Naval Research Laboratory, Attn: Code 3230, 4555 Overlook Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20375-5326

A -- UNDERSEA WEAPONS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SOL ONR BAA 99-023 DUE 070799 POC Mr. Kevin Comer, ONR Code 333 (703)696-5354 E-MAIL: click here, comerg@onr.navy.mil. The Office of Naval Research (ONR), Code 333, is interested in receiving white papers for Science & Technology (S&T) concepts supporting undersea weapons systems. Increasing the mission effectiveness of current as well as future platforms by improving weapons performance is the objective of the Undersea Weaponry Thrust. White papers are requested for the following major functional areas: (A) Guidance and Control Guidance and control technologies or concepts applicable to undersea weapon homing and tactics are being sought. Techniques to improve capabilities in detection, classification, countermeasure resistance, adaptable tactics, and rapid prosecution of torpedoes in littoral regions are of interest. Specific considerations should be given to close-in engagements and long-range standoff situations. Approaches to weapon employment in operationally complex environments, including weapon-platform-sensor coordinated attack scenarios, and the benefits of weapon-platform connectivity will be examined, with particular interest in the role of the undersea weapon in future 'network-centric' warfare. Topic areas of interest are: signal processing techniques at weapon frequencies, including broadband, bistatics/bidynamics and covert signals; sensor and array technologies; navigation techniques; acoustic communications; fault tolerance processing; and advanced weapon tactical employment concepts, particularly in a multi-sensor environment. Additionally, high-fidelity modeling, digital simulation, and in-water testing to support the development and validation of new concepts and technologies are needed. Expected funding available for this area in fiscal year 2000 is approximately $8,500,000. Technical point of contact is Ms. Khine Latt, lattk@onr.navy.mil (B) Propulsion Improvements in electric and thermal power sources are needed to achieve enhanced performance for future low-rate and high-rate undersea vehicles. Low-rate vehicles include UUVs, exercise targets, and swimmer delivery vehicles, while high-rate vehicles encompass current and future torpedoes and very high-speed supercavitating vehicles. Low-rate systems fall into two categories based on specific energy goals: (1) rechargeable systems exhibiting practical specific energies of 400 Wh/kg or greater, and (2) primary or rechargeable systems surpassing 800 Wh/kg. Electric and thermal energy conversion technologies are acceptable power source options for both categories. Rechargeable systems must allow on-board recharging through easily implemented electrical or mechanical means, while primary systems are technologies requiring major off-board teardown. Energy conversion technologies might include, but are not limited to, rechargeable batteries, fuel cells, semi-fuel cells, metal/water primary batteries, Stirling engines, and thermal photovoltaic devices. All low-rate systems must exhibit quiet operation, possess multiple restart capability, and demonstrate acceptable on-board turn-around times. Projected total life-cycle costs will also be an important evaluation criterion. High-rate power sources fall into two categories based on platform operation: (1) torpedoes and (2) very high-speed supercavitating vehicles. High-rate power sources for future and current torpedoes should provide equivalent or greater power capabilities with reductions in total ownership costs. The emphasis for torpedo power source development is on future torpedo platforms requiring dramatic decreases in power source volume with concurrent noise reduction. Concepts that allow efficient operation at both high and low power levels in a single torpedo design will also be considered. At this time, development of power sources for supercavitating vehicles is focussed on metallic fuels, principally aluminum and aluminum alloys, combusted with seawater; however, new concepts will be considered. Expected funding available for this area in fiscal year 2000 is approximately $5,800,000. Technical point of contact is Dr. Rich Carlin, carlinr@onr.navy.mil (C) Torpedo Stealth The objective of the Torpedo Stealth project is to develop noise control technologies in supporting the development of long range quiet weapons. It is essential to reduce the radiated noise of current and next generation torpedoes to delay alerting the potential target and to prevent detection of the launch platform. Also, the sensor self-noise must be reduced to improve the sonar performance, resulting in improving the weapon effectiveness. Proposals addressing reduced acoustic and non-acoustic signatures through the use of modeling and signature control techniques that can be practically implemented are being sought. Robust and affordable noise control technologies are of interest. Noise control techniques using conventional passive control, hybrid active-passive control, fully active control, and innovative acoustic design are of particular interest. Exploiting the quieting technology developed in the submarine community, and leveraging and integrating the on-going ONR S&T efforts in submarine silencing, is encouraged. The Torpedo Stealth project has two tasks; Noise Mechanisms and Control, and Non-Acoustic Signatures. Noise Mechanisms and Control deals with developing a physics-based radiated noise predictive capability and noise control approaches. The effort involves the identification of torpedo noise generation mechanisms, quantification of noise sources and components, and modeling and simulation. The noise sources and components should include machinery noise due to power plant, propulsor, gearbox, motor and pump; and hydrodynamic sources due to exhaust, flow, and turbulent boundary layer. Noise models and simulation capability should be developed based on understanding of noise generation and radiation mechanisms. From a system perspective, with the outputs from noise modeling and simulation, target