OUSD (R&E) MODERNIZATION PRIORITY: Network Command, Control and Communications; General Warfighting Requirements (GWR) TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Electronics; Space Platform; Information Systems OBJECTIVE: This topic seeks to preform system-of-systems analysis, concept exploration, test and evaluation of capabilities enable by the emerging commercial rocket market and the ability to quickly transport materials to any point on the globe. DESCRIPTION: The Department of the Air Force is exploring rocket transportation capability for DoD logistics and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is currently assessing emerging rocket capability across the commercial vendor base, and its potential use for quickly transporting DoD materiel to ports across the globe. The U.S. commercial launch market is building the largest rockets ever, at the lowest prices per pound ever, with second-stages that will reenter the atmosphere and be reused. These advances in the U.S. commercial launch market are presenting the need for assessment and maturation of system-of-systems concepts of rocket transportation for DoD (Department of Defense) logistics by the United States air Force and Space Force (USAF/USSF). A large trade space exists for the potential of rocket cargo for global logistics, to include improvements in delivery cost and speed compared to existing air cargo operations. The goal of this effort is to investigate concepts, and yet to be develop concepts for rock cargo to determine technical feasibility and risk, programmatic costs, and schedule. The information, test and evaluation (T&E) under this effort will be used to influence and guide rocket cargo efforts. While the goal is to enable up to 100 tons of cargo to be delivered anywhere on the planet within tactical timelines, there may be optimization techniques and process with smaller amounts of cargo and transportation modes other than rockets that can provide rapid delivery of materials. An objective of this effort is to grow AFRL's Rocket Cargo industrial base. This topic is intended to reach companies capable of completing a feasibility study and prototype validated 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 to minimize cost and enable agile logistics through the entire span of responsive mission planning, rapid cargo logistics, ground launch operations and coordination with commercial airspace. The main deliverables will be modeling and simulation (M&S), T&E of concepts that advance the viability and utility of using commercial rockets and associated systems for Department of Defense global logistics to expanding capabilities of the USSF for combatant commanders. 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 offeror 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 offeror 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 commercial rocket capability and the potential to quickly transport DOD materiel to ports across the globe. Phase I type efforts would include agile global logistic concepts to deliver 1 to 100 tons of DoD cargo anywhere on the planet in less than one hour. The result of Phase 1 type efforts is to assess and demonstrate whether commercial rockets and associated systems can deliver DoD cargo anywhere on the planet in less than one hour. PHASE II: Eligibility for a Direct to Phase Two (D2P2) is predicated on the offeror having performed a Phase I-like effort predominantly separate from the SBIR/STTR Programs. These efforts will include M&S, simulation of prototype concepts, cost benefit analysis, system-of-systems studies, experimentation and evaluation of rapid logistics concepts that enable quick transport of DoD material to ports across the globe. Prototypes, M&S and experimentation should explore a wide range of integrating commercial rocket capabilities and cargo platforms within the Air and Space Force logistics train. These capabilities should consider areas that are unique to military logistics such as mission planning and execution, transportation of quick reaction forces/humans, munitions, fuel, ground operations, loading and unloading of cargo and transportation of unloaded cargo other remote locations. Phase II efforts shall conduct analysis, M&S and experimentation to address military-unique requirements that may not be otherwise met by commercial space transportation capabilities. No funding will be invested in developing commercial rocket systems. 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. 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: S. Sankar, The Supply Chain Revolution: Innovative Sourcing and Logistics for a Fiercely Competitive World , American Management Association, 2017; L. Lei, L. DeCandia, R. Oppenheim, Y. Zhao, Managing Supply Chain Operations , World Scientific Publishing Co., 2017; E. Harden, Just-in-Time Logistics: Does it Fulfill the Surface Navy's Repair Parts Requirements to Support the National Military Strategy? , Creative Media Partners, LLC, 2012; O. Yakimenko, Precision Aerial Delivery Systems: Modeling, Dynamics, and Control , American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2015; WHO, Qualification of shipping containers, Technical supplement to WHO Technical Report Series, No. 961, 2011 , QAS/14.598 Supplement 13, 2014; N. N. Ahypeeb, Reusable Rockets and Missiles, Russian Cargo Delivery to Space, USSR , Mockba, 1975 KEYWORDS: Rocket Cargo; Systems Analysis; Cargo Systems; Commercail Containers; ISO-90; Modeling and Simulation; Delivery Systems; Agile Logistics; Rapid Delivery; Commercail Rockets; Logistics Train; Mission Planning; Ground Operations
