AIR FORCE

SBIR 07.1 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 (6 Nov through 5 Dec 06), 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 (6 Dec 06 through 10 Jan 07), 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 20 page-limit (excluding the cost proposal and 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, 10 January  2007 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:  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 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.  THE AF WILL USE THIS WORK PLAN OUTLINE AS THE INITIAL DRAFT OF THE PHASE I STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW).

 

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 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 20 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 50 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 50 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 generally will be within 90 days (due to unforeseen circumstances, some debriefings may be delayed beyond the nominal 90 days). If the initial notification indicates the debriefing will be available generally 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) .  If selected for a Phase II enhancement, the company must submit a Phase II Enhancement application through the DoD Submission Website at www.dodsbir.net/submission.

 

 

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 the Contract.  Companies will not submit final reports directly to the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC).

 

 

 

 

AirForce SBIR 07.1 Topic Index

 

 

AF071-002           Aero-Optics Beacon

AF071-003           Advanced Micro Optics Technology

AF071-004           Design, Analysis, and Optimization Environment for Directed Energy Systems

AF071-005           Transportable Mid-Infrared Ultrashort Pulsed Laser Systems and Technology

AF071-006           Low-Cost Compact Adaptive Optics Systems

AF071-007           High Voltage Explosive Flux Compression Generators

AF071-008           Tactical HEL Weapon Alignment System Architecture Options and Trade Offs

AF071-009           Improved Electromagnetic PIC Particle Current Weighting Near Conformal Boundaries

AF071-010           Fast Synthetic Scene Generation for Directed Energy Applications

AF071-011           Moderate Power Mid-Infrared and Infrared Fiber Lasers

AF071-012           Laser Remote Sensing for HEL Damage Assessment

AF071-019           Untethered Helmet-Mounted Display for Night Vision Goggle Training Systems

AF071-020           Head orientation sensing system

AF071-021           Team performance measurement and tracking in collaborative environments

AF071-022           Helmet-Mounted G-Tolerant Eye Tracker

AF071-023           Near-field acoustic holography system

AF071-024           Helmet Mounted Display for Joint Strike Fighter Training Simulator

AF071-025           Apparatus and Method to measure thermal insulation factors for use with BURNSIM

AF071-026           Development and demonstration of a generalizable and integrated aiding and training system

AF071-027           Real Time Cockpit Resource Management (CRM) Training

AF071-028           CSAR-X  Digital Visionic System

AF071-029           Autonomous Helicopter Sensor-Display System for Brown-out Landing Conditions

AF071-030           Team decision making training and rehearsal exemplar for the air and space operations center (AOC)

AF071-033           Nano-Particle Effects on ESH

AF071-034           Emergency Oxygen Cylinders with Re-breathing

AF071-035           Innovative Aids: Effects-Based Combat Assessment

AF071-036           Algorithmic Correction of Systematic Error in Eye Point-of-Regard (POR) Data Analysis

AF071-037           Accelerated Skill Acquisition for Intelligence Analysts

AF071-038           Integrated Simulations and Courseware for Network Defense Training

AF071-039           Behavior Signatures

AF071-040           Multi-Modal Collaboration Environment

AF071-041           Rapid Development Techniques for Spoken Language Translation

AF071-042           Radio Frequency/Microwave Hazard Assessment Tool (RHAZ)

AF071-043           New Directed Energy (Millimeter Wave) Power Density Meters to Determine

AF071-044           Virtual Reality Spatial Rehabilitation for Traumatic Brain Injury 

AF071-045           Rapid Development of DNA Aptamers for Agent Identification, Tracking and Neutralization

AF071-053           Integrated Medical and Biosurveillance Early Warning System Technology TOPIC DELETED

AF071-059           Planar Wideband Phased-Array Element For VHF RADAR

AF071-060           Multiple Independent Levels of Security/Safety  Tools and Processes

AF071-061           GMTI Forensics Analysis Tools

AF071-062           Reliable Networking over Intermittent Wireless Connections of Airborne Networks

AF071-063           ATC Position Reports for Unmanned Aircraft (UA)

AF071-064           Managed Information Delivery to Multiple Devices

AF071-066           Fusion of Airborne Surveillance and Intelligence Information

AF071-068           Metadata Integrity Assurance

AF071-069           Software Trustworthiness

AF071-070           Timely Decision-Making for Logistics Support

AF071-072           End-to-End Performance Management for RF Networks

AF071-074           Routing within an Airborne Network

AF071-075           Integrating Discrete and Continuous Event System Simulations

AF071-077           Network Services for a Dynamic Wireless Airborne Network

AF071-078           GMTI Exploitation Modeling:  Deriving Behavior and Characteristics from Data Sets

AF071-079           Non-Language Speech Sound Detection

AF071-080           Network Attack Damage Assessment

AF071-081           Information Trustworthiness, Integrity Non-Language Speech

AF071-082           Advanced Self-Learning Ontologies

AF071-083           Intelligent Integration of Human Cognition into the Fused Reasoning Process   

AF071-084           Situation Awareness and Impact Assessment for Cyber Network Defense

AF071-085           Advanced Time-Stamping of Events from Unstructured Text for Battlespace Awareness

AF071-086           Antenna Array Structures for Composite Airframes

AF071-087           Voice Transformation and Detection

AF071-088           Policy Definition and Enforcement for Virtual Enterprises

AF071-089           Reactive Planning Against TSTs ( RPAT )

AF071-090           Multi-Static Sensor Information Integration

AF071-091           Customizable Text Extraction for Warfighters

AF071-092           Innovative Technologies for Knowledge Capture and Transfer in Space Systems Product Development

AF071-095           Advanced Radio Frequency Technology for Wireless Network Security

AF071-102           Scratch Repair Material for Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) Coatings

AF071-103           Production of New Durable, Transparent Conductive Coatings

AF071-104           Quality Control for Advanced Residual Stress Inducing Surface Treatment Processes

AF071-105           Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC) Structures for Vanes and Exhaust Nozzle Components

AF071-106           Low Temperature Limits for Gas Turbine Engine Oils

AF071-107           Rapid Cure, Environmentally Acceptable Liquid Shim

AF071-108           Pavement Material for Joint Strike Fighter (JSF)  Vertcal Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) Operations

AF071-109           Nickel-free Conductive Fillers

AF071-110           Zero Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Aircraft Coatings

AF071-111           Nonchrome Corrosion Protection for Conductive Coatings

AF071-112           Automated Sanding of Aircraft Coatings

AF071-113           Improved Masking Aides Technology

AF071-114           Calibration Standards for Thermosonic Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE)

AF071-116           Novel Aircraft Anti-Ice Coating Material

AF071-117           In-Process Cure Monitoring of Specialty Material Coatings

AF071-118           Low-Cost IR Windows and Lenses made from Polycrystalline YAG 

AF071-119           Affordable Manufacturing for Compact Hybrid Carbon Liquid/Air Heat Exchanger

AF071-120           Damage Detecting Appliques for Composite Structure

AF071-121           Nanocomposites for Electrically Conductive Structural Adhesives and Bolt Hole Fillers

AF071-122           Flexible Conductive Caulking Material

AF071-123           Advanced Life Raft Materials & Fabrication Methods

AF071-124           Nanocomposites for Electrically Conductive Organic Matrix Composites

AF071-125           Physics-Based Shock Spallation Prediction Tool for Laser Shock Processing

AF071-126           Develop a Tool to Measure Bonded Joint Strength for Primary Load Bearing Aircraft Structures

AF071-127           Health Management of High Temperature Polymer Composites

AF071-128           High Temperature Efficient Insulations for Extended Range Hypersonic Vehicles

AF071-129           Manufacturing Process Development of High-Performance Treated Honeycomb Core for Radar Absorbing Application

AF071-130           Develop High-Temperature, Low-Humidity Aromatic Hydrocarbon-based H2/O2 Membranes for Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cells

AF071-131           JP-8 Microburner for Deployed Applications

AF071-132           Generation of Protein-Based Ligands for Chemical and Biological Agent Identification

AF071-133           Improved-Efficiency, Flexible,  Organic Based Photovoltaic Devices for Light-weight, Low-Cost, Solar Cell Production for Air Force  Applications

AF071-134           Improved Radio Frequency (RF) Polymer Substrates for Antennas

AF071-135           Weld Repair of Titanium Alloys for Turbine Engine Applications

AF071-136           Low Cost Fabrication of Carbon-Carbon (C-C)  Aeroshells for Hypersonic Weapon Systems

AF071-137           Improved Materials for High-Power Fiber Lasers

AF071-138           Thermal History Sensor for Extreme Environments

AF071-142           Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) for Silicon Carbide (SiC) Optics

AF071-146           Deeply Buried Hardened Target Fuze

AF071-147           Compact Broadband Antennas

AF071-149           Low Erosion Materials for Reaction Jet Control Systems

AF071-150           Rocket Motor - Dual Pulse

AF071-151           Improved Grid Fin Manufacturing Techniques

AF071-152           Propulsion for Miniature Munitions

AF071-153           Innovative Fuze Technology Research

AF071-154           Ladar Seeker Technologies

AF071-155           Acquisition and Tracking Algorithms for Multi-Resolution (Foveal) Sensors

AF071-156           Enhanced Detection of Hidden Targets Using Multi-Discriminant Ladar

AF071-158           ASPIRE: A Survivable, Programmable, Integrated Recorder for Experiments

AF071-159           Real-Time Active Sensor Target Scene Generator

AF071-160           Subterranean Warfare

AF071-161           Imaging Penetration in Geologic Materials

AF071-162           Prediction Methodology for Manufacturing Readiness Assessments

AF071-163           Tailorable Weapon Effects for Minimizing Collateral Damage

AF071-164           Virtual GPS Jammer Airborne Wavefront Simulator Technology

AF071-165           High Speed Active RF Synthetic Scene Generation

AF071-172           Improved Bearing Compartment Sealing for Gas Turbine Engines

AF071-173           Nonintrusive Augmentor Sensors

AF071-174           Improved Heat Release Model for Augmentor Screech Characterization

AF071-175           Flame Ignition/Extinction Model for Static Stability Prediction

AF071-176           Integrally Bladed Rotor (IBR) Sustainment

AF071-177           NoniIntrusive High-Frequency Flow Measurements in Turbines

AF071-178           High Performance, Compact Capacitors for Pulse Forming Networks

AF071-179           Advanced Combustor Designs Utilizing Inlet Swirl for High Acceleration of Gravity (G) Combustion

AF071-180           Novel Augmentor Concepts for High-Cruise-Mach-Number Vehicles

AF071-181           High Temperature Electronics for Spacecraft Power Management and Distribution

AF071-182           Ultracapacitor for Satellite Energy Storage

AF071-183           Nanofluids for Heat Transfer Enhancement in Aircraft Systems

AF071-184           Improved Fuel-Lubricated Bearing Technology

AF071-185           General Hypersonic Propulsion

AF071-186           Advanced Chemistries for Electrochemical Energy Storage Devices

AF071-187           Advanced Large Diameter Air Seals

AF071-188           Novel Electric Power Generator for Airborne Applications

AF071-189           Optimal Durability and Reliability Testing of Gas Turbine Components

AF071-190           Instrumentation for Hypersonic, Air-Breathing Engines

AF071-199           Affordable Pulse-Power Module for Nonthermal Ignition and Plasma Surface Modification

AF071-203           Enhanced Bondline Inspection Using Computed Tomography (CT) for Solid Rocket Motor Aging and Surveillance

AF071-204           Turbopump Cavitation Tools

AF071-205           GENERIC:  Materials and Process Development for High Performance Polymer Matrix Composite Rocket Components

AF071-206           Computational Implementation of Spectral Theory

AF071-213           False Alarm Rejection (FAR) Techniques for Missile Warning Systems (MWSs)

AF071-214           Directing Monopulse Jamming Toward Antenna of Semiactive or Antiradiation Missile

AF071-215           Sensor Architectures for Radar Combat Identification

AF071-216           Precision Navigation Grade Fiber-Optic Gyroscope (FOG)

AF071-217           Directional Finding for Sources with Unknown Bandwidths and Center Frequencies

AF071-218           Network-Centric Warfare Radio-Frequency (RF) Real-Time Hardware-In-the-Loop (HITL) Synthetic Battlespace Research Capabilities/Technologies

AF071-219           Remote-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) Detection Identification and Classification Algorithms (RADICAL)

AF071-220           Noncoherent Dual Platform Advanced Monopulse Countermeasures (AMCs) Standoff Jammer

AF071-221           Identify Alternative Information Assurance (IA) Mechanisms

AF071-222           V- Band Radio Frequency (RF) Filters

AF071-223           Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Materials for Advanced Radio Frequency (RF) Applications

AF071-224           Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS)-Based Adaptive Optics Systems

AF071-225           Asynchronous Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) Baseband Processing Elements

AF071-226           Digital Antijam (AJ) Processing Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC) for Hand-held Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) Receiver

AF071-228           Plasma Sheath-Tolerant Radio Frequency (RF) Systems on Hypersonic Air Vehicles

AF071-229           Multibeam X-band Phased Array Antenna for Responsive Space Operations

AF071-231           Network-Centric Urban Vigilance

AF071-232           Modeling Operational Automatic Target Exploitation (ATE) and Tracking Systems

AF071-233           Efficiently Computing and/or Compensating for Object Variability for Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) Applications

AF071-234           Site Surveillance Through Integration of Unmanned Systems

AF071-235           Advanced Signature-Matched Hyperspectral Change Detection

AF071-236           Adaptive Multiwaveform Laser Ranging and Detection (LADAR)

AF071-237           Compact Quantum Dot Mode-Locked Lasers for Arbitrary Waveform Generation

AF071-238           High Efficiency, Multi-aperature Optical Phased Arrays

AF071-239           Spatially Registered Multispectral Polarimetric Sensor

AF071-242           Survivability Sensor Technologies

AF071-243           Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Optical Switching Array

AF071-247           Wideband Radio Frequency (RF) Data Recorder and Playback System

AF071-249           Innovative Sensing Techniques for Urban Operations

AF071-256           Improving Weapons Bay Acoustical Environments

AF071-257           Enhanced, All-Weather Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) Sense and Avoid (SAA)

AF071-258           Energy Harvesting (EH) for Small Air Vehicles

AF071-259           Obstacle Detection and Collision Avoidance for Micro Air Vehicles in Urban Clutter

AF071-260           Hardware Component Prototyping for Operationally Responsive Space Access

AF071-261           Micro Air Vehicle(MAV)  Flight Data Sensors for Practical Flow Control

AF071-262           Directed-Energy Weapons(DEW) System Air Platform Integration Energy and Thermal Management

AF071-263           Feedback Flow Control for a Three-Dimensional Turret

AF071-264           High-Frequency Flow Control and Diagnostics in Cavities

AF071-265           Innovative Flight Instrumentation for Hypersonics

AF071-266           Innovative Control Effectors for Common Aerovehicle (CAVs)

AF071-270           Innovative Propulsion Integration for Mobility Platforms

AF071-276           Geolocation and Attitude Determination from Laser Communication Systems

AF071-277           A System for Mapping the 3-Dimensional Distribution of Cloud Particles

AF071-278           High Efficiency Multi-Mode Power Processing Units for Hall Effect Thrusters

AF071-280           Wide-Field-of-View Collection Optics for Infrared Surveillance from Geosynchronous Orbit

AF071-282           Radar Signal Processing Algorithms

AF071-283           Unresolved Resident Space Object (RSO) Characterization Using Time-Frequency Analysis

AF071-284           Modular, Scalable Propulsion Module for ESPA-Based Satellite Dispensing Systems

AF071-286           Decision Support System for Defensive Counterspace

AF071-287           Novel Technologies for Hardened Solar Arrays

AF071-288           Structural Attachments for Rapid Assembly of Satellites

AF071-289           Sensor Management for Rapid Target Tracking and Detection

AF071-290           Advanced Miniature Optical Sensors for Space-Based Monitoring of the Ionosphere and Upper Atmosphere

AF071-291           Data Fusion Visualization Development for OCS/DCS SSA Operations

AF071-292           New Sensing Capabilities for Space Situational Awareness

AF071-293           Local Area Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Optical Sensor System for Satellites

AF071-294           Advanced Spacecraft Thermal Management Technologies

AF071-302           Radiation-Hard, High-Precision, Agile Star Tracker

AF071-303           Simulation Tool to Intercept Multiple Missiles Employing Quick and Random Evasive Flight Path Maneuvers

AF071-308           Parent Metal Restoration

AF071-309           Wheel Chock improved design

AF071-313           Windscreen Shielding Integrity Monitor

AF071-317           Development of Pulse Water Strip of Tungsten Carbide HVOF Coatings and Chrome Plating on Landing Gear Components

AF071-318           Development of Castings for Landing Gear aluminum forgings

AF071-320           Development of Cad Plating Replacement with Zinc Nickel on High Strength Steel Components

AF071-321           Vynyl Ester Resins Without Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

AF071-322           Development of Nanosteel Chrome Replacement HVOF Coatings on High Strength Steel Components

AF071-324           Corrosion Protection via Hydrophobic Coatings

AF071-325           Improved inspection of Bonded Repairs

AF071-326           Ambient Temperature-Curable Bond Primer for Bonded Repair

AF071-327           Universal Method of Bonding Steel Repairs to Aluminum Structures

AF071-328           Air Force Self Sufficient Tent

AF071-331           On-Board JP-8 Fuel Desulphurization for Military Ground Applications  TOPIC DELETED

AF071-338           Digital Schlieren Photography

AF071-340           Polarization Projection Control for Space Simulation Chambers

AF071-341           Computer Controlled Bore Shaping Hone

AF071-344           Configurable Dynamic Strain System

AF071-345           Near-Field Velocity Measurement System for Wind Tunnel Testing

AF071-346           Skin-Friction Measuring System for Large Wind Tunnels

AF071-347           Selectable Fiber Optic Cryogenic Test Image Source

AF071-349           NCW-Distributed Area Network Management & Control (N-DANMC)

AF071-351           Intelligent Neural-network based near Real-time TSPI Solutions (INNRTS).

AF071-352           Telemetry Metric Adjustment Decision Authorization and Command System (TMADACS)

AF071-354           Uncertainty, Sensitivity Analysis, and Design of Experiments in Flutter Testing

AF071-356           Optical Ground Vibration Test

AF071-357           Highly Directive 100 to 300 MHz Super Gain Antenna

AirForce SBIR 07.1 Topic Descriptions

 

 

AF071-002           TITLE: Aero-Optics Beacon

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Space Platforms, Weapons

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop a near-field guidestar or other beacon concept for aero-optic turbulence compensation. 

 

DESCRIPTION: High performance High Energy Laser (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 significantly 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 a beacon to correct for, as a minimum, the near-field turbulence around the aircraft platform.  This could be a Rayleigh guidestar beacon using either conventional lasers or femto-second lasers for near field correction or some other concept for correcting the entire propagation path including both the aero-optical path and the atmospheric path.  Whatever the concept, a beacon that is available one hundred percent of the time is a key requirement.  For a single near-field beacon, focus anisoplanitism is a concern and the offeror must assess not only the hardware concept but the correctability such beacons offer. To address this, multiple beacon concepts are possibly one way to ameliorate the problem.

 

PHASE I: Develop innovative concepts for generating a near-field, or other, beacon(s) for aero-optics turbulence compensation, determine bandwidth requirements (for the airborne application), hardware needs, and the correctability each concept offers.

 

PHASE II: Design, assemble or acquire the beacon hardware (if required), and conduct a field experiment for evaluating the concept developed in Phase I.  A government furnished equipment adaptive optics system will be available to the offeror.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: Includes Airborne Laser, the C130 Advanced Tactical Laser, Laser Strike Fighter, HELLADS, Relay Mirror, unmanned aerial vehicles, aircraft surveillance systems and the like. Commercial application: These include all those with requirements for atmospheric compensation such as astronomy, laser communications, power beaming, etc.

 

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, Rayleigh beacons, femto-second lasers, turbulent flow, aero-optics, coherent flow structures, separated flow, shear layers, aerodynamic boundary layers.

 

 

AF071-003           TITLE: Advanced Micro Optics Technology

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Materials/Processes

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop a manufacturing technology that is capable of producing high quality micro optics and micro lens arrays that are suitable for use in advanced adaptive optic (AO) sensors.

