Innovative Space-based Multicolor Sensors

OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Hypersonics; 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: Demonstrate innovative space-based sensing technology for detection and tracking of detection of dim, high speed maneuvering targets. DESCRIPTION: Detection of small and dim, high speed maneuvering targets, such as hypersonic vehicles by space based EO/IR sensors is challenging because these targets may appear dim and small in infrared images. The analyses show these targets could appear to be one order of magnitude dimmer than the usual targets. Lowering sensors' altitude helps, but decreases the associated signal-to-clutter ratios. This topic seeks an innovative, space-based, multi-color with optimized configuration including IR/UV sensing solution to detect and track dim and small, fast maneuvering targets. Recent studies show multispectral IR and UV sensing provides a more robust detection mechanism than using IR alone, as hypersonic vehicles emit in UV where there is little solar background, making UV sensing technologies more feasible at various angles and times of the day, which might be an issue with IR. Using UV spectral from the shock layer of near-space flight trajectories in the solar blind band region offers a much better contrast. The proposers will identify the optimized sensing configuration, and the proposed physical EO/IR sensor suite should be compatible with the existing sensor platforms with minimum performance degradation in a space environment (proton, electron, and heavy ion fluxes etc.) 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: Define a viable multicolor sensing approach that could maximize the capability of detection and tracking of small and dim, high-speed maneuvering targets with optimal spectral wavebands for space-based spectral detection. Design, develop and test the prototype of innovative Space based Multicolor Sensors based on spectral radiation and transmission mechanisms of near-space hypersonic vehicles of low-signal characteristics, with minimum performance degradation in a space environment. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Complete the sensor technology development, perform required testing, integrate and transition the final solution to the space-based sensors systems. Mature and transition this multicolor sensing technology to EO/IR sensor foundries for commercial remote sensing applications. REFERENCES: 1. F. Lesage, R. Stowe, R. Lestage, P. Harris, R. Farinaccio, N. Hamel, N., and R. Pimentel, Development of hypersonic technologies for long-range precision strike, Defence R&DCanada Valcartier, Technical Report, TR 2011-004, August 2013. 2. K. Thoma, U. Hornemann, M. Sauer, and E. Schneider, Shock waves henomenology,experimental, and numerical simulation, Meteoritics & Planetary Science, vol. 40, no. 9 0,pp. 1283 296, 2005 3. E. Oron, Y. Bar-Shalom, and M. Lachish, Advanced IR imaging and tracking for hypersonicintercept, in 1997 IEEE Aerospace Conference, vol. 1: IEEE, pp. 139 48, 1997. KEYWORDS: space sensing, UV sensor, IR detector, small dim target detection