Air FORCE WRIGHT LABORATORY ARMAMENT DIRECTORATE CONTRACTING DIVISION, WL/MNK, 101 WEST EGLIN BOULEVARD, Suite 337, EGLIN AFB, FL 32542- 6810

A -- ARMAMENT TECHNOLOGIES (PART 2 OF 4) SOL MNK-95-0001 POC CONTACT CAPTAIN CHARLES MORTON, Contracting Officer, (904) 882-4294), EXT 3404. CONTINUATION OF PREVIOUS SYNOPSIS for Armament Technologies: RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS: To support the missions of WL/MN, research is required in the areas described in this section. These descriptions are not meant to exclude other research topics which are consistent with the mission of the Armament Directorate and its Divisions. These descriptions furnish specific examples of areas of interest and Directorate focal points associated with these technology areas. WEAPON FLIGHT VEHICLES RESEARCH: The goal of this program is to perform weapon airframe research in the areas of: weapon design, airframe shaping optimization, alternate control and aerodynamics of high angle-of-attack missile and air-to-surface weapon airframes, low cost/light weight airframe design employing advanced composite materials and structures, rapid response weapon concepts for use on time-critical targets, submunition design and dispensing technology, drag and thermal impact reduction on airframes/domes, compressed carriage missile design, including new concepts for reliable fin/wing fold mechanisms, new aircraft/weapon integration concepts to reduce drag and observables when carrying advanced and inventory stores, and advanced carriage and release equipment design for application to both internal and external carriages. Research interests also include interdisciplinary high fidelity modeling of coupled aerodynamic, structural, thermal, electromagnetic, and flight control aspects of weapon flight vehicles. Mr. Frederick A. Davis, WL/MNAV, 904-882-8876 ext 3341, Fax: 904-882-2201, E-Mail: davisfa@umg.eglin.af.mil. ELECTROOPTICAL COMPONENT RESEARCH: The Advanced Guidance Division has interests in electrooptical components and systems for use in electrooptical seeker and signal processing systems. These include, but are not limited to, sources, detectors, polarization-sensing elements and systems, modulators (both single element and pixelated), optical pattern recognition and processing systems, and basic material and device development for accomplishing all of these. Sources may include lasers, particularly solid state lasers in the visible through at least the mid-infrared (6 micrometers). Lasers may be diode or diode-pumped crystals. Detectors of interest may range in wavelength sensitivity from visible through long-wavelength infrared (through 14 micrometers). Polarization-sensing elements and systems are of interest for studies of the utility of such systems for target characterization and discrimination. The polarization-sensing elements may be polarizers, detectors, retarders, or some combination of these. Polarization-sensing systems may include combinations of elements brought together for some specific purpose. Modulators are of interest for use with sources and processing systems. New modulator materials or devices will be considered. Pattern recognition and processing systems of interest include optical correlators, optical wavelength multiplexers, optical computers or optical storage devices. As noted above, material and device development for these areas is of interest, as are optical elements such as lenses, mirrors, or other elements which might be needed to complement or supplement the rest of the optical system. Dr. Dennis H. Goldstein, WL/MNGA, 904-882-4636 ext 2399, Fax: 904-882-4034, E-Mail: goldstei@eglin.af.mil. LASER RADAR COMPONENT RESEARCH: The Advanced Guidance Division has an interest in developing the components and systems necessary for imaging and non-imaging laser radar systems. These include, but are not limited to, optical sources, detector systems, beam pointing and beam scanning systems, detection schemes, and discrimination, ranging, and acquisition systems. Interests range from complete systems and devices to basic materials and components. These include the following: Optical Sources. Optical sources of various wavelengths from the visible to the mid-infrared (6 microns or greater) are desired. These devices may be diodes, diode-pumped solid state lasers, or optical parametric oscillators (OPOs). The systems can operate at moderate output powers in either a continuous wave mode or a pulsed mode at pulse repetition rates ranging from a few Hz to greater than 1 MHz. Technologies of interest include, but are not limited to, novel laser and OPO operating schemes, laser and OPO systems and designs, optical coatings, laser materials, and non-linear materials. Associated technologies, such as diode drive electronics, output power control and stabilization, wavelength tuning and stabilization techniques, rapid pulse generation, optical shutters and Q switches, polarization and phase controllers, and optical coupling techniques are also of interest. Detector systems. Single element and array detectors sensitive in the visible to mid-infrared wavelength range are desired. Rapid rise times (approaching a nanosecond) are desired, as is operability at temperatures greater than 77K. Technologies of interest include, but are not limited to, detector