  

 

PHASE II: This phase will involve the construction of a prototype device using an appropriate approach as determined by the Phase I effort.  If necessary, multiple paths should be pursued.  The Phase II prototypes will be robust enough to undergo laboratory and limited field-testing and function as concept demonstrators.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Solid-state imaging devices will significantly improve the quality of low light and infrared imagery, when coupled with on-chip image processing and eliminate several problems inherent in image intensifier tube based systems.  The resulting improved image quality and capability will lead to advances not only in the military and law enforcement communities, but also in other fields where high quality low light images are required from compact systems, such as head-mounted devices or in the automotive industry.  This technology will be a great advancement over current methods for imaging as it is adaptable to a broad range of wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum. 

 

REFERENCES: 1. Barfield, W., Furness, T.A., (1995)Virtual Environments and Advanced Interface Design, Oxford University Press, New York.

 

2. Seetharaman,G, (1995) A Simplified Design Strategy for mapping Image Processing Algorithms on a SIMD Torus Journal of Theoretical Computer Science Vol 140 pp. 319-331, 1995.

 

3. J.Stern, S.Larcombe, P.Ivey, L.Seed, A.Shelley, and N.Goodenough, Design and evaluation of an epoxy three-dimensional multichip module, IEEE Transactions on Components, Packaging and Manufacturing Technology, Part B: Advanced Packaging, vol. 19, pp. 188-94, Feb 1996.

 

4. E. R. Fossum,CMOS Image Sensors: Electronic Camera on A Chip,  IEEE Trans. Electronic Devices, Vol 44 No.10 1997.

 

KEYWORDS: Night vision goggle, Micro display, Solid-state imaging, Near Infrared, NVG, NVD, Image processing

 

 

AF06-023               TITLE: Advanced Sensor to Identify and Quantify Contaminants in Cockpit Air

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop and demonstrate sensor capable of detecting, identifying, and quantifying smoke, debris, and pollutants in cockpit air.

 

DESCRIPTION: Future aircraft will use a Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) system to provide a comprehensive assessment of aircraft systems, including detection of system performance degradation.  For example, the aircraft environmental control system could be monitored to determine if the pressurized air delivered to the cockpit is free of pollutants. Cockpit pollutants might be fuel vapor, hydraulic fluid, heat exchanger fluids, carbon monoxide, particle debris, and smoke.  The presence of these pollutants may indicate the environmental control system performance is degrading. For example, toxic heat exchanger fluids could enter the cockpit, if an environmental control system heat exchanger was leaking. Sensing the presence of a cockpit contaminant could provide a method for early detection of a potential system problem before complete system failure occurs. Further, the sensor could warn the pilot of these pollutants before their concentration reachs a level that might lead to pilot incapacitation. The cockpit air sensor must be small, lightweight, low power, reliable, low maintenance, accurate, affordable, and very responsive. The sensor must detect, identify, and quantify pollutants. Preferred approach would use solid state technology or nanotechnology. 

 

PHASE I: Develop and demonstrate a breadboard sensor showing the feasibility of detecting, identifying, and quantifying pollutants in cockpit air.

 

PHASE II: Develop and demonstrate a prototype system consisting of cockpit sensor and software/algorithms (if required). Demonstrate the capability of the prototype system to detect pollutants under simulated laboratory conditions. Determine approach for integrating sensor with a military aircraft prognostics and health management system.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: The technology could be used on military and commercial aircraft to detect smoke, debris, and pollutants in aircraft cabins. Technology could be used at various ground locations to detect pollutants.

 

REFERENCES:

1. Air Safety Week, Vol. 17 No. 40, Oct 2003.

2. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, NIOSH Pub. No. 97-140, Feb 2004.

 

KEYWORDS: aircraft prognostics, cockpit air pollution, smoke detection, cockpit contaminants, chemical sensor, particulate sensor, environmental control system, aircraft chemical hazards

 

 

AF06-024               TITLE: Enhanced Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) for Distributed Network Applications

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Information Systems

 

STATEMENT OF INTENT: This topic holds the greatest potential for meeting the technical needs of our warfighters supported by PEOs and Centers.

 

OBJECTIVE: Define an enhanced TCP/IP protocol for reliable and complete communication transmission in deployed environments to support live and virtual distributed entities.

 

DESCRIPTION: The TCP/IP protocol is the de-facto standard for commercial and government web data transfer under normal operating conditions. However, not all commercial and government information systems are connected to stable modes of transmission. This problem is most relevant in situations where communications equipment must be deployed in areas where a reliable infrastructure is not in place. Further, aircraft increasingly rely on data transmission between aircraft and ground stations. Since the variations of in-flight connectivity quality is often high due to flight dynamics, electromagnetic interference, and weather, critical data can become corrupted or dropped. While some loss can be tolerated, the loss rate utilizing the current TCP/IP standard can be unacceptable. Other challenging applications include distributed live simulations. The enhanced protocol will overcome the limitations of systems using the current TCP/IP protocol under less than ideal situations (i.e. deployed communications/simulations, ad-hoc mobile networks, etc.). These systems must be able to reliably interface with virtual and live entities located throughout the world. In this case, neither the loss of data nor a significant amount of packet latency can be tolerated. Hence, there exists a need to define a standard that can better tolerate high bit error rates and low or varying data rates, and be able to prioritize traffic under high volume situations.

 

PHASE I: Develop a framework on which to base the enhance TCP/IP standard from inputs generated by interested commercial and military parties and appropriate standards organizations and demonstrate its applicability to the modeling and simulation community, also commercial and military aviation applications.

 

PHASE II: Refine the enhanced TCP/IP through continuous interaction with interested parties and standards organizations to create a viable model with the potential of becoming an industry standard. Deliverables for this phase include a thoroughly documented model capable of addressing the issues stated in the description of this topic and a proposed methodology for implementation.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Monitor standard through its adoption by commercial industry and the government. Respond to comments presented by the user community.

 

REFERENCES:

1. Bellovin, S.M. ‘Security problems in the TCP/IP protocol suite’. Computer Communications Review, vol. 19, no. 2, pp. 32-48, Apr 1989.

 

2. Bishop, S., Fairbairn, M., Norrish, M., Sewell, P., Smith, M., & Wansbrough, K. ‘Rigorous specification and conformance testing techniques for network protocols, as applied to TCP, UDP, and sockets’.  SIGCOMM’05, Aug 2005.

 

3. Derryberry, R. T. and  Pi, Zhouyue. ‘Reserve high-speed packet data physical layer enhancements in cdma2000 1xEV-DV.’  IEEE Communications Magazine, vol 43, no. 4, pp. 41-47, 2005.

 

4. Fall, Kevin (2003). A delay-tolerant network architecture for challenged internets. Proceedings of the 2003 (ACM) conference on Applications, technologies, architectures, and protocols for computer communications, 27-34.

 

5. Foo, S., Siu, C. H., & Yip, S. W (1999). Enhancing the quality of low bit-rate real-time Internet communication services. Internet Research: Electronic Networking Applications and Policy 9(3): 212-224.

 

6. Karl, H. & Willig, A. ‘Protocols and architectures for wireless sensor networks’. Wiley & Sons, Inc.: NJ. 2005. (ISBN 0-470-09510-5)

 

7. Liu, Z., Campbell, R. H., and Mickunas, M. D. ‘Active security support for active networks’, IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, vol 33, no. 4, pp. 432-445, 2003. (ISBN 1094-6977)

 

8. Network Protocol Handbook, Second Edition. Javvin Technologies, Inc, Jan 2005. (ISBN 978-0-9740945-2-6)

 

9. Pullen, Mark, J. (1999). Reliable Multicast Network Transport for Distributed Virtual Simulation. Proceedings of the 1999 (IEEE) 3rd International Workshop on Distributed Interactive Simulation and Real-Time Applications, 59-66.

 

10. Welzl, M.  ‘Network congestion control: Managing internet traffic’. Wiley & Sons, Inc.: NJ., 2005. (ISBN 0-470-02528-0)

 

11. Wolf, T. 7 Choi, S. ‘Aggregated hierarchical multicast – A many-to-many communication paradigm using programmable networks, IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics,  Vol 33, No 03, pp. 358-369, 2003. (ISBN 1094-6977)

 

KEYWORDS: TCP/IP, deployed networks, challenged internets, internet protocols, mobile communications, adaptive networks.

 

 

AF06-025               TITLE: Sensor Fusion Tactics Trainer

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Human Systems

 

STATEMENT OF INTENT: This topic holds the greatest potential for meeting the technical needs of our warfighters supported by PEOs and Centers.

 

OBJECTIVE:  Develop a high fidelity sensor fusion tactics trainer for developing and enhancing strategic and tactical knowledge and mission readiness.

 

DESCRIPTION: There is currently no capability to adequately train and rehearse decision makers in the tasking, processing, exploitation and dissemination (TPED) process. While there are numerous automated tools for gathering data from sources and getting those data to the "fuser", there is no training and rehearsal capability to teach personnel how to interpret taskings, what assets are available and capable of providing data for the tasking, how to obtain data from the various sources, what the quality (in terms of such things as freshness and reliability) of the data are and their relevance to the tasking, what form the fused data should take, and how best to get the fused data to the battlestaff for their use.  There is also no mechanism in current ops to provide feedback to the "fuser" on the usefulness of the fused products produced for battlestaff decision making.  This effort will develop a training and rehearsal capability for sensor operators that addresses these shortcomings. The capability we envision is one that includes developing and validating intelligent agents as actors that can role play tasking entities and sources of data to support a variety of taskings that replicate real world activities in support of current operations. Our proposed target training audience are the operators of such systems as the Distributed Common Ground Station (DCGS), a TPED Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR)system. The training and rehearsal capability will also help to improve the selection process of the operators in terms of developing better understanding of the capabilities and the quality of data from various sensor sources. This understanding should lead to better development of products for taskings and help sensor operators anticipate data requirements in advance of taskings such that better products can be made available more quickly. In other words, the operator becomes a more informed consumer of the source data and a better producer of fused information derived from it. This type of understanding existis only in the most senior sensor operators who have been on the job for a number of years.  Current ops are such that we need to train less experienced operators to this level of understanding much sooner. We plan on conducting a detailed functional and information flow analysis of ISR tasks for an example system like the DCGS. The analysis will identify key expert and non-expert decision paths and solutions as well as examine lessons learned from successful and unsuccessful recent ISR TPED activities and develop approaches to train and rehearse for more successful ISR TPED decision making processes and develop an after action capability to provide feedback on the products for the battlestaff.  The end state will be a training and rehearsal exemplar for a cognitively complex area of need.  

