Prototype Payloads

OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Hypersonics 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: Design, develop, and test wide area effect concepts for defense against hypersonic and maneuvering threats. DESCRIPTION: This topic seeks to design, develop, and demonstrate payload concepts for integration on various developmental hypersonic defense systems. These capabilities will augment existing and future Missile Defense Agency (MDA) weapon systems, providing a wide area effect capability. The proposed system-integrated payload concepts will compliment current hit-to-kill capabilities. This effort seeks to understand possible payload configurations for incorporation into various defensive systems. 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: 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: The goal of this effort is the design, prototype development, and conduct of a test to demonstrate system integrated payload concepts. The demonstration test will depend on the complexities of the proposed solutions. We will prioritize payload scalable concepts based on available space and power in the delivery vehicle system. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Phase III efforts would focus on testing and demonstration in more operationally relevant conditions. Integration with the larger Missile Defense System would be initiated to support initial capability delivery. Technologies developed for MDA will have other applications within the Department of Defense. REFERENCES: 1. Patriot / Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) (https://www.dote.osd.mil/Portals/97/pub/reports/FY2011/army/2011patriot.pdf?ver=2019-08-22-112309-380) 2. U.S. Navy Confirms SM-6 Air Launched Configuration is Operationally Deployed', https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/07/u-s-navy-confirms-sm-6-air-launched-configuration-is-operationally-deployed KEYWORDS: Wide area effect; Kinetic; Non-kinetic; blast-fragmentation warhead