Phillips Laboratory, Chief Scientist Office (PL/CA), 3550 Aberdeen Ave SE, Kirtland AFB NM 87117-5776.

A -- PART 1 OF 3 OF BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA) SET-ASIDE FOR SPACE DEFENCE RESEARCH BY HBCU/MIS SOL BAA 95-01 POC Debbie Chisenhall, Contract Specialist, 505/846-1327. Part 1 of 3 of Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for Space Defense Research by Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions (HBCU/MIs). Space and missiles technology, rocket propulsion, lasers & imaging, advanced weapons & survivability, and geophysics. Contracting Point of Contact (POC): Debbie Chisenhall, Buyer 505-846-1327, Technical POC: as shown for each requirement area below. The Phillips Laboratory (PL) is interested in receiving proposals on research to advance its capability in space and missiles technology, rocket propulsion, lasers & imaging, advanced weapons & survivability, and geophysics. Proposals (technical and cost) should reflect the research efforts in the areas described below: HOWEVER, ANY POTENTIAL OFFEROR SHOULD BE AWARE THAT PL'S BUDGET IS FLUCTUATING AND CAN CHANGE IN ANY OR ALL AREAS WITH LITTLE OR NO NOTICE. Therefore, it is critical that each potential offeror contact the applicable technical point of contact prior to committing resources to the proposal writing process to check the latest funding availability information for the type of effort to be prepared and to check the need for the effort to be proposed. 1. REQUIREMENTS: a. Space and Missiles Technology: BAA Contact Point: Dr R. Wick, PL/VT, 505-846-2603. Anticipated funding is $5-$50K per year. The general areas of interest for PL/VT include Space Structures, Sensors, Electronics, Computers, Communications, and Missiles. The specific areas for which funding is anticipated include the areas below. However, if additional funding is made available, any research in the broad areas shown would be considered. However, resources should not be committed to writing a proposal by an HBCU/MI without talking to the technical point of contact first regarding need for the specific effort to be proposed and/or available funding. (1) Carbon-Carbon Radiator. Application of advanced carbon fibers to spacecraft radiator subsystems. (2) Computer designs and research including radiation hardening and three-dimensional stacking for lightweight/compact space applications. (3) Radiation Effects in IR Focal Plane Components. Program to research, analyze, design, fabricate and test radiation-hardened infrared detectors, readout circuitry, and device processes for space sensors. (4) Basic and Applied Research into Radiation-Hardened Microelectronics for Space and Missile Systems. Research areas of interest include basic radiation effects in electronic devices and advanced devices that are or can be hardened for the space environment. Research areas of interest include total dose, dose rate, and single event effects in electronics, optoelectronic devices, and fiber optic systems. (5) Sorption Cooler. Effort to support potential orbital surveillance systems by demonstrating long-life, highly reliable sorption cooler technology (6) Space Subsystems Technology. Exploration and technologies development for next-generation space-based radar. Goal is to develop advanced transmit/receive (T/R) modules, lightweight antennas, photonics, power management, thermal control, and signal/data-processing subsystems. (7) Space Crosslink Applications. Research hardware for space crosslink applications. The link will be capable of handling low-to-high-data rates. (8) Cryocooler development, low weight, long life, low vibration, and high reliability are key characteristics. (9) Smart structure research, exploration of new technique and technologies to sense and dampen vibrations of structural members of space platforms and antenna. (10) Advance, high efficiency, high sensitivity IR sensor research hardware development in the 12-25 micrometer wavelength regime. (11) Satellite Control Software. Software research that supports the development of a portable, extensible, maintainable architecture for the next generation of satellite ground stations that are multimission, utilize relational/object-oriented databases, object-oriented programming, artificial intelligence, distributed/parallel computing techniques, window-based graphical user interfaces (GUIs), and research into the application of Human Computer Interface (HCI) in the ground control environment. Research and application of techniques to optimize and accelerate satellite data processing. b. Rocket Propulsion. BAA Contact Point: Dr R. Corley, PL/RK, 805-275-5620. Anticipated funding is $50K in FY96. (1) Application of Advanced Materials. Investigate the use of advanced materials in rocket motor components to provide improvements in thermal capability (e.g., in nozzles), wear resistance (e.g., in turbo pumps), weight (e.g., composite structures), and cost (e.g., plastic processing/structural parts). (2) High Energy Density Materials. Investigate new chemical approaches to high energy propellant ingredients. These investigations may be theoretical (determining possible new chemical structures, spectroscopic properties, molecular dynamics, etc.) or experimental (synthesis, physical property measurements, etc.). (3) Environmental. Investigate ways to phase-stabilize ammonium nitrate and to increase its burning rate in solid propellants. Develop mobile EPA-approved ways to dispose of scrap solid propellant. (4) Thermophysics. Investigate non-equilibrium rarefied gas dynamics to characterize rocket plumes and their effect on spacecraft. Investigate spray technology and supercritical combustion, apply that knowledge to determine fundamental mechanisms of rocket engine operation, and develop accurate models which may be incorporated into design codes. c. Lasers and Imaging. BAA Contact Point: Dr C.B. Hogge, PL/LI, 505-846-4738. Anticipated funding is $20K for FY95 and $20K for FY96. (1) Advanced Imaging Efforts. Investigate methods to remove distortion from images of objects in adverse environments. These methods include computer post-processing techniques such as speckle and hybrid imaging and pre-processing approaches with adaptive optical systems. These techniques should be applicable to atmospheric-compensated satellite imaging, as well as other dual-use imaging applications. (2) Solid-State Laser Technology. Investigate advanced technologies related to Diode and Diode pumped Solid-State Lasers, including methods to enhance laser performance (better efficiency, increased tunability, improved optical quality), to develop novel pumping mechanisms, and to coherently couple multiple laser devices. These improvements might be made by identifying better materials or fabrication techniques, or by improving on the laser system design. (3) Applied Nonlinear Optics (NLO) technology. Research into laser beam cleanup of system-induced distortions, correction of aberrations due to optical system imperfections and medium distortion effects for imaging applications, specific frequency generation of high energy laser systems, laser device scaling through coherent coupling of multiple