TECHNICAL POINT OF CONTACT (TPOC)
Jeffrey Spak
Stephen Antunes
PROJECTED CMMC LEVEL REQUIREMENT
Level 2 (Self)
TECHNOLOGY AREAS
Electronics
|
Sensors
MODERNIZATION PRIORITIES
Integrated Sensing and Cyber
KEYWORDS
Passive Radar, GMTI, SAR, Bistatics.
OBJECTIVE
Develop a low-cost, small form factor, attritable passive radar sensor capable of detecting and tracking targets using external RF signals for tactical unmanned and expendable platforms.
ITAR
The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with section 3.5 of the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.
DESCRIPTION
In contested A2/AD environments, active radar emissions act as beacons for adversary Electronic Warfare. To ensure survivability, the DoW requires covert sensing utilizing "illuminators of opportunity." This effort requires a 100% receive-only payload; the sensor shall not transmit any RF energy.
Current passive systems are bulky, expensive, and primarily optimized for SIGINT/ESM rather than radar functionality. They lack the tightly synchronized, multi-channel receivers necessary for direct reference signal acquisition, spatial processing, and clutter cancellation. The DoW seeks a paradigm shift toward low-cost, multi-channel "attritable" (expendable) sensors designed specifically for high-risk deployments.
This topic seeks the development of a Small Form Factor (SFF) passive X-Band radar featuring both Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging and Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) capabilities. Optimized for extreme Size, Weight, Power, and Cost (SWaP-C) constraints, the payload must be light enough for integration onto Group 1 or 2 UAS, loitering munitions, or unattended ground sensors.
PHASE I
The objective of Phase I is to conduct a feasibility study to determine the scientific, technical, and commercial merit of a small form factor, attritable passive radar architecture. Offerors are expected to define a comprehensive system architecture, identifying critical low-cost receiver components, antenna configurations suitable for SFF platforms, and highly efficient edge-processing hardware. The effort will include developing proof-of-concept signal processing algorithms for reference signal isolation, clutter cancellation, and target detection and/or tracking under constrained computational limits. The desired end product is a robust simulation and a basic laboratory prototype that validates the feasibility of detecting targets using signals of opportunity while strictly adhering to the SWaP-C metrics required for expendable systems.
PHASE II
Phase II culminates in the delivery of a viable hardware prototype. Offerors are expected to transition their Phase I concepts into a physical, highly miniaturized sensor prototype suitable for integration onto a small UAS or expendable ground node. The minimum required deliverable is a functional prototype that successfully demonstrates passive stationary and moving target detection, tracking, and imaging in a realistic outdoor environment utilizing RF illumination (cooperative or non-cooperative signals of opportunity) without emitting any RF energy from the passive sensor itself. The performer must characterize system performance, demonstrate real-time edge processing that outputs actionable products, and validate that the unit cost and SWaP footprint meet the criteria for a truly attritable tactical asset.
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS
In Phase III, the expendable passive radar sensor is expected to transition into operational military platforms and commercial markets, supported by non-SBIR/STTR funding. For DoW applications, the technology will be integrated into launched effects, loitering munitions, and distributed unattended ground sensor networks. In the commercial sector, potential applications include low-cost air traffic monitoring, counter-UAS (cUAS) surveillance for critical infrastructure, and general airspace monitoring where adding active RF spectrum clutter is undesirable or prohibited.
REFERENCES
Melvin, W. L., & Scheer, J. A. (Eds.). (2014). Principles of Modern Radar: Radar Applications (Volume 3). SciTech Publishing / IET.
Moo, P. W., & Ding, Z. (2015). Adaptive Radar Resource Management. Academic Press (Elsevier).