 

DESCRIPTION: Central to most closed-loop atmospheric correction systems is a wavefront sensor based on the Shack-Hartmann measurement method, a method successful  in many applications. Typically these systems employ one wavefront sensor looking at one on-axis guide star, and suffer from anisoplanatism errors that limit performance and/or corrected field-of-view.  Advanced closed-loop systems in development aim to mitigate these and other effects through the use of multiple guide stars, multiple Shack-Hartmann sensors and multiple deformable mirrors in what are typically called Multi-Conjugate Adaptive Optic (MCAO) systems. These advanced systems promise significant performance improvement and field-of-view over the typical AO system. Not surprisingly the design of these systems proves to be challenging with significantly increased demands made on the optical system in terms of both performance and cost. Typically the residual wavefront aberrations seen in the off-axis guide star wavefront sensors can be large and difficult to minimize. Additionally distortion in the imaging between the deformable mirrors and the off-axis wavefront sensors introduces further limits on performance. In an effort to minimize these optical design errors, custom lens arrays can be used to account for these errors and correct them through their basic design. These designs typically require lens diameters on the order of several hundred microns, lens heights between five and fifteen microns, sharp discontinuities in their profiles on the order of five microns, and must cover surface areas of several millimeters per lens array. The manufacture of such custom lens arrays requires the use of various grayscale mask and microlithography techniques to realize their challenging designs while still achieving the required quality. In the past lithographic techniques have been used to manufacture lens arrays, but the commonly used in-process smoothing techniques adversely affect the desired fundamental surface profile and limit the optics to sub-diffraction limited performance. Advancing the current state of the art is necessary to achieve the high degree of surface fidelity needed for these advanced lenslet concepts. Proposals are sought to advance high quality micro optics using grayscale microlithography techniques that can achieve their high surface quality (diffraction limited performance with more than 250 distinct and accurately construed gray levels) with minimal or no in-process smoothing required.

 

PHASE I: Study micro optic fabrication technologies that use grayscale mask and glass etching techniques. Identify each method's state of development and explore anticipated innovations for producing diffraction limited microlens arrays. Identify the most promising methods to benefit from further advances.

 

PHASE II: Investigate and innovate the Phase I identified leading methods of microlens fabrication.  Demonstrate the production of several diffraction limited advanced lens arrays that are suitable for use in advanced adaptive optic wavefront sensors.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: In-situ corrections of arbitrary aberrations in optical systems, smaller and lighter vision systems, free space optical communication systems, cost effective fabrication for large volume applications. Commercial application: In-situ corrections of arbitrary aberrations in optical systems, smaller and lighter vision systems, cell phone camera lenses, miniaturization of projection systems including high definition TV.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Walter Däschner, Pin Long, Robert Stein, Chuck Wu, and S. H. Lee, “Cost-effective mass fabrication of multilevel diffractive optical elements by use of a single optical exposure with a gray-scale mask on high-energy beam-sensitive glass,” Applied Optics, Vol. 36, No. 20, pp. 4675-4680, July 1997.

 

2. Donald C. O’Shea and Willie S. Rockward, “Gray-scale masks for diffractive optics fabrication: II. Spatially filtered halftone screens,” Applied Optics, Vol. 34, No. 32, pp. 7518-7526, November 1995.

 

3. E.-Bernhard Kley, Matthias Cumme, Lars-Christian Wittig, and Chuck Wu, “Adapting existing e-beam writers to write HEBS-glass gray scale masks,” SPIE Vol. 3633, pp. 35-45.

 

4. Jeremy D. Rogers, Ari H. O. Karkkainen, Tomasz Tkaczyk, Juha T. Rantala and Michael R. Descour, “Realization of refractive through grayscale lithographic patterning of photosensitive hybrid glass,” Optics Express, Vol. 12, No. 7, 5 April 2004, pp. 1294-1303.

 

5. Gregory R. Brady, “Design and fabrication of refractive microlenses,” Thesis submitted to Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at McGill University, Montreal, Canada, July, 2000.

 

KEYWORDS: microlithography, MCAO, microlens arrays, gray scale/tone lithography, micro optics, e-beam writing

 

 

AF071-004           TITLE: Design, Analysis, and Optimization Environment for Directed Energy Systems

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Electronics, Weapons

 

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals, their country of origin, and what tasks each would accomplish in the statement of work in accordance with section 3.5.b.(7) of the solicitation.

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop a system integration environment for design, analysis, and optimization of airborne directed energy systems.

 

DESCRIPTION: The design of airborne directed energy systems presents a challenge due to the use of high-power, tightly-regulated, low-efficiency loads and the size, weight, and thermal constraints of the aircraft. Although steady-state analysis and component optimization is vital in the initial design phase, these techniques may yield too conservative of a solution that is not feasible for integration within the aircraft. Therefore, an overall system optimum is required wherein the transients and steady-state performance are optimized for such tightly-coupled systems. The intent of this effort is to establish an environment wherein detailed transient models of the various subsystems can be integrated to form an end-to-end system simulation. The environment must include DE devices such as solid state lasers and wide-band systems.  System-level constraints include, but are not limited to, prime power, power conditioning, thermal management, and coupling apertures and antennas.  System-level optimization techniques can then be applied with respect to power quality, size, weight, and thermal constraints. Trade studies can then be performed with respect to on-time, effectiveness, and range.  The overall goal of the study consists of developing and demonstrating the necessary computational techniques to perfect a virtual prototype of a DE system on a representative airframe.

 

PHASE I: Define technical approach for an integrated directed energy system simulation and for system-level optimization. Demonstrate feasibility of this approach for a representative directed energy system.

 

PHASE II: Design and develop system integration environment. Implement system-level optimization algorithms. Demonstrate capability for an airborne directed energy system.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: Complete packaging of system integration and optimization software and implement using an airborne directed energy system. Commercial application: Complete packaging and system intergration for radio frequency sources.

 

REFERENCES: 1. C. E. Lucas, E. A. Walters, J. Jatskevich, O. Wasynczuk, P. T. Lamm, “A Distributed Heterogeneous Simulation of a Representative Aircraft Power System,” 2002 SAE Power Systems Conference Proceedings, October 2002, Coral Spring, Florida.

 

2. S. Graham, I. Wong, W. Chen, A. Lazarevic, K. Cleek, E. Walters, C. Lucas, O. Wasynczuk, P. Lamm, “Distributed Simulation,” Aerospace Engineering, pp. 24-27, November 2004.

 

KEYWORDS: High Power Microwaves, High Power Lasers, Systems Integration

 

 

AF071-005           TITLE: Transportable Mid-Infrared Ultrashort Pulsed Laser Systems and Technology

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Weapons

 

OBJECTIVE: Demonstrate novel concepts for generating and amplifying ultrashort (fs-TW) laser pulses using architecture amenable to mobility at mid-infrared wavelengths, 2.0  - 4.0 microns.

 

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 and 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. Most of these femtosecond lasers operate at near-infrared wavelengths 0.7  – 1.1 microns.  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 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. Candidate materials might be but are not limited to: Er:YAG (2.94 microns), Ho:YAG (2.1 microns), Tm:YAG (2.0 microns), Cr:ZnSe (2.35 microns), in the range of 2.0  - 3.0 microns and semiconductor lasers operating in the 3.0 - 4.0 microns range. Furthermore, the overall system must have a high degree of reliability, require minimal maintenance, and have a variable pulse frequency and operational mode (eg.,kilohertz [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.  The government is interested in mid-infrared lasers for a number of applications.  It is understood that systems operating in the mid-infrared generally operate at lower peak powers and average powers.  The purpose of this topic is to investigate mid-infrared ultrashort pulse laser technology that is scalable to higher peak powers and average powers.  This effort will probably require a hybrid laser that includes multiple types of solid-state materials.  Some of these materials may require development to accomplish the goals of the SBIR.

 

PHASE I: Identify, model, and/or demonstrate a promising mid-infrared, ultrashort pulse, fs-TW laser system or components. Although laboratory demonstrations may 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 mid-infrared, ultrashort pulse, fs-TW laser 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: Military application: The transportable laser developed under this project has potential non-lethal applications in the 2 – 3  and infrared countermeasures applications in the 3 – 4 micron range. Commercial application: Possible applications include biomedical applications, industrial welding, beacons and illuminators for upper atmosphere remote sensing, and as a portable source for material interaction studies.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Limpert, J., et. al., “All fiber chirped pulse amplification system based on compression in air-guiding photonic bandgap fiber,” Opt. Expr., 11(24), 3332 – 3337, 2003.

 

2. Imeshev, G. and Fernmann, M. E., “230-kW peak power femtosecond pulses from a high power tunable source based on amplification in Tm-doped fiber,” Opt. Expr. 13(19), 7424-7431, 2005.

 

3. Limpert, J., et. Al., High power femtosecond Yb- doped fiber amplifier, Opt. Expr. 10(14), 628-638, 2002.

 

4. 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.

 

5. Carrig, T. J. and Wagner, G. J., "Mode-locked Cr 2+ ZnSe laser," Opt. Lett. 25(3), 168-170 (2000).

 

KEYWORDS: ultrashort lasers, femtosecond (fs)-terawatt (TW) lasers, pulsed lasers, lasers, mid-infrared lasers

 

 

AF071-006           TITLE: Low-Cost Compact Adaptive Optics Systems

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Weapons

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop low-cost compact adaptive optics systems that apply to tactical high-energy laser and imaging applications including laser gain media and turbulent flow compensation.

 

DESCRIPTION: Optical systems are being increasingly used by the military for reconnaissance, surveillance, target recognition, target designation, and as directed energy weapons.  The performance of these systems is limited by optical aberrations that include on-board disturbances, aero-optic effects, and atmospheric distortions. Adaptive optic systems have been successfully used to compensate for a portion of these aberrations in many applications, but are typically too large and expensive to be routinely integrated. For this solicitation, an adaptive optic system refers to the deformable mirror, wavefront sensor, power supply, wavefront reconstructor, and other software and hardware components necessary to round out a complete adaptive optic system. The military is seeking a low-cost, compact, general-purpose adaptive optics solution to address present needs.  Since the system will be applied to lasers, the deformable mirror must utilize a continuous phase sheet (no discontinuities) capable of being coated with a multi-layer dielectric stack and scalable to greater than 150 millimeter diameter aperture. Minimum proposed proof of concept diameters will be at least 75 millimeter diameter usable aperture. The entire system needs to be smaller than 7000 cubic centimeters with a cost goal of less than $5,000 per unit. Proposals must address the spatial and temporal response of the proposed system.

 

PHASE I: The offerer shall design, model and substantiate a compact low-cost adaptive optics system.  Experiments may operate at a reduced frame rate but must show traceability.  The model and the control software developed for this effort must allow the users to implement their own control algorithms.

 

PHASE II: Demonstrate, in a cost effective and compact way, a full-speed adaptive optics system based on the approach developed in Phase I.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: Virtually every optical system is adversely affected by aberrations.  A low-cost adaptive optics (AO) system can be applied to smart missile imagers and night-vision goggles. Commercial application: A low-cost adaptive optics (AO) system can be applied to photolithography systems, ophthalmology, binoculars, telescopes and laser systems used for medical and machining applications.

 

REFERENCES: 1.  J. Mansell, M. Maynard, and A. Jacobs.  “Development of an adaptive optics test-bed for relay mirror applications,” SPIE Vol. 5894, p. 1-13 (2005).

 

2.  J. Mansell.  “Commercialization of adaptive optics,” SPIE Vol. 4825, p. 1-9 (2002).

 

3.  S. Sinha, J. D. Mansell, and R. L. Byer.  “Deformable mirrors for high-power lasers,” SPIE Vol. 4493, p. 55-63 (2002).

 

4.  D. C. Dayton, J. D. Gonglewski, S. L. Browne, S. R. Restaino.  “MEMS adaptive optics: field demonstration,” SPIE Vol. 4884, p. 186-95 (2003).

 

5.  S. S. Olivier.  “Advanced adaptive optics technology development,” SPIE Vol. 4494, p. 1-10 (2002).

 

KEYWORDS: adaptive optics, lasers, high energy lasers, active optics, atmospheric turbulence, low-cost, compact

 

 

AF071-007           TITLE: High Voltage Explosive Flux Compression Generators

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Ground/Sea Vehicles, Sensors, Electronics

 

OBJECTIVE: Increase internal voltage tolerance of explosive flux compression generators (FCGs). This means develop improved modeling of internal FCG voltages and concepts to increase voltage tolerance.

 

DESCRIPTION: Development of ability to greatly increase internal voltage tolerance of explosive flux compression generators (FCGs), particularly helical FCGs. One of the most serious limitations of explosively driven magnetic flux compression generators is voltage tolerance. That is, virtually all flux compression generators must be designed to operate within a relatively modest voltage, and hence electric field, range. The range of operating voltages has been found empirically to be considerably below the ranges one would expect for laboratory pulsed power devices that use standard solid and gas dielectric insulation. The typical maximum output terminal voltage for megajoule-class generators is about 50 kilovolts, corresponding to an internal equivalent source voltage of approximately 160 kilovolts. For typical armature-stator gaps of 10 centimeters, the output voltage represents a maximum electric field stress of only 5 kilovolts per centimeter (kV/cm), whereas the air breakdown field stress is approximately 40 kV/cm and approximately 100 kV/cm for sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). At this time, it is not known why FCGs are so voltage intolerant, but the limitation translates directly to larger sizes than what one could use if higher stresses could be tolerated. Furthermore, for a given inductive load, the maximum output terminal voltage dictates the maximum rate of current rise, which is often desired to be higher than that currently achievable. For this topic, this means develop improved ability to model internal FCG voltages, as well as develop concepts for increasing FCG tolerance to such voltages.

 

PHASE I: Requires innovative research and development of modeling of FCG internal voltages and concepts to greatly increase their voltage tolerance.

 

PHASE II: Develop a feasible concept for greatly increasing FCG internal voltage tolerance, implement a significant part of the new concept. 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 very compact portable pulsed power for high current uses, such as radiation sources. Commercial application: Possible civilian sector applications include radiation sources, seismic probes, lightning simulators for Homeland Defense, law enforcement, public safety, oil prospecting, and counter mine systems.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Megagauss Conference Proceedings I through X provide good information on FCG technology.

 

2. H.Knoepfel, "Pulsed High Magnetic Fields," North Holland Publishing Co, Amsterdam, London, p.87 (1970).

 

KEYWORDS: internal voltage tolerance, explosive flux compression generator, FCG, megajoule

 

 

AF071-008           TITLE: Tactical HEL Weapon Alignment System Architecture Options and Trade Offs

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Weapons

 

OBJECTIVE: Present HEL weapons have high power optical trains containing more than a dozen articulated mirrors. Tactical HEL weapons must be compact. Develop a tactical architecture with minimal high power trains.

 

DESCRIPTION: Airborne high energy laser (HEL) weapons have tended to be large (e.g., the Airborne Laser [ABL]). Tactical applications will employ smaller high energy lasers. This opens up many interesting military applications but the size, weight and complexity of the accompanying beam control system must come down as well. The beam control system must include a gimbaled beam director, tracking and pointing functions and potentially some adaptive optics. Acquisition sensors and target illuminators should be included. The laser resonator should be considered part of the beam control system. Possible approaches might include but would not be limited to:

1. Reducing the number of mirrors and other optical elements in the high energy path.

2. Packaging more functionality into the turret assembly.

3. Using control elements that combine functions (e.g., tilt and aberration/focus control).

4. Eliminating the traditional split between laser and tracker line of sight stabilization. Combining both into one controller (i.e., one fast steering mirror).

5. Pushing functionality from the high power path into the low power path where smaller/lighter optics can be used.

6. Using adaptive techniques to estimate jitter, atmospheric aberrations and sensor noise and driving reduced bandwidth optical feedback loops with these feed forward estimates.

7. Trading off control and optical bench structural stiffness and isolation.

 

The required innovation is to define an architecture that is amenable to weight, volume and complexity reductions needed to enable tactical beam control.

 

PHASE I: Consider an airborne HEL weapon with a 30 cm output aperture. Develop optical/control architectures that minimize the mirror count of the high power train. Identify required developments of new component technology. Define required analyses/simulations and risk reduction efforts.

 

PHASE II: Within resources select a control architecture and perform detailed design including optical layout and control implementation. Provide preliminary weight and volume estimate based on component weight and structural requirements. Develop a preliminary control system simulation. Develop a risk reduction plan at the component and architecture level which includes prototyping and lab or field demos.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: Develop proof of concept demo of selected beam control architecture. Select a laboratory (government or private) for this work. Demo required levels of performance (stability, track resolution, etc.). Commercial application: Develop a proof of concept demo of this beam control architecture adapted to an eye safe illumination commercial surveillance system for use in border monitoring and homeland defense.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Kenneth W. Billman, Bruce A. Horwitz, and Paul L. Shattuck “Airborne Laser System Common Path/Common Mode Design Approach,” SPIE, Airborne Laser Advanced Technology II, p 196-203, Orlando Florida, 5-7 April 1999.

 

2. Salvatore Cusumano, Lawrence Robertson, Jason Tellez, Charlie Tipton and David Jordon “Control Architecture for Increased Performance in Pointing Lasers,” AeroSense Conference Paper.

 

3. Kenneth W. Billman and Paul L. Shattuck, "Common Path/Common Mode Design Approach for the Airborne Laser System (AAS 01-062)," Advances in the Astronautical Sciences, Guidance and Control 2001, Volume 107, American Astronomical Society, p 489.

 

KEYWORDS: Line of Sight Stablization, Laser Pointing, Image Tracking, Miniaturization, Tactical Beam Control

 

 

AF071-009           TITLE: Improved Electromagnetic PIC Particle Current Weighting Near Conformal Boundaries

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Weapons

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop algorithms for correctly (2nd order accuracy minimum) assigning current and charge for PIC particles passing near and intersecting conformal boundaries in an electromagnetic PIC simulation.

 

DESCRIPTION: Many of the numerical tools which are used in the design and testing of high power microwave (HPM) sources are built upon finite difference time domain (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 today’s massively parallel computers, it is unfeasible to solve this problem with resolution alone.  Traditionally these issues are overcome electromagnetically 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.  Properly accounting for the motion of PIC particles near these boundaries so that charge and current are properly considered and properly applying the local EM fields to the PIC particles are areas where more work is needed.

 

PHASE I: The goals of phase I are: 1) survey of techniques which are capable of correctly incorporating particle interaction near conformal boundaries; 2) identification of a solution technique; 3) prototype implementation into either testbed code or AFRL provided model and verified on relevant examples. 

 

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: Military application: As well as electromagnetic generation, improved PIC would help in the simulation of the following defense related technologies: plasma opening switches, ion propulsion, and hypersonic drag reduction. Commercial application: Improved PIC code would aid plasma processing and fluorescent lamps, basic plasma research such as dusty plasmas, accelerators, Penning traps, magnetic fusion plasmas, 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: particle-in-cell (PIC), electromagnetic (EM), simulation, conformal, boundary

 

 

AF071-010           TITLE: Fast Synthetic Scene Generation for Directed Energy Applications

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Weapons

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop/implement methods for fast generation of realistic synthetic scenes, including significant atmospheric degrading, used to simulate directed energy tracking and aim point maintenance systems.

 

DESCRIPTION: Many directed energy system concepts require tracking a target and pointing laser beams through the atmosphere. The target image and projected beams experience degradation due to atmospheric effects, including absorption, extinction, turbulence, aero-optics and thermal blooming. The target scenes can be very complex; they can include natural and man-made objects, active and passive illumination, clutter, obscurants, and dynamics. The effectiveness of many directed energy systems is directly impacted by the stability of the projected beams on target.  For this reason these systems implement complex sensing and control schemes to reduce atmospheric effects and other jitter sources. Simulations which test these aim point maintenance algorithms require realistic synthetic imagery -- degraded by the same atmospheric effects acting on the projected beams. Generating such scenes is very time consuming and makes running simulations inconveniently complicated and slow. This topic is intended to develop faster techniques for generating atmospherically degraded synthetic scenes.  This would allow more effective use of simulations to develop and evaluate closed-loop tracking and aim point maintenance algorithms.

 

PHASE I: Develop, specify, evaluate and demonstrate a synthetic scene generation algorithm with atmospheric degradation.  Algorithm should be able to reduce computation time by a factor of ten over techniques currently used to evaluate closed-loop tracking and aim point maintenance algorithms.

 

PHASE II: Implement the synthetic scene generation algorithm in an existing simulation environment that includes all capabilities necessary to develop and evaluate aim point maintenance algorithms.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: Laser and optical systems that are adversely affected by propagation effects. Synthetic scene generation algorithms apply to tactical lasers, night-vision goggles and telescopes.  Commercial application: Laser and optical systems that are adversely affected by propagation effects. Synthetic scene generation algorithms apply to night-vision goggles, telescopes and medical and machining laser systems.

 

REFERENCES: 1. S. C. Coy, "ABLSim: a user-friendly wave optics propagation code," Proceedings of SPIE, Volume 3706, 1999.

 

2. L. C. Andrews and R. L. Phillips, “Laser Propagation through Random Media,” SPIE Optical Engineering Press, Bellingham, WA, (1998).