devices, and novel nonlinear optical processing techniques for automatic target recognition, related tactical system applications, or for dual-use technology application. This investigation might include identification of better NLO materials or improvements to existing NLO systems. d. Advanced Weapons & Survivability, BAA Contact Point: Lt Col Michael Crawford, PL/WS, 505-846-4042. If funding becomes available, WS anticipates funding $20-$50K in FY96. Please call Lt Col Crawford before committing any resources to proposals in the following areas. (1) Electromagnetic Effects. Conduct basic research in the interaction of electromagnetic waves with electronic devices. We seek new and innovative approaches in planning and conducting experiments to better understand the coupling mechanisms and predict the upset/burnout levels of electronic systems operating in an electromagnetic environment. Exploration of basic failure mechanisms are required for state-of-the-art, large-scale, integrated circuitry and other sophisticated electronics. We also seek innovative computational approaches for predicting electromagnetic penetration into large bodies and interaction with internal components. (2) Satellite Assessment. Research is directed towards computationally assessing survivability/vulnerability of space assets against all threats, current and emerging. This includes lasers, nuclear threats, non-laser directed energy weapons, as well as natural space debris and background radiation environments. Research interests include modeling methodologies developed from first principles and from empirical data, active and passive imaging simulation methods and techniques, and parallel processing for simulated/actual imaging correlation. Other interests include laser effects modeling and experiment, including laser/material interactions. (3) Electromagnetic Applications. Research is sought for the application of electromagnetic technology to aircraft self protection, suppression of enemy air defense, and other applications which involve degradation, disruption, or damage of electronic components. We also desire to understand and evaluate the electromagnetic effects on systems and to incorporate these effects into simulations used to assess mission effectiveness. (4) Space Systems Survivability. We seek research proposals for new and innovative experimental designs to measure RF/HPM signal power levels received on orbiting space platforms. These experiments will aid assessing disruption, degradation, and damage to critical electronic components. Experimental payloads should be designed to fly aboard Phillips Lab MightySat vehicles or other small, rapid development programs. We also seek research proposals relating to Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) hydrocodes, including: Equation-of-State (EOS) and strength models of materials, new models which describe basic material behavior, and improved formulations of SPH hydrocodes. We seek proposals in the area of tools and algorithms for evaluating the growth of the space debris environment and the risk of impact for orbit insertion launches. Also, we seek research in determining particle mass and velocity distribution during breakup. Proposals to study spacecraft signature control and interpretation through evaluation of space environment - effluent interaction chemistry are also sought. (5) High Energy Plasmas. Research proposals are solicited on the following topics: pulsed power physics and engineering, the development and application of explosively driven flux- compression generators, electromagnetically imploded solid and plasma liner experiments, compact toroid formation and acceleration, fast (sub-microsecond) plasma switches, plasma diagnostics (optical and x-ray imaging, and electrical and magnetic probes), and theoretical and computational modeling of such experiments. (6) Electromagnetic Sources and Antennas. Research is sought for the development of high power wide- and narrow-band microwave sources, mode converters, and antennas. We desire to understand and evaluate the generation, emission, and propagation of high power microwave (HPM) energy. Coupling to, and scattering of HPM from objects in the air and beneath the earth are of interest. e. Geophysics. BAA Contact Point: Dr R.G. Hendl, PL/GP, 617-377-3604. Funding is not presently anticipated, however, in the event funding becomes available, research is needed in the areas below. Please call Dr Hendl before committing any resources to proposals in the following areas. If any funds are made available for new contracts in FY95, they will be given high priority for award under this BAA. (1) Atmospheric Prediction Technology. Research numerical weather prediction (NWP) models, diagnostic algorithms, and short range forecast techniques to provide weather forecasts to meet Air Force operational requirements at air bases and on the battlefield. Develop techniques to identify and predict atmospheric conditions that constitute hazards to vehicles launching aircraft and space payloads. (2) Smart Weapons Performance Prediction Techniques. Investigation of the weather sensitivities of smart weapons to develop techniques (weather impact decision aids) to use weather and scene background parameters of the battlefield to predict the effectiveness of smart weapons. (3) Solar and Space Weather. For regions of space that are important to the Air Force, measure and model the transfer of energy from the sun through interplanetary space to the earth. Apply the results to the development of operational models for the specification and prediction of environmental hazards relevant to DoD space operations. (4) Weather Sensing Technology. Investigate remote sensing tools to measure atmospheric parameters required to assess system development planning and to provide operational weather support. Techniques being developed and evaluated exploit data from satellite systems and ground-based systems ranging from the visible, the infrared, and the microwave portions of the spectrum. (5) Ionospheric Specification and Prediction. Develop remote sensing techniques to determine on a global basis the phase and amplitude scintillation conditions that disrupt Air Force communications and surveillance systems. Develop models to specify and predict anywhere on the globe the parameters important to define the operational limitations of these systems. (6) Weather Simulations and Applications. Develop techniques to simulate the natural environment affecting the design and acquisition of military systems operating anywhere in the atmosphere and space. Simulation techniques must produce physically accurate representations of the environment in visible through millimeter wavelengths. Consideration will be given to models designed to operate efficiently in a large interactive distributed computer architecture. (7) Seismology. Investigate techniques to detect, locate, identify, and characterize foreign underground nuclear explosions. Research is also required to apply seismic and other geophysical technology to subsurface hazardous waste site investigations. (0128)

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