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A -- ARMAMENT TECHNOLOGIES (PART 2 OF 5) SOL BAA MNK-96-0001 POC Jean M. Pulley, Contracting Officer, (904) 882-4294, ext 3402. CONTINUATION OF PREVIOUS SYNOPSIS for Armament Technologies: C. 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, email: 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, email: goldstei@eglin.af.mil. AUTONOMOUS TARGET ACQUISITION RESEARCH: The Advanced Guidance Division has an interest in developing non-proprietary algorithms for use within autonomous target acquisition (ATA) applications. Innovative signal and image processing algorithms are needed to autonomously detect and recognize target signatures embedded in sensor data such as synthetic-aperture radar (SAR), millimeter-wave (MMW), infrared (IR), and laser radar (LADAR). Operations/functions associated with the ATA process involve noise elimination, detection, segmentation, feature extraction, classification, (i.e., truck vs. tank), and identification (i.e., truck A vs. truck B). Algorithms capable of processing multi-sensor data are of particular interest. The utilization of image algebra in the development of non-proprietary ATA algorithms is also sought. Key research areas include signal and image processing, pattern recognition/classification, image understanding, artificial neural networks, fuzzy logic, knowledge- and model-based vision, and data fusion. Dr. Pat Coffield, WL/MNGA, 904-882-4636 ext 2398, email: coffield@eglin.af.mil. BIO-SENSOR PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY: The Processor Hardware Technology Section has interest in signal and image processing methods which include biologically inspired sensory processing emulations of the mammalian visual processing system, or emulations of more primitive systems, e.g. those of insects. Mr. Paul McCarley, WL/MNGA, 904-882-3344 ext 2325. HARDWARE-IN-THE-LOOP REAL-TIME TESTING TECHNOLOGIES: The Seeker Technology Evaluation Branch (MNGI) is interested in investigating technologies related to the testing of missile designs that incorporate imaging infrared and LADAR seeker subsystems. MNGI exercises complete missile hardware-in-the-loop simulations to verify the signal processing, image processing, and guidance performance including terminal homing accuracy. Strategic and Theater Missile Defense concepts developed under the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) as well as Tactical Munition subsystems developed within WL/MN are tested. Research emphasis will be placed on the advancement of infrared projection technologies and real-time target scene generation techniques as they apply to imaging infrared and LADAR sensors. Mr. Tony Thompson, WL/MNGI, 904-882-4036 ext 3240. 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. Capt. Jeff Grantham/Capt. Kenneth Dinndorf, WL/MNGS, 904-882-1726. (SEE PART 3 of 5.) (0067)

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