 

3. M. C. Roggemann and B. Welsh, “Imaging through Turbulence,” CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, (1996).

 

KEYWORDS: adaptive optics, lasers, atmospheric turbulence, imaging, aero-optics, thermal blooming, high energy laser (HEL)

 

 

AF071-011           TITLE: Moderate Power Mid-Infrared and Infrared Fiber Lasers

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop 100-1,000 Watt (W) peak power fiber laser technologies in the 3-5 and 8-12 um wavelength ranges for counter sensor applications.

 

DESCRIPTION: Future optical warfare systems may require moderate power mid-infrared and infrared (IR) wavelength lasers that can provide kiloWatt (kW) peak power output and that are electrically efficient, compact and capable of reliable operation in military environments.  Recent development in mid-infrared and infrared transmitting fibers enable the potential for fiber lasers doped with rare earth elements for direct lasing in the desired wavelength ranges.  Nonlinear wavelength conversion effects may also be able to be exploited to generate the wavelengths of interest.  Innovative new fiber laser and in-fiber wavelength conversion technologies, seeking order of magnitude electrical to optical efficiency improvements relative to wavelength converted solid state lasers and gas lasers, are sought to support future Air Force mission needs.

 

PHASE I: Demonstrate subscale breadboard operation of a laser traceable to the long term peak power objectives and develop a packaging approach for a full scale laser traceable to future military systems.

 

PHASE II: Develop, test and deliver a prototype laser module incorporating the novel laser technology for test evaluation in a government laboratory.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: Infrared Countermeasures (IRCM), Communication, Identification, Friend or Foe (IFF), Illumination. Commercial application: Lasers that operate directly in the mid-infrared wavelengths have potential applications in sensor and medical diagnostics equipment.

 

REFERENCES: 1.  L. B. Shaw, et. al., Advances in Fiber Devices, Proceedings of the SPIE, vol. 4974, p. 60, 2003.

 

2.  S.D. Jackson, CAOL, p. 1, 2003.

 

3.  Pollnau, M. ; Jackson, SD

Affiliation: Inst. for Biomed. Imaging, Opt. & Eng., Swiss Fed. Inst. of Technol., Lausanne, Switzerland

Source: [in] Solid-state mid-infrared laser sources; p.219-53.

 

KEYWORDS: Laser, mid-infrared, infrared, fiber optic, mid-IR fiber lasers

 

 

AF071-012           TITLE: Laser Remote Sensing for HEL Damage Assessment

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Weapons

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop algorithms and system designs based on laser remote-sensing to provide remote, real-time damage data for use in high energy laser (HEL) weapon systems.

 

DESCRIPTION: Algorithms and associated system designs based on active or laser remote-sensing technologies are sought for remote, rapid, and robust damage assessment for high energy laser (HEL) weapon systems.  Laser technologies to be considered include laser radar, polarimetry, photometry, spectroscopy, and vibrometry, with the ultimate solution expected to fuse some combination of these and other technologies.  Algorithms and system designs may utilize the properties of the HEL and/or those of a broadcast and/or tracking laser to provide real-time assessment of targets typically beyond the resolution limit for visual or imaging confirmation.  The ultimate system will provide real-time sensor feedback on target damage, which when combined with target vulnerability data will provide a kill estimate, and will therefore eliminate from kill estimates the inherent uncertainties of damage simulations.  Theoretical models of the interactions of sensor laser radiation with undamaged and damaged targets and clutter materials are required for the development of robust algorithms, which also require sound mathematical and statistical foundations.  Characteristics of HEL damage in relevant material classes should be measured and understood on the microscopic level and related to the properties of laser radiation reflected or scattered from damaged targets.  Actual or simulated laboratory data should be available to support algorithm development.  System designs should specify hardware and software to support eventual field and/or laboratory mock-up demonstrations of prototype systems.

 

PHASE I: Develop algorithms for HEL damage assessment based on one of the following: 1) a fusion of laser remote-sensing technologies, or 2) models of sensor laser interactions with damaged and undamaged targets, supported by physical data on damage effects.

 

PHASE II: Mature and expand the algorithms developed under Phase I, ensuring that damage data provided by algorithms are linked with target vulnerability data, specify and design systems in which algorithms can be tested in a field and/or laboratory demonstration, develop required hardware and software, and demonstrate with a prototype system damage assessment on a wide variety of target materials.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: Laser-based remote damage-assessment algorithms are applicable to HEL effects vulnerability assessment for directed energy weapon (DEW) programs. Commercial application: Laser-based remote damage-assessment algorithms are applicable to automated inspection systems for industrial and homeland security applications.

 

REFERENCES: 1.  B. G. Hoover, R. A. Peredo, L. F. DeSandre, and L. J. Ulibarri, “Active polarimetric assessment of surface weathering,” in Laser Radar Techniques for Atmospheric Sensing, Proc. SPIE 5575, 38-43 (2004).

 

2.  D. Fontani, F. Francini, G. Longobardi, and P. Sansoni, “Optical control of surface finish,” Opt. Lasers Eng. 32, 459-472 (2000).

 

KEYWORDS: high-energy laser, HEL, damage assessment, laser remote-sensing, polarimetry, photometry

 

 

 

AF071-019           TITLE: Untethered Helmet-Mounted Display for Night Vision Goggle Training Systems

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Human Systems

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop a tetherless, helmet-mounted display suitable for use as a night-vision goggle training device in flight simulators.

 

DESCRIPTION: Current helmet-mounted display (HMD) systems which present simulated night-vision goggle (NVG) imagery to users employ tethering cables carry the video signal to the head mounted display and employ relatively inefficient CRTs as the display medium.  The cables reduce freedom of user movement, especially as users may need to move about the cockpit during training exercises.  CRT displays’ size and mass create simulator helmet form and fit problems with respect to helmet system weight and center of mass.  There is a need to replace the tethering video cables with a very high bandwidth wireless video transmission capability and to replace the CRT display with a display capability whose form and fit is equivalent to that of the actual NVG.  The required bandwidth is estimated to be in the neighborhood of one giga-bit per second.  A minimum solution of an NVG HMD system that can transmit and display at each eye a non-interlaced, 1280 by 1024 pixel image with 16 bits of intensity per pixel at a 60Hz update rate is required; a higher 2000 X 2000 pixel resolution is desired.  The display system is restricted to a total helmet-mounted mass of 540 grams.

 

PHASE I: Expected result is a system design and a proof-of-concept demonstration of wireless data transmission and display capable of handling the requirements of the minimal solution. The system design should also address such areas as durability, reliability, and ease of installation/maintenance.

 

PHASE II: Expected result is a helmet-mountable, prototype system incorporating as much of the system design as possible while keeping an eye towards building a unit that will stand up to a feasibility evaluation.  This system will be evaluated at the Air Force Research Laboratory's Warfighter Readiness Research Division for feasibility of use in a simulated night-vision goggle training system.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: Training systems requiring a high-resolution, untethered, head-mounted display can use this technology, especially those that require user movement, such as the Army’s Dismounted Soldier Simulator. Commercial application: Applications lie in entertainment/gaming areas and in education/training where continual access to high-resolution reference manuals will allow faster training in areas like aircraft maintenance

 

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: wireless, high-resolution, helmet-mounted display, night-vision goggle simulation

 

 

AF071-020           TITLE: Head orientation sensing system

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Human Systems

 

OBJECTIVE: Design, develop, demonstrate, and deliver a rugged, lightweight, low power, man-mounted head orientation system capable of operating in electromagnetic fields up to 200 V/M with one degree resolution and accuracy with a minimum of 60 updates per second over a USB interface or other suitable standard interface for a 3-D audio display system.

 

DESCRIPTION: Airfield flight lines and aircraft carrier flight decks are extremely hazardous environments. Noise levels are 130 dB to 150 dB and are hazardous to hearing.  Ultra hearing protection is required to protect hearing but removes auditory localization cues.  These cues can be restored using virtual 3-D audio technology to enhance personnel safety.  However, the 3-D audio display needs to be head coupled/stabilized to be effective.  This head orientation device would provide 3 DOF information on head orientation, i.e.  Azimuth (0 to 359), elevation (+90 to -90), and roll information (+90 to -90).  This information is needed a minimum of 60 times per second with a 1 degree accuracy and 1 degree resolution. The device should be capable of operating on battery power for up to 50 hours and continuously on vehicle (12-28 VDC) or building (115 VAC 60Hz) power. The device should be lightweight and should integrate with combat and flight helmets as well as a stand-alone headband type configuration. The most significant technical challenge is accurately operating in electromagnetic operational environment includes field strengths up to 200 V/M. Typical headtrackiing technologies such as magnetic and/or acoustic sensing would probably have significant difficulty in operating is this type of environment. A satisfactory solution will require innovation to meet the performance, environment, and power consumption goals.  The total integrated head-orientation/3-D audio sensing-display system will give flight line/flight deck personnel cues aircraft location and will give dismounted special operations personnel cues on location of enemy fire/sounds while protecting their hearing.

 

PHASE I: Phase I products include conceptual design, risk identification, risk mitigation plans, and some risk reduction studies/experiments on fabricated portions of the system.

 

PHASE II: Phase II products include preliminary design, successful preliminary design review, working prototype, final design, successful critical design review, and 5 prototypes capable of demonstrating system performance in a field demonstration program.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: Applications include hazard cueing for aircraft carrier flight deck and flight-line personnel and threat/target cueing for dismounted soldiers, special operations forces, and pilots with and without helmets. Commercial application: Commercial applications include virtual reality display systems for product development and visualization and for virtual reality gaming.

 

REFERENCES: 1.  Joffrion, J.M., Raquet, J.F., and Brungart, D.S.  “ Sonic Boon: Head Tracking for 3D Audio Using a GPS-Aided MEMS IMU.” Inside GNSS, 1(1), 32-41, 2006

This is a description of a system which shows innovation in head tracking/orientation technology and integration with a 3-D audio display system but has excessive power consumption and may have performance and environment issues for the described concept.

 

KEYWORDS: head tracking, virtual reality, head orientation

 

 

AF071-021           TITLE: Team performance measurement and tracking in collaborative environments

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Human Systems

 

OBJECTIVE: Conduct research to develop and validate methods for identifying, tracking, analyzing and reporting team performance in collaborative environments.

 

DESCRIPTION: Much of the Air Force’s current Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) team work and command and control (2) decision making is accomplished in distributed, networked environments.  Teams operate remotely and often asynchronously with unknown teammates to carry out complex missions, coordinate command and control (C2), or make high-tempo decisions.  These activities are conducted by the team as a unit, therefore assessment must also be conducted at the team level.  ISR data integration and C2 decision making used to be constrained by limitations in information flow. Today’s environment, in contrast, requires systems and operators to manage large amounts of information efficiently and effectively and to provide specific information to others for their decision making. When team interactions are highly interdependent, system-wide error can occur as the results of a single weak link in the system.  Without the ability to manage information, coordination becomes error prone and mission success could suffer. Consequently, there is a limited research base on easy to routinely and in real time assess and track coordination, communication, collaboration and information sharing activities and performance on a team and team of teams level of analysis.  Have such a capability would help to identify critical points of potential failure and flag them for attention.  Typical solutions to this problem involve time-intensive techniques that are based on observation, but are one step removed from actual data streams. How can we deduce the cognitive state, or the current level of expertise of the war-fighter directly from operational or training data?  Some of the best data for assessing situation awareness, decision making, and leadership in team settings are also the least used. Communications – in a variety of forms – are ubiquitous and easy to capture. Research in team communication analysis has produced valuable insights into the structure of expert knowledge concerning military operations, and patterns of discourse in successful teams. However, it is unclear how the approaches used in these studies relate to other performance metrics in the contexts of interest (e.g., observer based or simulation derived metrics) or how they might ‘scale up’ to larger and widely distributed teams and teams of teams. Assessment of large team performance and vulnerabilities in social networks is needed in real-time or even in a predictive mode in order to monitor and intervene to prevent such failure.  The goal of this effort is to develop, demonstrate, and validate a team collaboration construct-oriented system for performance measurement that includes both embedded objective and observer-based subjective approaches to tracking, analysis, warehousing, and reporting.  The system would also be able to support ‘alarming’ decision drop outs and a data integration and display suitable for after action review and analysis.

 

PHASE I: Investigate existing and candidate performance measurement tools in a specific ISR/C2 environment. Develop and demonstrate measurement techniques/applications/methodologies that will help tracking, assessing and possibly diagnosing operator performance based on coordination, communication, collaboration and information sharing analyses. Demonstrate the validity of this approach in a bounded context.

 

PHASE II: Develop and demonstrate a functional prototype of a team collaboration performance assessment, tracking and after action review capability/system that integrates the validate metrics.  Conduct validation studies of the measures, the functions of the system and the utility of the data for diagnosis and after action review in a C2/ISR team collaboration environment.

 

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Performance measures that effectively utilize information about communications flow and content would have wide application in dynamic and distributed environments throughout the military services. While the focus this effort is on training applications, the resulting measurement techniques will be applicable in operational environments as well. Private sector organizations are continuing to move toward more distributed teamwork activities.  However, there has historically been no systematic approach to monitoring the workflow in these distributed teams.  This effort, if successful will provide a unique and validated methodology for addressing a significant gap in distributed organizations.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Bower, M. J., (2003). Distributed Mission Training. Military Training Technology, Vol. 8, Issue 4. http://www.military-training-technology.com/article.cfm?DocID=272.

 

2. Phister, P.W., Cherry, J.C., (2005). Command and Control Implications of Network-Centric Warfare. AFRL Horizons, February 2005, Document # IF-04-09. http://www.afrlhorizons.com/Briefs/Feb05/IF0409.html.

 

KEYWORDS: Team Collaboration, Command and Control (C2), Intelligence, Surveillance, & Reconnaissance (ISR), training, performance measurement, data warehousing, performance-based after action review

 

 

AF071-022           TITLE: Helmet-Mounted G-Tolerant Eye Tracker

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Human Systems

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop a helmet-mounted eye tracker, capable of interfacing with Air Force flight equipment, that can be used in a high-G, airborne, fast jet environment.

 

DESCRIPTION: There are several challenges facing the implementation of an eye tracker in a fast jet. First of all, the eye tracker must be light enough so that it does not add too much weight to the pilot’s head. Second, it must not interfere with the pilot’s vision. Thirdly, it must be able to maintain track of the eye while doing aggressive maneuvers that would result in both buffeting as well as substantial G loading. In addition, the tracker should not harm the pilot in case of ejection nor interfere with the ejection process.  To address these issues, an eye tracker must be very light (tens of grams), be small in volume (a few cubic inches at most), and be of a form factor that permits secure mounting to the head or a helmet. The eye tracker, or any part of the eye tracker, cannot contact the surface of the eye for any reason. A viable combination of these parameters, suitable to meet Air Force needs has yet to be found.  The problem with buffeting is that the shaking can cause most standard commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) head trackers to loose track because they must track reflections from inside the eye and through the pupil. The effect of G loading causes the eyelid to droop and the device itself to slip, which can also cause an eye tracker to loose track of the eye.  New, innovative technology that is immune to this effect is needed. One purpose of this eye tracker would be to aid in the aiming of weapons. As such, the eye tracker must be very fast (e.g., have latency of less than 30 ms) and work in conjunction with a head tracker and head-mounted display. Another purpose of an unobtrusive fast eye tracker would be to support an immersive display system with true 20/20 resolution for pilot training simulators based on foveal eye tracking.  To meet these needs, technology enabling a small, lightweight, non-contact, head-mounted eye tracker must be found.

 

PHASE I: Provide a literature review to determine shortcomings and plan the development of a flight worthy eye tracker. Develop one or more viable designs. Issues include but are not limited to: latency, accuracy, size, weight, and form. Document results (analysis and designs) in a report concluding Phase I.

 

PHASE II: Build and demonstrate an eye tracker that is robust enough for laboratory testing and could be used in a fast jet. This tracker would have very fast update rates, be immune to jitter and G, and be accurate, conforming to the performance parameters determined in phase I. It would also be helmet-mounted and as such must be as light as possible and not obstruct the pilot’s field-of-view.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: Eye trackers will be used in conjunction with head trackers for combat and virtual reality environments. Head and eye tracking will allow us to interact easily with information and weapons. Commercial application: Eye tracking could be used as an interface in the medical industry.  Light-weight eye trackers would enable an innovative interface for individuals who cannot use their limbs. Surgeons and quadriplegics could use the device resulting from this effort to interact with information and the world around them.  In addition, the marketing industry could use unobtrusive eye trackers to improve their studies of advertisements to determine more easily what about an ad catches an observer’s attention.  When small, light-weight eye trackers are combined with state-of-the-art head-mounted displays, they enable an innovative environment for hands-free information interaction.

 

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

 

KEYWORDS: helmet-mounted display, eye tracker, head tracker, fast jet

 

 

AF071-023           TITLE: Near-field acoustic holography system

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Space Platforms, Human Systems

 

OBJECTIVE: Design, develop, and demonstrate a practical 3-dimensional acoustic holography system capable of measuring and describing jet plumes from full scale high performance military jet aircraft engines and high efficiency commercial/transport jet engines.

 

DESCRIPTION: The acoustic source characteristics of jet plumes from high performance military fighter engines as well as jet plumes from high bypass commercial transport engines are not well defined.  This is due to the difficulty in making a complete set of descriptive acoustic measurements characterizing the size, intensity, directivity, and distribution of the acoustic source/jet plume . High performance military engines may have an apparent time varying distributed acoustic source which is at least 40’ long and 15’ high and wide. Acoustic near-field acoustic holography concepts have been proposed but have not been practically realized for full-scale jet engines.  A 3-D microphone measurement array to fully characterize the acoustic near-field around the aircraft and jet plume would require thousands of individual microphones. The concept of the near-field acoustic holography system is to be able to measure and characterize the 3-D acoustic near-field with a reasonable number (<150) of microphones and innovative signal processing/signature analysis techniques implemented in software. The technical challenges include identifying the acoustic source frequency dependent spatial distribution, identifying the time varying acoustic shock structure in the plume, collecting accurate acoustic data with high ambient temperatures and wind, and identifying and quantifying the major acoustic radiation angles and strength.  The current state-of-the-art is near-field acoustic holography of cold, model scale (1”-2” throat diameter) jets in laboratory conditions.  The full scale near-field acoustic holography system should be at least semi-portable, i.e. be capable of being set up at different air field test sites with not more than 1-2 days set up time by not more than 3 technicians. The system should be able to handle overall sound pressure levels up to 160 dB. The system should have a calibrated bandwidth from at least 5 Hz to not less than 30 kHz.   The data from the near-field acoustic holography system will be instrumental in conceiving and defining jet source noise reduction technologies and quantifying their noise performance benefits for both high performance military jet engines and high efficiency commercial jet engines.

 

PHASE I: The Phase I products should include as a minimum a hardware, software, and analysis design for a full scale acoustic holography system with data display concept. Risk areas should be defined and potential risk reduction experiments/demonstrations should be conducted and reported.

 

PHASE II: The Phase II products should include as a minimum a working integrated near-field acoustic holography system with hardware and software, calibration procedures and data, and a demonstration of a measurement and analysis of a military high performance aircraft/engine 3-D acoustic near-field.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: Applications include personnel noise field and noise exposure calculations and identification and performance measurement of possible techniques for jet noise reduction. Commercial application: Commercial applications include identifying techniques for jet noise reduction from commercial jet aircraft engines and defining noise hazard areas for commercial jet aircraft ground operations.

 

REFERENCES: 1. "Nearfield Acoustic Holography (NAH) I - Theory of Generalized Holography and the Development of NAH," by JD Maynard, E.G. Williams and Y. Lee.

 

2. "Nearfield Acoustic Holography (NAH) II - Holographic Reconstruction Algorithms and Computer Implementation," by W.A. Veronesi and J.D. Maynard.

 

KEYWORDS: acoustics, near-field noise, near-field acoustic holography, noise, noise exposure

 

 

AF071-024           TITLE: Helmet Mounted Display for Joint Strike Fighter Training Simulator

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Human Systems

 

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate alternative technologies for simulation of Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) helmet-mounted display (HMD) and provide analysis of visual perception and training implications of each technology.