 

PHASE I: Phase I activities include the identification of sources of data of relevance for a system of choice (e.g., DCGS), identification of typical and unique data requests and the identification of experienced and non experienced operator performance and gaps.  Phase I will develop the specifications and example scenarios for the training and rehearsal exemplar which will be fully elaborated in the Phase II effort.

 

PHASE II: Phase II will fully develop test, refine, and validate a TPED ISR training and rehearsal capability, develop and test S/W and H/W interfaces between environment and tactical information systems and conduct evaluation studies of interfaces and interoperability environment. It will also develop a first-ever feedback and after-action review capability for TPED ISR activities.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: This effort will provide an integrated suite of tools, technologies and a general architecture for developing and enhancing the mission readiness of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance operators and teams, as well as affording training and rehearsal for those elements identified as gaps in the gathering, packaging, delivery and evaluation of fused information products. A capability like this has been highlighted as a critical need for intelligence analysts in the Department of Homeland Defense and in the commercial space imagery sector where a variety of source data are available, each with a cost associated with its availability and use. Gathering the "wrong data" or misunderstanding data requests, sources, and desired products, is time consuming and expensive.  Targeting gathering, fusing and delivery of classes of data is a shortfall that exists today for all.  There is strong US and International commecial interest in a training capability like the one to be developed in this effort.

 

KEYWORDS: Affordability, Criterion development, Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Knowledge assessment, Performance measurement, Readiness evaluation, Team effectiveness, Workgroup effectiveness.

 

 

AF06-026               TITLE: Linguist’s Ambiguity Tutor and Rehearsal System (LATARS)

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Human Systems

 

STATEMENT OF INTENT: This topic holds the greatest potential for meeting the technical needs of our warfighters supported by PEOs and Centers.

 

OBJECTIVE: Improve capability to rapidly produce linguist training material and demonstrate approaches to train linguist how to easily process ambiguities and slang in foreign languages.

 

DESCRIPTION: Military linguists are faced with a rapidly changing environment in today’s Global War on Terrorism (GWOT).  One challenge is the extreme diversity of the languages currently and potentially spoken by terrorists and their supporters.  Our current ability to deal with foreign languages rests on the availability of human translators or on automatic translation systems.  In order to be successful, linguists must correctly understand semantic meaning when presented with ambiguities, double meanings, and slang phrases.  The ability to correctly understand hidden semantic meaning in a slang or duplicative phrase has a critical mission impact.  There is an urgent need for an ambiguity tutor and rehearsal capability to train linguists to rapidly understand ambiguities, slang, and double meanings for a foreign language.  There is a need for source material to be processed and distributed as fast as possible to ensure linguists can quickly adapt to new contexts and changing strategies.  The ability to dynamically load new source material and then rapidly identify new ambiguities, new slang, and new double meaning phrases would be a transformational improvement in foreign language training.

 

PHASE I: Phase I will identify an approach, define an architecture, and demonstrate a prototype capability.

 

PHASE II: Phase II will develop a fully functional system capable of use and will result in a prototype capability for three languages other than English including at least one low-density language.  This phase will also fully develop a system with advanced features for data input, semantic processing, usable user interfaces, and improved performance.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: The application developed for the Department of Defense is equally applicable for use in training environments for federal agencies, commercial businesses, and academia.

 

REFERENCES: 1. The State of Foreign Language Capabilities in National Security and the Federal Government:

   Hearings before the International Security, Proliferation, and Federal Services Subcommittee of

the Committee on Government Affairs, United States Senate (2000, Sept. 14 & 19).

[Transcript].  Retrieved from http://www.access.gpo.gov/congress/senate/senate12sh106.html

 

2. National Briefing on Language and National Security (2002, January 16) Washington, DC:     

    National Press Club of Washington, DC.  Retrieved form http://www.ndu.edu/nsep/January16_Briefing.htm

 

3. Landauer, T. K., Foltz, P. W., Laham, D. (1998). “An introduction to Latent Semantic Analysis.” Discourse Processes 25(2&3): 259-284.Dumais, S. T. (1994).  Retrieved from http://lsa.colorado.edu/papers/dp1.LSAintro.pdf

 

4. Nirenburg, S., and K. Goodman. (1990). Treatment of meaning in MT systems. In Nirenburg, S., H. Somers and Y. Wilks (eds) Readings in Machine Translation, Cambridge, MA, 2003: MIT Press.

 

KEYWORDS: Linguists, Language, Training, Rehearsal, Semantic Analysis

 

 

AF06-027               TITLE: Gaming and Training Environment for Counter Space Operations

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Space Platforms, Human Systems

 

STATEMENT OF INTENT: This topic holds the greatest potential for meeting the technical needs of our warfighters supported by PEOs and Centers.

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop and demonstrate a game-based approach to training, rehearsal and exercise for offensive and defensive counterspace (OCS/DCS) operations.

 

DESCRIPTION: Recently there has been a growing recognition of the potential role that interactive games may have as environments for training and rehearsal for military personnel.  The growth of the military’s interest in gaming is exemplified by the Defense Advanced Research Project Administration (DARPA) DARWARS initiative and the US Army’s collaboration with the University of California Institute for Creative Technology. Games, however, are not typically designed with either a research or training focus.  This effort will explore the potential for applying gaming technology to the training of counter space tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). At the present time the USAF Space community in particular and the US space community in genral does not have a capability to examine alternative TTPs for offensive and defensive counter space (OCS/DCS)operations in a realistic environment.  OCS/DCS is conceptualized as four key tasks: detect, identify, track, and disrupt activities from space vehicles. This effort will explore the training utility of developing a gaming environment where these tasks can be trained and rehearsed in a realistic set of scenarios and simulations. The environment will need to have object models to simulate interactions between satellites and ground stations, model track data, display raw sensor data, and have the capability for multiple players to participate and to provide command and control and other tactical and operational information and interaction to the game.  By using a gaming approach, access to any classfied data would be eliminated, but the training that is provided could be conceptually valid and of sufficient fidelity to support the key OCS/DCS tasks.  In addition, this effort could permit a number of other, more research- and training-centric issues, to be examined in detail as they relate to gaming environments and to future commercial applications. First, develop specific model representations (objects) for the people, places, and things associated with OCS/DCS tasks; Second, identify and validate training strategies and scenarios that support the development and refresher of skills associated with OCS/DCS performance in the environment.  Specifically, what are characteristics of strategies and scenarios embedded in the game that support development and refresh of critical knowledge and skills; Third, develop specifications for performance measures and protocols for assessing proficiency and decay for the gaming environment; Fourth, what are some preliminary guidelines for refresher training intervals for different "classes" of OCS/DCS skill.  Fourth, examine team-level assessments and the mechanisms for gathering these in a multiplayer gaming environment.  One interesting area here would be the extent to which "multiplayer" could include connecting the gaming environment with a distributed mission training environment; Finally, demonstrate real-time scenario authoring and skills tracking that can be integrated into other gaming/training environments. 

 

PHASE I: Develop specifications for using gaming approaches to train, rehearse, and exercise OCS/DCS type operations.

 

PHASE II: Demonstrate a game-based approach to training, rehearsal and exercise for OCS/DCS operations.  Develop and validate authoring methods, event management, tools and trainee performance tracking capabilities inside the gaming environment. Explore connectivity feasibility among the gaming environment and a distributed mission training simulation environment. Conduct a field evaluation of the gaming environment with operational space personnel.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: The areas to be examined in this effort will have a prodfound impact on gaming and training activities in the future.  Several of the activities in this effort represent true "firsts" for a game and increase the potential future implementation of games as training environments with military/civilian applications. The key tasks for OCS/DCS operations (e.g., detect, identify, track, and disrupt) are general enough to be applicable to a variety of commercial training requrirements where gaming is also a plausible environment choice.  The key components of the gaming environment developed in this effort would have application in homeland security, first responder rehearsal, and police force training and rehearsal.

 

KEYWORDS: Training, simulation, countermeasures, satellites, ground stations

 

 

AF06-029               TITLE: Untethered Datalinks for Use in Simulation Environments

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Electronics, Human Systems

 

OBJECTIVE:  Development of a means of wirelessly conveying high-bandwidth data simultaneously to and from multiple participants on an individual basis in immersive simulations.

 

DESCRIPTION:   In immersive simulation environments, information is presented to participants in a number of different ways, the primary stimuli being visual and auditory but other possible stimuli including tactile and even olfactory cues.  Such information in its various possible forms is presented to simulation participants via various transducers, be they graphics or image display systems, speakers or headphones, vibration platforms or artificial G-seats, or scent aerosol dispensers.  Some transducers, such as headphones, binoculars, helmet-mounted displays, radios, or simulated night vision goggles, may be individually worn or employed.  All such transducers require an electrical signal of some sort to drive or actuate them.  In current simulation environments involving participants that perform and move around independently of vehicles (e.g., soldiers operating on the ground), the participants typically receive stimuli from transducers built into the simulator environment in which they are operating.  In future actual combat environments, individuals will function as discrete nodes or entities in a large network, each receiving and transmitting information via wireless data links.  In immersive simulation environments a high-fidelity simulation of the same data communication capabilities will be required for training realism sake.  In actual vehicle-independent combat environments, individuals will not be tethered via cables to any fixed point.  In immersive simulations, participants transmitting and receiving information similarly should not be tethered via any cables that would limit or restrict their movements, nor should the devices they use be tethered in a manner not duplicative of the devices they use in the real world.  Some large vehicle-based simulator designs are not conducive to users being tethered by cables, as the users may need to get up and move around inside the vehicle during training exercises.

 

Due to unavoidable physical limitations of some simulation environments, some stimuli may necessarily need to be presented to participants via individually-worn transducers (as previously defined) which would not be present in an actual combat environment.  For realism sake the fidelity of visual and auditory stimuli must be very high, and for visual stimuli in particular this corresponds to high resolution, wide field of view, and a correspondingly high bandwidth. 

 

The Air Force is seeking means of wirelessly conveying high-bandwidth data simultaneously to and from multiple participants on an individual basis in immersive simulations.  Such means of data transfer must have sufficient bandwidth to support full-color, wide field-of-view, high resolution (2000 x 2000 pixel minimum) dynamic imagery at a 60 Hz update rate for individual helmet-mounted displays.  Such means of data transfer must support individually different security levels, must support high-fidelity auditory communications, and must provide means of triggering other discrete sensory cues for each participant.  For the participant(s) in a simulation equipped with the necessary measuring equipment, such means of data transfer also must support external real-time monitoring of biometric or physiological parameters (e.g., respiration, pulse, skin conductivity, eye tracking data, etc.) for each individual.

 

PHASE I:  Identify and document effects of high fidelity stimuli on data bandwidth requirements. Define and document technical options, design a tetherless datalink concept capable of meeting all requirements in “Description” for multiple individual participants in various immersive simulation environments.