the dominant noise components and select the appropriate noise control approaches. The noise control approaches include conventional passive control, hybrid active-passive control, fully active control, and innovativeacoustic design, i.e., energy reclamation, and Integrated Motor Propulsor (IMP) concepts. In the Non-Acoustic Signatures task, the engine exhaust is of primary interest. Expected funding available for this area in fiscal year 2000 is approximately $3,600,000. Technical point of contact is Dr. Kam Ng, ngk@onr.navy.mil (D) Undersea Weaponry Design & Optimization The objective of the Undersea Weapons Design & Optimization (UWD&O) project is to develop simulation-based methodology and tools to optimize undersea weapon system designs with respect to cost and performance requirements. Affordable Science & Technology (S&T) and product development, acquisition and support for future undersea weaponry requires software driven Simulation-Based Design (SBD) processes that provide: 1) an improved (reduced time and cost) product development, 2) efficient transfer of technology to the end users, and 3) good estimate of cost/benefit of new technologies to meet war-fighting needs. This is essential infrastructure that supports the development of Guidance & Control (G&C), Stealth, Warhead, Propulsion, and Torpedo Defense technologies and systems, as well as advanced weapons system concepts, such as High-Speed Supercavitating Weapons. This project establishes a modeling and simulation environment that provides integration of the Navy's S&T with Engineering Development efforts in Undersea Weaponry. The UWD&O project focuses at SBD system architecture and tools development. Design tools, such as virtual prototype design and environment, Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO), and cost/performance analyses are of particular interest. Cost and performance trade-off will be conducted by applying the methodology and tools to rapid prototyping of a torpedo upgrade, new capability, or new weapon system design. Connectivity will be developed for disparate languages, and Computer Aid Design (CAD) machines, performance models, and external libraries. The design and optimization process involves building the SBD architecture using physics-based models to provide data for process/mechanical/environmental simulations which, in turn, form the basis for vehicle subsystems, create virtual prototype system designs, and can be used for performance, cost and quality assessment. Expected funding available for this area in fiscal year 2000 is approximately $1,500,000. Technical point of contact is Dr. Kam Ng, ngk@onr.navy.mil (E) High-Speed Undersea Weaponry The objective of the High-Speed Undersea Weaponry project is to develop the vehicle guidance, control and maneuvering capabilities for the quick reaction weapons. High-speed weapons could offer an advantage for Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) "close encounter" scenarios. The overall system response of a high-speed weapon for breaking off engagements with enemy submarines would be measured in seconds, rather than minutes. The High-Speed Undersea Weapons project has three tasks; Vehicle Guidance, Vehicle Control, and Test Bed Development. Vehicle Guidance deals with homing sensors, signal processing, waveform design, and autopilot commands that are used to guide (either autonomously or with external interaction) the weapon to its target. Vehicle control deals with control and maneuvering of the high-speed weapon with emphasis on stabilizing the supercavitating bubble cavity, and optimizing the flow for low drag. Technical issues include instability due to vehicle planing and tail slap, interaction between cavity with propulsion exhaust, and propulsion system transients, including startup. Test Bed Development is an ongoing effort that develops a test platform to test and evaluate S&T candidate systems such as homing systems, vehicle control, and propulsion systems. Expected funding available for this area in fiscal year 2000 is approximately $2,500,000. Technical point of contact is Dr. Kam Ng, ngk@onr.navy.mil (F) Torpedo Defense Program Goals: Develop technologies that will result in high probability of survival for surface ship and submarine platforms against torpedo threats. Funding will be provided for acoustic or non-acoustic technologies providing innovative concepts for detection, classification and localization, countermeasure improvements, counterweapon improvements, and terminal defense against incoming threat torpedoes. Technologies should be focused on defeating high priority threats including wake homing torpedoes, high speed torpedoes, air dropped torpedoes and salvoes of torpedoes. Expected funding available for this area in fiscal year 2000 is approximately $6,300,000. Technical point of contact is Ms. Sharon Beermann-Curtin, beermas@onr.navy.mil (G) Undersea Warheads The overall goals of the project are to develop technologies with significant enhancement in capabilities over current technologies. This project is comprised of three tasks for which proposals are solicited; (i) Fuzing, (ii) Detonation Processes and Target Interactions, and (iii) Enhanced Kill Mechanisms. In the area of fuzing, the objectives are to develop the technologies necessary to reduce the size, weight, and cost of torpedo fuzing and safety & arming devices by up to an order of magnitude, while maintaining or improving current performance and safety characteristics. In the area of detonation processes and target interactions the goals are to develop the methodologies and laboratory scale testing capability necessary to accurately describe the behavior, safety, and detonation characteristics of explosives and to develop computational methods to accurately evaluate damage resulting from underwater explosions. In the area of enhanced kill mechanisms, the goals are to develop integrated technologies that provide the capability of assured single shot kill against all undersea targets and threats in a much reduced warhead size, while maintaining current ASUW capability. These technologies may include novel warhead or explosive concepts and