 

DESCRIPTION: The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) will be the first US fighter aircraft with a binocular HMD as the primary cockpit instrument and sensor display. DMO (Distributed Mission Operations) Mission Training Centers (MTCs), which will field the JSF training systems, currently use real-image (uncollimated) visual displays with a near image plane, and an eye-point to display viewing distance that varies by 20 or more inches. The integration of a binocular HMD will cause obvious differences in depth between out-the-window (OTW) and HMD imagery, leading to serious distraction, eye-strain, and possibly other problems.  Thus the technical feasibility of integrating a binocular HMD with existing flight simulator displays has not been established.  Replacing the current display systems at all MTCs is clearly not feasible. Therefore, the Air Force seeks innovative human systems technology to allow the simulation of the JSF HMD in existing flight simulator display systems.  Because the extent of the problem is unknown, a human factors evaluation of a binocular HMD capable of displaying flight symbology and simulated sensor imagery integrated with a faceted display system (e.g. the Mobile Modular Display for Advanced Research and Training, or M2DART) is required.  The contractor shall evaluate performance of experienced pilots while wearing a binocular HMD and engaged in appropriate flight tasks in order to identify the specific perceptual issues caused by this configuration.  Based on the results of this evaluation, the contractor shall propose new human systems technologies that could be implemented to overcome the identified perceptual issues.  It is expected in Phase I that a report be delivered documenting the results, and providing a recommendation for an appropriate solution for simulation of a JSF HMD that can be carried forward in Phase II.

 

PHASE I: Conduct human factors evaluation of binocular HMD integrated with M2DART or similar faceted display system.  In Phase I the contractor shall document this evaluation, and provide a detailed recommendation for new technology or concept based on the results.

 

PHASE II: Develop a proof of concept  prototype demonstration of technology with commercialization potential to simulate the JSF HMD based upon the conclusions drawn in Phase I. The contractor shall deliver the prototype device to AFRL, Mesa for test and evaluation.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: New human systems technology for advanced HMDs in aircraft simulation and training. Commercial application: Improved periods of effective use and comfort for HMDs for commercial and entertainment use.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Head Mounted Displays: Designing for the User. Melzer, J. & Moffitt, K. Eds. McGraw-Hill, New York, 1997.

 

2. Velger, M. (1998). Helmet-mounted displays and sights. Boston, MA: Artech House.

 

3. Winterbottom, Patterson, & Pierce (2005). Helmet-mounted Displays for use in Air Force Training and Simulation. Air Force Research Laboratory Technical Report Number AFRL-HE-AZ-TR-2005-0186.

 

4. Winterbottom, Patterson, Pierce, Covas & Winner (2005). Depth of Focus and Perceived Blurring of Simultaneously-Viewed Displays. Proceedings of Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation, and Education Conference. 

 

5. Wight, D. R., Best, L.  G., & Peppler, P.  W.  (1998).   M2DART: A Real-Image Simulator Visual Display System. Air Force Research Laboratory Technical Report Number: AFRL-HE-AZ-TR-1998-0097.

 

KEYWORDS: Flight simulation, helmet-mounted displays, simulation based design and acquisition, distributed mission operations, mission rehearsal, visual perception, binocular vision, eye-strain

 

 

AF071-025           TITLE: Apparatus and Method to measure thermal insulation factors for use with BURNSIM

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Human Systems

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop a dynamic model of heat transfer through clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) and develop a method to validate the model through exposure of fabrics to hot convective gases simulating jet engine exhaust.

 

DESCRIPTION: New Aircraft like the Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) version of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) have identified areas around the aircraft where thermal hazards, such as jet exhaust, exist. If maintainers need to be in the thermal risk area, they need to wear appropriate protective gear. The ultimate risk to the maintainers is a combination of the risk from the heat source and the effectiveness of the PPE in mitigating that risk. The burn hazard assessment model, BURNSIM, has been used by the JSF program to define the hazardous areas, but the current version of BURNSIM (ref 4), contains thermal transfer characteristics for only a few types of clothing (jeans, t-shirt, long underwear, and long sleeve shirt).  Consultation with the lab at Natick Soldier Support Center that has the mission to assess flammability and thermal properties of fabrics for the military reveals that there is no standard test method or validated model to establish the dynamic thermal transfer characteristics for the many types of PPE that need to be considered for protecting the maintainers.

 

One solution might be a computer controlled, compact device to determine the insulation factors for any clothing or PPE when subjected to convective and total heat fluxes that simulate the operational environment. The primary focus is on understanding the effect of hot air streams (up to 32m/s and 100 deg C) that simulate jet engine exhaust in areas that might be tolerable.  An appropriate clothing model should be developed and validated for deriving the insulation factors that can be used to dynamically control the input to BURNSIM which then predicts time to pain, time to threshold blister and burn depth.  Since BURNSIM can handle time varying heat flux as its input, it is important that the clothing model handle time varying heat flux appropriately.

 

The validated model should facilitate the design of PPE by being able to accommodate the addition of different layers and air spaces and still predict the dynamic transfer of heat flux from its front surface to the backside of the PPE where it becomes the input to BURNSIM.

 

PHASE I: The proposer should design and evaluate a prototype fabric test device to measure the thermal transfer properties through clothing and PPE.  This device will measure the necessary parameters for input into BURNSIM and will be used to develop a clothing model that can interact with BURNSIM.

 

PHASE II: Refinements to the initial design should result in a fully operational device and model that is validated against current insulation factors (convective) in BURNSIM and demonstrated to provide appropriate factors for the various components of the JSF maintainer ensemble including boots, gloves and head gear.  Testing will also be conducted to build a model library of thermal properties of various clothing and PPE items that could be used with BURNSIM to evaluate protection alternatives.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: Military will use the device to define insulation factors for various alternative ensemble components in an optimization process to provide the ability of maintainers to conduct required tasks without injury. Commercial application: Wide commercial application in developing new protective equipment for firefighters, first responders, and industrial workers who are exposed to thermal environments that cause pain and burn injury.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Knox, F. S., Bonetti, Dena and Perry, C.E., User’s Manual for BRNSIM/BURNSIM: A Burn Hazard Assessment Model, USAARL Report No. 93-13, February 1993. available under Tech Reports at: http://www.usaarl.army.mil/

 

2. Knox, F. S., Reynolds, D. B., Conklin, A. and Perry, C.E. Burn Prediction Using BURNSIM and Clothing Models, Model for Aircrew Safety Assessment: Uses, Limitations and Requirements, RTO Meeting Proceedings, RTO-MP-20, AC/323(HFM)TP/7, 26-28 October 1998 at Wright-Patterson AFB, published August 1999, pp31-1 -31-17. Available from NASA Center for AeroSpace Information, Parkway Center, 7121 Standard Drive, Hanover, MD 31076-1320, USA

 

3. Torvi, David A. and Dale, J. Douglas, Heat Transfer in Thin Fibrous Materials Under High Heat Flux, Fire Technology, Vol. 35, No. 3, 1999.

 

4. An operational copy of BURNSIM v. 2.7, circa 2000 with documentation will be placed on the Biodynamics Data Network at www.biodyn.wpafb.af.mil for use by the prospective contractors.

 

KEYWORDS: Burn hazard, protective clothing, BURNSIM, clothing model, clothing insulation, thermal, jet exhaust, convective heat flux, dynamic heat flux

 

 

AF071-026           TITLE: Development and demonstration of a generalizable and integrated aiding and training system

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Human Systems

 

OBJECTIVE: Conduct research to develop a generalizable job aiding and training exemplar for individuals and teams across two domains of interest.

 

DESCRIPTION: Across the maintenance domain in the Services, training and instruction still follow a model originally developed in the 1960s.  While the complexity of the tasks that military personnel perform has increased dramatically, the type of training and instruction available to them has not kept pace.  In addition, a substantial amount of work performed by field personnel is done in small, focused work teams, and groups.  Several national initiatives to include Advanced Distributed Learning, Distributed Interactive Simulation and e-learning have fundamentally changed how large sectors of the private and public sectors teach and retrain their personnel.  Moreover, theses initiatives have demonstrated the capability for reusing course content and operational data, albeit on a small scale and primarily focused on individuals. Further, there are instances where the tasks to be performed may be amenable to performance by the individual or team with the benefit of constructive coaches or avatars embedded in operational systems.  While there have been isolated and small scale demonstrations of some of the capabilities for aiding and training separately, none have integrated and demonstrated a combined approach to aiding and training that utilizes both capabilities appropriately to improve and support task performance at an individual or a team level of analysis.  What we continue to create are stovepiped training and aiding systems which do not use common content or common approaches to information development, delivery and assessment. The existing literature suggests that bringing aiding and training together, while technically difficult, would provide a major enhancement over one or the other separately.  Moreover, the underlying assumptions of aiding versus training appear to be different and in opposition to one another but they should not be given the goal of enhancing human performance in complex activities.  This effort will conduct research to develop and demonstrate an integrated aiding and training technology for maintenance personnel.  As part of the development, we will evaluate the utility and potential leveraging of advances in the initiatives cited above to reduce risks and the developer can focus on maintenance training in general or on a specific maintenance application in the military or in a civilian agency.  The effort will also evaluate alternative approaches for migrating the developed job aiding and training solution and repopulate and demonstrate its training and performance enhancing use in a completely different domain and one with a significant team emphasis, such as satellite command and control or defensive counter space operations for example.  In both cases common development, aiding, training content delivery, and assessment capabilities applicable to individual- and small team-task performance are desired capabilities in the final demonstration. 

 

PHASE I: Selection of primary and generalizable domains of interest; Conceptual design and alternatives recommendations; Exemplar software demonstration for a selected solution set; Aiding and training tradespace recommendations; Learning specifications; and Evaluation plans will be developed in this phase.

 

PHASE II: This phase will implement the plans and will develop demonstrable aiding and training content and metrics in the recommended domains of interest.  Field evaluations will be accomplished in both domains and will examine and quantify the efficacy of common approaches to both aiding and training as approaches to performance enhancement at both the individual and the team level of analysis.  

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Demonstration of a generalizable approach for aiding and training within and across content domains for individuals and teams.  A successful demonstration would provide data and specifications for aiding and training that will inform standards for advanced distributed learning and aiding systems for next generation weapon systems and operations.  The demonstration potential to show both effectiveness and approaches for using common content for BOTH aiding and training is unique and provides significant potential for commercial and military activities that are common to share substantial and existing content and metrics.  This level of reuse could be a substantial savings to both commercial and military organizations and personnel.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Gagné, R. (1985). The Conditions of Learning (4th ed.). New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.

 

2. Halff, H. M. (1993). Prospects for automating instructional design. In J. M. Spector, M. C. Polson, & D. J. Muraida (Eds.), Automating instructional design: Concepts and issues (pp. 67–132). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Educational Technology Publications.

 

3. Hsieh, P.Y., Halff, H.M. and Redfield, C.L. (1999). Four easy pieces: Development systems for knowledge-based generative instruction, International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education. 10, 1-45. Available http://cbl.leeds.ac.uk/ijaied/abstracts/Vol_10/hsieh.html.

 

4. Kieras, D. E. (1988). What mental model should be taught: Choosing instructional content for complex engineered systems. In J. Psotka, L. D. Massy, and S. A. Mutter (Eds.), Intelligent tutoring systems: Lessons learned (pp. 85-112). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

 

5. Merrill, M. D. (1999). Instructional Transaction Theory (ITT): Instructional design based on knowledge objects. In Charles M. Reigeluth (Ed.). Instructional Design Theories and Models: A New Paradigm of Instructional Technology. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

 

KEYWORDS: Generalizable and reusable instruction, knowledge-based instructional systems, intelligent tutoring systems, simulation-based training, authoring shells, aircraft maintenance training, space training systems

 

 

AF071-027           TITLE: Real Time Cockpit Resource Management (CRM) Training

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Human Systems

 

OBJECTIVE: To develop and demonstrate the effectiveness of alternative training approaches for reducing the frequency and severity of human error by weapon system operators through improved situation awareness and decision making skills with an emphasis being on the ability to respond to unanticipated mission events.

 

DESCRIPTION: Highly task loaded training and combat missions place particularly heavy demands on situation awareness and decision making for safe and successful mission accomplishment. These demands are exacerbated when unforeseen events require a real time change to planned actions.  Over 80% of Air Force aircraft and personnel losses from 1991 through 2004 occurred in non-combat missions, with most caused by “failures of basic airmanship, flight discipline, and common sense” (ACC/DO, 2004).  Further analyses of mishap reports during this period revealed that a high proportion occurred when the operators were dealing with an unforeseen situation.  In these circumstances, decision making problems were invariably accompanied by other factors such as lack of situation awareness or inadequate task management.  Channelized attention alone was a causal or contributing factor in over 60% of fighter and attack aircraft mishap reports analyzed. Similar patterns have been documented within various weapon systems including manned aircraft, unmanned aircraft, and Air Operations Centers (AOCs), and are emerging as a continuing issue in fifth generation fighters (e.g., F-22 and F-35).  These problems persist despite training over the past decade (at least for aircrews) that is focused on reducing human factors-related preventable mishaps.   The persistence of such mishaps exists across the DoD led senior military leaders to call for initiatives to reduce preventable mishaps by 75%.

 

Error mitigation skills, including situation awareness, decision making, task management and team coordination/communication have traditionally been trained through seminars. This training may be augmented by emphasizing specific skill areas in flight briefings and debriefings, and specific problem areas are sometimes addressed in initiatives such as higher headquarters Special Interest Instructions. Yet, the incidence of mishaps caused by operator error involving these skill areas remains relatively unchanged, and may in fact be increasing.  This brings into question the adequacy of these traditional intervention strategies as stand-alone solutions to shape the required behaviors.  In a recent and extensive review of error mitigation training effectiveness research, Salas, Wilson, and Burke (2006) the true impact of this training “has yet to be determined.”  Most evaluations focused on student critiques and aviator attitudes.  This and other reviews found that the actual impacts of such interventions on subsequent error reduction are rarely investigated or reported.  The lack of documented training effectiveness evidence led some reviewers to question the presence of actual impacts, while others questioned the adequacy of measures, and still others, both. At a minimum, this dearth of impact evidence complicates progress toward increasing the effectiveness of training strategies to reduce or mitigate the negative consequences of operator error based on experience, and it adds to the difficulty of justifying investments of time or money into such programs. 

 

The technical challenges are at least two-fold.  The first is to explore alternative training interventions for skills such as situation awareness, task management and decision making that may be more effective than current approaches for developing the cognitive skills and behaviors needed to effectively manage error given the highly task loaded and dynamic functions that are encountered in modern weapon systems including AOCs.  The second is to develop evaluation processes that will address the impacts of these interventions in terms of the ability of operators to perform in the highly task loaded and dynamic conditions that characterize the operational environments in which errors are most likely to occur.

 

Research is critically needed to develop innovative methods for defining, measuring, and training to improve operator situation awareness and decision making skills. It is believed that such training must provide experiences that elicit behaviors similar to what can be expected under intense task-loaded conditions in actual operations and should include abnormal, surprise situations that could and do occasionally occur. It must motivate the student to properly learn, retain and apply principals that will enhance performance in the operational environment. This type of learning may be best accomplished in a combination of media that includes hands-on experience in a real-time training environment.

 

We expect Phase I to include: (1) identification and prioritization of specific root causes of operator error that are amenable to training interventions, (2) development of behaviorally-based training objectives and identification of effective methods of instruction, (3) design of innovative technologies to provide realistic experiences that include high workload and significant decision-driving conditions, which may create confusing circumstances and potentially leading to multiple and ambiguous solutions; and (4) analysis of training media alternatives with respect to potential effectiveness.

 

PHASE I: Identify behavior-based training objectives for developing the error mitigating skills needed for effective operation of a selected weapon system. Develop a set of operator performance metrics, challenging mission segments, evaluation criteria and an evaluation plan to determine the effectiveness of real-time training. Conduct a trial evaluation using these metrics.

 

PHASE II: Develop training metrics and the training technologies needed for a proof of concept. Develop mission lessons, and evaluation criteria, and perform evaluations of the different levels of training. Recommend a training device configuration for weapon system operators to develop and practice situation awareness and decision making skills such that they become “second nature” during dynamic, high workload situations.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: The principles, methods and processes of situation awareness, task management, and decision-making training can be adapted to a wide variety of military training including unmanned air vehicle piloting. Commercial application: Commercial applications include aviation training and vehicle driver training.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Maj Gen DeCuir (2004). Survive training to fight. Presentation at the Fall 2004 Air Combat Command Commanders’ and Spouses’ Conference. 2. Salas, E., Wilson, K.A., & Burke, B. C. (2006). Does crew resource Management training work? An update, an extension, and some critical needs. Human Factors, v. 48 no. 2, p. 392-412.

 

KEYWORDS: Training, Situation Awareness, Attention, Decision Making, Impact Assessment

 

 

AF071-028           TITLE: CSAR-X  Digital Visionic System

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Human Systems

 

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals, their country of origin, and what tasks each would accomplish in the statement of work in accordance with section 3.5.b.(7) of the solicitation.

 

STATEMENT OF INTENT: Improve Combat Search and Rescue Aircrew Personnel

 

OBJECTIVE: To develop a digital visionic system to aide combat search and rescue aircrew personnel.

 

DESCRIPTION: The Digital Visionic System (DVS) initiative is a helmet-mounted device primarily for night ground operations or in helicopters with open doors (combat search and rescue missions).  Current night-vision goggles operate only in the 625-930 nanometer spectral band, which encompasses part of the visible and near infrared electromagnetic spectrum.  However, additional night sky energy is available in longer wave-lengths that night vision goggles cannot see.  The two bands with the most interest are the short-wave infrared spectral band (1.1 – 3.5 microns) and the long-wave infrared spectral band (7-15 microns).  The shortwave infrared band has a unique ability to see through atmospheric obscurants (e.g. fog), improved detection of camouflage, and detection of out-of-band lasers whereas terrestrial temperatures (people, cars, animals) emit energy in the long-wave infrared band.  The higher an object’s temperature, the brighter it appears. However, longer wavelengths are typically absorbed by aircraft canopies/windscreens and therefore to be effective, need to operate where these “windows” are not present.

 

The DVS will be a binocular configuration and feature the following sensors:  near-infrared, short-wave infrared, and long-wave infrared.  The DVS shall be battery powered and be capable of displaying symbology/imagery from an external source.  The weight and size of the configuration shall be minimized to promote user comfort and acceptance.  Examples of possible tradeoff considerations are helmet versus body-mounted batteries and wired versus wireless connections for external source connectivity.

 

PHASE I: A design of the optimized DVS approach shall be presented. Tradeoff analyses of selected component technologies and human factors issues shall be detailed.  Producibility of the selected approach and supportability by life support personnel will be considered

 

PHASE II: This phase will result in the fabrication of a prototype DVS using the optimized approach as determined by the Phase I effort.  The Phase II prototype DVS hardware will be robust enough to undergo laboratory and operational testing.  A final report will document the entire DVS program.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: Applications are primarily for ground personnel who currently use night vision devices and combat search and rescue missions where there are open doors to view through. Commercial application: The applications of a DVS are many and include such areas as surveillance and law enforcement.  Additionally, homeland security applications are relevant (border patrol, etc.)

 

REFERENCES: 1. Pinkus, A.R., Task, H.L., Dixon, S.A., Barbato, M.H., Hausmann, M.A., (2003) Twenty-Plus Years of Night Vision Technology: Publications And Patents From The Crew System Interface Division Of The Air Force Research Laboratory At Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, AFRL-HE-WP-TR-2003-0048.

 

KEYWORDS: Night-vision goggle, image intensifier tube, short-wave infrared, long-wave infrared, ANVIS HUD

 

 

AF071-029           TITLE: Autonomous Helicopter Sensor-Display System for Brown-out Landing Conditions

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Human Systems

 

STATEMENT OF INTENT: Develop predictive 3D terrain software architectures to enhance helicopter safety

 

OBJECTIVE: Investigate and design software architectures that incorporate 3D terrain modeling. The models utilize inputs from both passive aircraft sensors and the inertial navigation system (INS) to display predictive 3D graphic imagery as an aid for safe helicopter landings during brown-out conditions.

 

DESCRIPTION: When a helicopter attempts to land on highly dusty terrain, the entire aircraft can be enveloped by a dense cloud of particles that can obscure the pilot’s vision (termed “brown-out”). Additionally, the brown-out condition is in combination with the aircraft’s landing attitude (nose tilted up) making it even more difficult or impossible to observe interfering ground features (e.g., boulders, fences, slopes, cliffs, crevices, and depressions). These are very dangerous landing conditions; brown-out is the number one AF Special Operations Forces operational problem. When the landing area becomes obscured and as the nose tilts upward, the pilot would then visually transition to and rely on a computer-generated display of the landing area. New software architectures are needed that can take real-time inputs from passive aircraft-mounted sensors (pre-obscured sampled imagery), extract and then image the 3D terrain features. The aircraft continues flying through the visual obscuration until touch-down using INS inputs (altitude, speed, yaw, pitch, roll, GPS) to the computer which are used to update the modeled terrain. Additionally, machine vision algorithms might be incorporated into the terrain modeling software that automatically identify and cue dangerous terrain features. The imagery is shown to the pilot, in real-time via a head-mounted or other type of display. This system does not utilize a terrain/topographic database. Imagery inputs to this software would be from camera(s) that are mounted externally, near the helicopter’s lower nose area. These sensors can be different in both number and type. Examples of sensors include but are not restricted to: one CCD camera, two CCD cameras for stereoscopic vision, an intensified CCD camera for night-time operations and a short-wave infrared (SWIR) camera providing a multi-spectral, day/night capability.