 

PHASE II:  Prototype the proposed Phase I design concept, and demonstrate it using GFE simulated binocular NVG, supporting two individuals simultaneously.  Durability and operating duration are considerations.  Also demonstrate system maximum transmitting and receiving bandwidth capability.  Submit a complete technical report documenting all work under the effort.

 

DUAL USE (MILITARY AND COMMERCIAL) APPLICATIONS:  Military:  Any training simulation system requiring realistic untethered high-resolution data transfer to/from dismounted trainee participants.  Examples: USAF JTACT Simulator; US Army Dismounted Soldier Simulator.  Commercial:  Entertainment industry, also education, training or maintenance applications which would benefit from continuous roaming access to high-resolution reference materials.

 

RELATED REFERENCES:

 

1. Kraemer, W. & Pray, R. (July, 2000).  Remote Wireless High Resolution Display Systems. Presented at IMAGE 2000, Scottsdale, AZ.

 

2. Lewandowski, R.J., Haworth, L.A., Giralamo, H.J., Editors (2001).  Helmet-and Head-Mounted Displays VI.  Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 4361.

 

3. Tulis, R.W., Hopper, D.G., Morton, D.C., & Shashidhar, R.N. (2001). Cockpit Displays VIII: Displays for Defense Applications.  Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 4362, pp. 1-25.

 

KEYWORDS: Simulator,  Immersive,  Datalink,  Cable,  Tether,  Wireless,  Bandwidth,  Multiplexing,  Security,  Encryption,  Decryption,  High resolution,  High fidelity,  Sensory cues,  Stimuli,  Helmet-mounted display,  Night vision goggle,  Visual display,  Auditory

 

 

AF06-030               TITLE: Knowledge Assessment System for Evaluating Performance in Dynamic   Environments

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Human Systems

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop interactive knowledge assessment tool that provides realistic vignette examples and assesses pre- /post- performance in Distributed Mission Operations (DMO).

 

DESCRIPTION: This effort will develop an automated, psychometrically sound, vignette-based tool which will assess pre- and post- performance of individuals in a dynamic environment. Efforts will focus on tailoring the tool to diagnose knowledge and skills, identify gaps, and outline training areas which can be addressed in a Distributed Mission Operations (DMO) environment. Currently most assessment methods for DMO events involve subjective pen-and-paper critiques of observed performance and do not allow the players to receive immediate feedback in the fast-paced, complex, critical decision making environment. It is difficult to asses how well an individual or group of individuals is performing in real time, subjective assessment. This tool will provide psychometrically valid assessment of an individual’s performance based on their responses before and after participating in a DMO event.  It will also assess knowledge and measure mission effectiveness and performance in military training and rehearsal environments.  Air Weapons Controllers operate in a fast-paced, quick thinking decision-making environment and it is critical that they perform to the highest level at all times. Training challenges faced by Air Weapons Controllers include reduced flexibility of mission training needs and little opportunity for repetition of specific mission elements. Controllers need realistic continuation training that centers on job specific critical skills. Currently, it is difficult to cater training missions to their needs as they play a supporting role in training missions with pilots. This interactive tool will initially focus on the Air Weapons Controller community due to the complexity of their environment and their relation to air combat, however, this tool will have the capability to generalize to other air combat areas. This vignette-based assessment tool will supplement training by providing controllers targeted mission element examples that cover a broad scope of mission types, scenario variances, and best practices. Due to the critical role communication plays within the Air Weapons Controller community, this tool will also allow for audio assessment and feedback. The tool will provide repetition of mission elements critical to maximizing their performance capability both in theater and in simulated operations. The developed solution will leverage innovative training strategies to demonstrate quantified improvement in performance on critical skills in the DMO environment.

 

PHASE I: Provide proof-of-concept vignette-based technology for assessing pre- and post- performance of individuals within a DMO environment.

 

PHASE II: Fully develop, apply, test, refine, and validate the knowledge assessment system of pre- and post- performance of individuals training within a distributed manner which includes an interface able to adjust to changing mission requirements and a scoring function to measure increases in performance after structured training interventions.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: This effort will produce a cost-effective capability to evaluate pre- and post- performance within a dynamic environment.  This system will have wide application within the command and control arena and will be extensible to combat environments throughout the military services. Commercialization of the toolset may include other domains that require fast-paced, quick thinking, accurate decision-making as well as repetition and flexibility in training protocols (air traffic control, emergency personnel)

 

REFERENCES: 1. Bennett, Winston R., Jr.; Arthur, Winford, Jr .(2001). Factors that Influence the Effectiveness of Training in Organizations: A Review and Meta-Analysis. Final rept. Sep 1993-Dec 1995, 1123 TASKNUMBER: A2 AFRL-HE-AZ, XC

 

2. Fahey, R. P.; Rowe, A. L.; Dunlap, K. L. (2001). Synthetic Task Design: Cognitive Task Analysis of AWACS Weapons Director Teams. Final rept Jan 97-Dec 99. TR-2000-0159, AFRL-HE-AZ. AD A398609

 

KEYWORDS: Distributed Mission Operations, Training Effectiveness Evaluation, Weapons Controllers, simulation performance measurement, effective communication, performance assessment

 

 

AF06-031               TITLE: Intelligent Information Decluttering for UAV Displays

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop and demonstrate intelligent information decluttering software that enhances UAV operator decision making by reducing distractions and improving situation awareness. 

 

DESCRIPTION: Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) are at the forefront of current battles and future thinking (OSD UAV Roadmap, 2002).  Several projects are underway to increase the level of autonomy for future unmanned systems, so as to increase the number of UAVs that one crew (or one operator) can simultaneously control.  Besides supervising multiple UAVs, operators will be challenged to maintain situation awareness as the availability of real-time net centric information updates drastically increase, cluttering displays even more.  Information overloaded displays can have several deleterious effects:  1) important information may be obscured, 2) irrelevant information may receive undue attention, 3) decisions may be delayed, 4) decision accuracy may be compromised, and 5) cognitive workload may escalate needlessly.  Current declutter mechanisms are limited and only offer discrete predetermined solutions, based on simplistic classification rules.  With the increasing levels of data available, it is vital that the control station intelligently highlight critical and timely information to maximize UAV operator situation assessment and decision making.  Intelligent information decluttering should also help UAV operators manage their attention and concentrate on the most critical and/or threatening information.  The key challenge is determining which information elements should be decluttered, based on the task at hand.  With decision-aiding knowledge-based tools and advances in modeling/neural networks, innovative solutions for automatically tailoring information presentation in response to real-time algorithmic mission assessments are now plausible.  However, the extreme complexity of situation and threat evaluations within the "fog of war" precludes the development of a single, foolproof decluttering algorithm.  Therefore, the development of several ‘heuristic’ automation declutter algorithms, even though imperfect, may be more desirable to guide the operator’s attention.  With the goal of being a “decision-support tool” this decluttering approach should guide the operator’s attention to what the automation thinks “matters most” via decluttering/symbology highlighting, while also allowing the operator to verify the algorithms’ accuracy.  This will help ensure operators still have all the needed information to serve as the final authority in judging the appropriateness of decisions/actions made by the automation system and assessing their impact on overall mission objectives.  Additional challenges in developing this intelligent information decluttering model/simulation software is ensuring that it enhances overall situation awareness while it simultaneously reduces distractions and ensures that the intelligent information decluttering is sophisticated, following operationally relevant criteria.  The decluttering must take into account real-time task assessment and prioritization of threats/information as well as information reliability and capabilities of the automation system.  This is especially critical in light of operators’ entirely new supervisory tasking, driven by the capability of future UAVs ‘to decide’ autonomously.  The goal of this SBIR is to provide a real-time decision-aiding knowledge based information management system, based upon the development and validation of several heuristic automation declutter algorithms, which will reduce UAV operator workload and improve situation awareness, threat response time, and overall UAV mission effectiveness.

 

PHASE I: For a representative net-centric control UAV application and mission, develop a real-time decision-aiding visualization software prototype that enables intelligent information decluttering and attention management.

 

PHASE II: Perform spiral design/evaluation/refinement iterations on the intelligent decluttering model/simulation.  Expand technology to multiple UAV applications and several realistic network centric enabled information sources.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: This effort directly supports the goals of the UAV program.  The intelligent information decluttering technology will also be generalizable to unmanned ground and sea systems as well as numerous civilian supervisory work domains.

 

REFERENCES: 1.  OSD UAV Roadmap 2002-2027.  Office of the Secretary of Defense (Acquisition Technology, & Logistics), Air Warfare. December 2002.

 

2.  Yeh, M. & Wickens, C.D. (2001).  Attentional filtering in the design of electronic map displays: A comparison of color coding, intensity coding, and decluttering techniques.  Human Factors, 43, 543-562.

 

3.  St. John, M., Manes, D.I., Smallman, H.S., Feher, B.A., and Morrison, J.G. (2004).  Heuristic automation for decluttering tactical displays.  In Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 48th Annual Meeting (pp. 416-420), Santa Monica, CA: Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.

 

4.  Winter, H., Champigneux, G., Reising, J., and Strohal, M. (1997).  Intelligent decision aids for human operators.  Paper presented at the AGARD Symposium on “Future Aerospace Technology in the Service of the Alliance”. AGARD-CP-600 Vol. 2.  Available at http://www.hec.afrl.af.mil/.

 

KEYWORDS: unmanned systems, UAV, clutter, display, neural network, human factors, automation, situation awareness

 

 

AF06-033               TITLE: Instrumented Anthropomorphic Prototype for Non-Lethal Weapons Effects

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Chemical/Bio Defense, Biomedical, Electronics, Human Systems, Weapons

 

OBJECTIVE: Investigate Physiological Effects of Non-Lethal Weapons

 

DESCRIPTION: The current proliferation of non-lethal weapons (NLWs) is occurring despite a vacuum of data on their human physiological effects. Literature review and animal testing supplies data of limited fidelity on these human effects. Data based upon human testing is extremely difficult and rare due to ethical concerns, and when they do exist, such data are based upon experimental manipulations of low intensity and may not generalize well to operational intensities. Thus, there is a need for a human surrogate more accurate than animal models. Suggested here is an anthropomorphic test dummy prototype that is instrumented to collect data on the quality, intensity, and duration of human sensory performance as a function of the physical output of a variety of NLWs. However, neither the current state of physiological modeling nor sensory instrumentation for recording sensory responses are sufficiently advanced to provide this capability. Basic research and development are required in sensors, material technology, and most importantly, in functional modeling of human sensory capacities. The sensory mechanisms most relevant to the mediation of NLW effects must be identified and quantified in a manner that can be approximated with sensors. It is unknown whether commercial off the shelf (COTS) sensors will suffice for full instrumentation, thus custom materials and sensor development may be necessary to model certain human sensory capacities. Ultimately, such a prototype will pave the way for rapid and safe collection of high fidelity human physiological effects data as a function of existing and prototype NLWs, as well as provide design guidance on probability of effectiveness and risk for future NLWs. At a minimum, such a prototype will be instrumented to collect data regarding visual and auditory sensation, and blast overpressure effects to the lungs, central nervous system, and other major organs, with expanded capabilities to include toxicological effects of riot control agents (RCA), and dermal and optical effects of directed energy.

