OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Integrated Sensing and Cyber; Microelectronics; Integrated Network System-of-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. OBJECTIVE: Develop and demonstrate a low-cost passive imaging infrared seeker for a 70mm rocket, demonstrating effective performance against C-UAS targets in a rapid-launched or simultaneous-launched swarming scenario. DESCRIPTION: Low cost UAS weapons are being put to effective use by US adversaries. US weapons to defeat these threats are effective, but not feasible at scale due to limited quantities and high cost. Commonly, multi-$M munitions are used to defeat targets that cost <$10K. A kinetic option is needed to defeat C-UAS and other threats at the same order of magnitude cost of the threat. Furthermore, an option is needed that can be produced, deployed, and launched at scale. This new capability must be delivered to the battlefield quickly, on a relevant timeframe. Therefore, it is necessary to consider low-cost options that are already in high rate of production and fielded on many platforms, have a reasonable cost, and can be readily modified to achieve the desired launch rate. The scope of this topic includes not only imaging infrared (IIR) seeker hardware, but also algorithms needed to detect aerial or other threats, as well as any infrastructure needed to accomplish the fast-launching mission, such as hardware data links and collaborative ATR algorithms. Proposals may focus on one specific portion of the need, or aim to achieve a minimum viable product as quickly as possible. The topic will show preference to those who demonstrate a path to achieve a fieldable result within the cost/schedule of the program. Proposers should be familiar with the C-UAS mission, and show that their imager has performance to detect a small object at a relevant range, within a field-of-view that the target has a high probability of detection in a lock-on-after-launch scenario. Lock-on-before-launch can also be assumed, so long as an existing fire-control solution or other CONOPS is identified that establishes feasibility of the concept. The imager should be able to identify plumes of friendly interceptor as non-targets. One specific area of Air Force interest in an APKWS modification, which would require interaction and teaming with BAE, the prime contractor for APKWS. Other approaches will be considered, but may be competitive against APKWS. The following approximate specs should be considered as rough order-of-magnitude needs, but strict adherence is not required. Weapon cost <$50K Seeker cost <$10K Detection range > 2 KM Identification range > 1 KM Field of view > 10 degrees Launch rate > 1 per second Overkill of target < 20% Probability of hit > 70% Probability of false lock on friendly interceptor < 5% Of equal interest is any unknown component of such a system that ought to be designed, or optimized, in participation with a system-level Prime contractor to achieve the above objectives/mission. The topic authors do not wish to overly prescribe a specific solution, and other solutions even beyond sensors, are appropriate for this topic insofar as they achieve a meaningful capability for this requirement on the battlefield. PHASE I: As this is a Direct-to-Phase-II (D2P2) topic, no Phase I awards will be made as a result of this topic. To qualify for this D2P2 topic, the Government expects the applicant to demonstrate feasibility by means of a prior Phase I-type effort that does not constitute work undertaken as part of a prior or ongoing SBIR/STTR funding agreement. Prior work expected to be completed in a "Phase-I type" effort, in order to qualify for this D2P2, requires demonstrated feasibility which should include work and results in the following areas: Phase I efforts should include modeling and simulation to show feasibility of performance of a imaging infrared seeker (or other low cost seeker) versus C-UAS targets and/or other faster aerial threats. Manufacturing, cost, timeline factors should all be established to build confidence that the final product can be fielded in a short-term, relevant, timeframe. Early laboratory or field tests showcasing hardware and/or software (sensing capabilities and algorithm detection capabilities) are expected. PHASE II: Phase II efforts should include all-up-round guided free flight testing of the rocket versus C-UAS targets at a TRL 6. Prior to this point, significant integration work is expected to result in a manufacturable and fieldable design. The hardware should be plug-and-play with the fieldable interceptor solution. Weapon metrics mentioned previously, including the seeker subsystem, will be evaluated competitively against other solutions to assess useability for a Phase III. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Phase III will include both smaller quantities <100 of prototypes for experimentation, and quantities of >1000 if selected for inclusion within a program of record. PEO Customers include AFLCMC/EB, Army PEO M&S TAGM, Navy PMA-242, and SOCOM. Due to broad tri-service interest, it is expected that rapid fielding/production will begin in large quantities of multiple thousands if specification goals and met and proven in flight testing. REFERENCES: https://www.baesystems.com/en/article/apkws--laser-guidance-kits-successfully-tested-by-u-s--counter-drone-office https://defensescoop.com/2023/11/03/ukraine-to-get-more-laser-guided-munitions-to-kill-drones/ https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-downs-41-russian-drones-major-overnight-attack-2023-12-06/; KEYWORDS: Base defense; APKWS; 70mm rocket; low-cost interceptor; infrared imaging seeker; fire-and-forget seeker; LWIR; SWIR; laser guidance