 

PHASE I: Research predictive 3D terrain modeling. Identify software architectures that could use passive sensors and INS inputs to update a predictive 3D terrain mapping display operating in real-time. Identify high-risk areas and possible solutions. Provide a final report.

 

PHASE II: Down select best software architectures per Phase I recommendations. Mature the 3D terrain modeling. Develop the software for simulation/demonstration. Identify possible automatic hazardous terrain detection algorithms. Identify off-the-shelf hardware for use in a software feasibility lab simulation/demonstration. Recommendations report defining complete software requirements specification.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: Use on combat ground vehicles experiencing temporary brown-out or white-out conditions. E.g., tanks in the desert. Such a system might be used by autonomous robotic vehicles e.g., ordinance disposal, rescue, antipersonnel while operating in dusty conditions. For example, Mars surveying robots have experienced the effects of dust storms. Commercial application: Use on civilian (car, truck) or commercial (land mover) vehicles experiencing temporary brown-out or white-out conditions.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Automatic Three-dimensional Modeling from Reality D. Huber doctoral dissertation, tech. report CMU-RI-TR-02-35, Robotics Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, December, 2002.

 

2. A New Approach to 3-D Terrain Mapping D. Huber and M. Hebert Proceedings of the 1999 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robotics and Systems (IROS '99), IEEE, October, 1999, pp. 1121-1127.

 

3. Toward a General 3-D Matching Engine: Multiple Models, Complex Scenes, and Efficient Data Filtering A. Johnson, O. Carmichael, D. Huber, and M. Hebert.

Proceedings of the 1998 Image Understanding Workshop (IUW), November, 1998, pp. 1097-1107.

 

KEYWORDS: autonomous landing systems, brown-out landing, passive sensors, 3D terrain modeling, 3D displays

 

 

AF071-030           TITLE: Team decision making training and rehearsal exemplar for the air and space operations center (AOC)

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Human Systems

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop a team decision making training and rehearsal capability for combat operations and planning teams in the AOC.

 

DESCRIPTION: Operational personnel from a variety of missions are routinely tasked with supporting AOC around the world.  It is not unusual for flight rated personnel, ground ops personnel, and intelligence personnel to be combined together on the same team and tasked with supporting combat operations as a decision making team.  However, there are limited experiences in each person’s primary job that prepare them for their roles in the AOC.  Currently, the only development al experiences and training provided is academic exposure to AOC-like functions and training on the specific systems at each position needed to operate the systems in the AOC. Further, there is quite a bit of evidence now that the lack of any team training related to what decisions need to be made and how those decisions are developed and where they are applied in daily combat operations.  This has led to a number of critical failures in taskings sent to the operational commanders resulting in assets in the wrong place at the wrong time, or assets with the incorrect ordinance or capabilities for the area of interest.  The losses due to poor decision making and tasking is in billions of dollars – not to mentioned the political fallout associated with the misapplication of key warfighting capabilities in theater.  The lack of systematic and decision focused training and rehearsal for combat ops and planning teams has been cited as a significant problem.  There are a number of research studies that point to similar decision failures and their impact on organizations and in areas such as crisis action planning.  While the problems and impacts of poor decision making in th is context are becoming well-known, a solution that provides the kind of context-specific and cross team training and rehearsal for personnel has not been developed.  In addition, there is no current capability to train AOC teams in the variety of decision contexts and for the variety of decision making situations they will encounter in an AOC environment.  Such things as understanding the roles and responsibilities of team members on your team and on other relevant teams, knowing what teams do and what the bring to the decision process for combat planning and operational tasking, where key information sources exist and what those sources possess are critical and have been identified as key shortfalls by returning team members.  This effort will conduct research to identify and evaluate alternative approaches to training teams in decision making related to specific combat operations and planning contexts. The technical challenge is to develop a comprehensive decision making training and rehearsal capability for the diversity of team members and their various experiences.  The desired research end state is a capability that demonstrably improves decision making and team processes in AOC combat plans and ops teams.

 

PHASE I: Conduct research and operational assessments of alternative decision making training and rehearsal alternatives.  Develop recommendations for approaches to be taken and demonstrate key concepts and content in Phase I demonstration.  Define specific training and rehearsal needs related to combat operations and planning teams in an AOC and identify key features and measures of success for the phase II development and demonstration effort.

 

PHASE II: Develop, demonstrate and evaluate a proof-of-concept team training and rehearsal capability for combat operations and planning.  While the goal is a team training and rehearsal capability, we expect the developed capability to be applicable for individual decision making training and rehearsal as well.  A small scale evaluation study with AOC teams will be accomplished and the proof-of-concept capability will be reviewed by the C2 Warrior School and by the Air Warfare Center at Nellis AFB for applicability in their virtual command and control exercises.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: The AOC is the command and control decision making nexus for the military.  We envision the developed capability to have additional military applications for such activities and Operation Noble Eagle and Homeland Defense. Conceptually and practically, the decision process and the products are highly similar.  Commercial application: Crisis action planning teams, and medical emergency and first-responder teams have been identified as having similar decision making challenges and issues.  Again, and in spite of these known issues, relevant and flexible training and rehearsal capabilities simply do not exist and there is substantial leveraging from this effort to support civilian crisis response planning and operations. 

 

REFERENCES: 1. Cannon-Bowers, J.A., & Salas, E. "Making decisions under stress: Implication for individual and team training" Washington, D.C., American Psychological Association, 1998.

 

2. Merrill, M.D., Component Display theory. In C.M. Reigeluth (Ed.), Instructional design theories and models: An Overview of their current status. Hillsdale, N.J: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 1983.

 

3. Savery, J.R.& Duffy, T.M., "Problem-based learning: An instructional model and its constructivist framework," Educational technology, September/October, P 31-38, 1995.

 

4. Wellens, A.R., Group situational awareness and distributed decision making: from military to civilian applications. In N.J. Castellan, Jr. (Ed.), Individual and Group decision making, 1993.

 

KEYWORDS: Decision making training, Air and space operations, Crisis planning and tasking processes, Competency-based training and rehearsal, Modeling and simulation, Situational awareness, Training effectiveness evaluation, Integrated Distributed Mission Training

 

 

AF071-033           TITLE: Nano-Particle Effects on ESH

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Materials/Processes, Human Systems

 

STATEMENT OF INTENT: Evaluate the influence of emerging nano-technologies on safety

 

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of emerging engineered nanomaterials on environmental, safety, and occupational health (ESH) of Air Force Personnel.

 

DESCRIPTION: The potential and rapid growth of nanotechnology may far outpace the knowledge about associated safety and health risks. To prevent this from happening, timely targeted research is needed to define risks and provide guidance for safe handling of nanomaterials. In response to the need for improved performances, new raw materials, technologies and products are being created. These new materials and processes may be detrimental to the environment as well as safety and health of workers. Application of nanotechnology is one of these areas. Due to the ever-increasing number of DoD applications using nanotechnology, there is a need to investigate ESH issues. Of vital importance to the DoD are the following: 1) Determining the factors that influence the generation, dispersion, deposition, and re-entrainment of nanomaterials in the workplace; 2) quantitatively assessing worker exposure to nanomaterials in the workplace through inhalation or dermal contact; 3) determining the fate and persistence of nanomaterials inside the body of worker; and 4) evaluating and improving the effectiveness of personal protective equipment (PPE) for reducing workplace exposures to nanomaterials. Evaluation of the life-cycle of a weapon system utilizing nanomaterials at this early stage of product/technology development will allow for modifications to be made through pollution prevention instead of the remediation/compliance cycle so common in the government and industry.

 

PHASE I: To provide ASC/EN engineers with a preliminary guide that determines the factors influencing the generation, dispersion, deposition, and re-entrainment of nanomaterials in the workplace, including the role of mixed exposures. 

 

PHASE II: Identify control techniques such as source enclosure (i.e., isolating the generation source from the worker) and local exhaust ventilation systems for the effective capture of airborne nanoparticles, based on what is known of nanoparticle motion and behavior in air. Also identify metrics of dose, mechanisms of exposure, and predictive models for toxicity.  Provide an ESH guide for nanomaterial exposure and protective processes.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: The Department of Defense (DoD) has high interest in nanotechnology —nanoelectronics, optoelectronics, and magnetics; nanostructured materials “by design”; and bio-nanosensor devices. The DoD supports research to enable physicochemical characterization of nanomaterials and associated toxicology assessments in marine, aeronautical, terrestrial, and space environments. This research includes developing approaches to assess, avoid, and abate adverse health (or environmental) impacts from defense utilization of nanomaterials. www.ostp.gov/.  However, this SBIR will lead the way to commercial best practices as well as military practices by quantitatively assessing inhalation and dermal exposures to nanomaterials in both perational and industrial workplaces.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Hussain SM, Hess KL, Gearhart JM, Geiss KT, Schlager JJ (2005) In Vitro Toxicity of Nanoparticles in BRL 3A Rat Liver Cells. Toxicol. In Vitro 19; 975–983

 

2. Braydich-Stolle L, Hussain S, Schlager J, Hofmann M-C (2005) In Vitro Cytotoxicity of Nanoparticles in Mammalian Germ-Line Stem Cells. Toxicol. Sci. 88(2): 412-419.

 

3. Hussain SM, Javorina A, Schrand AM, Duhart H, Ali SF, Schlager JJ (2006) The Interaction of Manganese Nanoparticles (Mn-40 nm) with PC-12 Cells Induces Dopamine Depletion. Toxicol. Sci.

 

4. Colvin, V. (2003) The potential environmental impacts of engineered nanomaterials. Nature Biotechnology 21:1166–1170.

 

5. Oberdorster G, Maynard A, Donaldson K, et al., (2005) Principles for characterizing the potential human health effects from exposure to nanomaterials: elements of a screening strategy. Part Fiber Toxicol. 2 (In Press)

 

KEYWORDS: NanoParticles, Engineered nanomaterials, Environmental, Safety, Health, nanotoxicity, Pollution Prevention, Materials Process

 

 

AF071-034           TITLE: Emergency Oxygen Cylinders with Re-breathing

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Biomedical, Human Systems

 

STATEMENT OF INTENT: Develop extended duration walk-around oxygen bottle for inflight use in military aircraft

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop an emergency walk-around oxygen bottle that uses re-breathing technology to conserve oxygen.

 

DESCRIPTION: Current low pressure oxygen bottles do not provide enough emergency oxygen for aircrews to perform duties in the cabin/cargo area until the aircraft can attain a safe level where supplemental oxygen is not required.  Re-breathing technology has been successfully used in diving applications to extend the supply of oxygen.  It does this by removing carbon dioxide from exhaled breaths and “recycling” the remaining oxygen.  Several Air Force programs have worked to apply this technology to medical oxygen systems.  However, various technical problems have been encountered.  These include: integration of the components into a small, lightweight unit compatible with aircraft operation; incorporation of automatically adjustable oxygen concentration based on aircraft cabin altitude; reduction of breathing resistance; and incorporation of lightweight, reliable oxygen and carbon dioxide sensors.  The systems must be able to meet all applicable air-worthiness and safety requirements for use in military aircraft.

 

PHASE I: The offerer will propose possible innovative solutions for each of the above technical problems and demonstrate their feasibility.  It is not necessary to integrate these solutions into the oxygen bottle for Phase I. 

 

PHASE II: The offerer will resolve any remaining technical issues associated with the innovative solutions identified in Phase I.  The offerer will then integrate the solutions into the oxygen bottle to provide an extended duration walk-around re-breathing capability for aircrew use in the cargo/cabin area of military aircraft.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: Air Force use will be in transport aircraft for those aircrew requiring mobility and portable oxygen. 

  

Commercial application: Applications for this technology are commercial aircraft, treatment of mass casualties, and emergency oxygen supply for personnel trapped in confined spaces such as mines, collapsed buildings, etc.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Eberhart, R. E., Newton, L. W., Robertson, C. T., Sherrard, J. E. Multicommand Operational Requirements Document CAF-MAF-AETC319-93-I-A. 1999.

 

2. Fisher, P. W. High Altitude Respratory Physiology, Chapter 2. http://www.brooks.af.mil/web/af/files/fsguide/CHAP02R.DOC

 

KEYWORDS: oxygen,portable oxygen, mobility oxygen, re-breather

 

 

AF071-035           TITLE: Innovative Aids: Effects-Based Combat Assessment

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Human Systems

 

OBJECTIVE: To conduct and explore the implications of effects-based operations on the conduct of combat assessment.

 

DESCRIPTION: The Assessment step, an intelligence function, of the Monitor, Assess, Plan, Engage loop places great importance on the need to assess the effects of an attack in order to determine the need for immediate re-attack. Effects-based operations (EBO) include the creation and assessment of intermediate as well as cascading effects in attaining the end-state objective derived from the commander’s intent and guidance. These effects may be achieved through the application of kinetic (i.e., high explosive) and/or non-kinetic (e.g., cyber-warfare) weapons. Combat assessment in the context of EBO presents particular challenges in that simple physical destruction may no longer be the sole, meaningful indicator of attack effectiveness.  Current assessment systems/practices were derived from past experience with aerial bombardment.  There was a direct connection between the size and location of bomb craters and the damage inflicted on the target.  The analyst conducting combat assessment in an effects-based operational context now requires innovative tools to assist in carrying out this function.  Effects may be non-physical and may be intermediate to the achieving of the desired end-state.  Research in cognitive (and, possibly, perceptual) process and in analyst-system interface is required to develop and demonstrate assessment tools appropriate to EBO.  Cognitive tasks analyses, a component of a structured cognitive systems engineering process,  are required to identify analyst requirements. Capability-based measures of effectiveness are required to support the evaluation of effects-based assessment performance.  Assessment tools are required which will be demonstrated to satisfy the speed, accuracy, completeness and analyst confidence of these measures.

 

PHASE I: Identify and define opportunities for inserting intelligence analyst-aiding technologies appropriate to the conduct of combat assessment tasks in the context of effects-based operations.

 

PHASE II: Develop and demonstrate intelligence analyst-aiding capabilities for the conduct of effects-based combat assessment. Conduct an example of capability evaluation by applying appropriate capability-based measures of effectiveness.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: Commercialization of this research is highly feasible especially to the military intelligence, homeland security and homeland defense communities. Commercial application: Commercialization of this research is highly feasible.  Similar tools to those to be expected to result from this research can be expected to have application to market research, public opinion polling, and consumer advertising campaign assessment.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Effects-Based Operations (EBO): A Grand Challenge for the Analytical Community

http://www.rand.org/publications/MR/MR1477/

 

2. Effects-Based Operations: Change in the Nature of Warfare

http://www.aef.org/pub/psbook.pdf

 

3. Air Force Doctrine Document 2-8, Command and Control, 16 Feb 2001

http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/jel/service_pubs/afd2_8.pdf

 

4. Combat Assessment

http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/jel/doddict/data/c/01048.html

 

KEYWORDS: Effects-based operations,combat assessment, measures of effectiveness,analyst-aiding

 

 

AF071-036           TITLE: Algorithmic Correction of Systematic Error in Eye Point-of-Regard (POR) Data Analysis

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Human Systems

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop a set of general algorithms to correct for systematic error of different kinds in eye point-of-regard (POR) data, and a software tool to support applying those algorithms to diverse datasets.

 

DESCRIPTION: Data about where an individual is looking can provide valuable information about cognitive processes, attention, and strategy (Gluck, 1999). The resolution of eye point-of-regard (POR) data is much more dense (usually c. 60Hz) than inputs that are made to computer-based task environments. Key presses and mouse movements may occur sparsely across seconds or minutes as an individual completes a task. By including data about where the eye is looking on a moment-to-moment basis we can fill in details about cognitive process, which can serve as the basis for instructive interventions and evaluation.

Eye tracking technology has existed for decades, but the sophistication of these systems has increased dramatically in recent years. POR estimates can be made without restricting head movement and without requiring cumbersome equipment. Modern eye tracking hardware can easily be attached to the brim of a baseball cap, and is lightweight enough so that it does not cause discomfort or neck strain. To make optimal use of this source of data, however, requires that the POR estimates be accurately associated with regions of interest on the screen. All eye POR data has biases and error, both as a function of the geometry of the eye and limitations in the computational algorithms that are available for estimating POR. One technique for compensating for systematic error in POR estimates is to apply a correction algorithm to the data, adjusting POR estimates based on regions of interest in the visual field (Douglass, unpublished; Hornof & Halverson, 2002). While this technique shows promise, no general approach exists for applying a corrective algorithm to eye POR data, nor has a careful evaluation of alternative algorithms been performed. This proposal is for developing a general approach to correcting for systematic error in eye POR data.

 

PHASE I: Develop a software implementation to conduct error correction on POR data in different forms, and provide for using different algorithms to conduct the correction.

 

PHASE II: Validate the different algorithms for performing POR error correction and establish criteria for using different options. Develop a comprehensive implementation that handles multiple data formats (including user-defined formats), implements a number of alternative correction algorithms, and includes a decision aid for selecting the appropriate technique for a given protocol/dataset.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: This technology will increase the pace of progress in analyzing & interpreting human eye data in military research on human cognitive processes, in applications from mission planning to piloting. Commercial application: This technology can be incorporated into eye tracking systems to provide real-time error correction capabilities. Eye data is commonly utilized in domains including marketing and academic research.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Douglass, S. (unpublished). Using the Interpretation Tree Algorithm to Correct Bias in Systematically Shifted Eye Movement Data. Unpublished manuscript.

 

2. Gluck, K. A. (1999). Eye movements and algebra tutoring. Doctoral dissertation, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh.

 

3. Hornof, A. J., & Halverson, T. (2002). Cleaning up systematic error in eye tracking data by using required fixation locations. Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, and Computers, 34(4), 592-604.

 

KEYWORDS:  Eye tracking, Point of regard, Experimentation Error correction, Bias, Algorithm

 

 

AF071-037           TITLE: Accelerated Skill Acquisition for Intelligence Analysts

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Human Systems

 

OBJECTIVE: Design and develop an innovative training system that will teach intelligence analysts to build critical thinking skills.

 

DESCRIPTION: Open-source intelligence (OSINT) analysts produce intelligence during peacetime and wartime by analyzing, evaluating, and packaging publicly available information for military planners, leaders, and commanders.  Once information is collected, analysts pull together relevant information coming in from all available sources to assess what is happening, why it is happening, what might occur next, and what it means.  OSINT analysts are unique in that they are responsible for analyzing vast amounts of information from different cultures and in languages other than their native language.   They also commonly work with incomplete, ambiguous, duplicative, irrelevant, and often contradictory information (Heuer, 1999). These analysts need critical thinking skills to select, review, analyze, and evaluate large amounts of information to identify and link clues in an effort to formulate intent and design of hostile actions.  New methods and technologies are needed for training critical thinking skills of OSINT analysts.

 

Generally, computer-based instruction and computer-driven training simulations are separate training media.  Integrating computer-based instruction and training simulations for training OSINT analysts is a science and technology challenge.  Computer-based instruction includes text, graphics, and animations used to impart declarative and procedural knowledge.  Text-based courseware to support knowledge acquisition exists in many venues but typically does not exploit computer-driven simulations to provide trainees with immediate opportunities to apply acquired knowledge.  Training simulations for OSINT analysts consist of message traffic generation systems. However, training simulations are not employed with a structured training approach based on specifying learning objectives for knowledge acquisition and performance and evaluating learning objectives through integrated instructional courseware and simulation exercises.  The technology challenge consists of integrating subsystems consisting of computer-based instruction and training simulations so as to provide proof of system interoperability and producibility.  Applicable technologies include intelligent tutoring system technology, scenario-based training technology, and training simulation technology.  Key technical parameters include affordability, system usability, and training effectiveness improvements resulting from integrated courseware and training simulations.  This topic falls into DoD’s Human Systems key technology area.  Although team training is an important performance goal, for economy of effort the intent of this innovation research project is to concentrate on individual training.  Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) standards should be considered for development of computer-based instruction (Thropp, 2004).  High Level Architecture (HLA) standards should be considered for development of distributed, computer-driven simulations (Defense Modeling and Simulation Office, 2005).  Work-centered design (Eggleston, R.G., 2003) should be considered as a guide for developing a usable human-computer interface.  Innovative and creative approaches to achieving the objective are encouraged.

