OBJECTIVE
A tactical tool or capability to increase situational awareness and enhance decision support of Warfighters operating in Chemical and Biological (CB) contested environments. The innovative technology proposed should work within Human Machine Interface (HMI) concepts to provide significant advantage compared to its size, weight, and power (SWAP) demands. This may include tactical augmented reality, sensor visualization solutions, or unique end user device/materials solutions.
ITAR
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 section 3.5 of 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.
DESCRIPTION
Joint Warfighters are increasingly required to rapidly process volumes of complex information from diverse sources to maintain operational effectiveness in dynamic environments. Operating in CB contested environments imposes additional challenges such as restrictive personal protective equipment, specialized equipment requirements, and high risk/time sensitive nature of the mission. The CBD SBIR Program is seeking an innovative capability to increase the efficient integration, visualization, and communication of tactical data to increase situational awareness and enhance decision-making on the battlefield. The proposed solution may be in the form of a novel tactical end user device or an enhancement to current kit.
For example, Heads Up Displays (HUD) in the tactical environment intend to deliver Warfighters critical information directly to their field of view, with the intent to keep heads up and on the fight'. However, implementing HUDs tactically also present challenges such as decreased field of view, motion sickness, eye strain, and cognitive overload. Implementing HUDs while wearing a M50 respirator quickly also exacerbates the physical strain and minimizes the HUDs effectiveness.
Other technologies that have seen success in the public sector include holographic diffractive waveform technology utilizing ingrained diffractive gratings within a lens for image visualization. General non-holographic diffractive waveguide technology has seen success as well, though with lower image and color quality. The integration of these technologies, potentially of waveguide into polycarbonate, and in general to CB kit and mission space is of interest.
The proposed solution may be head borne, wrist worn, handheld, or other, but must be specific to enhancing the CB mission. Picture two Soldiers executing a Sensitive Site Exploitation in MOPP and carrying more CB sensors than they can hold in their hands between them. The goal is to create a solution so that each of the Soldiers as well as command post receive the same sensor data in real time to make a rapid and informed tactical decision.
The proposed solution must be adaptable to various CB applications and use with Mission Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) kits. Any head borne solutions must integrate with a variety of respirators, to include the M50, and must adhere to battlefield eyewear safety guidelines. Additional hardware considerations include physical connections, network stack and operating system, data transmission, and any non-standard characteristics.
Additionally, any software must be built to Integrated Sensor Architecture (ISA) standards and comply with the current version of the Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) Software Development Kit (SDK). Additional software considerations include the hardware requirements for the software, installation and configuration, user interface and experience, and network connections. Software development should also be advised by DISA Application Security and Development STIG (Security Technical Implementation Guide): https://dl.dod.cyber.mil/wp-content/uploads/stigs/zip/U_ASD_V6R3_STIG.zip.
PHASE I
Phase I requires delivery of a proof of concept for the technology solution proposed. The technology should increase tactical data sharing and visualization in near real time to support battlefield situational awareness and decision support in CB contested environments.
The initial prototype deliverable should communicate functional, physical, environmental, and software considerations, as appropriate, for the full spectrum of CB operational use. The functional considerations required for delivery at the end of Phase I include design specifications, performance specifications, operational modes, input/output requirements, control and monitoring mechanisms, display, security considerations, information transmission methods and framework, etc. Should the proposal include hardware, physical elements to be detailed at delivery of Phase I include SWAP requirements, form factor, materials, finish, hardening, mounting, and interface specifications. Environmental elements required in Phase I include minimum and maximum storage and usage, temperature ranges, altitude, vibration and shock. Should the proposal include software, the elements required in Phase I include user interface specifications, proposed APIs, code development approach, configuration management, and security considerations. A proposed concept of operation for testing and integration with existing DOD systems, as well as a Phase II/future development plan should also be delivered.
PHASE II
Phase II requires delivery of a hardware and/or software pre-production prototype for the technology solution proposed. By the end of Phase II, the core features and performance of the solution should be developed and working as designed. Performance including speed, accuracy, throughput, and response time should achieve target specifications. The prototype will be tested against the Phase I considerations and in line with DOD CB CONOPs. The prototype should be available to test in light movement at integration events to ensure durability, user acceptance, and identify areas of development.
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS
PHASE III: Phase III will focus on hardware/software performance testing of the prototype to validate its effectiveness in operational use cases. It will also include testing for user acceptance, ruggedization, verification and validation, and larger operational integration. Phase III would require the delivery of user manuals, support to demonstrations, and Transition Agreement support.
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The technology developed to meet this topic has the potential to have strong linkages with public industry and civilian use cases. For example, real time data visualization could be applied to commercial pilots receiving information from control towers, emergency personnel such as firefighters and police visualizing a building layout, route, suspect information, or oxygen/carbon monoxide sensor data, or in manufacturing with projections of instructions and diagrams for efficient assembly while keeping hands free. This technology could likely be applied to a variety of positions or functions in which real time data and information needs to be received, managed, and visualized across multiple users to make critical decisions while keeping hands on task.
REFERENCES
DISA Application Security and Development STIG (Security Technical Implementation Guide): https://dl.dod.cyber.mil/wp-content/uploads/stigs/zip/U_ASD_V6R3_STIG.zip.
RAND Research Report. Jonathan P. Wong, Alexander C. Hou, Michael Miller, Katie A. Wilson, Emily Lathrop, Sydney Kessler, Sam Wallace, Emily Yoder. One Team, One Fight. Volume I, Insights on Human-Machine Integration for the U.S. Army.
US Army, FM 3-11, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Operations (May 2019).
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