 

PHASE I: Review and quantify sensory mechanisms most relevant to the mediation of NLW effects. Design a promising prototype based upon test comparisons between COTS and/or experimental sensor characteristics and sensory mechanisms most relevant to the mediation of NLW effects.

 

PHASE II: Build the prototype and validate its capabilities against human effects data gathered through computer models, animal models, and extant human experimentation.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: This test bed will measure human effects of NLWs for both the DoD and CONUS law enforcement agencies.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Unconventional Weapons Response Handbook, Jane’s Information Group, ISBN: 0-7106-2519-7

http://catalog.janes.com/catalog/public/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.ProductInfoBrief&product_id=73198

 

2. Non-Lethal Weapons: Terms and Reference, Institute for National Security Studies

http://www.thememoryhole.org/mil/nl-weapons_terms/

 

3. Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Program Site, US Marine Corps, MCB Quantico

https://www.jnlwd.usmc.mil/default.asp

 

KEYWORDS: Non-lethal weapons, human effects, physiological effects, anthropomorphic modeling, human sensation, sensors

 

 

AF06-034               TITLE: 3D Image Conversion to Editable Voxelized Anatomical Model

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Biomedical, Human Systems

 

OBJECTIVE:  Develop software to generate and edit a voxelized 3-dimensional anatomical models. 

 

DESCRIPTION:  Voxelized anatomical models are widely used to simulate exposure of biological systems to directed energy.  Most 2D and 3D models are only concerned with surface generation.  The research community is concerned with the complete volume and retaining the integrity of the internal structures within the voxelized model.  Developing the models currently is a completely manual process of converting MRI data into voxelized models.  The manual editing is done one slice at a time in two dimensions which makes maintaining continuity in the third dimension difficult.  The goal of this project would be to create an automatic method of converting medical scanning data into a voxelized model including an editor to over come the stated difficulties.  An open source development model is preferred.  Convert a 2-dimensional image dataset such as the Visible Man (National Library of Medicine) or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) dataset to a 3-dimensional voxelized anatomical model.  The voxelized model will have automatic segmentation of tissue types that represents each tissue type by a color during visualization and as bytes in an output file.  Develop an interface that allows accurate dual visualization of both the original image data and the voxelized model for comparison of tissue type choices.  Provide the ability to edit the 3-dimensional voxelized model tissue types by moving a boundary line.  Final editing will permit changes to individual voxel color/byte assignment.  The user must be able to visualize each organ continuity and relationship between organs. 

 

PHASE I:  Conduct research to identify software requirements and then initiate the development of software that will generate a voxelized anatomical model and complete automatic segmentation of tissue types.  Design layout and planned functionality of the interface for viewing and editing the voxelized model while comparing to the original 3D image.  An Open-Source business model would be preferred.  Software should be capable of operating on LINUX and Microsoft Windows operating systems.

 

PHASE II:  Conduct research to refine the 3-dimensional image conversion with automatic tissue segmentation and implement the 3-dimensional interface to edit the voxelized model.  Software should be operated using Graphical User Interfaces (GUI).

 

PHASE III DUAL-USE COMMERCIALIZATION:  The final product will be useful to government, industry, and academia.  The ability to obtain cost-effective anatomical 3-dimensional voxelized models of humans would be advantages to groups designing non-ionizing medical equipment or communication systems.  The voxelized models can be used in most human research that requires very detailed internal structures.  Understanding directed energy absorption is critical for equipment design and operation. Anatomical 3D voxelized models of animals could be used for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) efforts. 

 

REFERENCES: 

1.  National Library of Medicine, Visible Human Project

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/research/visible/visible_human.html

 

2.    P. A. Mason, W. D. Hurt, T. J. Walters, J. A. D’Andrea, P. Gajsek, K. L. Ryan, D. A. Nelson, K. I. Smith, and J. M. Ziriax, “Effects of Frequency, Permittivity, and Voxel Size on Predicted Specific Absorption Rate Values in Biological Tissue During Electromagnetic-Field Exposure,” IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, vol. 48, pp 2050-2058, 2000.

 

KEYWORDS: voxelized editor, voxelized models, anatomical models, editable 3D models, 3D image conversion, 3D model continuity

 

 

AF06-035               TITLE: Development of a Deployable Biomarker-Based Health Biomonitor (DBHM)

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Biomedical, Human Systems

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop a fieldable biomonitoring device, operable by nonmedical personnel, which allows biomarker detection in body fluids.

 

DESCRIPTION: The DBHM will incorporate innovative, versatile platform and capture elements to assay multiple biomarkers in a hand-held, field deployable device. Size and weight are important objectives: the DBHM will be small and lightweight (about the size of a PDA or less). Unlike currently available point of care units, the device and its capture/detection elements must be robust to withstand battlefield conditions, including temperature and humidity extremes. The biomonitor will sample microliter amounts of body fluids (blood, urine, saliva) in a noninvasive or minimally invasive manner and provide quantitative results for multiple biomarkers in near real time. In anticipation of the development of future militarily relevant biomarkers, the biomonitor must incorporate a multi-channel design to streamline uptake of new assays. Capture/detection elements should be designed with the ability to be reused a minimum of four times, with reagentless or near reagentless operation.  The device will include any mechanism required for sample collection and will not require external power sources. The emphasis in concept and design will be on the flexibility of the device to not only test multiple biomarkers, but multiple biomarker types (protein, DNA, RNA) in extreme conditions.

 

PHASE I: Develop the initial components and key elements capable of completing the objectives in both the analyzer (mechanics and software) and the sampling platform. The sample assay chamber must demonstrate the potential for multiple assay capabilities as demonstrated by the incorporation and simultaneous detection/quantitation of two independent biomarker assays.  Biomarker assays used in development in both Phase I and II may be selected by the performer and obtained by commercially available means and/or independently developed.

 

PHASE II: Based on Phase I design and concepts, advanced prototype development will progress to miniaturization of the computer analyzer to the objective size and weight. Software will be updated and refined.  Required Phase II deliverables will include a prototype with multi-analyte detection ability as demonstrated by the incorporation and simultaneous quantitation of four independent biomarker assays, to include biomarkers to both protein and DNA. Additionally, the device detection/quantitation element must demonstrate statistically insignificant variation on four different testings of the same sample using the same assay chamber from temperatures ranging from 10 degree to 48 degree C.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: As previously stated, the development of a deployable biomonitor will give the warfighter the capabilities to monitor health in ‘real time’ in the field, allowing for detection and intervention. Once such a health monitor platform is developed, its use is limited only by the identification and validation of biomarker assays by other sources, either DoD or commercial. The DBHM will be valued for application in Homeland security through rapid evaluation of health status in emergency situations requiring the rapid testing of large numbers of personnel by field staff. Additionally, with the development and incorporation of animal biomarkers to the early stages of exposure to such bioterrorist agents such as anthrax and hoof and mouth disease, this device could be used on site by veterinarians to quickly detect and contain an agriculture bioterrorism act. The civilian use DBHM may also contain additional internet connectivity abilities to allow assay data to be sent to a central location for further evaluation and data comparison/storage.

 

REFERENCES:

1. Eisenbrand, G., Pool-Zobel, B., Baker, V., Balls, M., Blaauboer, B.J., Boobis, A., Carere, A., Kevekordes, S., Lhuguenot, J.-C., Pieters, R., and Kleiner, J. 2002 Methods of in vitro toxicology. Food and Chemical Toxicology 40:193-236.

 

2. Timbrell, J.A. 1998 Biomarkers in toxicology. Toxicology 129:1-12 Review.

 

3. International Programme on Chemical Safety. 1993 Biomarkers and Risk Assessment: Concepts and Principles. Environmental Health Criteria 155, World Health Organization. Located at hhtp://www.inchem.org/documents/ehc/ehc/ehc155.htm

 

4. Csanady, G.H., Filser, J.G., Kreuzer, P., Schwarz, L., Wolff, T., and Werner, S. 1995 Biomarkers as tools in human health risk assessment. Clinical Chemistry Dec;41 (12 Pt 2): 1804-1808 Review.

 

5. Mutti, A. 1999 Biological monitoring in Occupational and environmental toxicology. Toxicology Letters 108:77-89.

 

KEYWORDS: biomonitor, biomarker, immunoassay, ELISA, POC, chemical agent testing, biological agent testing, low level dose, force protection, early intervention, health assessment

 

 

AF06-036               TITLE: Remote Personnel Assessment

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Biomedical, Human Systems

 

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research effort is to develop microwave/laser based technology to measure heartbeat, respiration and galvanic skin response in moving and non-cooperative subjects. It will also investigate methods to extend the standoff distance of the microwave/laser system to 35m. Furthermore, it will explore the possibility of using this system to detect and characterize personnel in severe urban clutter or in buildings (through walls) with a probability of detection threshold goal of 95%, with a 2% false positive rate.

 

DESCRIPTION: Recent research has supported the belief that active combatants will in general have heart, respiratory and galvanic skin responses that are outside the norm with respect to rate and rate variability. Therefore being able to perform real time physiological monitoring from a distance using a microwave/laser based system may provide for early detection and identification of terrorists, suicide bombers, and other personnel posing a threat. Such a device would also be useful for detection of subterfuge or deception during prisoner interrogation, and remote detection and targeting of life signs through obstructions and severe urban clutter.

 

PHASE I: Researchers will perform computational investigation/analysis of laser and RF based technologies for a single system to monitor/interrogate heart rate, respiration and galvanic skin response (GSR) in human subjects in a lab setting.  The effort will emphasize small sized (easily man portable) sensors with low power requirements.  This effort will trade laser against radiofrequency capabilities and define preferred system configuration. Technical challenges in this phase are expected to include: integration of laser/RF technologies, signal to noise optimization and statistical interpretation. Preliminary designs will be provided.

 

PHASE II: Researchers will investigate methods to extend the range of the system to 35 m with a probability of detection threshold goal of 95% and false positive rate of 2%. Researchers will also investigate methods to detect and characterize personnel in severe urban clutter and through external and interior building walls.  During this phase the researchers will provide a detailed prototype design and will complete fabrication and testing of a prototype. Technical challenges in this phase are expected to include process optimization.