 

PHASE I:  Generate a top-level design and proof-of-concept training environment exemplar that would optimally integrate courseware and simulations for open-source intelligence analyst training.

 

PHASE II:  After completing Phase I, develop, demonstrate, and evaluate integrated computer-driven simulations and computer-based instruction that support open-source intelligence analyst training.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: Military applications include initial-skills and advanced training for open-source intelligence analysts.  Such technology could also support training for intelligence analysts at other government agencies including the Department of Homeland Security, CIA and FBI.  Commercial application: Commercial applications include training public law enforcement analysts and insurance investigators.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Eggleston, R.G. (2003).  Work-Centered Design:  A Cognitive Systems Engineering Approach to System Design. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 47th Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, Oct 13-18, 2003.

 

2. Halpern, D., (2001). “Thinking Critically About Critical Thinking: Lessons from Cognitive Psychology” contained within “Training Critical Thinking Skills for Battle Command: ARI Workshop Proceedings” available online at http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA400824.

 

3. Heuer, R., (1999). “Psychology of Intelligence Analysis”, Washington, DC: Center for the Study of Intelligence available online at http://www.cia.gov/csi/books/19104/art1.html.

 

4. Johnston, R., (2003). “Developing a Taxonomy of Intelligence Analysis Variables” available online at http://www.odci.gov/csi.studies.vol47no3/article05.html.

 

5. Thropp, S. E., Editor. (2004). Sharable Content Object Reference Model Conformance Requirements, Version 1.2; available at http://www.adlnet.org.

 

KEYWORDS: Intelligence analysis, open-source intelligence, critical thinking skills, message traffic simulation

 

 

AF071-038           TITLE: Integrated Simulations and Courseware for Network Defense Training

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Human Systems

 

OBJECTIVE:  Develop integrated computer simulations and courseware for training network defense to improve decision effectiveness. 

 

DESCRIPTION:  Computers and computer networks provide the foundation for military, first responder, medical, telecommunication, banking, aviation, and public utility operations.  In the civilian world, malicious computer attacks are sharply increasing.  One of the leading computer security and anti-virus companies, conducted a survey based on analysis of 20,000 registered sensors in more than 180 countries and reported a 19% increase during six  months of surveys, with companies reporting 38 attacks each week (Simmons 2003).  Computer network defense involves planning and executing responses to unauthorized activity directed toward computers and computer networks.  Defensive activities include analyzing computer and network traffic to detect, react to, and report internal and external threats.  Computer network defense depends on effective training systems to support declarative and procedural knowledge acquisition and performance exercises for anomaly detection and effective decision making in evaluating networks, traffic, usage trends, patterns, and formulating remedial actions.  Computer-based instruction includes text, graphics, and animations used to impart declarative and procedural knowledge underlying network defense.  Text-based courseware to support knowledge acquisition exists in many venues but typically does not exploit computer-driven simulations to provide trainees with immediate opportunities to apply acquired knowledge.  Computer-driven simulations for training network defense are evolving (Carver, Surdu, Hill, Ragsdale, Lathrop, and Presby, 2002; DeLooze, McKean, Mostow, and Graig, 2004;  Hill, Hunt, McGrath, Ryan, and Smith, 2003; Saunders, 2002;  and Rowe and Schiavo, 1998).  Such simulations provide trainees with opportunities to defend compartmentalized networks.  However, in practice, computer-driven simulations are not employed with a structured training approach based on specifying learning objectives for knowledge acquisition and performance and evaluating learning objectives through integrated instructional courseware and simulation exercises.  Generally, computer-based instruction and computer-driven simulations are separate training media.  Integrating computer-based instruction and computer-driven simulations in support of computer network defense training is a science and technology challenge.  The technology challenge consists of integrating subsystems consisting of computer-based instruction and computer-driven simulations so as to provide proof of system interoperability and producibility.  Applicable technologies include intelligent tutoring system technology, network traffic simulation technology, virtualization technology, or topological simulation technology.  Key technical parameters include affordability, system usability, and training effectiveness improvements resulting from applications of integrated simulations and courseware for computer network defense training.  This topic falls into two of DoD’s key technology areas, Human Systems and Information Systems.  Human Systems is the primary technology area supported.  Although team training is an important performance goal, for economy of effort the intent of this innovation research project is to concentrate on individual training.  Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) standards should be considered for development of computer-based instruction (Thropp, 2004).  High Level Architecture (HLA) standards should be  considered for development of distributed, computer-driven simulations (Defense Modeling and Simulation Office, 2005).  Work-centered design (Eggleston, R.G., 2003) should be considered as a guide for developing a usable human-computer interface.  Innovative and creative approaches to achieving the objective are encouraged.

 

PHASE I:  Generate a top-level design and proof-of-concept training environment exemplar that would optimally integrate courseware and simulations for network defense training.

 

PHASE II:  After completing Phase I, develop, demonstrate, and evaluate integrated computer-driven simulations and computer-based instruction that support network defense training. 

 

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS:  Military application:  Military applications include training for computer network defense of information systems supporting operations at the unit and Major Command levels.  Additionally, key military applications would include training for personnel responsible for protecting computer networks supporting the air and space operations center.   Commercial applications:  Commercial applications are many and include training for computer network defense of information systems supporting first responder, medical, telecommunication, banking, aviation, and public utility operations.

 

REFERENCES:  1.   Carver, C.A., J.R. Surdu, J.M.D. Hill, D. Ragsdale, S.D. Lathrop, T. Presby, “Military AcademyAttack/Defense Network,” at http:// www.itoc.usma.edu/ Documents/ MAADNET.pdf, ca. 2002.

 

2.  Defense Modeling and Simulation Office.  (2005). High Level Architecture https:// www. dmso. mil/public/transition/hla/

 

3.  DeLooze, L.L., P. McKean, J.R. Mostow, C. Graig, “Incorporating Simulation into the Computer Security Classroom,” 34th ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, Oct. 20-23, 2004.

 

4.  Eggleston, R.G. (2003).  Work-Centered Design:  A Cognitive Systems Engineering Approach To System Design. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 47th Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, Oct 13-18, 2003.

 

5.  Hill, D. A. Hunt, D. McGrath, M. Ryan, and T. Smith, “NetSim: A Distributed Network Simulation to Support Cyber Exercies,” at http://www.ists.dartmouth.edu/ library/other/nsd1004.pdf, ca. 2003.

 

6.  Saunders, J.H., “Simulation Approaches in Information Security Education,” in Proc. Colloquium for Information System Security Education, Redmond, WA, 2002.

 

7.  Rowe, N. C. and Schiavo S., An Intelligent tutor for intrusion detection on computer systems, Computers an Education, Vol 31, (1998), pp. 395 – 404.

 

8. Thropp, S. E., Editor. (2004).  Sharable Content Object Reference Model Conformance Requirements, Version 1.2; available at http://www.adlnet.org.

 

9.  Simmons, M. (2003). Record rise in cyber attacks, Computer Weekly, Oct, 2003; available online at http://www.computerweekly.com/Article125335.htm.

 

KEYWORDS: Information systems security, Computer network defense

Computer-based instruction, Computer-driven training simulations, Human-computer interface usability

 

 

AF071-039           TITLE: Behavior Signatures

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Human Systems

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop a new class of multi-attribute behavior signatures to enable the anticipation of enemy activities.

 

DESCRIPTION: Asymmetric warfare and operations against transnational terrorist groups requires new methods and techniques to better anticipate potential adversaries actions. New classes of multi-attribute behavior signatures are required to predict adversary intent and anticipate their likely courses of actions (COA). These behavior signatures could potentially draw upon multiple streams on intelligence data, possibly over long temporal durations, to provide direct and indirect indicators, or fingerprints, of activities of interest. From a conceptual perspective, behavior signatures can be thought of as schemas or frames whose attributes delineate a set and arrangement of characteristics, or patterns of activity, that define the behavior of potential threat entities to include individuals, groups, organizations, societies, and nations/states. Behavior signatures can be developed from focused knowledge about the identity of interest; they will define the entities methods of operations. The activation of a behavior signature is not all or none. Rather, a partial activation, where some but not all of the attributes are matched, might trigger a request for additional surveillance or a reprioritization of ongoing analyses of intelligence data. Behavior signatures could, for example, be implemented as intelligent agents or a case-based reasoning system that monitors streams of intelligence data. Research is needed to define select initial signature libraries, to explore what type of architecture would be required to instantiate behavior signatures as a computational system, and identify which Air Force systems would benefit most from behavior signatures technology. Initial libraries could focus on, for example, insurgents’ activities within a theater of operations or terrorists’ activities within an urban (Western) environment. Potential systems behavior signatures could be embedded in distributed ground control system (DGCS) or a command center, such as those employed in uninhabited air vehicle operations.

 

PHASE I: Select a promising area to apply behavior signatures; investigate to determine if the knowledge is there to create the signatures; explore methods and techniques to create a computational environment for the signature application; and identfy potential AF applications that would benefit.

 

PHASE II: Build and optimize a demonstration behavior signature system and conduct tests on representative data sets from two or more intelligence streams.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: These behavior signatures would be useful for many information technology applications where you need to anticipate the behavior of opponents, allies, and neutrals. For example, behavior signatures could be used to determine when a non-conventional adversary was planning an attack.  Commercial application: Behavior signatures would be useful for many information technology applications where you need to anticipate the behavior of competitors, partners, customers, and other parties.  For example, behavior signatures could be used by information service companies to identify groups of hackers that were attacking information technology infrastructure.  The signatures would lead to a more rapid identification of the attacker, and hopefully a more timely and effective response to the attack.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Hoffman, Bruce, 1998. Inside Terrorism. New York: Columbia University Press.

 

2. Sageman, Marc, 2004. Understanding Terror Networks. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.

 

KEYWORDS: Terrorist modeling, Adversary behavior modeling, Artificial intelligence, Cognitive science

 

 

AF071-040           TITLE: Multi-Modal Collaboration Environment

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Electronics, Human Systems

 

OBJECTIVE: To create an innovative multi-user, multi-modal collaboration environment for Air Operations Centers.

 

DESCRIPTION: In today’s dynamic environment, planners in Air Operations Centers must support shorter planning cycles while, at the same time, planning for an increasing variety of effects to be achieved on many types of targets. Warfighters in Air Operations Centers (AOCs) need to be able to collaborate both among personnel within the AOC and with distributed elements. They need the capability to access and share information for an immediate understanding of the battlespace and the overall context of mission execution, including effects assessment (i.e. are the selected courses of action achieving the commander’s objectives?).   They must be able to communicate the big picture to decision makers. Innovative technologies are needed to allow multiple users to understand information from a variety of sources , correlated in space and time into a single comprehensive picture of the operational environment, updated in near real time. In addition,  information presentation must be tailorable to the needs of individual users who must collaborate and synchronize operations.   This collaboration environment must allow users to interact with one another as well as with the shared information. These technologies must support distributed operations and reachback for real-time collaboration, while facilitating query and avoidance of groupthink.

 

PHASE I: Define and evaluate strategies that demonstrate how data from databases, text, text chat, voice communications, outside sources etc,. can be correlated,  presented to and exploited/manipulated by AOC planners for real-time collaboration to support shared situation awareness for development of strategy, plans, and assessments.

 

PHASE II: Construct a working prototype that demonstrates a multi-modal collaboration environment to support sufficient detail of AOC strategy and assessment operations. This prototype should support multi-user interaction with data and visualizations for collaborative manipulation in order to build shared situation awareness.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: Military applications include AOCs and other distributed command and control environments. Commercial application: Civilian applications include any activity where sharing of data is required to support collaboration. This includes industry, crisis support or humanitarian support agencies, and distance learning.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Phister, P., Plonisch, I. & Humiston, T. (2001). The Combined Aerospace Operations Center (CAOC) of the Future [CD-ROM]. 6th International Command and Control Research and Technology Symposium. U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD. http://www.dodccrp.org/events/2001/6th_ICCRTS/Cd/Tracks/Papers/Track7/062_tr7.pdf

 

KEYWORDS: ATO planning, Real-time collaboration, Multi-modal collaboration

 

 

AF071-041           TITLE: Rapid Development Techniques for Spoken Language Translation

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Human Systems

 

OBJECTIVE:  Develop techniques for spoken language translation that do not require substantial amounts of new training data when being adapted for use in a new language and/or domain.

 

DESCRIPTION:  DoD personnel are operating all over the world with the Global War on Terror, humanitarian relief operations, and various coalition operations.  Much of the information needed to effectively operate in these situations is found in foreign language speech; however, there is a critical lack of linguists to translate this speech.  To help address this problem, the DoD has funded the development of various spoken language translators (SLTs); however, to date, these have been of limited utility.  They are only available for a small number of languages and domains, and those that do exist have not performed as well as desired.  Efforts are currently underway to improve the performance of these SLTs and to increase their support for additional languages and domains.  However, the development process has been slow and costly as the standard method employed by developers to improve performance has been to collect, transcribe, and translate ever larger amounts of training data.  While this methodology involves low technical risk, it will not be able to address rapid turn-around requirements in new languages and domains of interest to the DoD in a reasonable time frame and cost.  Thus, proposals are sought for innovative techniques (i.e., algorithms) for spoken language translation that can meet the Phase II target of performing at least on par with standard techniques but that do not require substantial amounts of new training data when being adapted for use in a new language and/or domain.  In particular, proposals should be for innovative techniques that could work with training data in a new language and domain consisting of ten hours or less of speech data and 20,000 words or less of text data.  Proposals may focus on improving techniques in speech recognition or translation individually; however, novel ideas that would lead to more rapid development of both components are especially encouraged.  Also, techniques that could leverage data already available in other languages and/or domains are especially encouraged.  Note that this topic is in the Key Technology Areas of Human Systems (System Interfaces and Cognitive Processing) and Information Systems Technology (Knowledge and Information Management) with the Human Systems Technology Area being primary.

 

PHASE I:  Develop innovative techniques for spoken language translationand evaluate their performance for a single foreign language and a single domain.  The evaluation should show the performance of the proposed techniques in two ways.  The first way is relative to that of a standard technique using the same limited amount of training data as used to develop the proposed technique.  The second way is relative to that of the standard technique, where the standard technique has been trained on a much larger amount of training data.  Due to the short time period of Phase I, it is preferable that currently available databases be used in the evaluation.

 

PHASE II:  Further develop the proposed techniques and evaluate their performance for multiple languages and/or domains to show the generality of the techniques.  The evaluations should follow the same format as described under the Phase I description but for the new languages and domains.  Any databases collected for development and/or evaluation should be delivered to the contract sponsor.

 

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS:  Military applications include: SLT for refugee processing, medical triage, force protection, and coalition C2; information retrieval from foreign audio sources; and computer-aided language learning.  Commercial applications are similar to military applications but generally for different domains, such as: law enforcement, business, and travel.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Tanja Schultz and Alex Waibel, "Fast bootstrapping of LVCSR systems with multilingual phoneme sets," in Proceedings of Eurospeech'97, (Rhodes, Greece), 1997.

 

2. Bill Byrne, et al., Towards Language Independent Acoustic Modeling, Final Report of the 1999 Johns Hopkins University Language Engineering Workshop, (available at:  http://www.clsp.jhu.edu/ws99/projects/asr/).

 

3. Alan Black, et al., “Rapid Development of Speech-to-Speech Translation Systems,” in Proceedings of ICSLP, (Denver CO), 2002.

 

KEYWORDS: spoken language translation, speech recognition, speech synthesis, machine translation, foreign language

 

 

AF071-042           TITLE: Radio Frequency/Microwave Hazard Assessment Tool (RHAZ)

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Biomedical, Human Systems

 

OBJECTIVE:  To develop a stand alone hazard analysis software tool that will enable medics, range safety officers, and researchers to determine a radio frequency or a microwave device’s efficacy and hazard potential for use in real time deployment environments based upon IEEE C.95,  AFOSH 48-9 and DoDI-6055.11.

 

DESCRIPTION:  The operational environment for DoD personnel is increasingly populated with new and more powerful radio frequency/microwave emitters designed to give the warfighter a number of advantages in terms of offense, defense, and communication.  Essential to the DoD is the design and development of compatible software to perform the following functions: input real world data from a variety of radio frequency/microwave systems, that can assess energy delivery, deposition and absorption within the human body for a variety of exposure conditions that help in the real time determination of device potential for hazard. Critical to current DoD requirements is an immediate response to the potential for a wide range of human exposure conditions from radio frequency/microwave devices compared with acceptable Air Force, national and international permissible exposure limits (PEL). This requires a clear understanding of hardware specifications, assessment methods, occupational and public exposure guidelines, physiological responses to overexposure and interface with databases for maintenance of historical records. Thus, our requirement is for easily usable, single operator software that can accept real world data of radio frequency/microwave equipment and provide real time, accurate and precise output for deployed decisions.

 

PHASE I:  Define concepts from IEEE C.95, AFOSH 48-9, and DoDI-6055.11 to provide the algorithmic basis for software required to determine the PEL’s in an Air Force compatible format and on Air Force platforms (PC). Develop, demonstrate, and deliver the feasibility of a prototype system on a PC that can be operated by field personnel. 

 

PHASE II:  Develop, demonstrate, and validate, based upon criteria outlined in the 4th Edition of the Radiofrequency Radiation Dosimetry Handbook and the IEEE C.95 exposure guidelines a complete software package for on-site (Brooks City-Base, TX) assessment of its ability to determine energy delivery, deposition and absorption within the human body for a variety of exposure conditions that help in the real time determination of device potential for personnel hazard.  The software source code would be easily modifiable and enabled for incorporation of future hardware and changing international exposure standards.  Code should be written in Air Force compatible codes, for ease of incorporation and delivered in both source and executable formats. Input and output should be user friendly and be formatted for at least three operational levels: 1) Determine exposure levels from any radio frequency/microwave design at any distance or elevation 2) Compare exposure levels obtained with existing dosimetry data and programs; and 3) Provide easily identifiable actions for personnel to take in case of overexposure.

 

PHASE III DUAL-USE COMMERCIALIZATION:  The Radio Frequency/Microwave Hazard Assessment Tool (RHAZ) would be valuable for health physicists, bioenvironmental engineers in government, industry, and medicine on a world-wide basis.  Measurement of compliance for emissions from cellular phone towers is an example of an emerging commercial application.

 

REFERENCES:  1. International EMF Dosimetry Project (http://www.brooks.af.mil/AFRL/HED/hedr/int_emf.html)

 

2. Durney CH, Massoudi H and Iskander MF (1986): Radiofrequency Radiation Dosimetry Handbook (Fourth Edition), USAFSAM-TR-85-73, USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks Air Force Base, TX  78235.

 

KEYWORDS: Directed Energy, Radio Frequency Radiation, Microwave Radiation, Dosimetry

 

 

 

AF071-043           TITLE: New Directed Energy (Millimeter Wave) Power Density Meters to Determine

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Sensors, Weapons

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop a millimeter wave power density meter that can measure up to 100 GHz, has an accuracy better than + 0.4 dB and can be used in fields greater than 1 W/cm2.

 

DESCRIPTION: Directed energy nonlethal weapons, such as the Active Denial System (Vehicle Mounted or Airborne) use millimeter wave technology.  Currently manufactured power density meters measure up to 40 GHz with reported accuracies of + 1 dB. Unfortunately, there is risk of damage to these meters when the incident power density is greater than approximately 100 mW/cm2 and an inability to accurate measure the dose critical to experiments that determine the safety requirements for potential exposure.   Such specifications are often limiting when highly accurate field measurements are required.   When using other technologies, such as implementing an open-ended waveguide, measuring the effective area of is difficult and is frequency dependent. Again it is unfortunate but there exist no known models to calculate this effective area. Our requirements are for ease of usability, a single operator device capable of 100GHz with an accuracy better than + 0.4 dB that can be used with fields greater than 1 W/cm2.

 

PHASE I: Determine the feasibility of designing a millimeter wave power density meter that can measure up to 100 GHz, has an accuracy better than + 0.4 dB and can be used in fields greater than 1 W/cm2.  Breadboard a prototype version of the power density meter.

 

PHASE II: Develop, demonstrate, and validate an operational millimeter wave power density meter that was designed during Phase I. 

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: Used by the government, specifically the millitary, to measure incident power density. Commercial application: Also use by commercial cell phone industry, academia, and government to measure incident power density.  Accurate dosimetry is essential for all microwave research and health hazard assessments.

 

REFERENCES: 1.  International EMF Dosimetry Project (http://www.brooks.af.mil/AFRL/HED/hedr/int_emf.html)

 

2.  Durney CH, Massoudi H and Iskander MF (1986): Radiofrequency Radiation Dosimetry Handbook (Fourth Edition), USAFSAM-TR-85-73, USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks Air Force Base, TX  78235.

