Innovative Concepts in the Missile Defense Domain for Space Superiority

OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Trusted AI and Autonomy; Microelectronics; Space Technology 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: Provide novel and innovative space technologies enabling the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) mission of developing and deploying a layered Missile Defense System to defend the United States, its deployed forces, and friends from missile attacks in all phases of flight. Specific to this topic, the MDA seeks improved defensive sensing capabilities by increasing effectiveness of new and existing sensors against current and emerging threats. DESCRIPTION: The mission of the MDA is to develop and deploy a layered Missile Defense System to defend the United States, its deployed forces, allies, and friends from missile attacks in all phases of flight. Critical to meeting this mission is the continued development of technologies that enable space superiority for purposes of missile defense. This solicitation seeks to identify advanced space sensing technologies that enable the MDA mission. The MDA is seeking proposals for advanced space technologies that provide increased assurance of space domain superiority through advancements in sensing techniques, multi-phenomenology data fusion, and additional processing technologies that can improve birth to death tracking, earlier indications and warnings, and threat discrimination. PHASE I: Phase I-like proposals will not be evaluated and will be rejected as nonresponsive. For this topic, the Government expects the small business would have accomplished the following in a Phase I-like effort via some other means, e.g., independent research and development (IRAD) or other source, a concept for a workable prototype or design to address, at a minimum, the basic capabilities of the stated objective above. Proposal must show, as appropriate, a demonstrated technical feasibility or nascent capability. The documentation provided must substantiate the proposer's development of a preliminary understanding of the technology to be applied in their Phase II proposal in meeting topic objectives. Documentation should comprise all relevant information including but not limited to, technical reports, test data, prototype designs/models, and performance goals/results. Feasibility = maturity and what have you already done/validated. Proposers interested in participating in Direct to Phase II must include in their responses to this topic Phase I feasibility documentation that substantiates the scientific and technical merit and Phase I feasibility described in Phase I above has been met. (i.e., the small business must have performed a proof of concept like Phase I component and/or other validation in a relevant environment, and/or at a much higher TRL level (5 or higher) and describe the potential commercialization applications. The documentation provided must validate that the proposer has completed development of technology in previous work or research completed.) IRAD work, previous Phase I/Phase II work: Documentation should include the most relevant information including, but not limited to: technical reports, test data, prototype designs/models, and/or performance goals/results. Work submitted within the feasibility documentation must have been substantially performed by the proposer and/or the principal investigator (PI). PHASE II: MDA seeks sensing technologies that support the MDA mission as applicable to operating within the space domain. This Phase II solicitation has multiple themes and would consider UNCLASSIFIED proposals submitted against any of these identified theme focus areas. Please submit proposals that are based on your best skills, experience and capability to deliver innovative technology to support the MDA mission. Specific to this topic, the MDA seeks proposals addressing the need for sensing technologies capable of - improving multi-phenomenology data fusion, - improving birth-to-death tracking capabilities, - increasing effectiveness in threat indications and warnings, - exploiting advanced neuromorphic processes in data fusion and processing - improving intelligent discrimination of offensive targets PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Phase III work could apply to providing proliferated low earth orbit communication systems and space based processing that allows the effective and efficient distribution of overhead sensor data. Improving the industrial base to provide more effective optical satellite communications, with more power for the satellite bus and high performance clocks will enhance Phase III development. REFERENCES: Missile Defense Agency SBIR and STTR Programs. https://www.mda.mil/business/SBIR_STTR_programs.html OUSD(R&E) Critical Technology Areas https://www.cto.mil/usdre-strat-vision-critical-tech-areas KEYWORDS: Space Systems; Space Sensors; Battle Management; Edge Processing; Data Fusion; Indications & Warning; Track Management; Track Hand-off; Multi-domain sensing; Neuromorphic;