A -- soliciting research proposals for new and innovative R&D solutions

SUBMARINE/SURFACE SHIP COMBAT CONTROL AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS Command environment concepts and technologies applicable to Land Based Integrated Test Site (LBITS) inclusion into an integrated command environment. - Contact management (contact state estimation; data/information fusion, discrimination and weighting; multisensor, multicontact data association/processing; over-the-horizon (OTH); off-board and remote data processing; full azimuth contact smart processing vice beam, bin processing; integration of non-traditional, real-time data sources). - Architecture and algorithms that provide integrated platform system processing (i.e., integration of sensor, combat control, and weapon/vehicle processing). Command decision support (common tactical picture generation, disseminated common environmental data, tactical planning, ownship security and self defense, automation to reduce workload). - Situation awareness/assessment (acoustic, nonacoustic, on board and off board). Level 2 sensor fusion. - Intelligent command agents for mission planning, including the use and control of autonomous platforms. - Decision support for resource management (sensors, weapons, unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs), countermeasures, and platform). - Telepresence on tactical platforms using shore-based experts communicating over secure networks. - Human-computer interaction (data visualization, application of virtual reality for undersea warfare [USW], adaptable human-computer interactions concepts). - Software technology (software development tools, runtime environments, software reliability and reusability, real-time scheduling). - Combat control performance (improved mission area effectiveness, information management metrics, combat systems analysis). - Embedded, onboard training methods. - Intelligent tutoring and diagnostic student models for intelligent computer-aided instruction. - Brain-based learning methods and technologies applied to schoolhouse and shipboard classroom education and training. - Image processing, including pattern matching for visual object classification. - Interior communication for voice, imagery, and data. - TASK FORCE ASW SYSTEMS - Concepts and tools to support detailed analysis of strategies for and performance of a Task Force addressing the Level 6 ASW problem. - Integration of off-platform sensors for search (and surveillance) to facilitate Task Force C2 in complex environments, with sophisticated/alerted threats, multiple contacts and secondary mission. (This is the level 6 ASW problem.) - Concepts for integrating UAVs for search, localization and possibly attack, including supporting C2. - Advanced sensor and information warfare technologies to control the adversary operational response and options. - Concepts for C2 as an enabler for netted, distributed fields of "sensors." - Combined C2-tracking systems for Large-N autonomous ASW sensor systems that would manage false contacts and detect submarines. ENVIRONMENTAL AND TACTICAL SUPPORT SYSTEMS - Computer-based warfare modeling, simulation, and analysis including synthetic environmens, t analysis methodologies using advanced processing techniques and integration to NUWCDIVNPT's various simulation bed facilities. - Environmental and underwater acoustics and nonacoustics (including range dependent parameters). - Environmental data integration for combat control processing, mission planning, battle damage assessment (BDA), and underwater survey (including range dependent parameters). - Ocean and target physics for multistatic sonar at long range and low frequency (including range dependent parameters). - Shallow water modeling, both acoustic and nonacoustic (including range dependent parameters). - Surface ship sonar systems evaluation and analysis. - Increased surface ship sonar analysis capabilities using simulation and stimulation modeling techniques, including upgraded Monte Carlo methods on NUWCDIVNPT simulation facilities and other DoD simulation facilities. - Surface ship tactical and fleet support improvements for Surface Ship Antisubmarine Warfare (ASW) Analysis Center (SSAAC) sites. - Rapid prototyping of systems upgrades to conduct Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence (C3I), Undersea Warfare (USW), and small object detection and avoidance. - Environmental adaptation and model-based signal processing. - Broadband environmental acoustic modeling including shipboard sonar, towed arrays and weapons frequency bands. - Enhancement of current and planned computer-based training (CBT) products through the use of advanced interactive computer graphics and visualization technologies. SURFACE SHIP (UNDERSEA WARFARE) USW SYSTEMS - Surface ship USW systems engineering including integrating complex outputs of multiple sensors. - Gun-launched sensor systems. - Development of USW system architecture for best utilization of commercial technology. - Common multifunctional mechanical handling and towing system for variable depth sonar, remote mine reconnaissance system, towed arrays, NIXIE (AN/SLQ-25 & 25a torpedo countermeasure), and special operations equipment. - Acoustic array concepts with significant forward-looking aperture and minimal hull hydrodynamic impact. - Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) USW intelligent subsystem for distributed sensor and weapon functionality to host system. Automatic sonar system operation based on tactical environment, mission requirements, and threats. - Collective autonomous systems (UUV, USV, UAV) collaborative behavior concepts and algorithms. - Concepts and technologies applicable to underwater gun systems for mine and obstacle clearance in surf and very shallow water (VSW) zone using high frequency (HF) sonar for fire control/targeting in stride mine avoidance. - Software technology (software development tools, runtime environments, software reliability and reusability, real-time scheduling). - Brain-based learning methods and technologies applied to schoolhouse and shipboard classroom education and training. SUBMARINE ELECTROMAGNETIC SYSTEMS - Submarine communications, including broadcast, ship-to-shore, line-of-sight, and satellite systems. - Radio propagation studies. - Information coding and modulation. - Onboard information technology. - Advanced submarine communication concepts. - Enhancing the platform as a node within the Naval Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence (C3I) system. - Communication equipment design. - Technologies supporting RF communications and ESM functions from Unmanned Undersea Vehicles (UUVs). - Technologies supporting RF communications with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). - Compact, anti-jam Global Positioning System (GPS) antennas. - Compact antennas and electronics supporting RF communications and ESM functions from a towed or tethered buoyant module. - Integration of system equipment. - Submarine electronic warfare support measures (ESM). - Sensors and processing equipment for improved omnidirectional and direction finding intercept systems. - Techniques for radar cross-section reduction for submarine masts and submarine antennas. - Concepts to assess submarine vulnerability to counter detection for all classes of submarine observables. - Submarine masts and antennas including analytical design studies. - Antenna design, testing, and environmental qualification over all electromagnetic frequency ranges. - Conformal antenna technology, including multifunctional antenna techniques. - Mast wake and plume reduction. - Electromechanical and optical cable technologies supporting low loss, pressure resistant, wideband radio frequency data transmission from external sensors to inboard receiving/processing equipment. - Advanced mast erecting and cable deployment systems, buoyant cables, and towed buoy cables. - Advanced extrudable materials for buoyant, high strength, pressure resistant cable jacketing. - Materials technologies to enhance mechanical and electrical properties of antenna and sensor radomes over all frequency ranges (fast drain, non-fouling coatings). - Improved materials for stealth. - Materials science. - Multi-stealth material. - Smart skins. - Sensor embedded materials. - Miniaturized transceivers. - Composites for high strength to weight properties for masts and antennas. - Towed buoy communication devices including antenna design. - Hydrodynamic analysis and design. - Nondestructive testing. - Submarine electro-optical imaging techniques. - High bandwidth recording techniques. - High-resolution CCD video cameras (monochrome and color). - High-speed optical detectors and underwater laser viewing systems. - Pressure and shockproof fiber optic connectors. - Fiber optic rotary joints. - Advanced hydrophobic/antifouling coatings/paints for radomes and masts. - Fiber optic data links. - Image processing and enhancement, both real time and post processing. - Display technology including flat screens. - Digital image compression and storage technology. - Wideband analog image storage technology. - Video data fusion. - High-resolution image intensifiers. - Analysis of the electromagnetic environment using finite element methods on NUWCDIVNPT's computational and simulation facilities. - Electromagnetic interference (EMI) modeling, analysis, and performance prediction of shipboard systems and components to mitigate the effects of the below-decks electromagnetic compatibility environment. - Use of computer aided design techniques to achieve electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) in design of shipboard equipment and installations. - Electromagnetic shielding applications of superconductivity or conducting polymers. - Electromagnetic compatibility test techniques useful for large-scale systems (within one compartment) that would reduce or eliminate unit level testing. - Applicability of commercial EMI/EMC standards for commercial off the shelf (COTS) equipment used in a shipboard environment. - Radar sea clutter modeling. - Wide area acoustic and fiber optic undersea networks. TEST AND EVALUATION - Architectural designs, elements, and/or processes to support large scale software systems at major test and evaluation and/or training facilities. Designs, elements, and/or processes in all phases of facility operation including planning, pre-execution checkout, execution, analysis, and management of test and/or training data are of interest. Products that provide interoperability between system resources and/or other external systems, especially when the system resources and/or external systems of interest can change with little or no advanced notice, are of continuing interest. Architectures that support dynamic reconfiguration of participating elements, up to and including runtime changes, hold special interest. - Techniques, procedures, and/or processes for analysis of software architectures applied at major test and evaluation and/or training facilities. - New lightweight technology in large area, portable underwater tracking ranges. - Nonacoustic tracking and detection systems. - Advanced lightweight, portable radiated noise measurement sensors including component elements, sensors and array systems for radiated noise of weapons and other small submersibles. - Advanced concept hydrophones (fiber optic, velocity or acceleration sensing). - Low-cost radiated noise measurement systems including component elements, sensors and array systems. - Autonomous direct sound velocity profiling system that can gather data and communicate with underwater range acoustic and non-acoustic sensors. - Mine simulation systems or nodes capable of electrical, fiber optic or acoustic communications to undersea range systems for data from integrated pressure, acoustic, magnetic sensors within mine shapes. - Low-cost, low-power, in-water signal processing nodes, both cabled and autonomous for detection, classification or localization. - Long-distance (15-20 nautical miles), high-speed (20 Mbps) digital radio frequency telemetry for buoy to ship communications. - Optical detection and tracking systems for underwater vehicles and in-air ordnance detonations. - Advanced 3D virtual displays, data transfer, and networking technology between live units, shore-based synthetic environments, and computer generated forces to conduct realistic training for undersea warfare within a joint mission area context. - Modifications or signal processing upgrades to support on-range tracking and monitoring of deployed countermeasures. - Improved tools/techniques for conducting undersea vehicle analysis. Areas of interest include advanced data visualization, multi-source data fusion/integration, automated analysis tools, and data presentation, reporting, and storage. - Defense Modeling and Simulation Office (DMSO) compliant wireless mobile networking architectures to support multilevel, secure, encrypted military communications with bandwidth allocation schemes that allow large throughput of voice and video data. - Rechargeable high-power density battery technologies. - Underwater inflatable structures for compact lightweight sensor deployment and retrieval (e.g., Airbeam Structure technology). - In-situ reconfigurable inflatable sensor frames based on biomechanical models. - Synthetic Fiber and Composite Material Technology for integrated receivers and transmitters (radio frequency or acoustic). - Land Based Mechanical Testing Devices with Broadband and Tunable Environmental Simulation Capabilities. - Advanced concept miniaturized non-acoustic sensors (electric, magnetic, chemical, biological) for in-situ environmental measurements. - Advanced concept sensors, i.e., fiber optic, MEMS, micromachines, and nanomachines for measurement of environmental factors, e.g., strain, shock, vibration, displacement, velocity, acceleration, pressure, temperature, humidity, fungus, inclination, altitude, moisture. - New advanced materials, composites and coatings including hull treatments for corrosion prevention of in water structures. - Advanced innovative techniques for wireless communications of sensor systems in marine environments. - Numerical Analysis of complex electromagnetic coupled systems and structures. - Novel concepts for laser acoustic communication systems - Modeling and simulation of laser acoustic communication systems and related systems. - Naval Range underwater acoustic communications concepts/technologies. - Testbedding and simulation of collective autonomous systems (UUV, USV, UAV) collaborative behavior concepts and algorithms. UNDERSEA COMMUNICATIONS - Advanced Communications algorithm development to improve, robustness, throughput, bandwidth efficiency and covertness. - Development of advanced communications systems and sensors in support of surface and subsurface combatants, UVs, buoys, mines, weapons, and bottom mounted nodes. - Advanced