 

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS:  This device would be useful for military applications such as (1) Counter-terrorism: Remote/non-intrusive monitoring of the physisiological functions of adversaries that may predict hostile behavior and give advance warning of hostile acts. (2) Force protection: Remote/non-intrusive detection of human life forms in concealed/battle damaged areas. (3) Intelligence: Remote/concealed “lie detector” analysis of individuals. The device would also have multiple commercial applications such as emergency patient monitoring, prisoner suicide prevention, disaster recovery operations, medical image processing, airport surveillance, etc.

 

REFERENCES: 1 Storm, Hanne, “Development of emotional sweating in preterms measured by skin conductance changes”, Department of Paediatric Research and Section on Neonatology, Department of Paediatrics, the National Hospital, 0027 Oslo, Norway, 29 January 2001.

 

2 Matthews, Gregory, et. al., “A Non-Contact Vital Signs Monitor”, Critical Reviews in Biomedical Engineering, 28 (1&2); 173-178 (2000)

 

KEYWORDS: Physiological Monitoring, Behavioral Monitoring, Physiological Sensors, Remote Detection, Doppler Shift.

 

 

AF06-037               TITLE: Quantitative Assessment of Influence Operations

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Human Systems

 

OBJECTIVE: Establish approaches to quantitatively predict the results of influence operations on military outcomes using existing market research statistical models.

 

DESCRIPTION: Influence operations as defined here are activities that consciously attempt to influence the mental state and behaviors of adversaries or potential adversaries. Specifically included in these activities are PSYOP, military deception, counterintelligence, and public affairs. Currently there are no universal processes to predict the results of influence operations. Being able to predict the results of influence operations would save countless lives and provide a great advantage to friendly forces. We seek novel exploitation of concepts, encouraging the use of modeling and simulation, to guide the development of an approach to quantitatively predict the results of influence operations using existing market research statistical models.

 

PHASE I: Identify and define how market research statistical models can interact in a positive manner with military operations. Design a mechanism for fitting statistical models to after action reports, as a function of influence operations.

 

PHASE II: Using the results from Phase I modeling, design, demonstrate and validate a prototype quantitative or semi-quantitative influence operations predictive capability that is analogous to market research as it is practiced today.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: Being able to predict how an adversary would react to influence operations would bring about a decrease in casualties and material loss. Commercial application: Findings of this effort would be of great interest to current market researchers in explaining and predicting outcomes as it relates to target product or service.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Richard A. Albanese, 1986, “Can High –Tech Subordinate Numerical Superiority?” USAFSAM-TR-86-11.

 

2. Conolly, B.W. and D.M. Roberts, 1992, “An Extension of the Lanchester Square Law to Inhomogeneous Forces with an Application to Force Allocation Methodology”, Journal of Operational Research Society, 43:741-52

 

KEYWORDS: Modeling and Simulation, Influence Operations, Market Research, Operations Research, Discrete Task Event Analysis Tools, Hybrid Models, Mathematical Economics and Econometrics, Model-data Fitting, Learning Theory

 

 

AF06-038               TITLE: Innovative Tools for Information to Decisions in Biosciences

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Biomedical, Human Systems

 

OBJECTIVE: Create and demonstrate an innovative automated intelligent tool set for managing, analyzing, and producing new knowledge, based on large bioscience-based research data sets.

 

DESCRIPTION: Developments in computer science, sensors, electronics, biomechanics, biotechnology, nanotechnology, cell-like entities, anthropometry, medical imaging, visualization, biochemistry, automated laboratory analysis, digital human modeling, the internet and other research areas have made it possible for ever-increasing amounts of data to be collected.  Some of these data are analyzed, published, and readily available worldwide.  This rapidly growing body of information is not organized in ways that would allow a quick response to “What If” questions, nor are the disparate pieces of information linked in a way to foster leaps in understanding.  An example of an accessible database that could benefit from the application of intelligent tools to convert information to knowledge and decisions can be viewed at:  www.biodyn.wpafb.af.mil.  Similar data sets exist in the areas of altitude physiology, anthropometry, acceleration physiology, and human performance.  Areas of immediate application include: biotechnology, bioinformatics, protection science, biomechanics, anthropometry, nanotechnology, remote identification and state assessment of humans, and digital human modeling. 

 

PHASE I: Research & define innovative tools to automate & facilitate the intellectual process of transforming information from the literature and from experimental data sets to knowledge, understanding, and decisions.  Perform an initial feasibility demonstration of the intelligent tool concept

 

PHASE II: Finalize and demonstrate the tool set from Phase I.  Phase II will be the continuation of the development of the tools proposed from Phase I. This information system will be validated by demonstrating how a research question can be answered through use of these intelligent tools for a practical application. 

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: The tool set developed and demonstrated in Phase II would be widely applicable in the Human Effectiveness Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory.  These tools would find wide application in government, academic, and industrial laboratories where researchers face the need to process increasing amounts of information and quickly make decisions based upon that information.  With these tools it would be possible to organize and analyze the information from many different fields in order to make significant leaps in understanding.

 

REFERENCES: 1. AFRL/HEPA Biodynamics Databank - www.biodyn.wpafb.af.mil

 

2. Lincoln Stein, "What’s Next for Bioinformatics?” The Scientist/Technology, May 23, 2005, pp 31-32

 

3. Lotfi B. Merabet, Joseph F. Rizzo, Amir Amedi, David C. Somers, and Alvaro Pascual-Leone, What blindness can tell us about seeing again: merging neuroplasticity and neuroprostheses, Nature Reviews/Neuroscience, Vol. 6 January 2005, pp 71-77.

 

4. Martin Lauritzen,"Reading vascular changes in the brain imaging: is dendritic calcium the key?" Nature Reviews/Neuroscience Vol. 6 January 2005, pp 77 - 85

 

KEYWORDS: intelligent software tools, database, computer science, sensors, biomechanics, biotechnology, nanotechnology, cell-like entities, anthropometry, medical imaging, data visualization, automated laboratory analysis, digital human modeling, the internet, bioinformatics

 

 

AF06-039               TITLE: Desalinator for One-Man Survival Kit

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Biomedical, Human Systems

 

STATEMENT OF INTENT: This topic holds the greatest potential for meeting the technical needs of our warfighters supported by PEOs and Centers.

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop a lightweight, compact, rugged and reliable system that can filter salt water into safe drinkable water.

 

DESCRIPTION: Aircrew members ejecting over salt water carry limited drinking water reducing the time they can survive pending rescue operations. Current procedures/equipment for supplying aircrew members with drinking water following an ejection over salt water are not adequate. Available water includes water in soft packets and cans which are placed in the ACES II ejection seat survival kit and aircrew survival vest.  While desalinators are available to produce drinkable water, there is no desalinator suitable for storage in the ACES II survival kit.  The current desalinator (RMOD-06) used by the USAF is hand-pump operated and used on multi-man survival kits. The product water to effort ratio of the current desalinator is very small, producing only 1 cup of drinking water for 16 minutes of continuous effort or nearly 1000 hand pumps from the operator. The current desalinator can be made inoperable by biological or chemical degradation, fouling and scaling, or by supply water bypass, which are common problems with current technology.  For this effort, the contractor shall research technologies that can be applied to a new desalinator to reduce size and weight, and increase reliability and product to effort ratio.  A desalinator one-third the size and weight of the RMOD-06 is desired for storage in the ACES II survival kit or survival vest pocket.  The weight and volume of the current device is 2.5 lbs and 100 in3 (5in x 8in x 2.5in). A novel method will also be investigated to minimize or eliminate aircrew physical activity/exertion, while increasing product output. The contractor shall also investigate methods to introduce electrolytes into the water to reduce the potential for hyponatremia or water intoxication caused by electrolyte loss. Objective for water production is 2 gallons per day with a salt rejection of 98.4% average (95.3% min.).

 

PHASE I: Identify/develop technologies which can be integrated into a desalinator suitable for aircrew use in the ACES II survival kit or survival vest.  Perform requirements identification, analysis, program risk assessments and trade studies for recommended solution(s) to address size, weight, water production, reliability, salt rejection and electrolyte addition. At the end of Phase I, provide prototype(s) or demonstrate technologies which could be applied to a desalinator system.

 

PHASE II: Continue to develop/refine the Phase I system. Finalize system requirements and verification methodology. Prepare test plan and perform laboratory tests to ensure components and system are biological and chemical resistant, fouling and scaling resistant, temperature shock resistant, and pressure shock resistant.  Assemble prototype systems for integration and compatibility assessments with AF equipment, survival vests/kits.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: This technology could provide affordable drinking water conversion from brackish or sea water sources. This technology has broad commercial applications for emergency equipment for fisherman, particularly the commercial fishing industry, cruise vessels, boating, etc.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Multi-Command Operational Requirement Document CAF-MAF-AETC 319-93-I-A "Aircrew Protection and Life Support/Escape Systems" dated Jun 99

 

KEYWORDS: desalinination, desalinator, portable, sea water, salt water

 

 

AF06-040               TITLE: Distributed Methods for Assessing the Readiness of Coalition Workgroups, and Teams

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Human Systems

 

STATEMENT OF INTENT: This topic holds the greatest potential for meeting the technical needs of our warfighters supported by PEOs and Centers.

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop collaborative real-time performance assessment methods for evaluating the impact of training, rehearsal, and human factors engineering interventions.

 

DESCRIPTION: Challenges with distributed team performance assessment have been demonstrated recently during a multi-national coalition high-fidelity simulation training event. Current assessment methods of such events rely on subjective pen-and-paper critiques and reviews of after-action reports which are labor intensive, time sensitive and ineffective for assessing workgroup and team performance. There is a need to develop comprehensive, psychometrically valid assessment tools for not only individuals, but workgroups and teams who interact within a dynamic environment. Team members will often respond to specific situations in different ways depending on their position and role. In previous, non-collaborative assessments, each member’s response could not be evaluated within the context of the aggregate performance of the team. This effort will conduct research to develop distributed, collaborative methods and criteria to systematically assess the performance and readiness of individuals, and individuals as participants in workgroups, and teams. This will include conducting studies to develop real-time distributed performance assessment methods and criteria for use in evaluating the impact of a variety of training, and design interventions on individual, workgroup and team performance and effectiveness. The resulting technology and criterion measures may employ text-, digital video-, animation-, and/or simulation-based situations for performance assessment. Using this developed technology, all members of the team can respond as individuals and can observe the responses of all other members. Some members may actually respond differently based on the given responses of other members. Also, the criterion performance measures will be situationally-based assessments from which actual test scores would be obtained. This same performance assessment approach can also be used by dispersed members of a workgroup who must share information about a situation and arrive at a group response or decision. A distributed, collaborative approach for performance assessment not only provides critical information about how all members would perform in the given situation, but the data on their responses can be used to identify innovative solutions, misconceptions about the appropriate solution, and incorrect information that could be addressed in future collaboration or in follow-on education and training programs. Similarly, workgroups and teams can be identified, assembled, and assessed more readily if relevant, objective performance measures are developed and used. Also, exemplary criterion measures and data collection methods will be developed for four domains. Two of the domains will be related to Joint or Coalition military workgroup and team performance and two will be related to non-military domains such as regional sales teams or product development teams.

