OUSD (R&E) MODERNIZATION PRIORITY: Microelectronics; Autonomy TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Sensors; Electronics; 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. Please direct questions to the Air Force SBIR/STTR HelpDesk: usaf.team@afsbirsttr.us. OBJECTIVE: Design and develop an affordable, adaptable and responsible Counter Position Navigation and Timing (C-PNT) system that balances employment challenges and large scale needs of C-PNT technology for anti-terrorism efforts globally. DESCRIPTION: The United States Department of Defense (DoD), Joint Counter UAS Office (JCO) and the Department of the Air Force (DAF) are responsible for securing nearly 2000 installations around the world from autonomous maritime, ground and air threats. These threats are fueled by a vibrant industry base developing autonomous vehicles in all domains for a variety of peaceful uses. The nefarious employment of these autonomous products or the integration of these commercial products into foreign government systems is creating an ever growing gap between the ability of a low cost autonomous threat to complete its mission and our ability to protect US interests. This topic focuses on responsibly reducing the autonomy of threats through PNT interference. The exact approach in doing this must be precise, low power, support future proofing and have general adaptability. The need for responsible, affordable and approvable technologies that can maximize effect on threats and minimize its effect on friendly assets is urgently needed. There are many fixed and handheld C-PNT systems that exist today but costs, approvals and flawed employment approaches are stunting their adoption. New innovative approaches are needed in this space before wide spread employment of these technology will be possible. This topic is seeking optimized solutions that can be rapidly employed in ground and air environments. Proposals should consider a proper balance of size, weight, power, cost and adaptability to maximize capability in non-permissive environments. Solutions will likely be additions to existing installation security systems and should be easily integrated and proven to be interoperable with other components of these systems Acceptable proposals may consider new or efficient methods for constraining interference effects to areas where threat drones are and friendly are not. Adaptability of RF emissions, antennas types or sizes and ease of integration would be of interest. How other sensors in a system of system could make a NWAT subsystem more effective would help highlight the benefit of the approach. Lastly, proposals should consider how the system could be employed with minimal user interaction while still protecting against unnecessary or ineffective spectrum use. PHASE I: This is a Direct to Phase 2 (D2P2) topic. Phase 1 like proposals will not be evaluated and will be rejected as nonresponsive. For this D2P2 topic, the Government expects that the small business would have accomplished the following in a Phase I-type effort via some other means (e.g. IRAD, or other funded work). It must have developed 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 to the proposed effort, a demonstrated technical feasibility or nascent capability to meet the capabilities of the stated objective. Proposal may provide example cases of this new capability on a specific application. The documentation provided must substantiate that the proposer has developed a preliminary understanding of the technology to be applied in their Phase II proposal to meet the objectives of this topic. Documentation should include all relevant information including, but not limited to: technical reports, test data, prototype designs/models, and performance goals/results. PHASE II: Based on current performance and effectiveness data this effort would provide a new offering in industry to fill this warfighter need. Proposals must define expected final performance data and evidence to support it. The proposal must address design features in terms of at least: i. Employment strategy for both airborne and ground systems ii. Specifications and features of the system that would reduce collateral RF effects iii. Cost and scalability up to thousands of units iv. Compatibility with US and allies policy on C-PNT technologies v. Open architecture approach to support adaptability and integration with other systems PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The Government has an interest in transition of the demonstrated concept to an operational capability in support of many MAJCOM and COCOMs across the DoD. REFERENCES: Mark Harris, FAA Files Reveal a Surprising Threat to Airline Safey: The U.S. Military's GPS Tests ,https://spectrum.ieee.org/faa-files-reveal-a-surprising-threat-to-airline-safety-the-us-militarys-gps-tests; Aerospace Corporation, A New Tool To Fight GPS Jammers ,https://aerospace.org/article/new-tool-fight-gps-jammers; GPS.gov Information about GPS Jamming https://www.gps.gov/spectrum/jamming/ ; John Keller, U.S. Military Committed to Electronic Warfare Jammers to Counter Enemy GPS and Drone Signals. https://www.militaryaerospace.com/rf-analog/article/14039289/electronic-warfare-ew-portable-jammers ; KEYWORDS: GPS Jammer; Drones; Autonomous Vehicles; Autopilots; FAA; DoD Authorities; Counter PNT technology; directional antennas; interference
