Munitions Contracting Division (AFRL/MNK), Building 13, 101 West Eglin Boulevard, Suite 337, Eglin AFB, FL 32542-6810

A -- MUNITIONS TECHNOLOGY SOL BAA-99-0001 POC Linda Weisz, Contract Specialist, 850-882-4294, ext. 3206 E-MAIL: Dr. Dave M. Belk, AFRL/MNAC,, belk@eglin.af.mil. CONTINUATION OF PREVIOUS SYNOPSIS (C. RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS) for Munitions Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory, Eglin AFB. BIOMIMETIC SIGNAL PROCESSING AND CONTROL Both biological systems and smart munitions are required to collect space, time, and color information from the environment, process it, and make some decision. The decision may be that of detecting, recognizing, tracking, or intercepting an object. The decision may also be that of changing position or direction of motion for vehicle navigation or for better viewing of a target. A clear understanding of how the natural systems collect and process information to make these kinds of decisions may lead to revolutionary seeker concepts for autonomous weapons, as well as other machine vision applications. Therefore the Seeker Image and Signal Processing Branch has interest in signal processing and control methods that use natural concepts found in biological systems. Our focus in biomimetics (the science of mimicking biological systems) is on leveraging efforts previously aimed at understanding how life forms collect and process environmental information. We want to use what is understood about the natural seekers to build small and affordable autonomous munition seekers. As biologically inspired seeker system concepts mature and exploit commercially available technology, the resemblance to the original biological system may diminish or even disappear. This consequence reflects our focus on building affordable, capable seekers for smart munitions. Proposed concepts should support the mission of the Munitions Directorate and Advanced Guidance Division as well as the munition product systems described in the current Conventional Armament Technology Area Plan found on our home page. Dr. Geoffrey Brooks, AFRL/MNGI, 850-882-3910 ext 2320, Fax: 850-882-3344, e-mail: brooksg@eglin.af.mil AUTONOMOUS TARGET RECOGNITION The Seeker Image and Signal Processing Branch (MNGI) is interested in investigating all aspects of Autonomous Target Recognition (ATR) technology as it applies to seekers for conventional guided weapons. Interests range from basic signal/image processing foundations through tower and flight test of advanced real time ATR/host signal processor implementations. ATR systems (and related technologies) designed for use with all relevant weapon system sensors (MMW Radar, SAR, IIR, LADAR, Dual Mode combinations, etc.) are of interest. Dr. Timothy J. Klausutis, AFRL/MNGI, 850-882-3838 ext 2294, Fax: 850-882-3344 e-mail: klausutin@eglin.af.mil HARDWARE-IN-THE-LOOP REAL-TIME TESTING TECHNOLOGIES The Guidance Simulation Branch (MNGG) is interested in investigating technologies related to the testing of missile designs that incorporate imaging infrared and LADAR seeker subsystems. MNGG 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 advancement of infrared scene projection technologies, real-time target scene generation techniques, and high bandwidth motion simulators as they apply to the test of imaging infrared and LADAR sensors. Mr. Tony Thompson, AFRL/MNGG, 850-882-4446 ext 2273, Fax: 850-882-2363, e-mail: thompsra@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 (< 5 microns) 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 ofinterest 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 Shaun R. Hick, AFRL/MNGS, 850-882-1726 or 850-882-4631 ext. 2355, Fax: 850-882-1717, e-mail: hich@eglin.af.mil NAVIGATION AND CONTROL TECHNOLOGY The Navigation and Control Branch (MNGN) is interested in developing inertial sensor components, GPS anti-jam and antenna technology, and advanced guidance and control techniques. Inertial sensor technology should be focused on developing technologies with the goal of achieving at least tactical grade performance with the potential for significantly reduced costs and size (less than $2K and 15 cubic inches per inertial measurement unit respectively). Inertial sensor technologies of interest include micromachined and optical. GPS technologies of interest are anti-jam techniques including spatial (beam forming and/or null steering) and temporal anti-jam technologies, and miniature GPS antenna technologies. Advanced guidance and control technologies of interest include: guidance law and autopilot designs that minimize redesign with each new weapon application, methodologies capable of identifying and tracking dynamic changes in the attitude of air-to-air targets, and integrated weapon guidance. Integrated weapon guidance includes guidance-autopilot intgegration, guidance-seeker-fuze-warhead integration, guidance-seeker integration, and total system integration to include hardware sensor integration. Mr. Pete Wise, AFRL/MNGN, 850-882-2961 ext 3337, fax: 850-882-2201, email: wisej@eglin.af.mil or Dr. Randy Zachery, AFRL/MNGN, 850-882-2961 ext 3453, fax: 850-882-2201, email: zachery@eglin.af.mil HIGH SURFACE AREA MATERIALS RESEARCH High surface area (HSA) materials are substances having a high degree of microscopic porosity or surface roughness and exhibiting greater than 100 sq. meters/gram active surface area when gas absorption testing is employed. Catalysts in HSA form can accelerate rates of chemical reaction. Electrically conductive HSA materials can serve as high-capacitance electrodes in double layer charge storage devices or as dimensionally stable anodes required for processing corrosive liquids. Basic research in the area of conductive HSA materials is needed to provide a stronger basis for future high energy density capacitor design. HSA explosive initiator materials are also of interest for development of advanced slapper detonators. Dr. Scott Roberson, AFRL/MNMF, 850-882-9257 ext. 257, Fax: 850-882-2707, e-mail: roberson@eglin.af.mil or Dr. Duane Finello, AFRL/MNMF, 850-882-9257 ext. 227, Fax: 850-882-2707, e-mail: finello@eglin.af.mil WEAPON DESIGN AND ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY RESEARCH The performance assessment and development of advanced conventional weapon systems requires the capabilities to model and evaluate complex weapon/target interaction phenomena and to predict environments produced by impacting, penetrating, and detonating warheads. Modeling may be achieved with simplified engineering models, system/subsystem analysis codes, or continuum mechanics codes emphasizing high fidelity weapon modeling. Areas of particular interest include penetration mechanics, high strain rate fracture dynamics and constitutive modeling, fragmentation, and high pressure/high strain rate modeling of geologic and geologically derived materials, and advanced numerical methods. Theoretical, computational and experimental projects that specifically address physical understanding of the problems of interest and result in improved predictive capability are the goal. Dr. Dave M. Belk, AFRL/MNAC, 850-882-3124, ext 3350, Fax: 850-882-2201, email: belk@eglin.af.mil Posted 02/01/99 (W-SN293325). (0032)

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