 

PHASE I: Provide proof-of-concept technology for evaluating and modeling learning and for conducting real-time performance assessments in a distributed, collaborative environment.

 

PHASE II: Fully develop, apply, test, refine, and validate the distributed, collaborative learning modeling and real-time performance assessment technology and develop tools to permit criterion measures to assess workgroup and team performance and readiness.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: This effort will produce a cost-effective capability to evaluate individuals and teams. The results from this effort are of considerable interest to the Private Sector as a means of gathering team productivity and performance assessments from dispersed workgroups for use in identifying areas of high performance, areas of potential problems, and additional education, training, or management requirements. Phase III Dual use potential is significant as no assessment capability such as the one described herein exists. The benefits from such a capability to Government and Private Sector agencies could help organizations save considerable time and expenditures by targeting measurement to address specific areas of performance and productivity.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Fowlkes, J. E., Lane, N. E., Salas, E., Franz, T., & Oser, R. (1994). Improving the measurement of team performance: The TARGETS methodology. Military Psychology, 6, 47-63.

 

2. Guzzo, R. A., & Salas, E. (1995). Team effectiveness and decisionmaking in organizations. San Francisco: Jossey Bass.

 

3. Salas, E., Bowers, C. A., & Cannon-Bowers, J. A. (1995). Team processes, training, and performance. Military Psychology, 7, 53-139.

 

4. Tannenbaum, S. I., Beard, R., L., & Salas, E. (1992). Team building and its influence on team effectiveness: An examination of conceptual and empirical developments. In K. Kelly (Ed.), Issues, theory, and research in industrial/organizational psychology (pp. 117-153). Amsterdam: Elsevier.

 

KEYWORDS: Coalition training,Collaborative learning,Distributed simulation, Joint training and rehearsal,Performance measurement, Program evaluation,Readiness evaluation,Individual and team effectiveness

 

 

AF06-043               TITLE: Developing Crew Resource Management (CRM) Skills for Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) Teams

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Human Systems

 

OBJECTIVE: The objective for this effort is to identify CRM skills required by AOC crews, develop training interventions to improve these skills and evaluate the impacts on AOC crew performance.

 

DESCRIPTION: Military and commercial flight crew training programs have invested considerable resources in Crew Resource Management (CRM) training, and general CRM concepts are currently being applied to a variety of other high risk environments such as medicine (Helmreich, 2000) and industrial settings such as off shore oil operations (O’Connor and Flin, 2003) and nuclear power plants and refineries (Helmreich, Wilhelm, Klinect, & Merritt, 2001).  Despite its widespread adoption as a training intervention, researchers have documented a lack of agreement on several fundamental issues, including which CRM skills are needed for effective mission performance, how CRM behaviors can be most productively trained, and even the effectiveness of CRM training (Salas, Rhodenizer, & Bowers, 2000).

 

For Air Force aviators, CRM skills are defined in terms of six core areas--situational awareness, crew coordination/flight integrity, communication, risk management/decision making, task management, and mission planning/debriefing (Air Force, 2001).  Statistically significant correlations between these CRM areas and mission performance were documented for both special operations and tactical airlift crews during annual simulator refresher training (Nullmeyer and Spiker, 2003; Nullmeyer, Spiker, Deen, and Wilson, 2003), and key CRM behaviors of the most effective crews were identified.  Consistent with trends identified from real world mishap reports, specific CRM shortfalls were associated with weak mission performance.  On the opposite end of the performance spectrum, a consistent set of exemplary CRM behaviors characterized the most effective crews. 

 

Helmreich (1999) documented a clear evolution of CRM training from seminars covering general interpersonal dynamics toward aviation-specific content that includes hands-on simulator scenarios.   Recent generations of CRM focus on error management (avoiding errors, identifying and correcting errors before they become consequential, and mitigating the consequences of errors that do occur).  With this focus comes a requirement for an accurate understanding of error in the community being trained.   Smith (2002) used the Air Force CRM taxonomy to analyze events leading to the 1994 Black Hawk fratricide and concluded that “CRM-type concepts were applicable.”  CRM-type errors were evident in this real-world incident, and CRM-type skills were evident in analyses of several CAOC Offensive Operations Team Time Critical Targeting processes.  Both suggest the need for effective CRM training. 

 

Smith’s detailed analyses of CRM behaviors in CAOC crews and lessons learned from aviation CRM training both suggest the need to identify the areas of greatest need upon which CRM instruction can be focused.  Smith found evidence that most, but not all elements of the Air Force taxonomy were relevant.  In addition, several CRM-like behaviors that are not specifically addressed in the Air Force taxonomy emerged as important elements.  Similarly, aviation CRM programs have clearly evolved from generic to audience-specific content (Helmreich, 1999).  Smith’s initial analyses are encouraging, but they are focused on one event that occurred a decade ago.  An early requirement is to determine those areas of greatest need based on a broader analysis of current CAOC performance. 

 

PHASE I: Review the scientific literature and interview AOC experts to identify crew performance areas that are particularly sensitive to CRM skills. Conduct cognitive task analyses to identify training objectives.   Develop a concept design for CRM training interventions to include training media.

 

PHASE II: Based on the Phase I concept design, produce a functional prototype CRM instructional package for AOC crews, including both courseware and media.  Test and evaluate the resulting instructional package to demonstrate impacts on the specific CRM skills identified in Phase I and on the overall performance of AOC crews.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Prepare detailed plans for implementing demonstrated team training capabilities for applications in the domains of homeland defense, law enforcement, medicine, business, or aviation industries.  Phase III proposals must include a detailed market survey and letters of interest / commitment from potential commercial partners for evaluation of Phase III consideration.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Helmreich RL, Merritt AC, Wilhelm JA. (1999). The evolution of crew resource management in commercial aviation. International Journal of Aviation Psychology; 9: 19-32.

 

2. Helmreich, R.L. (2000). On error management: lessons from aviation. British Medical Journal, 320: 781-785.

 

3. O’Connor, P. & Flin, R. (2003). Crew resource management for offshore oil production teams. Safety Science,  41: 111-129.

 

4. Salas, E., Rhodenizer, L. & Bowers, C.A. (2000). The design and delivery of crew resource management training: exploiting available resources.  Human Factors. 42 (3): 490-511.

 

5. Smith, D.D. (2002). An examination of the applicability of crew resource management training concepts to a combined air operations center team: An operational-level analysis of the USAF F-15C fratricide of two US Army Black Hawks in Operation Provide Comfort. Army Command and General Staff College, Ft Leavenworth KS. DTIC AD Number: ADA4066977.

 

KEYWORDS: crew coordination, situation awareness, decision making, communication, air and space operations center, distributed mission operations

 

 

AF06-044               TITLE: Immunity from Threat Based on Measured Injury Causation

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Biomedical, Human Systems

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop a new class of small sensors for routine wear by military, police & sports personnel that record the magnitude & duration of exposure to impact, electromagnetic radiation, blast waves & bullets. The particular focus should be on sensing energy from blast waves ( e.g from Improvised Explosives Devices ) and bullets that accelerate the helmeted head to dangerous levels causing traumatic brain injury.

 

DESCRIPTION: An increasingly important issue in force protection is the ability to quantify injury causation resulting from various weapons effects and to design appropriate protection strategies. Today’s weapons range from kinetic weapons, blast waves, thermal pulses, optical/electromagnetic beams and secondary sources such as shrapnel, and crash. What is not always known is the relationship between the local insult and the resulting injury. This is especially true of traumatic brain injury caused by blast waves from Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). In order to design effective protection systems knowledge of this cause and effect relationship is critical. What is envisioned are very small sensors that can be worn by all military personnel without encumbrance during all operations. These totally new sensors built using MEMS and or Nano technology would require no power or recorder but could be calibrated to permanently change in some way to capture a p record of the energy and direction of the blast or accleration of a helmet caused by a bullet. A small step in this direction has been taken by instrumenting race car drivers in the Indy Racing League and Champ cars with earplugs containing miniature accelerometers. More than sixty crashes have been documented thus far showing how the drivers’ heads accelerate during the impacts while the resulting injury in documented by the medical staff. Boxers at the Air Force Academy have also been instrumented with earplugs containing accelerometers. However, both these current systems require batteries and a recorder that raise cost and require the wearer to put them on and other wise take care of them. With the new sensors very comprehensive prospective epidemiological studies could be carried out in all military and police operations and in helmeted sports where the recorded insult could be correlated with the resulting injury documented by medical staff. The resulting data could then be used to optimize protection through changes in protective equipment and tactics.

 

PHASE I: Conduct research leading to the development of very small, inexpensive, unpowered sensors that physically capture the magnitude and total energy of acceleration events. Results must demonstrate that practical components are possible, and that such components would have wide application (hence low price).

 

PHASE II: Phase II would consist of developing, testing and validation of a prototype system of sensors for a helmet and demonstration of its use in a blast wave environment (provided by the government).

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Wearable monitoring sensors could be a highly marketable item to the military, police, sports and the automotive industries. In all areas it will provide critical information linking physical insult to resulting Traumatic Brain Injury. Design of new protection concepts requires such understanding. Groups that have already expressed interest include, National Rodeo Association, National Football League, Olympic Ski Team, Military and Civilian Fast Boats, Champion Aerobatic Pilots and FIA - Racing Go Karts and Rally Cars.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Knox, Ted, Validation of Earplug Accelerometers as a Means of Measuring Head Motion. SAE Paper 2004-01-3538, Proceedings of the SAE Motorsports Conference and Exhibition (P-392). Nov. 30 – Dec2, 2004, Dearborn, MI

 

KEYWORDS: force protection, warfighter, battlefield stressors, real injury criteria, epidemiology of injury, sanctuary, immunity from threat, wearable sensors, nanotechnology, MEMS, unpowerd sensors, traumatic brain injury

 

 

AF06-045               TITLE: Networked Electronic Warfare Training System (NEWTS)

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Human Systems

 

OBJECTIVE: To develop a synthetically Electronic Warfare threat training system for tactical aircraft flight training for the Next Generation Threat System & proven Imbedded Electronic Warfare System.

