Multi-Function Digital AESA and Sensor Resource Manager (SRM) Systems Engineering

OUSD (R&E) MODERNIZATION PRIORITY: Autonomy; General Warfighting Requirements (GWR) TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Sensors 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. Please direct questions to the Air Force SBIR/STTR HelpDesk: usaf.team@afsbirsttr.us. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this topic is to explore the available configurations of multi-function digital active electronically scanned arrays (AESA) radars and the associated Sensor Resource Manager (SRM) to achieve Air Force mission objectives (https://www.doctrine.af.mil/). The USAF requires a mission engineering and modeling tool to evaluate the most appropriate combination of software and processing capability to achieve these ends. These capabilities should be captured and communicated in a SysML or other MBSE model. At minimum, this is for a single-ship configuration, but we will give preferred consideration for multi-platform configurations. DESCRIPTION: Recent advancements in open architectures will enable the United States Air Force (USAF) to develop plug-and-play' or adaptable software-defined sensors for both attributable and non-attributable platforms. Systems of high-interest within this context are multi-function, digital active electronically scanned arrays (AESAs). These radars allow for advanced beam steering and beam control enabling multiple RF operating modes to run concurrently. In an operational context, tradeoffs will be necessary to tailor software and processing capability for specific missions. The goal of this topic is to explore the available configurations of multi-function digital AESA radars and the associated Sensor Resource Manager (SRM) to achieve Air Force mission objectives (https://www.doctrine.af.mil/). The USAF requires a mission engineering and modeling tool to evaluate the most appropriate combination of software and processing capability to achieve these ends. These capabilities should be captured and communicated in a SysML or other MBSE model. At minimum, this is for a single-ship configuration, but we will give preferred consideration for multi-platform configurations. This topic is not focused on a specific production radar and the expectation is to model a multi-function digital AESA radar at the logical and functional level. It is expected that in Phase III, the performer will implement an open architecture interface at the physical level for a specific radar to include the hardware, software, processor, modes and algorithms. An example for consideration is the Arrays at Commercial Timescales (ACT) radar (https://www.darpa.mil/program/arrays-at-commercial-timescales). PHASE I: Demonstrate understanding of current capabilities of multi-function AESA and how those relate to AF mission sets. Demonstrate understanding of SysML and MBSE tools as well as the understanding of how to represent highly complex sensors (AESA) in this format. Demonstrate understanding of AFSIM capabilities and methods to represent complex sensors in this format. Demonstrate understanding of Sensor Resource Managers (SRMs) and challenges associated with integrating SRMs with other airborne systems and open architectures. PHASE II: Develop optimal configurations for multi-function AESA mapped to Air Force mission sets at a functional level. Present hardware-agnostic model of the radar, processor, modes, algorithms and SRM using SysML or other Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools and best practices. Develop ways to represent complex, multi-purpose systems in SysML or other MBSE tools for effective analysis. Develop and present an unclassified AFSIM scenario(s) to demonstrate the multi-function AESA and modeling the desired SRM to capture effectiveness of a multi-function AESA compared to traditional approaches. Capture all documentation and results in the model based form that can be shared and re-used by other developers and/or RY divisions. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Implement an open architecture interface at the physical level for a specific radar to include the hardware, software, processor, modes and algorithms. As an example, the Arrays at Commercial Timescales (ACT) radar (https://www.darpa.mil/program/arrays-at-commercial-timescales). REFERENCES: A. Farina, P. Holbourn, T. Kinghorn and L. Timmoneri, "AESA radar Pan-domain multi-function capabilities for future systems," 2013 IEEE International Symposium on Phased Array Systems and Technology, 2013, pp. 4-11, doi: 10.1109/ARRAY.2013.6731792. KEYWORDS: Active electronically scanned array (AESA), digital at the element; multi-function radar; AESA; Sensor Resource Manager; Resource Manager; Sensors; Radio Frequency; Radar; Model Based Systems Engineering; MBSE; SysML