configurations. Expected funding available for this area in fiscal year 2000 is approximately $5,000,000. Technical point of contact isDr. Judah Goldwasser, goldwaj@onr.navy.mil White papers are initially sought to preclude unwarranted effort on the part of an offeror in preparing a full proposal. White papers are due by COB on 7 July 1999. Offerors submitting the most promising white papers will be invited to submit a full technical and cost proposal on all or part of their white paper submission. However, any such invitation does not assure a subsequent award. It is anticipated that several contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or other transactions will be awarded. This BAA announcement does not preclude an offeror from submitting a full technical and cost proposal or white paper after 7 July 1999. White papers and/or proposals received after 7 July 1999 may not be considered for funding under the Fiscal Year 2000 program. Submittals in response to this BAA are welcome until 1 June 2000. The Government reserves the right to select for award all, some, or none of the submissions. White papers should include the following items: (A) Cover page, clearly labeled "WHITE PAPER", including BAA title and date, title, administrative and technical points of contact along with telephone, fax numbers, and email addresses. (B) White papers are to be limited to seven pages with font size no less than 12. (C) White papers shall consist of three primary sections: Technical, Management, and Cost. (D) The Technical section shall consist of clear descriptions of the systems/technologies being proposed, objectives of the proposed effort, technical issues to be resolved to accomplish objectives, approach to resolving these issues, and assessment of advance and advantage over current technological capability with successful effort. The Management portion shall include key personnel, facilities, previous experience, and a plan of action with milestones. The Cost section shall include a one page cost breakdown of the effort being proposed. One page curriculum vitae for the Principal Technical Investigator, Project Manager, and other key personnel should besubmitted. The vitae will not count toward the seven page limit. Four copies of the white papers are due at the submittal address listed below by 7 July 1999. White papers and proposal will be evaluated using the following criteria which are listed in descending order of importance: (1) overall scientific, technical and socioeconomic merit; (2) potential to enhance undersea warfare capabilities through the application of advanced technologies; (3) understanding of undersea warfare and technical/scientific innovation and risk to develop affordable successful solutions to requirements; (4) potential for transition to higher category programs and/or fleet capability; (5) the offeror's capabilities, past performance and related experience, facilities, techniques or unique combinations thereof that are integral factors for achieving the proposed objectives; (6) the qualifications, capabilities and experience of the proposed Principal Technical Investigator, Project Manager, and other key personnel critical inachieving the proposed objectives; (7) budgetary cost and availability of funds; Proposers should submit their security clearance capabilities in their white papers. While most aspects of this BAA are unclassified, work on some systems will require the contractor to receive, generate, and store material up to the level of SECRET. This requirement will be handled on a case by case basis. Offerors must state in their white paper that it is submitted in response to this BAA. Four hard copies of each white paper must be provided. White papers and full proposal submissions will protected from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with FAR 3.104-4, applicable law, and DoD/DoN regulations. Costs for white papers where a Government lab is included as part of a team should be predicated on separate awards to the Government lab and the team partners. Total funding available for the awards resulting from this BAA is estimated to be about $30 million. This BAA provides no funding for white paper/proposal development purposes. It is expected that ONR will award several contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements covering a 12 month period for S&T in the requested areas. Unsuccessful offerors of white papers will be acknowledged. White papers will not be returned after evaluation. This CBD notice itself constitutes the BAA as contemplated by FAR 6.102(d)(2). Unless otherwise stated herein, neither additional written information is available, nor will a formal RFP or other solicitation regarding this announcement be issued. For awards made as contracts, evaluation of the socioeconomic merits will include the extent of commitment in providing meaningful subcontracting opportunities for small businesses, HUBZone small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, woman-owned small businesses, and historically black colleges and universities and minority institutions. Ultimately, proposals which are selected for contract award that exceed $500,000 submitted by all but small businesses, will require a Small Business Subcontracting Plan in accordance with FAR 52.219-9. The Standard Industrial Classification code is 8731 with the small business standard of 500 employees. No portion of this BAA has been set aside for HBCU and MI participants, though their participation is encouraged. White papers should be submitted by the due dates cited in the BAA to: Office of Naval Research, Undersea Weaponry Technologies BAA, ATTN: Mr. Kevin Comer, ONR Code 333, BCT-1, Room 507, 800 N. Quincy Street, Arlington, VA 22217. Technical questions should be addressed to the point of contact for each area listed. Business questions regarding this BAA should be directed to: Office of Naval Research, Attention Terry Young (ONR 25), Room 720, Ballston Towers One, 800 N. Quincy St., Arlington, VA 22217-5660, (703) 696-5389, E-Mail address youngt @onr.navy.mil. Posted 06/03/99 (W-SN338457). (0154)

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