systems, detector materials, amplification and biasing electronics, temperature control systems, wavelength selection (filters, gratings, etc.), and readout technologies (for array detectors). Beam pointing and beam scanning systems. Systems which can rapidly steer a laser beam as well as the field of view of the detector are desired. Systems capable of search/track modes and variable fields of view are also desired. Technologies of interest include, but are not limited to, controlled mirror sets, microlens assemblies, gratings, acousto-optical devices, and liquid crystal devices. Associated technologies such as the scanning drives and controllers, beam direction monitoring techniques, and pointing stabilization techniques are also of interest. Detection schemes. Various incoherent and coherent detection schemes are of interest. Such schemes include, but are not limited to, direct detection of reflected radiation, return detection of a modulated signal, detection of laser-induced fluorescence, and detection of raman scattered radiation. Possible methods for coherent detection include amplitude, frequency, phase, or polarization modulation. Discrimination, ranging, and acquisition systems. Systems which can discriminate the signal from the background environment, condition the signal, and store the data are required. These systems should be able to resolve time differences as small as or smaller than a nanosecond, dynamically adjust the gain of any amplification stages, allow variable timing/ranging techniques, and/or minimize range uncertainty. A variety of discrimination techniques are of interest, including nth pulse detection, constant fraction threshold detection, variable threshold detection, and others. Maj. Todd Steiner/Capt. Kenneth Dinndorf, WL/MNGS, 904-882-1726. PASSIVE MILLIMETER WAVE IMAGING: Within the past few years, the Focal Plane Array breakthrough for Passive Millimeter-wave Imaging (PMWI) has been accomplished. The breakthrough is expected to permit high quality imaging at flicker-free frame rates exceeding 30 Hz. Millimeter-wave radiometric imaging is currently being investigated for airport security systems, all-weather aircraft landing systems, automobile collision avoidance, oil-slick detection, and a multitude of other practical dual-use military/civilian applications. In particular, the remarkable penetrating power of millimeter-waves permits imaging certain materials, particularly metals and plastics, through nets, tents, hardboard, polymers, and certain thicknesses of ceramic materials including dry wall materials. It has been demonstrated that it is possible to determine whether a particular room is occupied by passively imaging the occupants through the walls of the structure. Passive Millimeter-Wave Imaging is replete with opportunities to investigate new and relatively unexplored territory. A representative PMWI might employ a 300mm (1ft) diameter aperture (lens or antenna) to feed a 125mm x 125mm focal plane array. Each pixel in the focal plane of the PMWI consists of an antenna and its radio receiver. The radiometric data received are multiplexed or in some other manner scanned off the focal plane array and employed to form an image. The antenna can be slotline, stripline, or dielectric rod. The radio can be superheterodyne, direct detection (MIMIC implementation), etc. The means to feed the focal plane array may employ any of a number of classical reflector antenna or optical lens designs, or possibly some new quasi-optical approach. The largest array built to date is a 16 x 16 superheterodyne-based system, and the radiometer employing this array is only now being put into operation. There have been only about three years of relatively low-level funded experimentation and data collection employing an 8 x 8 array. In the future, more practical array sizes are expected to range from 32 x 32 to upwards of 100 x 100 elements. Optimal sizing and implementation problems for these larger arrays are almost totally unexplored. Because millimeter-wave image resolution is poor in comparison to optical-quality images, the Wright Laboratory Armament Directorate has sponsored various investigations on ''superresolution''. Theoretical results have been encouraging, but there is still much to be done. As real data become available, researchers will have the opportunity to validate their concepts. In addition to the hardware and signal processing aspects of millimeter-wave radiometric imaging, there is also the broad area of passive millimeter-wave phenomenology analysis and modeling. This area provides many new opportunities, for most of what is known is based on pre-1980 data collection performed with relatively crude, waveguide-implemented radiometers employing single horn antennas. The new focal plane array-based systems are more sensitive by a factor equal to the square root of the total number of pixels forming the array. Further, the new sensors are essentially cameras and need not scan the object to form the image. Researchers responding to the BAA may select one or more areas extracted from the discussion above or may propose any investigation which is logically related to these areas. Mr. Bryce Sundstrom/Mr. Roger Smith, WL/MNGS, 904-882-4631 ext 2386. (SEE PART 3 Of 4). (0058)

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