R&D Contracting Directorate, Attn: WL/AAKR, Bldg 7, 2530 C Street, Wright-Patterson AFB

A -- THEATER-WIDE PREFERENCE INFORMATION MANAGEMENT (TRIM) PROGRAM. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS IN THREE PARTS. THIS IS PART 2 OF 3 PARTS. SOL PRDA 96-09-AAK DUE 061096 POC Contact Alan C. Struckman, Contract Negotiator or Kenneth P. Smith, Contracting Officer, (513) 255-5201. A--NOTICE: This announcement is in three parts. Part 2 of 3 parts. The first involves metrics for assessing the quantitative sensitivity of fusion processes to individual mission sensor inaccuracies. Second, there is a need for techniques for selecting the most appropriate coordinate frame/datum for each stage of the fusion process and of ascertaining the numerical accuracies that need to be maintained during transformations (avoiding potential numerical instabilities and error build up with time). The next area pertains to techniques for accurately assessing uncertainty and including it as part of the measurement and sensor management processes. The latter area requires a detailed understanding of the dynamics and mathematics relating mission sensor error uncertainties with the contribution due to the reference systems involved, and the subsequent effect of the fusion algorithms being applied. Finally, the fourth identified requirement is for far more precise reference data (in particular, velocity, attitude, and time) than is currently available to satisfy mission requirements. Data must be accurate and timely on a single maneuvering airframe at separate mission sensor and store locations such as the platform center of gravity, the forward fuselage, and the weapons bays and pylons. The multi-platform environment expands this problem to n-dimensions when the state vector must be valid not only at multiple locations on a single airframe but at multiple locations on multiple platforms within the theater of operations. For the purposes of this effort, mission scenarios of interest are those for which multi-platform operations could play a key role, such as deep interdiction or deep counterair. One example scenario could involve a two ship formation of fighter aircraft performing a deep interdiction mission in which the aircraft are armed with direct attack munitions(s). The formation could be supported by assets such as overhead, U-2R, Tier 2+ or 3-, or E-8 sensor information. This information would be fused with wingman and ownship sensor data to locate, identify, and generate required weapon coordinates and/or weapon seeker templates to engage the target. In addition, some of the listed sensor data would be fused with E-3 data to maintain situational awareness of pertinent threats and friendlies (both airborne and surface based). A second scenario might involve a two ship formation of fighter aircraft performing a counter air mission. This formation could be supported by overhead and E-3 information. This information would be fused with wingman and ownship sensor data to locate, identify, and engage a Beyond Visual Range (BVR) target. In addition, the listed sensor data would be fused to maintain situational awareness of pertinent threats and friendlies (both airborne and surface based). Variations of these scenarios or the involved platforms are possible. For example, emphasis could be placed on reconnaissance platforms or even bombers to address other AF wide needs for theater-wide reference systems technology. Additionally, the Combat Information Division of Wright Laboratory is committed to developing an Information Fusion Testbed to support broad-based research into fusion applications and techniques. The reference systems technologies and evaluation tools developed under this effort will be evaluated for incorporation into this Fusion Testbed so, when practical, new and modified software should adhere to Fusion Testbed standard interfaces and design practices. (2) SCOPE: The objective of this Theater-wide Reference Information Management (TRIM) effort is to identify, develop, and evaluate the reference systems technologies needed to support the theater-wide sharing and fusing of information resources for USAF platforms and missions. These combat information resources include a priori information, real-time and near real-time information from national assets, theater assets, ownship, and wingman mission sensors. The developed technologies will be evaluated using a combination of analysis, experimentation, and simulation. (3) TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS: The offeror shall identify, develop, and evaluate the reference systems technologies needed to support the theater-wide sharing and fusing of combat information. Four technical areas which require analysis and development include: (1) metrics for assessing the quantitative sensitivity of fusion processes to individual mission sensor inaccuracies, (2) techniques for selecting the most appropriate coordinate frame/datum for each stage of the fusion process and of ascertaining the numerical accuracies that need to be maintained during transformations, (3) techniques for accurately assessing uncertainty and including it as part of the measurement and sensor management processes, and (4) means for more precise reference capability at separate mission sensor and store locations such as the platform center of gravity, the forward fuselage, and the weapons bays and pylons. Technical issues that shall be addressed include, but are not limited to, the determination and analysis of: (1) sources and users of reference systems data in the theater of operations including the precision and resolution of that data, (2) requirements for information about the data, such as time tags, error ellipses, probability density functions, and other measures of merit or uncertainty, (3) the levels of data fusion to be performed by each source and each user of the data and the reference systems parameters required to support the fusion algorithms, and (4) a consistent and accurate approach to mutual registration of data from multiple sources, taking into account the existing reference frame(s) and geographic datums being used by both the sources and the users of the data. The offeror shall identify one or more mission scenarios in which multi-platform information fusion plays a significant role. The identified scenario(s) may include all-theater missions or such subsets as an air-to-air or air-to-surface strike, or theater reconnaissance. Selection of information sources and users will be based upon the identified scenario(s) and could include various manned and unmanned airborne platforms, overhead assets, deployed ground sensors, and associated weapons. The offeror is encouraged to propose scenarios which emphasize platforms for which he has particular interest, knowledge, and/or expertise. The offeror shall select and perform the most effective combination of analysis, modeling, simulation, and experimentation to be used in the identification, development, and evaluation of the TRIM reference systems technologies. It is desirable that the program culminate in a nonreal-time, single or multiple workstation simulation of the theater-wide sharing and fusion of all sensor data and information supported by the reference systems technologies developed in this effort. The goals of this effort will be to enable maximum use of both on- and off-board resources for reconnaissance, targeting, weapon delivery, and/or situational awareness. (4) DELIVERABLE ITEMS: The following deliverable data items shall be proposed: (a) Scientific and Technical Reports, Final Report, DI-MISC-80711/T, (Draft and Reproducible Final), (b) Contract Funds Status Report (CFSR), DI-FNCL-81468/T, quarterly, (c) Performance and Cost Report, DI-FNCL-80912/T monthly, (d) Funds and Manhour Expenditure Report, DI-FNCL-80331/T monthly, (e) Scientific and Technical Reports, Contractor's Billing Voucher, DI-MISC-80711/T monthly, (f) Presentation Material, DI-ADMN-81373/T, (for program reviews, charts/photos as required), (g) Data Accession List, DI-MGMT-81453/T, semi-annually, (h) Software User Manual (SUM), (Draft and Reproducible Final), (i) Scientific and Technical Reports, Interim Report, DI-MISC-80711/T, quarterly, and (j) Computer Software as generated is deliverable. A draft of the final report shall be submitted within 30 days of the completion of the technical effort. The final version of the final report shall be submitted within five months of the end of the technical effort. (5) REVIEWS: The contractor shall plan, prepare for, and present eight program reviews at 3-4 month intervals throughout the program. Four reviews, including a Kickoff meeting and a Final review, will be held at Wright-Patterson AFB. The site of the other four reviews will be held at the contractor's facilities. (6) SECURITY REQUIREMENTS: TEMPEST requirements will apply. Generation of classified material for this solicitation effort is authorized only on equipment approved for classified processing by Air Force TEMPEST authorities. End of Part 2 of 3 Parts. (0128)

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