OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Integrated Sensing and Cyber 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. Applicants 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. Applicants are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws. OBJECTIVE: This topic seeks to perform concept exploration, prototype development, sub-scale experiments, test and evaluation of intermodal cargo containers that can be used for sensing applications that are minimally manned or not manned at all, and in extreme weather conditions. The containers may be air dropped to the remote locations and must contain all the necessary set-up, power generation, communications, sensors and antenna equipment for a self-sustaining capability. It is possible that the remote sensing in a TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit) could be transported and air dropped via rocket and not just by an air platform or ship. DESCRIPTION: There is a growing need within the Department of Defense (DoD) for increased surveillance and situational awareness in remote locations such as the Arctic. These locations are often un-accessible for many months during the year and experience extreme weather conditions. An approach to providing increased surveillance capacity is to house the sensing systems within a TEU that is self-sufficient . The system can begin operations with minimal crew set-up and continue to operate for many months with no human interaction or maintenance due to weather extremes or austere location inaccessibility. The sensing in a TEU box may also be air-dropped to their intended location but remain dormant for an extended period of time until crews can access the site. Another mission scenario under consideration is where the air-dropped sensing system would begin operations autonomously without crew setup deploying sensors, antennas and other systems required for operation. The goal of this effort is to investigate and develop concepts for inter-modal containers that can provide sensing capabilities that are self-sufficient and are suited for air drop of cargo from a rocket. Existing ISU-90 and TEU type cargo containers will need to be adopted to allow for a complete sensing system that can withstand air-drop conditions and environments, including airdrop in the atmosphere post-reentry. Some sensors and supporting sub-systems/electronics are fragile in nature and additional packaging will need to be taken into consideration. The objective of this effort is to enable the commercial market to develop and manufacture RESINATE systems utilizing inter-modal shipping containers that meet the needs of the DoD for increased surveillance and situational awareness. This topic is intended to reach companies capable of completing a prototype or sub-scale experiment to validate concepts under accelerated Phase I and II type schedules. This topic is aimed at later stage research and development efforts rather than front-end or basic research/research and development. The focus is on emerging commercial capabilities in sensing and utilization of cargo containers to minimize cost and enable agile logistics through the entire span of responsive mission planning to rapid logistics. The main deliverables will be test and evaluation of concepts that advance the viability and utility of using commercial inter-modal container for remote sensing systems. PHASE I: This topic is intended for technology proven ready to move directly into Phase II. Therefore, a Phase I award is not required. The applicant is required to provide detail and documentation in the Direct to Phase II proposal which demonstrates accomplishment of a Phase I-like effort, including a feasibility study. This includes determining, insofar as possible, the scientific and technical merit and feasibility of ideas appearing to have commercial potential. It must have validated the product-market fit between the proposed solution and a potential AF stakeholder. The applicant should have defined a clear, immediately actionable plan with the proposed solution and the AF customer. Relevant areas of demonstrated experience and success include: M&S, cost benefit analysis, risk analysis, concept development, concept demonstration and concept evaluation, laboratory experimentation and field testing. Phase I type efforts include the assessment of emerging sensing capabilities integrated into commercial container systems that enable rapid transport of capabilities to ports across the globe. Phase I type efforts would also include how the data generated from the sensors can improve surveillance and overall domain awareness. PHASE II: Eligibility for a Direct to Phase Two (D2P2) is predicated on the applicant having performed a Phase I-like effort predominantly separate from the SBIR/STTR Programs. These efforts will include simulation of prototype concepts, experimentation and evaluation of sensing systems in commercial shipping containers that can be air- dropped. Prototypes and experimentation should explore a wide range of sensing capabilities and the extreme environments these systems must operate in. The sensing-in-a-box should consider areas that are unique to military logistics such as mission planning and execution, ground operations, precision delivery to remote locations and maintenance. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Phase III shall include upgrades to the analysis, M&S, T&E results and provide mature prototypes of system concepts. Dual Use aspects include the surveillance capacity for scientific use, environmental monitoring and even search and rescue operations. Phase III shall provide a business plan and address the ability to transition technology and system concepts to commercial applications. The adapted non-Defense commercial solutions shall provide expanded mission capability for a broad range of potential Governmental and civilian users and alternate mission applications. Integration and other technical support to operational users may be required. REFERENCES: 1. B. Johnson, Sensing the Arctic: Situational Awareness and the Future of Northern Security , International Journal, 2021; 76(3):404-426. KEYWORDS: Remote sensing; surveillance
