Man-Packable NAV-AID

TECH FOCUS AREAS: General Warfighting Requirements (GWR) TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors; Electronics; Battlespace OBJECTIVE: Develop a two man-packable, man-portable, air-deliverable (parachute), covert tactical aircraft navigational aid system. RF emissions should be very low, designed to be Low Probability of Intercept/ Low Probability of Detection (LPI/LPD). The solution should be lighter and smaller than an airfield mobile Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) AN/TRN-47v2. The proposed solution should provide the user with bearing and distance (slant-range) to a ground or ship-borne station at a range of at least 20 nm. The Navigation Aid should be capable of meeting Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) certification standards similar to existing portable TACANs. DESCRIPTION: The desired near-covert Navigational System should provide the user with bearing and distance (slant-range) to a ground or ship-borne beacon at a range of at least 20 nm from altitudes up to 30,000', performing similar to VHF Omni-Directional Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME). Units should be lighter and smaller than the current MM-7000 MP TACAN (Moog Industries) for harsh environments. The system should be capable of tracking up to 50 airborne targets concurrently. The ability to track ground personnel and vehicular traffic at close range would also be beneficial. The proposed solution should be capable of being Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) certifiable per Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines and standards (ref. AC 00-31A). The system must provide an all-weather non-precision navigational aid for use at remote landing sites, assault landing zones, and unprepared or dissuaded runways. The system should enable rapid setup and tear-down by a two-man team to keep pace with the maneuver elements, yet provide the same accuracy as a TACAN AN/TRN-47v2 or MM-7000MP TACAN. The system should include an on-demand mode where it will only transmit when interrogated by an aircraft on-channel. The proposed solution must be interoperable with all models of current TACAN/VOR/DME receivers already installed on US Military aircraft and interface with those receiver controls. The covert Navigational Aide should be able to be powered in the man-packable configuration by 5590 B/U 12V/24V 15Ah Primary Lithium Sulfur Dioxide (LiSO2) Dual-Voltage Military radio batteries (multiple batteries is permissible). It should also have the option of being powered by a small generator when in-place for longer durations. The system must be hardened and packaged to withstand parachute operations when loaded in an individual soldier's rucksack on a lowering line below him and hitting the ground first. Utilizing a para-container for the system is not preferred; however, if Size Weight and Power (SWAP) requirements would require a large para-container, that would be considered. The design should be able to be assembled and brought into service by a two-man crew within 15 minutes. The system must meet all applicable TACAN Standards; STANAG 5034, MIL-HDBK-217, MIL-STD-461-F, MIL-STD-291C, MIL-STD-810G, ICAO Annex 10. PHASE I: Establish feasibility of the proposed solution. Perform sufficient modeling and experimentation to determine high risk components are attainable. Perform tradeoffs to establish a preliminary design leading up to Phase II. Define a Phase II program plan. Identify potential transition partners. Provide a thorough understanding of the solution to the Government to enable a timely Phase II decision. PHASE II: Finalize design of a demonstration prototype. Procure, develop, and integrate the solution prototype. Plan and coordinate one or more demonstrations to provide proof of concept determination. Perform experiments and analyze results to establish the adequacy of the solution approach and minimize transition risk. Contact potential customers and transition partners to support Phase III activities. Provide regular communication to the government sponsor to ensure understanding and risk mitigation. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Demonstrate this prototype Man-Portable Aircraft Navigation Aid. NOTE: 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 proposed tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with section 5.4.c.(8) of the Announcement and within the AF Component-specific instructions. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws. Please direct questions to the Air Force SBIR/STTR Contracting Officer, Ms. Kris Croake, kristina.croake@us.af.mil. REFERENCES: 1. Department of Transportation and Department of Defense (March 25, 2002). "2001 Federal Radionavigation Plan" (PDF). 2. GRAVITY GRADIOMETRY AND MAP MATCHING: AN AID TO AIRCRAFT INERTIAL NAVIGATION SYSTEMS , USAF AFIT Thesis, Maj. Anthony DeGregooria 3. AC 00-31A - United States (U.S.) National Aviation Standard for the Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Radio Range (VOR)/Distance Measuring Equipment (DME)/Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) Systems , 30 Sep. 1982 4. 9840.1 - U.S. National Aviation Handbook for the VOR/DME/TACAN Systems