 

KEYWORDS: Directed Energy, Radio Frequency Radiation, Microwave Radiation, Dosimetry

 

 

AF071-044           TITLE: Virtual Reality Spatial Rehabilitation for Traumatic Brain Injury 

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Biomedical, Human Systems

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop a virtual reality-based system to that allows brain injured warfighters to return to service by providing cognitive training in spatial exploration.

 

DESCRIPTION: Traumatic brain injury has emerged as a leading cause of disability among warfighters currently deployed with Operation Iraqi Freedom; in fact, over 60% of injured soldiers sent to Walter Reed Medical Center with combat-related injuries are found to have suffered a traumatic brain injury.  Extensive research using environmental enrichment (EE) in animals indicates that voluntary exploration of complex three-dimensional space promotes recovery from traumatic brain injury (Manosevitz M. 1975).  EE consists of enhanced opportunities to explore a complex multi-sensory three-dimensional space (Rosenzweig M.R. 1978; Chapillon P. 2001). Research indicates that EE induces morphological, neurobiological and behavioral changes (Greenough M.T. 1973; Will B.E. 1977; Rosenzweig M.R. 1996; Van Praag H. 2000; Larsson F. 2002), and not only protects against but also reverses negative effects of the psychogenic and neurogenic stresses that predispose the individual to PTSD and TBI (Escorihuela R.M. 1994; Klein S.L. 1994; Francis D.D. 2002; Benaroya-Milshtein N. 2004).  Enriched environments in the animal literature promote voluntary exploration of a complex and multi-sensory environment, stimulate learning and memory of reward areas of the explored space, and provide for self-regulation of stress by providing areas of varying stimulation or shelter in the space. 

 

The implications of the enriched environment research for rehabilitation of brain injured warfighters is clear.  Spatial exploration stimulates hippocampal activation in humans as well as animals. The actions simulated in a virtual reality environment incur the same brain responses that actually performing the action causes (Morganti F. 2003).  Virtual reality has also shown to assist in the performance of activities of daily living, and treatment of persons with mental trouble (Anderson P.L. 2001; Lee J.H. 2003). However, individuals suffering combat casualties differ greatly in their physical abilities.  Because of differing levels of physical ability, it is difficult to develop a standard rehabilitation involving exploration of three dimensional space that can benefit all mobility levels and that will not cause stress to individuals of lower capability.  Virtual reality has the potential to overcome these challenges.  However, although virtual reality environments have been investigated for military training and stress inoculation applications, there are presently no systems designed specifically to stimulate neurological and functional recovery after brain injury.

 

PHASE I:  Develop design concept and produce prototype virtual reality application to stimulate the neural substrates of memory, attention, and spatial awareness.  Perform preliminary evaluation of potential effectiveness and implementability of the application.

 

PHASE II:  Construct an implementation of the virtual reality application.   Conduct a trial to demonstrate effectiveness of the application in brain injury rehabilitation.

 

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS:  This system will be effective not only in returning troops to service after a combat casualty brain injury, but will also improve the level of function among discharged brain injured troops, improving their lives and reducing the health care burden currently carried by the Veterans Administration.  The system can also be incorporated into civilian brain injury rehabilitation programs to help the over 1.5 million Americans who suffer a traumatic brain injury each year. 

 

REFERENCES: 1. Anderson P.L., R. B. O., Hodges L. (2001). "Virtual Reality: using the virtual world to improve quality of life in the real world." Bulletin Menninger Clinic 65(1): 78-91.

               

2. Benaroya-Milshtein N., H. N., Apter A., Kukulansky T., Raz N., Wilf A., Yaniv I., Pick C.G. (2004). "Environmental enrichment in mice decreases anxiety, attenuates stress responses and enhances natural killer cell activity." European Journal of Neuroscience 20: 1341-1347.

               

3. Chapillon P., P. V., Roy V., Vincent A., Caston J. (2001). "Effects of pre- and postnatal stimulation on developmental, emotional, and cognitive aspects in rodents: a review." Developmental psychobiology 41: 373-387.

               

4. Escorihuela R.M., T. A., Fernandez-Teruel A. (1994). "Environmental enrichment reverses the detrimental action of early inconsistent stimulation and increases the beneficial effects of postnatal handling on shuttlebox learning in adult rats." Behavioural Brain Research 61: 169-173.

               

5. Francis D.D., D. J., Plotsky P.M., Meaney M. (2002). "Environmental enrichment reverses the effects of maternal separation on stress reactivity." The Journal of Neuroscience 22(18): 7840-7843.

               

6. Greenough M.T., V. F. R. (1973). "Pattern of dendritic branching in occipital cortex of rats reared in complex environments." Experimental Neurology 40: 491-504.

               

7. Klein S.L., L. K. G., Durr D., Schaefer T., Waring R.E. (1994). "Influence of environmental enrichment and sex on predator stress response in rats." Physiology and Behavior 56: 291-297.

               

8. Larsson F., W. B., Mohammed A.H. (2002). "Psychological stress and environmental adaptation in enriched vs. impoverished housed rats." Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior 73: 193-207.

               

9. Lee J.H., K. J., Cho W., Hahn W.Y., Kim I.Y., Lee S.M., Kang Y., Kim D.Y., Yu T., Wiederhold B.K., Weiderhold M.D., Kim S.I. (2003). "A veritual reality system for the assessment and rehabilitation of the activities of daily living." Cyberpsychol Behav. 6(4): 383-388.

               

10. Manosevitz M., P. B. (1975). "Cage size as a factor in environmental enrichment." Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology 89(6): 648-654.

               

11. Morganti F., G. A., Castelnuevo G., Bulla D., Vettorello M., Riva G. (2003). "The use of technology-supported mental imagery in neurological rehabilitation." Cyberpsychol Behav. 6(4): 421-427.

               

12. Rosenzweig M.R., B. E. L. (1996). "Psychobiology of plasticity: effects of training and experience on brain and behavior." Behavioral Brain Research 78: 57-65.

               

13. Rosenzweig M.R., B. E. L., Hebert M., Morimoto H. (1978). "Social grouping cannot account for cerebral effects of enriched environments." Brain Research 153: 563-576.

               

14. Van Praag H., K. G., Gage F.H. (2000). "Neuronal consequences of environmental enrichment." Nature Reviews: Neuroscience 1: 191-198.

               

15. Will B.E., R. M. R., Bennett E.L., Hebert M., Morimoto H. (1977). "Relatively brief environmental enrichment aids recovery of learning capacity and alters brain measures after postweaning brain lesions in rats." Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology 91: 33-50.

               

KEYWORDS: virtual reality, traumatic brain injury, TBI, training, rehabilitation

 

 

AF071-045           TITLE: Rapid Development of DNA Aptamers for Agent Identification, Tracking and Neutralization

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Chemical/Bio Defense

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop new methods that will economically and  rapidly select and  manufacture DNA aptamers that can be deployed to the field to counter biological agents.

 

DESCRIPTION: The intent is to develop new technologies to select and manufacture DNA aptamers. DNA aptamers can replace antibodies used in certain detection and identification systems for biological threat agents. DNA aptamers have the obvious advantage of not requiring animals or cell cultures for production, are generally more stabile than proteins,  and because of scalability issues lend themselves to mass production. However the selection of DNA aptamers against targets, even with automation, is time consuming requiring many rounds of selection using the SELEX (Systemic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment) method. A superior method would select DNA aptamers with high affinity and high selectivity after only one round of selection. Making this difficult is the fact that the starting library of aptamers usually contain more weak and less selective binders than high affinity binders with high selectivity. In other words, the weak less selective binders out compete the strong binders in the early rounds of selection. Complicating this is the fact that the number of target molecules usually are greater than the number of strong high affinity binders. Thus, the law of mass action makes selection of high affinity and selective aptamers after only one round extremely difficult. Several methods have been proposed to defeat this problem (such as capillary electrophoresis); none has been able to select DNA aptamers equal to those from the SELEX method. Successfully overcoming the law of mass action will require considerable scientific cleverness. Any physical, chemical, or computational method will be considered.

 

While DNA aptamers can be synthesized either synthetically or bio-synthetically using plasmid DNA, both methods present several difficulties. For synthetic methods, the current four step per cycle phosphoramidite chemistry is expensive considering the amount of material that will be needed, and for biosynthetic methods the need to separate the aptamer strand from its compliment and then functionalize it for further reactions present problems (unless one is willing to accept chemistry using the terminal phosphate). There are needs to either reduce the cost of current synthetic methods or develop new synthetic methods for DNA oligonucleotides. For biosynthesis, the ability to easily separate the "+" strand from its compliment needs to be improved as well as methods to inexpensively functionalize the DNA strand for any required conjugations.

 

PHASE I: Develop an economic and rapid method to select DNA aptamers in a single round.

 

PHASE II: Demonstrate the method against a target selected by the customer. Compare this rapidly selected aptamer against one selected using the SELEX method for binding specificity and affinity.  Develop a method to rapidly and economically manufacture DNA aptamers.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: DNA aptamers can be used to identify infectious diseases in field situations, hospital clinical laboratories, or research laboratories. Commercial application: DNA aptamers can be used to identify infectious diseases in field situations, hospital clinical laboratories, or research laboratories, and present the possibility of being used as an anti-toxin.

 

REFERENCES:  1. Kiel, J.L., Holwitt, E.A., Parker, J.E., Vivekananda, J.,and Franz, V. Nanoparticle-labeled DNA Capture Elements for Detection and Identification of Biological Agents. In Optically Based Biological and Chemical Sensing for Defence ( J.C. Carrano and A. Zukauskas, eds.), Proceedings of SPIE, vol. 5617, pp. 382-387, 2004.

 

2. Kiel, J.L., Parker, J.E., Holwitt, E.A., and Vivekananda, J. DNA capture elements for rapid detection and identification of biological agents. In Chemical and Biological Sensing V (P. J. Gardner, ed.), Proceedings of SPIE, vol. 5416, pp. 105-110, 2004.

 

KEYWORDS: DNA Aptamers, SELEX, biological agents, detection, identification

 

 

AF071-059           TITLE: Planar Wideband Phased-Array Element For VHF RADAR

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Electronics

 

STATEMENT OF INTENT: Improve Radar

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop a thin (low-profile) wide-band phased array element for use in low-band VHF foliage penetrating radar applications.

 

DESCRIPTION: Foliage penetrating radars (FOPEN) use both VHF and UHF frequencies to achieve full functionality of detecting and identifying various target types hiding under various concealment and deception covers such as foliage canopies, camouflage nets, or inside light structures.  The antennae used for the UHF band are well developed and suitable for use on both manned and large unmanned aircraft.  The frequencies used for the VHF band (25-88 MHz) currently dictate the use of an array of log-periodic monopoles trailing the wings of the aircraft carrying the FOPEN.  While these antennae deliver the gain and suppress the back lobe at a sufficient level, they are large, forcing a permanent installation on the aircraft, which then becomes missionized, and degrading the endurance of large UAVs.  Presently, the best known wide-band array elements are 3-dimensional elements, [1-3],  which use the dimension normal to the aperture plane to achieve the bandwidth.  These elements usually have a depth of roughly 0.2 wavelengths, the wavelength at the low end of the frequency band, which becomes impractical for applications in the VHF region.  Thin, planar, 2-dimensional elements [4] offer a simplified geometry and potentially simplified manufacturing and flush, conformal mounting.  The challenge at present is how such antennae can be developed that provide a high rejection of the back lobe while being scaled to the low-band VHF region.  Such performance is essential to the function of a VHF SAR radar.  Given that such an element can be developed, it then needs to be designed to be able to be placed on the skin (metal or composite) of the aircraft fuselage.

The development of novel planar phased-array elements with low profile and wide bandwidth (25-88 MHz) is the objective of this research effort.

 

PHASE I: Phased array modeled as large periodic structure with only a single unit cell needing analyzed.  Conceive novel array element designs with high front to back ratio and good bandwidth potential, and evaluate their preliminary performance using numerical analysis. A final tech report to be delivered.

 

PHASE II: This phase would include detailed and complete numerical modeling of the element including its feed, the building of an experimental array with a representative number of elements, and measurement of its performance as an antenna, and a technical report and proof of concept antenna sub array will be delivered.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: Arrays with this low-profile element would enable the use of the low-band VHF FOPEN function on UAVs. Commercial application: If an appliqué version could be developed, this technology would enable instant addition of low-band VHF capability without disturbing a commercial aircraft certification for use by civilian agencies.

 

REFERENCES: 1.  H. Holter, T-H Chio, D. Schaubert: Elimination of Impedance Anomalies in Single- and Dual-Polarized End-Fire Tapered Slot Phased Arrays. IEEE Trans AP, Jan. 2000

 

2.  D. McGrath:  Numerical Analysis of TEM Horn Arrays. Sensor and Simulation Notes, No. 420, AFRL, Albuquerque, May, 1998.

 

3.  J.J. Lee, S. Livingstone, R. Koenig: A Low-Profile Wide-Band (5:1) Dual-Pol Array. IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letter, Vol. 2, p. 46, 2003

 

4.  B. Munk et al: A Low-Profile Broadband Phased Array Antenna. IEEE S-AP Int¡¦l Symp., Columbus, Ohio, June 2003

 

KEYWORDS: broadband, antenna, phased-array, element

 

 

AF071-060           TITLE: Multiple Independent Levels of Security/Safety  Tools and Processes

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems

 

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals, their country of origin, and what tasks each would accomplish in the statement of work in accordance with section 3.5.b.(7) of the solicitation.

 

STATEMENT OF INTENT: Develop tools/processes to affordably certify and recertify high assurance (safe/secure) avionics and information system architectures hosted on weapon system platforms, facilitates expanded capabilities advancement and accelerates collaborative warfighting capabilities deployment across the entire force structure.

 

OBJECTIVE: Establish enabling tools and processes, facilitating Multiple Independent Levels of Security/Safety (MILS/S) features certification and/or recurring reverification over the extended change cycle.

 

DESCRIPTION: MILS/S certification/recertification will be a costly, burdensome process without enabling capabilities/engineering processes that can be efficiently applied during front-end information system development/advancement activities to help identify/mitigate inherent design/functional discrepancies.  MILS/S technology features will be deployed across every weapon system having interactive connectivity with the Global Information Grid (GIG) because of the need to ensure absolute information security/integrity. The combined Phase I/II effort will field prototype MILS/S certification/recertification capabilities, emphasizing ease of compliance with mandated National Security Agency (NSA) requirements affecting multiple platforms/enterprises (cross cutting solution). Established capabilities shall generate security and safety artifact descriptions of the Information Assurance (IA) System and their component Targets of Evaluation that can be automatically analyzed for correctness. Security pedigree language deployment, emphasizing individual weapon system security accreditation, is required to control/safeguard with absolute assurance Global Information Grid (GIG) participation. Established technology benefits include automated information security classification determination processes, aligned with applicable security classification guidelines and Defense Information Technology Standards Registry (DISR) technology profile compliance tracking.  Weapon Systems, in today’s information dominance environment, no longer operate under a platform centric concept of operations.  Warfighting has shifted to net-centric operations, integrating forces into a combined combat delivery package that is tightly coupled through seamless information exchange.  However, this transformation imposes information management security risks because platform information networks are no longer autonomous hierarchies.  Existing platforms operate at a single security level, resulting in their generation of “over classified” information products. Compliant weapon system GIG participation imposes two options: 1) invest in an expanding number of Trusted Download Guards or 2) incorporate Multi Level Security tenets. Technology integration/transition is required to mitigate the inadvertent distribution and transmission of sensitive data inside and outside of controlled network boundaries.  Embedded read/write memory processors are susceptible to recording highly sensitive data above their established security classification because of system transmission/other incurred faults.  This situation cannot be tolerated because processors are often embedded within unclassified assets subject to commercial repair in an uncontrolled environment or are controlled at a level less than their data classification exposure risk level, making them vulnerable to security exploitation.  The robust features associated with the GIG, enabling autonomous interconnectivity between all sensors and nodes, imposes the need to incorporate MILS/S capabilities on all platforms exposed to the entire range of classified data security levels.  Information dominance, a force structure multiplier, is dependent upon all weapon systems that operate with highly sensitive data being able to compartmentalize and manage the distribution of data in direct alignment with specified security levels for each transaction.  The combined force structure shift to Network Centric Warfare capabilities demands that platforms such as large bombers possess robust data security management features, enabling their local area networks to operate and communicate with absolute security assurance on a global basis.  Information dominance is a force multiplier, and all GIG connected platforms are confronted with having to accommodate increased distribution traffic within their established networks.  The subject investment will help enable large bombers and other like platforms to meet this critical challenge. 

 

PHASE I: Identify required technology, language, processes and tools which could significantly reduce the burden and cycle time associated with required MILS/S compliance certifications and accreditations. The awarded effort will model and generate conceptual processes and tools to help demonstrate merit.

 

PHASE II: Establish and demonstrate a fully integrated MILS/S certification approach, populated with SBIR generated processes and tools that can help automate information system certification/recertification and accreditation, based upon meta tagged artifacts. Funded efforts will help contribute towards B-2 Extremely High Frequency Satellite Communications (EHF SATCOM) Program MILS certification.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: Validated/relevant MILS/S technology certification capabilities, incorporating robust/agile available to diverse systems to help ensure GIG enterprise information security/integrity. Commercial application: Global connectivity, involving diverse activities requiring assured protection against abusive intrusion/passive surveillance, affords assured opportunities for leveraging established advances.

 

REFERENCES: 1. STSC Crosstalk - "MILS: Architecture for High Assurance Embedded Computing" (August 2005)

http://www.stsc.hill.af.mil/crosstalk/2005/08/0508Vanfleet_etal.html

 

2. Air Force Link, “Air Force Releases New Mission Statement”

12/8/2005 - WASHINGTON (AFPN)

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123013440

 

KEYWORDS: global information grid, information security, multiple levels of security, multiple independent levels of security/safety, net-ready, tools and processes, reverification, NSA certification, embedded systems, information dominance, local area network, cyberspace

 

 

AF071-061           TITLE: GMTI Forensics Analysis Tools

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Electronics

 

STATEMENT OF INTENT: This effort will provide enhanced Ground Moving Target Indicator analytical capabilities.

 

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this project is to build and validate tools that can be used by an analyst to answer questions of interest that can only be answered by performing forensic exploitation, analysis, and fusion of multi source GMTI data.   Innovative and advanced association and extraction algorithms based upon spatial, temporal and spectral techniques are required to support forensic studies of GMTI and GMTI based products.   This would include the development, validation, and optimization of signature-based object behavior and object motion pattern extraction/detection techniques utilizing the GMTI detection data or GMTI derived track data.  It is expected that the proposals will exploit typical sources of intelligence collections currently available in addition to GMTI to explore potential techniques, including normalcy and syntactic approaches.  

 

DESCRIPTION: There are existing tools within the Government and industry that are targeted at visualizing, exploiting, analyzing, and fusing GMTI data in real time and post-mission. However there are no automated tools/capabilities available that can meet the challenges associated with the forensic exploitation analyst’s needs. The need for this capability is expanding dramatically given the current uses of GMTI as an intelligence source of data.  While GMTI provides an approximate number of vehicles, location, speed, the general direction of travel, and the time that the target was detected, identifying who the target is, what equipment they have, whether it is friendly, hostile, or bystanders is just the beginning of the challenge.  When approached in a manner similar to forensic science, GMTI can take on a whole new meaning.  Sample questions include where did the target start, where did it stop, has it done this movement before, did it go anywhere else, is it normal for this movement to occur at 2AM, etc.  GMTI detections can be correlated and tracked to form a linkage between events or facilities; however, very limited capability exists to automatically extract those linkages as a useful “relationship” for forensic usage. 

 

PHASE I: Phase I is envisioned to be a proof-of-concept phase. The steps in this phase would include defining the technical and operational requirements, researching the existing product lines, identifying potential new product types/techniques, and building working prototypes providing the new products.

 

PHASE II: Phase II is envisioned to focus on productizing the working prototype, integrating the product into several possible operational communities, testing the capability in real world applications, and spiraling in additional capability as required

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: This capability can be applied to supporting Homeland Security, Counterinsurgency, Border Security and Monitoring and several others. Commercial application: Commercial applications are envisioned in conjunction with RFID technology for point-to-point tracking.

