AgilePod16V2 Compatible Optical Nose End-cone and High-Resolution EO/IR Attritable Deployment Sensor for Modular Capability – AgilePod ConeHEADs

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors; Air Platform OBJECTIVE: OBJECTIVE: Design and develop an AgilePod16V2 (AP16V2) compatible optical end cone and integrate a high resolution, attritable, Electro-Optical/Infra-Red (EO/IR) sensor capable of detecting, tracking, and identifying targets with a National Imagery Interpretability Rating Scale (NIIRS) value of 5 or higher for EOW and 8 or higher for EON. DESCRIPTION: The Air Force (AF) is currently pursuing Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) sensors to bring capabilities to non-traditional platforms to enabling non-traditional ISR. An EO/IR end cone mounted sensor would support flight within designated AgilePod16v2 operational environment that could participate in AF or Joint exercises, demonstrations, and/or test events in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027-2030 time frame. Current AF efforts are focused on high Technology Readiness Level (TRL) commercial off the shelf (COTS) solutions. There is a near-term need to improve upon current capabilities and develop high resolution, low SWaP, attritable, EO/IR sensors that are capable of detecting, tracking, and identifying targets while operating in the podded system. These applications would directly support AF Operational Imperative 3 [1] by both detecting critical targets and distinguishing targets from decoys while enabling a modular capability to be used on non-traditional ISR assets. System Capabilities: AP16V2 end cone and bulkhead mount compatibility [2] All sensors must be capable of being networked and interfacing with current Department of Defense (DoD) data transmission/data transfer systems (Datalinks including Line of Sight (LOS) and Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS). OMS/UCI compliant Sensor must be able to detect and identify targets with a NIIRS value of 5 higher for EOW and 8 or higher for EON Total system weight (end cone + sensor) is not to exceed 36 lbs (Threshold) 55lbs (Objective). Survive vibration environment of expected natural frequency range of 8-22Hz Total system needs to fit within a volume representing the end cone OML 21 x 19 x 16 . Sensors are expected to be able to support both day/night operations. Previous projects have pushed the envelope of this technology but there is a need to repackage the sensor to provide an embedded capability within AgilePod to rapidly test and field ATR algorithms. Additional work needs to be completed to fit the packaging constraints of the end cone [2]. Positioning of the EO/IR sensor within the end cone is needed to reduce drag and decrease the overall size of podded system to fit within a larger number of payload/store envelopes on platforms. PHASE I: PHASE I: This topic is intended for technology proven ready to move directly into a Phase II. Therefore, a Phase I award is not required. The offeror is required to provide details and documentation in the Direct to Phase II proposal which demonstrates accomplishment of a Phase I-type 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. The feasibility study should have: Identified the prime potential Department of the AF end user(s) for the non-Defense commercial offering to solve the AF need, i.e., how it has been modified; Described integration cost and feasibility with current mission-specific products; Described if/how the demonstration can be used by other DoD or Governmental customers. Assessment of GOTs/COTs hardware for EO/IR capabilities that can be implemented (hardware similar to targeting camera) Describe what modifications are needed for integration and use in this capacity Provide technical description of how the capability can be integrated into the platform and provide an airworthy structure Describe how MIL-HDBK-516C airworthiness guidelines will be followed PHASE II: PHASE II: Eligibility for D2P2 is predicated on the offeror having performed a Phase I-like effort predominantly separate from the SBIR Programs. Under the phase II effort, the offeror shall sufficiently develop a ruggedized EO/IR sensor system based off the defined requirements listed in the topic description. The sensor system should be capable of being tested on an AgilePod16v2 system if testing opportunities become available. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: PHASE III: Adapt existing design to meet SWaP requirements of multiple attritable platforms by incorporating Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) [3] and Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA) [4] standards, exact platform is to-be-determined but should be roughly what is outlined in the description. Ruggedize design for flight environment to include supersonic carriage capability and conduct flight testing. Offeror shall also provide a plan for upgrading the solution to include Anti-Tamper (AT) and cybersecurity capabilities, as agreed upon between the Offeror and the AF customer. REFERENCES: 1. Department of the Air Force Operational Imperatives (DAF OI) https://www.af.mil/Portals/1/documents/2023SAF/OPERATIONAL_IMPARITIVES_INFOGRAPHIC.pdf 2. AP16v2 end cone and bulkhead reference diagram - in attachments. AgilePod16v2 Technical Data for end cone and bulkhead assembly to be supplied through ITA after SIBR award. 3. AFMC-Guidebook-for-Implementing-MOSA-in-Weapon-Systems_V2.0_Distro_A.pdf (dafdto.com) 4. https://publications.opengroup.org/standards/sosa - SOSATM Technical Standard Reference Implementation Guide (opengroup.org) KEYWORDS: ISR; sensor; EO/IR; AgilePod; pod; modular; attritable; NIIRs; ATR: