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

TORPEDO AND TORPEDO TARGET SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY AND ASSESSMENT (Cont) Torpedo submarine and surface combatant self-defense technology and systems applications including anti-torpedo torpedo concepts/technologies. - Nonacoustic simulation technology for mobile ASW targets. - Wake generation/simulation techniques for mobile target and countermeasure use. - THERMAL AND ELECTRIC PROPULSION (FOR TORPEDO, TARGET, UUV, MOBILE MINE AND COUNTERMEASURE APPLICATIONS) - High-energy fuels and oxidants for internal and external combustion engines, hot gas expander engines, and gas turbines for use in torpedoes, targets, mobile mines, and unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs). Emphasis is on propellants and combustion products that have minimal safety restrictions, personnel hazards, and environmental impact as well as low overall system life cycle costs. Battery, semi-fuel cell, and fuel cell technology including a) high rate primary and secondary batteries for high-speed underwater vehicles and b) low rate rechargeable energy systems for long endurance missions in unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). Systems should be energy and power dense, safe, free of environmental impacts throughout the cycle from production to disposal, and have reduced life cycle costs. Rapidly rechargeable secondary systems and smart chargers for high and low rate applications are also desired. Analytical models to perform in-depth optimization analyses on electric propulsion systems, including secondary and primary high energy density battery systems together with permanent magnet, brushless, DC motors. Analytical models to perform in-depth optimization analyses on thermal propulsion systems, including fuels, oxidizers, combustion systems, thermal engines, and heat exchangers. Analytical models to evaluate the transient behavior of aluminum aqueous battery and semi-fuel cell systems applicable to high energy density torpedo and/or UUV applications. Studies and assessments of primary and rechargeable battery systems regarding, but not limited to, the energy and power density, cycle life, affordability, and safety as appropriate to torpedo, target, mobile mine, countermeasure, and UUV systems. Electric motors and controllers for undersea systems including main propulsion, auxiliary thrusters, and other functions. Systems should be compact, lightweight, efficient, low cost throughout their life cycle, and have very low torque ripple and structural vibrations. (The power ranges of interest are 10-40 hp and 100-500+hp.) Affordable propulsion systems for three-inch and six-inch countermeasure devices. Novel propulsion concepts, including hybrid power cycles. This includes systems involving novel fuels/oxidizers as an energy source for efficient energy conversion via both thermal expanders or electrochemical cells. Novel liquid phase fuels for consideration as a source of hydrogen to be considered for low temperature direct oxidation liquid phase-fuel cells. Integrated motor/propulsor combinations, and quiet, efficient flooded motor concepts. - Flow of conducting fluids in the presence of strong electric and/or magnetic fields. Effects of electrolytic bubbles, chemical reactions, and electromagnetic forces should be considered either theoretically and/or experimentally. Applications include flow in aqueous battery systems, magnetohydrodynamic propulsion, and electromagnetic flow control. Micro electro magnetic system (MEMS) devices for energy conversion and micro-sensor and controller applications. Novel high-power (10-50 hp) propulsion concepts for small diameter (< 12") UUVs. - HIGH-SPEED UNDERSEA MISSILES, PROJECTILES, AND MUNITIONS - Supercavitating projectile in-bore, in-water dynamics simulation. - Supercavitating projectile system targeting concepts and technologies. - Undersea gun launch concepts and technologies, including high frequency (HF) sonar for targeting. - Drag reduction (supercavitation, ventilated-cavity, enveloping-vapor-flow). - Rocket propulsion and underwater ramjet power systems. - High power and energy metal-water combustion systems. - Stability and guidance control techniques. - Sensors. UNMANNED VEHICLES (UV): UNMANNED UNDERSEA VEHICLES (UUV)/AUTONOMOUS UNDERSEA SYSTEMS (AUS)/UNMANNED SURFACE VEHICLES (USV) TECHNOLOGY AND ASSESSMENT - Sensors for ASW applications: In order for a UUV to conduct many of the ASW functions currently accomplished by submarines, smaller traditional and nontraditional ASW sensors need to be considered. The UUV will usually operate covertly, which will emphasize passive sensing techniques. However, some overt operations may allow for active sensing techniques for classification and targeting purposes. Sensors for this range of UUV ASW operation probabilities are required. - Precision covert navigation concepts for UUVs at speed and depth. - Innovative and cost-effective solutions to improve on the current state-of-the-art capabilities of UUV acoustic communication systems. Areas of improvement include: - Providing higher data rate capability, including RF; - Decreasing the computational load required for a given data rate; - Providing low probability of intercept (LPI) capability; - Higher data reliability (robustness to errors), - Lossless and lossy data compression; - Any other algorithms which will improve the capabilities for a UUV acoustic communication system. - Electromagnetic and acoustic signature reduction technologies (both active and passive) including quiet, lightweight, low magnetic signature electric motors, and quiet, efficient propulsors. Signature reduction technologies to avoid degradation of payload sensor systems. - Intelligent, fault tolerant controller capable of reliable, long-range unattended operation of UUVs/USVs with embedded mission control consisting of mission planning, replanning, collision avoidance, and fault diagnosis and response. - Oceanographic data collection, including but not limited to temperature, pressure, and current profiling, in support of tactical decision aids and the national oceanographic database. - Sensor systems for object detection, classification, identification, or avoidance. - Object detection and avoidance of objects anywhere in the water column. - Manual, semi-autonomous, and autonomous technologies for guidance and control of UVs (USVs, UUVs), such as (autonomous robotics technologies for tactical undersea warfare and underwater homeland defense (HLD). - Novel propulsion concepts. - High-efficiency, high-energy density, safe long-endurance chemical, electrochemical, and thermochemical energy sources for UUVs and USVs. - Lightweight, stiff, corrosion resistant, acoustically damped vehicle structures. - For Simulation Based Design (SBD), Rapid Prototyping & Design For Manufacturing (DFM) methods to enhance system performance while underway Total Ownership Cost (TOC.) - Programming technology providing the capability to install tactical software at the operational level. - Programming technology providing the capability to prevent compromise of tactical software. - Technology and advanced concepts for launch and retrieval of UUVs from submarines and USVs from surface ships including concepts for platform vehicle communication prior to launch and during the retrieving process. - Mechanical and electrical concepts for UV installation/launch/retrieval on platforms both forward-fit and backfit. - Simulation of undersea launch and retrieval of UUVs and USVs. - Low-observable self-righting technologies for USVs. - Capabilities and Systems for UVs: o Acoustic, electromagnetic (EM), electro-optical (EO), chemical sensing o Lethal and non-lethal weapons for CONUS and OCONUS application o Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) o COMMs o Anti-Terrorism and Force Protection - Mission planning capability for pre-mission and for in-mission. TEST BED TECHNOLOGIES - Large vehicle system concepts. - Undersea systems for detection and tracking of undersea objects. - Physics modeling of high-Mach-number undersea flows, including high-Mach-number supercavitating or ventilated flows. - Physics modeling of undersea rocket exhaust interaction with external vehicle flows, including supercavitating or ventilated flows. - Technology for the measurement and assessment of high-Mach-number supercavitating or ventilated flows. - Homing/maneuvering/depth independent concepts for high-speed/supercavitating torpedoes. LAUNCHER, MISSILE AND PAYLOAD INTEGRATION SYSTEMS - Computerized training and document database management. - Corrosion detection, repair and prevention. - Cruise missile simulation. - Advanced submarine weapon concepts for battle group protection and submarine stand and fight against air marine patrol craft and small craft surface vessels. - Submarine launcher technology including acoustic modeling, transient hydrodynamics, structural analysis, and shock analysis. - Advanced launcher concepts for the ejection of weapons, countermeasures, and auxiliary devices for submarines including electromagnetic launcher technology. - Launch dynamics and cable dynamics. - Advanced concepts for wireless pre- and postlaunch weapon/platform communication. - Advanced concepts for loading, handling, and stowing of weapons aboard submarines. - Analytical and/or experimental techniques for achieving a better understanding of the physics associated with launching a vehicle from a moving underwater platform. - Technology and advanced concepts for launch and retrieval of unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs) from submarines including concepts for wireless platform vehicle communication prior to launch and during the retrieving process. - Technology and advanced concepts for launch of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from submarines including concepts for launch control and platform/vehicle communication. - Techniques such as drag reduction, noise isolation/suppression/attenuation that reduce the radiated noise, including flow noise associated with the launch of vehicles from submarines. - Mission flexible modular launcher system for surface ships that provides rapid reconfiguration to accommodate various payloads TORPEDO DEFENSE (LAUNCHERS) - Universal and/or modular surface ship launcher for countermeasure and other vehicles/devices up to 12.75-inch diameter. - Wireless common data and power transmission with countermeasure device and universal launcher. - Advanced launcher concepts (including external and tubeless concepts) for the ejection of weapons, countermeasures, and auxiliary devices from surface ships. - Technology for the simulation and design of torpedo defense launchers. - Low-cost, modular, portable stimulators for on-board training. TORPEDO DEFENSE (MODELING AND SIMULATION) - Acoustic and magnetic properties within various surface ship wakes. - Acoustic and magnetic surface reverberation. - Acoustic and magnetic multiscatter effect within various wakes. - High-speed torpedo operation at shallow depths within various wakes. - Models addressing operation in a shallow water environment (propagation loss, multiple bottom types, performance prediction tools, etc.). - Models and concepts addressing Terminal Defense issues. - Low-cost, modular, portable stimulators for on-board training. COUNTERMEASURES TECHNOLOGY - Technology supporting mobile and stationary surface and submarine launched jammers and countermeasures (CMs) capable of operating in layered defense scenarios and in open ocean and/or littoral environments. - Improved countermeasure systems, transmit waveforms, beam patterns, sound pressure levels, endurance, in-situ design, and classification smart adaptive processing, mobility, fuze influence technologies, and acoustic communication links. - Passive/active signal processing techniques for countermeasure application especially the following technologies: wavelet theory, time frequency distributions, full spectrum processing, transients, digital signal processing, parameter/feature extraction, neural networks, curve fitting routines, clustering algorithms, fuzzy logic, field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), smart adaptive processing, and active signal processing for detection, classification, and localization (DCL). - Ocean physics simulation and analysis including: broadband environmental acoustic modeling - shallow water; blue water; low, sonar, weapon, high, and very high frequency; wake physics - acoustic properties of wakes; nonacoustics, i.e., electromagnetic, laser. - Undersea material technology: small expendable high-energy primary batteries - metal hydrides, polymer, and lithium ions. - Countermeasure (CM) system engineering including packaging, versa module European (VME) extension instrumentation (VXI), simulation based design tools, commonalty, modular, rapid prototyping, and CM device operation in multiple device environment including CM data acquisition systems in support of CM development and testing in laboratory and at sea. - Computer-based warfare modeling, simulation, and analysis including synthetic environments, analysis methodologies using advanced processing techniques and integration to NUWCDIVNPT's various simulation bed facilities. To specifically include engagement modeling; a CM test bed providing for CM signal design and assessment, CM logic design, real-time algorithm development, and on-line threat database; High Level Architecture (HLA) Runtime Infrastructures (RTI) to integrate to major weapons analysis facilities; advanced displays; and software development tools to support state-of-the-art CM development. - Dual-use (sonar and torpedo) countermeasure that fits in existing launchers. MATERIALS - Engineered coatings. - High surface area per unit volume (nanostructure) materials, and/or synthesis thereof, for consideration as electrode substrates within electrochemical cells. This includes synthesis and application of nano-scale metallic and metal oxide particles. - Cost engineering in advanced material manufacturing. - High-strength, lightweight, low cost, corrosion resistant, metallic material. - High-strength, lightweight, low-cost, flame-resistant, non-metallic materials. - High-strength, rare earth permanent magnet materials and fabrication processes. - Lightweight, nonferrous, shielding of electromagnetic energy. - Low multisignature materials (e.g., radar and infrared low observable materials). - Acoustic signature reduction materials including hull, mount and coating technologies, material property measurement and characterization processes and procedures. - 1-3 piezo electric composites for sonar arrays with large bandwidth and low Q, high power transmit capabilities and receive arrays. - Note: See materials requirements listed in other technological areas. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE (CNS) OR OTHER EMERGING/LEAP-AHEAD TECHNOLOGIES THAT OFFER TO DRAMATICALLY ADVANCE SUBMARINE SONAR AND/OR OTHER ADVANCED UNDERWATER SYSTEMS - Applications to state-of-the-art underwater Fully Automated Systems Technology (FAST) involving: o Automatic sonar detection, classification and/or localization of diverse acoustic sources. o Autonomous guidance and control. o Autonomous perception, data fusion, analysis and decision-making. o Adaptive reasoning. - Applications from on-going research in: o Biologically-based visual and auditory systems. o Architectures involving autonomous agents. o Improved computational models based on biologically accurate neurons. o Sub-neuronal computations. o Network of network computing. o Information transfer to/from human using multiple senses for input to human and multiple methods of human input to system (five senses for input; voice, feet, hands, eyes, etc. for input to system). BIOEFFECTS - Basic and applied research on the biochemical and physiological effects of underwater sound and other environmental stressors on the organ systems of humans and undersea mammals. - Development of safe exposure guidelines and damage risk criteria for exposure to water-borne sound below one MHz. - Mathematical modeling of the mechanisms responsible for the physical effects of exposure to sound or other environmental stressors. - Mathematical modeling and development of methods for characterizing sound fields in hyperbaric chambers, tanks, pools, small lakes, and other confined environments. - Mathematical modeling and development of methods of simulating or producing sound fields with open-water characteristics in confined environments. - Development of physiological and psychological monitoring and performance tests for humans and other organisms to evaluate the effects of exposure to underwater sound. - Development and evaluation of techniques and equipment for protection from underwater sound or other environmental stressors. - Medical diagnosis and treatment procedures for sound-related injuries. - Development of underwater sound measurement techniques, methods, and equipment. AUDITION AND COMMUNICATION - Develop virtual reality 3D display with voice recognition/voice command module. - Develop tactical awareness module/virtual reality 3D display with voice recognition. - Model human operator's tactical strategies and embed in 3D display system. - Physical and psychophysical modeling of spatial hearing for use in binaural and virtual-reality displays. - Psychophysical measurement and modeling of auditory performance with auditory displays for simulations or under conditions of multiple sensor inputs and high workloads. - Design and evaluation of auditory signal-attenuating headsets and communications systems. - Assessment of speech communication and voice recognition. - Assessment of applicability of otoacoustic emissions for use in hearing conservation programs. - Assessment of hearing risk and auditory performance in diving environments. - Assessment of auditory and nonauditory effects of noise. - Design and assessment of passive and active noise reduction technologies; design and evaluation of automated information systems for reduced shipboard manning. - Design and evaluation of auditory signal enhancement algorithms and auditory interface techniques; development of auditory models of detection and classification; design and evaluation of noise reducing medical equipment (stethoscopes, etc.); development and testing of underwater sound measurement. 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