 

Commercial application: A Civil application of this capability would make it useful to law enforcement.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Operation Eagle Focus, Lessons Learned, CENTCOM, DTD Aug05

 

2. Air Strike Targets Terrorist Safe Haven in Husaybah

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Sep2005/20050901_2586.html

 

3. Title: GMTI-tracking and information fusion for ground surveillance Author(s): Koch, W.

Author Affiliation: FGAN-FKIE, Wachtberg, Germany

Journal: Proceedings of the SPIE - The International Society for Optical

Engineering Conference Title: Proc. SPIE - Int. Soc. Opt. Eng. (USA) vol.4473 p.381-92

 

4. Title: IED detection for shadow

Author: Owen, Phil; Martin, Randal; Carriger, Thomas

Conference Title: AUVSI's Unmanned Systems North America 2005

 

5. NATO STANAG 4607, NATO GMTI Format

 

KEYWORDS: GMTI, Forensics

 

 

 

AF071-062           TITLE: Reliable Networking over Intermittent Wireless Connections of Airborne Networks

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems

 

STATEMENT OF INTENT: Enable seamless connectivity across airborne, space, and terrestrial networks.

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop Data-Link, Network, and/or Transport layer protocol(s), interoperable with standard Internet protocols, which provide(s) reliable performance over intermittent wireless connections of Airborne Networks.

 

DESCRIPTION: The Department of Defense (DoD) is engaged in initial efforts to develop an IP-based airborne network (AN) which interconnects mobile airborne platforms and provides interconnectivity with space and terrestrial networks. The planned future Airborne Network (AN) will include a “core” of loitering/orbiting aircraft which will provide inter-networking over multiple heterogeneous wireless links.  This objective, however, is confronted by several technology challenges that require technology innovation at the Data-link, Network, and/or Transport layers of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model.  Networking protocols originally developed for the terrestrial-based Internet (i.e., the TCP/IP protocol suite) perform quite poorly in lossy and intermittent connectivity environments such as those expected in the Airborne Network.  In contrast to the high degree of research applied to IP communication over space links [1] and terrestrial mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs), there has been minimal research applied to address the challenges specific to airborne networks. Challenges particular to the AN include the following:

• Airborne network connections may be comprised of multiple hops of heterogeneous links, including wireless Line of Sight (LOS) and Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) links.

• Airborne network links will undergo intermittent blockages/outages due to platform dynamics (pitch, yaw, and roll).

• Links will be of variable quality, in terms of signal strength, error rates, and throughput

• Links will be exposed to jamming and intercept threats

• Link addition, subtraction, reconfiguration, and compensation will occur as a result of nodal mobility and dynamic network membership

• Solutions must be interoperable with standard internet protocols to enable interconnectivity with space and terrestrial networks

Technology innovation is required that can address some or all of these challenges. Using the Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) Reference Model as a framework, technology innovation is required at the Data-link, Network, and/or Transport layers.  New Data-link, Network, and/or Transport layer protocols must be developed – or existing protocols adapted – to deliver predictable, reliable communications over the heterogeneous, intermittent, time-varying wireless connections of the airborne network core.  Additional information on the Airborne Network can be found at [2].

 

PHASE I: Identify a candidate set of Data-link, Network, and/or Transport layer protocols (either existing protocols that have been modified – or develop new open architecture protocols) that enable reliable and predictable performance over an airborne network. Model or simulate the protocol performance relative to comparable baseline of Internet standard protocols within an AN scenario.

 

PHASE II: Prototype an implementation of the protocols and demonstrate the prototype system in an experimental environment.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: Airborne networks will allow information such as navigational data, targets, intel, and bombing results to flow freely among manned and unmanned aircraft. Commercial application: Airborne networks will allow each plane to transmit its identity, precise location, speed, and heading to other planes to enable coordination among planes about optimum routes, how to separate, etc.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Space Communications Protocol Standards (SCPS) web site http://www.scps.org/scps/

 

2. ESC HERBB Airborne Networking web site, http://www.herbb.hanscom.af.mil/Hot_Buttons/Airborne_Networking/index.htm.

 

3. MIT’s Technology Review Magazine,  http://www.technologyreview.com/read_article.aspx?id=14407&ch=infotech

 

4. Airborne Internet Consortium, http://www.airborneinternet.org/

Rewritten Keywords:          Airborne Network, Mobile and Ad-hoc Networking, MANET, Data-link Layer Protocols, Network Layer Protocols, Transport Layer Protocols, Reliable Networking

 

KEYWORDS: Airborne Network, Mobile and Ad-hoc Networking, MANET, Data-link Layer Protocols, Network Layer Protocols, Transport Layer Protocols, Reliable Networking

 

 

AF071-063           TITLE: ATC Position Reports for Unmanned Aircraft (UA)

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Ground/Sea Vehicles, Sensors, Electronics

 

STATEMENT OF INTENT: The purpose of this project is to devise and later implement schema for converting position reports for all Unmanned Aircraft (UA) used in theatre into a standard format and to forward this information to air traffic control and battle management facilities.  If successful, this project will improve the situational awareness of air traffic and battle field controllers and other airspace users, increase airspace utilization and improve safety of flight for both manned and unmanned aircraft.

 

OBJECTIVE: Deliver Unmanned Aircraft (UA) Position Reports to Air Traffic Control (ATC) Displays by Altitude and Latitude/Longitude of the aircraft.

 

DESCRIPTION: The recent addition of UA into theatre operations has provided time critical information to the war fighter on the ground and to other aircraft in theatre. These UA come in all different sizes and capabilities. The Air Traffic and Battle Manager Controller’s ability to prevent the UA’s collision with conventional aircraft is significantly enhanced by the ability to see all airborne assets on the same display. While some UA are large enough to be detected by conventional air surveillance systems, many UA are small enough to be virtually invisible but large enough to be aeronautical hazards.

 

Both the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and the Battlefield Manager currently take the same approach to keeping manned and unmanned aircraft apart.  There is easy access to airspace below 1000 feet, but access to higher altitudes requires long lead times because they “sterilizes” the airspace before allowing UA to fly into these altitudes by clearing all other aircraft out of the area around its projected path

 

Although efforts to allow greater access to the National Airspace System (NAS) by UA are being pursued, these will not be implemented for some time. Meanwhile, DoD controllers, both in and out of theatre, must work around the presence of UA with little support from the Command and Control system because of the lack of position reports. The most serious problem is from the plethora of small UA, many of which can operate at the higher altitudes used by manned aircraft.

 

Every UA must report their location to the ground control system (GCS) if the data they are delivering is to have maximum value. These reports can be shared with the Air Traffic and Battlefield Managers, but it requires collection of all that data in an appropriate format and frequency. One approach being considered for the larger DoD UA has been "Cursor on Target," but has yet to be demonstrated on the very small UA with limited and sometime intermittent bandwidth. The data from individual UA may take different forms, with some sending latitude, longitude and altitude data to the GCS, but others may only send altitude, distance and bearing relative to the location of the GCS. The data needed includes the technical characteristics of the communications from the UA, the flight characteristics (e.g. airspeed) of the UA and its ground station and how the UA might behave upon loss of its control link (autonomous operations).

 

Collecting this data, putting it all in a form that the airspace managers within theatre and the NAS can interpret and transmitting it to those displays would improve the safety of all air operations. With a combined display of manned and unmanned aircraft and voice communications with ground based UA pilots, controllers can de-conflict manned and unmanned aircraft using traditional techniques. At present, these smaller UA may deliver data only to the GCS for immediate use by the local troops. 

 

The purpose of this project is to devise and later implement schema for converting position reports for the very small UAs, into a standard format and to forward this information to an air traffic control facility for processing by the automation system.

 

PHASE I: Collect information on position reporting systems used by UAs in theatre and for training within the NAS and demonstrate the feasibility of delivering reports to a civil or military control system. Report should include characteristics of the communications from the UA and its ground station.

 

PHASE II: Prototypes of promising collection schemas will be developed, demonstrated and evaluated.  Highest priority should be given to the small UA currently operating in theatre.  The results will be in format for surveillance data suitable for use in an ATC system and on a Battle Management System.  Interface control documents for the DoD ATC automation system currently being deployed will be provided.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: A method providing position information to battlefield managers will increase situational awareness and help reduce the risk to safety, which is commonly compromised due to operational necessity. Commercial application: Providing position information to ATC facilities will expedite integration of small UAs into the NAS, enabling a more robust UAS market (for traffic reporting, weather, communication relay)

 

REFERENCES: 1. Degarmo, M., and G. Nelson. “Prospective Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operations in the Future National Airspace System.” AIAA-2004-6243. AIAA 4th Aviation Technology, Integration and Operations (ATIO) Forum, Chicago, Illinois. Sep. 20-22, 2004.

 

2. Office of the Secretary of Defense, “Unmanned Aircraft Systems Roadmap,”  Aug. 4, 2005.

 

KEYWORDS: UAV, UAS, unmanned air vehicle, unmanned aerial vehicle, unmanned aerial systems.

 

 

AF071-064           TITLE: Managed Information Delivery to Multiple Devices

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems

 

STATEMENT OF INTENT: This technology will allow for secure methods of delivery and management of critical information flow that accommodate multiple devices, connections, and protocols.

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop algorithms and software that will seamlessly deliver information and/or notifications of information to our warfighter.

 

DESCRIPTION: The C3I community requires a secure method to provide information in many formats (text, images, video, etc.), to multiple users, using multiple devices (cell phones, PDAs, computers, etc.), over wireless and wired communications channels with varied bandwidths. The approach to this topic is to provide an innovative, domain-independent solution that is easily deployed and managed, extensible, that will provide both push and pull of the information and/or notifications, and automatically modified in accordance with security requirements and the physical limitations of users’ devices and connections. WARFIGHTER IMPACT: Many new devices are appearing on the commercial market for email, instant messaging, connecting to business-related information sources, browsing the Internet, etc. Information dissemination and management is device, connection, and protocol dependent. These devices vary widely in size, hardware and software capabilities, and connection types. New systems and techniques appear on the market frequently. The modern warfighter requires unified and secure methods to deliver and manage critical information flow that accommodate multiple devices, connections, and protocols, and the system must be able to accommodate these new devices rapidly and efficiently.

 

PHASE I: Develop an architecture design and conduct a proof-of-principal demonstration showing how the above objectives can be met.

 

PHASE II: Build the architecture into a prototype system and perform a real world demonstration with multiple devices, users, formats, communications channels, and security levels.  There exists tremendous potential for leveraging the Secure Mobile Environment – Portable Electronic Device (SME-PED) being developed for the National Security Agency (NSA) by L-3 Communications.  The SME-PED is a secure wireless handheld device that allows for mobile classified communications.  The phase II of this proposed effort would be a demonstration of the technology that allows a user to receive information and communications based on the user’s requirements, device limitations and security profile.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Department of Defense application: Integrate the technology into DoD, government agency or more specifically NSA or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  Military application: Integrate the technology into a military C3I system. Commercial application: Commercial sectors that can benefit from this technology include law enforcement, real estate brokers and technology companies.

 

REFERENCES: 1. "Publish and Subscribe Paradigm with Hand-held Computing Devices", Capraro, Gerard T., Proceedings of the 4th Annual Conference on Information Fusion, page FrA2-19.

 

2. "FIPA Device Ontology Specification" © 1996-2002 Foundation for Intelligent Physical Agents, http://www.fipa.org/, Geneva, Switzerland

 

3. "Providing Information Anytime, Anywhere, and On Any Device", AFRL FInal Technical Report (AFRL-IF-RS-TR-2005-25).

 

KEYWORDS: Information Delivery, ontology

 

 

AF071-066           TITLE: Fusion of Airborne Surveillance and Intelligence Information

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Electronics

 

STATEMENT OF INTENT: Provide improved combat identification and low radar cross section cuing capability to the warfighter for air targets.

 

OBJECTIVE: To develop a system capable of fusing airborne surveillance and intelligence information, in real time.

 

DESCRIPTION: Knowledge of the air picture requires kinematic information on the positions and velocities of aircraft within the area of regard as well as combat identification information for those aircraft.  Kinematic information is typically provided through Air Moving Target Indicator (AMTI) capabilities, such as those provided through the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft.  Combat identification information (at a minimum friend/foe information) is typically provided through intelligence capabilities such as Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) sensor systems.  The fusion of AMTI and ELINT can potentially improve the range and accuracy of kinematic airborne target information and expand the situations where useful and accurate combat identification information can be obtained.  Among the potential advantages of AMTI/ELINT fusion, intelligence information can increase the potential radar coverage by enabling the AWACS to respond to changing threat environments.  Additionally, low Radar Cross Section (RCS) targets can be cued based on their electronic emissions.  AMTI can sometimes provide friend/foe information in situations where ELINT cannot.  Automated target cueing and automated target recognition will be improved, in addition to radar position accuracy and radar resolution.  Minimum discernible velocity may even be obtainable from ELINT doppler shift.  And detection capability can be improved through cuing between the AWACS and ELINT platforms by enabling optimal signal design (pulse width, Pulse Repetition Interval (PRI), etc.) and antenna control on the part of the AWACS.  In order to achieve the potential that has been described, algorithms need to be developed to fuse AMTI and ELINT in real time in a sufficiently optimal manner.   Techniques and algorithms for fusing data from diverse (sources) modes such as those based on Network Centric Collaborative Targeting (NCCT) fusion capabilities, SIAP Block 1, Airborne Networking, etc. need to be developed.  The fusion capabilities, such as pattern matching for entities with changing properties (i.e. source data), also need to be usable across diverse systems such as collaborating airborne platforms while on station.  This near real-time collaboration will require architecture and design work for an infrastructure that allows simultaneous access to all collaborating systems (such as airborne platforms).  The initial phases of the effort will work at the unclassified level.

 

PHASE I: Study the feasibility of formulating a model for fusing diverse source data in near-real time such as AMTI and Airborne Target ELINT (ATE) information in combination and fusion. Conceptualize algorithmic strategies for capitalizing on the fused information from (at least) these two diverse modes.

 

PHASE II: Develop algorithms that fuse diverse source data, i.e. the AMTI/ATE information.  Build a prototype in software that works with unclassified but realistic data provided by the government.

 

PHASE III:  Implement a model in software to fuse AMTI and ATE information. Test and validate this model. Evaluate this fusing of diverse source data in near-real time based upon government selected timing criteria.  Plan a concept for implementing these algorithms on an airborne platform. Implement the algorithms in software to create an operational prototype that can be transitioned to deployment on an airborne platform.  Work with the government to gain access to real world data that can be used to validate the software.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: Use the algorithms onboard AWACS in concert with an intelligence platform. Commercial application: Potential uses include Air Traffic Control (ATC) applications where there is ambiguity due to high volumes in congested areas.  Also, the fusion of data from diverse modes can also be used in other “pattern-matching” fusion applications such as bank security (i.e. in fraud detection between diverse “banking instruments”), etc.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Col. Brian Waechter, “AWACS Futures Brief”, ESC/AW, 10 Jul 03.

 

2. Col. William Gardner, “Global Information Connectivity”, SMC/XR, 27 Feb 01, http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2002spacepolicy/gardner.pdf.

AWACS, AMTI, ATC, CAEWIS

 

KEYWORDS: pattern-matching fusion, diverse source data, near real-time collaboration

 

 

AF071-068           TITLE: Metadata Integrity Assurance

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems

 

STATEMENT OF INTENT: Provides multi-domain data  to the warfighter with assurance that the information was not tampered with during the delivery process.

 

OBJECTIVE: Support Multi-Level Security (MLS) information flows via trusted metadata by developing a system architecture that provides metadata security and pedigree assurance with minimal processing overhead.

 

DESCRIPTION: In recent years metadata has become increasingly important as a means for describing information content so as to facilitate access to, and improve the processing of that content.  In the context of multiple-layer security devices (i.e., devices that control and transmit information between systems and users that exist in different security domains), the integrity of metadata is fundamental to overall system integrity since the metadata typically contains the information regarding classification level and the security mechanisms that have been applied to the content.  Today, the DoD is working towards a long-range goal of developing an object-based information repository accessible across multiple security domains wherein each object’s metadata describes that object’s security status accurately, fully, and securely.

 

The goal of this SBIR is to develop and implement a system architecture that provides metadata integrity assurance while incurring minimal processing overhead, both for the machine and the users. Such an architecture will describe a standards-compliant mechanism for embedding security information in an object’s (a document, an image, a chat message) metadata.  This information should include not only the security classification of the object, but also its “pedigree” – that is, a description of the object’s security history.  This history would describe fully the who/what/when of all access and processing to which the object has been subjected from its inception. 

 

The traditional space-time trade offs apply to both the metadata encoding scheme and the means for maintaining the integrity of the metadata.  The control mechanism of the proposed architecture should address explicitly the processes by which an object’s content and its metadata are linked, as well as how these processes will be coordinated and integrated into a functional security boundary device.

 

Successful proposals will describe innovative approaches that exploit and enhance known security techniques, will apply to a wide range of document types (not just XML), and are scalable across all dimensions of traffic volume (from one-time document transfer to real-time “instant messages”) and size (from chat/text messages to large-scale imagery).

 

PHASE I: Identify, describe and implement a feasibility study for metadata processing and integrity assurance. Interface with key standards bodies to ensure conformity and interoperability.

 

PHASE II: Develop, demonstrate, and validate functional code to implement a prototype for the architecture proposed in Phase I.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: The use of metadata assurance is an essential element of MLS environments.  This research would help to lessen the challenges of providing appropriate objects for use in multi-domain applications. Commercial application: The use of metadata assurance is a recognized problem in a variety of domains that demand strict control over information flows to a variety of users such as: banking,e-commerce, & medical industries.

 

REFERENCES: 1.  http://www.aero.org/publications/crosslink/spring2006/08.html

 

2. http://www.fsl.noaa.gov/publications/forum/feb2003/2_03_MMeta.html

 

KEYWORDS: Metadata Integrity Assurance, MLS information flows, Metadata binding, cryptographic binding, cross-domain trusted metadata, XML Document labeling, trusted/encrypted XML

 

 

AF071-069           TITLE: Software Trustworthiness

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop tools which provide a measure of the risks inherent in the system, ie. provide the level of software trustworthiness.

 

DESCRIPTION: The Air Force is becoming ever more dependent on the reliable, secure, and accurate operation and interaction of software.  Tools which provide an empirical software engineering evaluation/development processes are needed.  In particular, this topic is looking for tools which will provide an objective measure of the risks inherent in a system due to the software composition of the system.  Such a tool might provide the Air Force a measure that the operational system is:

 

1.  Hacker-proof and free of embedded trojan-horses, an issue as more software is developed via out-source methods.

2.  Robust in the face of interaction with multiple software applications.  The Air Force needs to have confidence that a fault in one piece of software does not introduce spurious, unintended paths in a set of integrated software components.

3.  Verifiable, given the often sparse level of software specification accessability.

4.  Trustworthy from a whole-system perspective, integration of trusted components does not necessarily yield a trusted system.

 

PHASE I: Survey industry and technology roadmaps, determine feasibility, develop preliminary design, estimate costs and develop a program plan.

 

PHASE II: Build and test computational prototype.

 

DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military application: The work developed under this effort will potentially be useful in many types of military combat and mission support information systems. Commercial application: The concept will potentially also be useful for non-military applications in communications and software development as well.

 

REFERENCES: 1. Trustworthy Software Systems Study (http://www.comsoc.org/e-news/2005/apr/larry1.pdf), Larry Bernstein, Industry Research Professor, Stevens Institute of Technology

 

2. Computers at Risk: Safe Computing in the Information Age (1991), Computer Science and Telecommunications Board (http://books.nap.edu/books/0309043883/html)

 

KEYWORDS: software trustworthiness, reliability, metrics

 

 

AF071-070           TITLE: Timely Decision-Making for Logistics Support

 

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Chemical/Bio Defense, Information Systems, Human Systems

 

STATEMENT OF INTENT: This effort will benefit the warfighter by allowing logistics planners to view detailed logistics information and make timely, data-driven decisions while formulating transportation options.

 

OBJECTIVE: Research and develop advanced Decision Making technologies to enable real-time incorporation of logistics analysis as part of core mission planning processes in support of a global campaign.

 

DESCRIPTION: The common model for C2 has primarily focused on front-line operations, targeting, weaponeering, and strategic and tactical movement of forces. Logistics support has been a subordinate activity, only of interest when it fails to produce. Increased automation, decreased span of decision cycles, competing service doctrines and other causes have resulted in a situation where genuinely coherent warfighting plans are generated, only to be further shaped and sometimes obviated by issues of deployment and sustainment. In the future, our warfighting behavior must not be shaped, but aided by the systems(and processes) that allow planning and execution to take place. Sustainment packages should be based on what will be consumed rather than what has been consumed.

 

This effort is seeking innovative technical solutions to decision making that reduce the time required to determine the feasibility of transportation options from days to hours/minutes. This will provide more meaningful input to the Course-of-Action (COA) decision process and allow for assessment of more mission options while identifying potential transportation show-stoppers.

 

Technology challenges that need to be addressed include optimization techniques for linking abstract concepts of “commander’s in