Communications modeling software to support in-situ performance analysis. This software could provide assistance to fleet operators in analyzing own ships (speed, depth, range, etc.) profile for best undersea communications. - Investigation of jammer and interference-resistant acoustic communication algorithms. - Development of multiuser communication methods and undersea acoustic networks to support maximum number of communications nodes and users in the anticipated acoustically congested undersea battlespace. - Development and demonstration of applications and uses of undersea communication, targeting UVs, manned subsurface and surface assets, undersea networks, ranges and novel technologies enabled by undersea communication. - Investigations of efficient implementation of acoustic communication algorithms in hardware and/or software. - Development of man-machine interfaces and automated operation of remote acoustic modems. TORPEDO AND TORPEDO TARGET SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY AND ASSESSMENT - Processing algorithms for improved target detection/classification against low-speed targets at all aspects and for improved countermeasure resistance with an emphasis on highly reverberant shallow water environments; such algorithms might include: ? Coherent broadband processing, ? Advanced transmit waveforms and/or beamsets, ? Target/non-target classification techniques for single and/or multiple pings, ? Adaptive processing techniques to enhance signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in highly reverberant environments, ? Signal processing algorithms and projector developments to limit surface and bottom effects for shallow water target operation. - Methods and algorithms to reduce the probability of target alertment to torpedoes; such methods might include: ? Reducing the alertment associated with torpedo active acoustic search; ? Lightweight, stiff, corrosion resistant, acoustically damped vehicle structures; ? Technology improvements for lightweight and heavyweight torpedo propulsion silencing, including prime mover, machinery, and propulsor quieting. - Operational torpedo processing technology and systems applicable to lightweight and heavyweight torpedo commonality initiatives, including size reduction, including: ? Application of commercial processing technology and systems to lightweight and heavyweight torpedo sonar signal processing and tactical control functions, ? Improved torpedo logistical support, maintenance support, and hardware/software acquisition process (heavyweight and lightweight) applicable to commonality initiatives. - Improved post-launch communication techniques between torpedo/submarine and torpedo/torpedo. - Enabling methods/techniques/materials applicable to the stowage of torpedoes external to submarine pressure hull. - Reduced volume, low-cost navigational sensors. - Weapon System Modeling (also see the first subject area, which is titled Undersea Warfare Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis) to enable lower cost development and/or support of torpedo/target systems; the approaches might include: ? Simulation Based Design (SBD), Rapid Prototyping & Design for Manufacturing (DFM) methods to enhance system performance while underway Total Ownership Cost (TOC); ? Tools/models to support torpedo improvement Investment Strategy (performance vs. cost); ? Integrated structural, acoustic, kinematic, and hydrodynamic design codes for paperless design and design simulation; ? Shallow water environment acoustic models to support upgrade of digital torpedo simulations and hardware in the loop simulators (real-time operation required), including surface and bottom effects and range dependent characteristics; ? In-air and water entry trajectory digital models, lightweight torpedo configuration dependent, to support performance evaluation of alternate lightweight torpedo configurations and air launch accessories (parachutes, etc.) designs; ? Digital models to support design and evaluation of propulsion silencing technology and/or hardware. - Low-cost weapons concepts for low-volume, high-speed targets. - Non-lethal weapon systems concepts. - Concepts for regenerative weapons and defensive system. - Improved torpedo sonar systems to support shallow water environment and/or low/zero Doppler target scenario performance improvement; areas of interest include: ? Development of affordable, multi-channel, wideband, wide aperture imaging arrays, including associated data acquisition and signal processing systems for use against small, low/zero Doppler targets in shallow water; ? Non-traditional sensor technology and systems and environmental sensing technology and systems applicable to various platforms for shallow water environment and low Doppler target scenario performance improvements. - Studies and assessments of the effects on the environment on processes and activities utilized in weapons and combat systems development and operation. (End part 2 of 4)