 

DESCRIPTION: The Imbedded Electronic Warfare System (IEWS) was a highly successful AFSOC project (02-028) designed by the Air Force Research Lab Warfighter Training Research Division to simulate threat parametric data in the AN/ALR-69 Radar Warning Receiver (RWR). IEWS was developed with commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) personal computers installed in a rack in the cargo area of aircraft  IWES interfaced with the AN/ALR 69 signal processor through the MIL-STD-1553 EW bus, creating an onboard simulation of the AN/ALR-69 with threat parametric data.  Aircraft airspeed, altitude, and position data were also fed into the simulator from the MIL-STD-1553 navigation bus, allowing the imbedded simulator to provide fully correlated threat parametric data to the AN/ALR-69 azimuth indicator and indicator control unit in the cockpit.  With IEWS, aircrews were provided a realistic simulated threat environment for training anywhere and anytime without the additional cost and need of an EW training range or dedicated air and ground threat assets.  Today’s small tactical aircraft do not have the physical space for an IEWS equivalent imbedded system.  Although such a system could be packaged in a pod that would be hung from a weapon station, doing so would require Seek Eagle testing for each platform type on which the system was used.  Additionally, funding for dedicated training systems on every small tactical aircraft cannot compete with funding for essential combat equipment.  The proposed NEWTS addresses these issues by utilizing existing EW and data link equipment on small tactical aircraft to pass the “hard-wired” commands utilized in the IEWS system over “wireless” channels between a common ground simulator and participating aircraft.  For initial validation of this concept, certain fighter aircraft are ideal because of their AN/ALR-69 RWR and Situational Awareness Data Link (SADL) capabilities.  Additionally, fighter aircraft possess the AN/ALQ-213 EW Management System with proven AN/ALR-69, MIL-STD-1553 bus, and data link interface capabilities.  After successful validation of this concept, the NEWTS could be extended to all small tactical aircraft with RWR and data link capabilities.  Essential air and ground EW threat training opportunities would no longer be limited to EW training ranges with expensive emitters or pod-required training systems.

 

PHASE I: Design a feasible technical solution to provide networked electronic warfare training via datalink.  Document inadequacies of current fighter EW training.  Propose system architectures able to transmit data, aircraft airspeed, altitude and position data over time, and process this data in NGTS.

 

PHASE II: Demonstrate generation of a threat symbol on an AN/ALR-69 RWR.  The threat symbol will correlate in azimuth and range to a fixed ground location relative to a flying fighter aircraft.  Airspeed, altitude and position data over time will be processed in NGTS to assess the maneuvering against the simulated threat.  Countermeasure actions will be identified for assessment.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: This effort will produce a cost-effective capability to maximize critical combat training opportunities.  It will fill an identified shortfall in realistic threat reaction training, especially for smaller dislocated operation units and ultimately improve combat effectiveness.  High fidelity EW scenarios and training could be executed at the unit level, without external contractor support or cumbersome aircraft mounted pod systems.  Contractors supporting Air Force DMO systems can integrate NEWTS into current and future aircraft.  Additionally, civilian organizations supporting Homeland Defense and Air Traffic Control can leverage networking applications developed for NEWTS for use in civilian training or live systems.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Gray, T.H., Edwards, B.J., & Andrews, D.H. (1993, April).  A survey of F-16 squadron-level pilot training in PACAF (AL-TR-1993-0041, ADA265053). Project 1121.  Armstrong Laboratory.  NTIS.

 

2. Hanz, D. and D. Holeman, J. Shockley (SRI International) and D. Devol, T. Denning, C. Jergens,and D. Nagy (BGI LLC), F-22 and JSF Range Instrumentation (RI) and Distributed MissionTraining (DMT) Requirements Study and Implementation Roadmap, April 2002.

 

3. OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENT (ORD) CAF ORD 330-88-II-B For Joint Threat Emitter (JTE)

 

KEYWORDS: Electronic Warfare Training,Live Virtual Constructive, Distributed Simulation,Combat Mission Training

 

 

AF06-047               TITLE: Semantic Interoperability of C2 Tools and Technologies

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Human Systems

 

STATEMENT OF INTENT: This topic holds the greatest potential for meeting the technical needs of our warfighters supported by PEOs and Centers.

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop technology for information discovery and reasoning to facilitate information sharing between decision aiding tools to efficiently perform planning and execution management functions.

 

DESCRIPTION: The current Command Control Communications Computers Intelligence, Surveillance Reconnaissance (C4ISR) infrastructure is not seamless and vital pieces of information are not passed in a timely manor or critical pieces of data are not linked to entities that require it. In addition, many of the current systems lack compatible tool/process interoperability, which results in slower processing and action on information. Operators spend a tremendous amount of time identifying relevant, required and missing information across the boundaries of the AOC Divisions.

 

The purpose of this effort is to develop tools and techniques that will enable personnel to utilize information discovery technology to connect semantically meaningful information to automated AOC systems. The goal is to create reasoning capabilities to provide executable, decision-quality knowledge to the commander in near real-time from anywhere, thereby enabling force application in single-digit minutes from the decision to engagement

 

Demonstrate the interoperation of decision aiding tools and technologies utilizing semantic like integration and information infrastructure technology for such areas as collaborative planning, scheduling, and execution analysis capabilities. For a military environment this could be the complete Joint Air Operations Plan (JAOP) and execution Air Tasking Order (ATO) within the Air Operations Center (AOC). Semantic linkages between the information/data and various tools should also be explored.

               

PHASE I: Analyze information sources and need of prospective processes within the Air & Space Operations Center for maximizing machine interoperability. Develop an approach to assist AOC personnel and demonstrate the initial design for a prototype application.

 

PHASE II: Research and develop the required technologies and prototype, per Phase 1 design. Develop and demonstrate a prototype system which semantically marks up information across the AOC tools. Demonstrate that the information can be used to support other applications.

 

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The ability to understand information constructs through the definition of relationships would enable timely passing of needed and relevant information. This would also be of primary benefit to Homeland Defense and law enforcement for situation understanding.

 

REFERENCES:

1. World Wide Web Consortium W3C http://www.w3.org, Subtitle Semantic Web

 

2. The Semantic Web, Tim Berners-Lee, James Hendler &Ora Lassila, Scientific American, May 2001

 

3. Joint Publication 3-30 (2003), “Command and Control for Joint Air Operations”

 

KEYWORDS: Semantic Markup, Air Operation Center, AOC, Interoperability, Information Exchange

 

 

AF06-048               TITLE: Mission Rehearsal Capability for Feasible Dynamic ISR Tasking in Support of Effects Based Assessment

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Information Systems

 

STATEMENT OF INTENT: This topic holds the greatest potential for meeting the technical needs of our warfighters supported by PEOs and Centers.

 

OBJECTIVE: Provide the Air Operation Center (AOC) with a capability to simulate and assess alternative air intelligence collection tasking methods in support of dynamic effects based assessment.

 

DESCRIPTION: The dynamic and evolving hyper-operations-tempo battlespace of the future will require rapid adjustment of the location and timing of intelligence and surveillance collection assets. This effort will result in a mission rehearsal and analysis capability for use by the AOC Combat Plans division to “fly-out” ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) collection plans. Algorithms, simulations and/or modeling techniques will be investigated and developed for use in optimizing the ISR plans in relation to their support for effects-based assessment. Exploration of the application of modeling and simulation technology such as system modeling, discrete event simulation, numerical simulation, multi-perspective modeling, performance evaluation, etc. should be proposed. The capability will assist the ISR planners to optimize alternative paths, layouts of assets, and alternative collection resources, and de-conflict ISR collection plans with other mission plans (Attack and Electronic Combat). The ISR Division of the AOC could also utilize the technology developed to adjudicate between JFACC (in-house) vs. national ISR collection asset and assist in dynamically adjusting these asset collection mission paths.

 

Inherent in the capability will be insight into the effects-based course of action and Joint Air Operations Plan, especially the assessment plan developed by the Operational Assessment Team. The final product will allow ISR planners to adjust their plans to meet the dynamic nature of the battlefield. The ISR plan can then be focused on how their assets will contribute to the overall operational (effects-based) assessment. The capability will answer such questions as: When should the ISR assets be at a specific location and time? What are the collection requirements that need to be met in support of assessing the effects-based plan? Can the assets see and collect relevant intelligence that will give indications of the attainment of an effects based dynamic plan at a given location? When should collection of intelligence be performed? What is the best orbit, location and orientation to collect info to meet the effects assessment needs? What is the most meaningful time to employ assets in support of assessment?  Proposals can focus on one or more of the numerous aspects of the ISR tasking for effects-based assessment challenge without trying to solve the entire problem.

 

PHASE I: Research the applicability of proposed M&S technology for a mission rehearsal capability oriented to optimizing the ISR collection plan for effects based assessment. Investigate operational utility. R&D technology application and conduct a concept demonstration of the prototype capability.

 

PHASE II: Research and develop the required technologies and prototype, per Phase 1 design. Develop and demonstrate a prototype baseline system to assist with optimizing air intelligence collection tasking in support of effects based assessment. Develop capabilities to incorporate dynamic and continuous planning for assessment into the intelligence and surveillance collection process.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: The ability to conduct mission rehearsal is very important in the military domain as discussed above as well as for first responders during a crisis response such as hurricanes, terrorist attacks, earthquakes, etc. Algorithms developed under this effort should be flexible enough to apply to these events.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Air Force Instruction 13-1, Operational Procedures - Aerospace Operations Center

 

2. Joint Publication 3-30, Command and Control of Joint Aerospace Operations

 

3. Air Force Doctrine Document 2-5.1, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance

 

4. EBO References: “Effects Based Operations”, www.sci.fi/~fta/EBO.htm

 

KEYWORDS: Mission Rehearsal, Optimization Algorithms, Air Operation Center, AOC, ISR Plans, electronic combat plans

 

 

AF06-049               TITLE: Real-Time Effects Assessment Management System

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Human Systems

 

STATEMENT OF INTENT: This topic holds the greatest potential for meeting the technical needs of our warfighters supported by PEOs and Centers.

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop technology to conduct continuous real-time effects-based assessment across all levels of war. Include techniques for correlating and matching observables to indicators from the EBO plan.

 

DESCRIPTION: Current combat assessment practices are not adaptable to the complexity of a dynamic and evolving hyper-ops-tempo battlespace. The DoD lacks a comprehensive assessment architecture and current approaches focus on assessing actions rather than effects.  In addition there is currently no generally accepted framework (rating scale, update method, etc.) for conducting rapid battle damage assessment.  Effective real-time assessment is required to assess actions in light of their progress towards achieving commander’s desired effects, so that air tasking processes can be dynamic and highly responsive to changes in guidance, resources and situation. This effort will explore new ways to achieve effects-based assessment in real time. Inclusive with assessing desired effects is the need to assess the impact of blue actions on enemy system models. This will assist in determining if indirect, cascading and unintended effects are being achieved. Technology is needed that can derive or infer attributes from intelligence data for the purpose of correlating effects indicators with evidence. Applications such as case-based reasoning, assessment templates with wizards, success indicator ontologies, data matching and correlation methods, and on-board decentralized assessment could be considered for exploration. The technology will enable the rapid assessment of tasks, effects and objectives based on observed actions, observed and predicted results, intelligence information, and other disparate forms of evidence. The resulting capability should address the aggregation of assessment from lower levels such as enemy target system battle damage assessment, up through assessment of component operational and strategic campaign objectives and effects.

 

PHASE I: Develop initial technology for automated effects based assessment using accrued multi-int sources, mission reports, battle damage assessment, intelligence summaries, platform video, real-time reporting links, etc. Design a capability for real-time and continuous effects based assessment.  This might include exploring new frameworks for rapid battle damage assessment and the ability to parse the BDA reports to extract appropriate evidence for higher level EBA.

 

PHASE II: Develop a prototype effects based assessment management capability. This product will assist in planning and conducting effects based assessment. It will address the rapid aggregation of battle damage assessment and engagement level task accomplishment to determine higher level effects and objectives at the operational and strategic levels of war.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: The ability to conduct real-time assessment could benefit sectors of industry that are involved with dynamic tasking processes such as express mail services, rental car companies, and airline agencies. Other Government agencies such as FEMA that are involved with emergency relief operations could also benefit from a real-time assessment technique.

 

REFERENCES: 1. JP 2-01.1, “Joint Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Intelligence Support to Targeting”

 

2. JP 3-60, “Joint Doctrine for Targeting”

 

3. ACC White Paper and ACC/XPS briefing “Effects-Based Assessment: Closing the Loop”

 

4. "The Current Battle Damage Assessment Paradigm is Obsolete", Lt. Col. Hugh Curry, Air and Space Power Journal - Winter 04

 

5. EBO References: “Effects Based Operations”, www.sci.fi/~fta/EBO.htm

 

KEYWORDS: Effects Based Assessment, Effects Based Operations, Combat Assessment, Battle Damage Assessment, Dynamic Tasking, Campaign Assessment, Operational Assessment,

Correlation and Matching, Indicators, Observables

 

 

AF06-050               TITLE: Exploiting Dynamic Text Sources (e.g., Chat) for Improved Battlespace Awareness

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Electronics

 

STATEMENT OF INTENT: This topic holds the greatest potential for meeting the technical needs of our warfighters supported by PEOs and Centers.

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop technology to extract information from dynamic text sources (chat) for improved Battlespace Awareness, particularly in support of Dynamic Targeting.

 

DESCRIPTION: Time-Sensitive Targets (TSTs) require an immediate response because they pose danger to friendly forces, or are highly lucrative fleeting targets of opportunity. Examples may include tanks, troops, leadership, Command and Control facilities/nodes, and surface-to-air missiles.  Because TSTs require an immediate response, a key goal is to reduce the time it takes to prosecute TSTs from hours to minutes. This need to speed up Dynamic Targeting has driven a demand for faster, more dynamic Battlespace Awareness.  This has resulted in the operational use of friendly chat and other dynamic textual sources (e.g., e-mail) as alternate/contributing sources of information for Dynamic Targeting. However, critical parameters such as accuracy, latency, format, and actual value have yet to be assessed for Dynamic Targeting applications. 

 

The objective is to develop technology to automatically extract information from dynamic text sources like chat, pertinent to Dynamic Targeting of TSTs. The goal is to provide high-quality structured information to processes involved in Dynamic Targeting (those involved in the Find, Fix, Track, Target, Engage, Assess cycle), to help automate, speed-up, and improve those processes.  Note that for fast moving targets, such as missiles, chat has insufficient accuracy and update rates for use in actual targeting, but may be useful as an indicator for a launch event, or for confirmation of general trajectory or type.

 

Of particular interest is the use of chat by two groups that play key roles in Dynamic Targeting: Air Operation Centers (AOCs) and the AF Distributed Common Ground Station (DCGS-AF). E.g., AOC Time-Sensitive Targeting Cells do the planning and decision-making for targeting and prosecuting TSTs. Automated tools are being developed to speed-up these processes, but they need timely inputs, in a structured form their tools can exploit. Developing technology that successfully extracts information from chat for this purpose would be a major accomplishment. For Combat Assessment, extracting information on the status of a TST targeted during a previous mission could help determine if it needs to be re-targeted.

 

The DCGS-AF, a major provider of information to AOCs, will provide worldwide Tasking, Processing, Exploitation and Dissemination of AF air and ground Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) sensors and systems. This includes multi-INT Fusion. Could information extracted from chat be used by any of these processes to speed-up/improve Dynamic Targeting?

 

Numerous research challenges are associated with extracting reliable, high-accuracy information from dynamic textual sources like chat. Chat is non-grammatical, and is full of acronyms and abbreviations. Chat is similar to dialogue in nature; certain knowledge is assumed to be shared between participants vs being explicitly stated. Extracting useful information from chat will require: inferring information across lines/sentences, performing co-reference resolution; time-stamping information, and disambiguating/normalizing locations. Because chat is so domain-specific, the capability must facilitate domain-customization by users to improve performance.  Information that is subjective, uncertain, or negated must be accurately captured and represented.  Since chat/email traffic may be erroneous or intentionally false, sensitivity analysis is important.

 

Because of the operational nature of this SBIR Topic’s requirements and data, offerors are required to have at least Secret clearances.

 

PHASE I: Perform research to ID concept-of-operations, specify requirements and assess potential approaches. Develop the most promising solution approach and assess its feasibility. Develop the initial design for a prototype and demonstrate its application. AFRL is pursuing chat data for analysis.

 

PHASE II: Research and develop a prototype baseline system for extracting info from dynamic text sources like chat, per the Phase 1 design. Use real data, if possible. Demonstrate how the capability improves a specific Dynamic Targeting process (e.g., in the DCGS or AOC). Show how it would be used along with DBs within and outside of the Theater Battle Management Core System for immediate application.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: The ability to extract information from dynamic textual sources such as chat would be very useful to analysts and investigators in both Homeland Defense and Law Enforcement, who need to be apprised of potentially relevant information in these textual data sources, but have limited resources, in terms of time and manpower, to do so in a manual fashion. An automated capability, that could keep them apprised of potentially critical new information as it becomes available, would be an invaluable assistant to shorthanded analysts and investigators.

 

REFERENCES: 1. AF Chief of Staff General John Jumper, “Future Force: Joint Operations”, http://www.af.mil/speech/speech.asp?speechID=73, Remarks to the Air Armaments Summit VI, Sandestin, Fla., March 17, 2004.

 

2. AF Chief of Staff General John Jumper, “Future Force: Transforming Operations”, http://www.af.mil/speech/speech.asp?speechID=67, Remarks to the National Defense Industrial Association, Arlington, Va., April 1, 2004.

 

3. Cummings, M.L., “The Need for Command and Control Instant Message Adaptive Interfaces: Lessons Learned from Tactical Tomahawk Human-in-the-Loop Simulations”,

http://web.mit.edu/aeroastro/www/people/missyc/pdfs/Cummings_AA.pdf, July 23, 2004.

 

4. Krepinevich, Andrew F., “Operation Iraqi Freedom: A First-Blush Assessment”, Center For Strategic And Budgetary Assessments (CSBA), http://www.csbaonline.org/4Publications/Archive/R.20030916.Operation_Iraqi_Fr/R.20030916.Operation_Iraqi_Fr.pdf, September 17, 2004.

 

5. Thorsberg, F.. “Can Instant Messaging Really Be Safe?” PCWorld, http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,110301,00.asp, Apr. 17, 2003.

 

KEYWORDS: Information Extraction, Natural Language Processing, AOC, DCGS, Chat, Dynamic Targeting, Time-Sensitive Targets, TST

 

 

AF06-051               TITLE: Track Type Prediction Algorithm

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems

 

STATEMENT OF INTENT: This topic holds the greatest potential for meeting the technical needs of our warfighters supported by PEOs and Centers.

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop technology, based on branch prediction algorithms for pipelining processors, to predict track types of emerging, potential dynamic targets.

 

DESCRIPTION:  Positive Identification (PID), which is a step in the dynamic targeting process that determines the intent and target type of an emerging target, is a bottleneck for prosecuting time sensitive targets (TST) in the Air Force Air Operations Center (AOC).  PID often involves tasking multiple sensors to gather intelligence on the track report of a potential target, analyzing the intelligence from the multiple sensors, and concluding if the target is a valid target.  This could take 30 minutes to several days depending on the availability of sensors and human analysts.  Once PID has determined the target as hostile, the AOC may continue the planning process of assigning which asset to strike the target; however, with a very small window of time to work with.  By alleviating this bottleneck in the dynamic targeting process, more time would be available for planning and more strike options would be available, resulting in more TST opportunities taken.

 

Although several approaches are currently being researched, including automatic target recognition and dynamic sensor management, results have been slow to solidify.  Instead of just waiting for results, something needs to be done to address this problem in the near-term to more rapidly support the warfighter.  One completely different approach is to accept that PID will take a long time, but make predictions about the PID outcome so that the planning process may commence prior to PID completion.  This approach exists today in the computer engineering domain for streamlining instruction evaluation for pipelined computer processors.  It could be applied to any pipelined serial process, including the dynamic targeting process.

 

Modern computer processing architectures employ pipelining to cost-effectively approximate parallel processing. In other words, a single N-stage pipelining processor at steady-state is theoretically equivalent to the throughput of N parallel processors.  In reality, the pipeline processors must contend with data, control, and structural hazards, which stall out the pipeline causing degradation in throughput.

 

The utilization of branch prediction algorithms significantly reduces stalls caused by these control hazards resulting in an increase in instruction throughput. The algorithm predicts the outcome of the branch condition, which is a condition where the location of the next instruction is not known, before it is actually evaluated.  The postulated outcome is assumed true until the actual branch condition is evaluated.  In the event that the outcome is incorrect, the next instruction will have to be aborted and reissued, causing a penalty equivalent to normal penalties in the absence of a branch predictor. If the postulation was correct, then the next instruction is left alone to continue execution, resulting in the avoidance of a stall.  Modern branch prediction algorithms make predictions based on global and local histories of previous outcomes of branch evaluations.  Low overhead approaches such as this have been shown to have prediction accuracies ranging from 80% to 95%.

 

PHASE I: Develop an automated track type prediction algorithm based on the most promising approaches.  Given a track, the algorithm will make pred