Ground Safing Enhancements

OUSD (R&E) MODERNIZATION PRIORITY: Network Command, Control and Communications; Autonomy TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Information Systems 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 the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws. OBJECTIVE: Develop innovative technologies, capabilities, and capacity to provide ground safing alternatives for the interceptor to allow remote enabling/disabling of the missile fields while maintaining physical inhibit and safety requirements. DESCRIPTION: The Ground Safing Device (GSD) provides the physical inhibit required to prevent unintended arming of the interceptor stage 1 motor. The GSD is a separate, physically isolated system from the operational command and control system. Currently the GSD requires a warfighter who is physically located at the readiness and control center at each site to manually enable/disable the GSD to allow for launch/safing of an interceptor complex. Safety also requires that the GSD remain in the last selected state after failure of any GSD system component or power loss. This presents operational concerns for the warfighter. An analysis into possible enhancements to the current GSD Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and design is needed. Enhancements should consider increasing reliability of the present system, allowing for remote enabling of the GSD at all sites from each Mission Operator command center (Fort Greely Alaska and Colorado Springs) and investigating methods for ensuring interceptor launch capability in the event of a GSD failure. PHASE I: Develop conceptual, technical approaches that provide alternatives to present GSD CONOPS while maintaining safety considerations regarding inadvertent launch (i.e.; one physical launch inhibit). Improve the availability of the GSD by incorporating Mission Operator desire for remote GSDenabling at the Command and Control centers and to investigate methods for ensuring GSD failures do not preclude ability to launch. Perform trades and analysis to support the proposed design solutions. Perform bench-level testing to demonstrate the concept and an understanding of the new, innovative technology. PHASE II: Develop and refine the proposed solution. The Phase I concept will be validated by development and demonstration tests to ensure performance objectives are met. The effort should result in a solution that can be transitioned in Phase III and/or can show substantial commercialization potential. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Conduct engineering and manufacturing development, test, evaluation in a realistic system environment or in a system level test-bed. The various technologies and models should have applicability to the defense industry as well as other applications for related missile defense and offense programs. REFERENCES: Air Force Space Command Manual 91-710, Volume 3, 15 May 2019. Range Safety User Requirements Manual Volume 3 Launch Vehicles, Payloads, And Ground Support Systems Requirements. Military Standard System Safety Program Requirements MIL-STD-882C 19 Jan 1993. KEYWORDS: Safety, Inhibit, Ground Safing Device