Commercial Acquisition Department, Bldg 11, Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport, Code 59, Simonpietri Dr., Newport, RI 02841-1708

A -- CENTERWIDE BAA, PART 3 OF 4 SOL BAA #995531 DUE 063000 POC G. Palmer, Contract Negotiator at (401) 832-1645; FAX (401) 832-4820. WEB: Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport, http://www.npt.nuwc.navy.mil/contract/. E-MAIL: Gerald Palmer, Contract Negotiator, palmerge@npt.nuwc.navy.mil. UNMANNED UNDERSEA VEHICLES (UUV)/AUTONOMOUS UNDERSEA SYSTEMS (AUS)/UNMANNED SURFACE VEHICLES (USV) TECHNOLOGY AND ASSESSMENT Precision navigation (traditional and nontraditional methods) including advanced sensor fusion (Doppler velocity sonar [DVS], inertial navigation system [INS], advanced INS concepts, and global positioning system [GPS] updates) applicable to shallow water and open ocean environments. Precision covert navigation concepts for UUVs at speed and depth. Method to establish GPS fix and establish above-water communications. Innovative and cost-effective solutions to improve on the current state-of-the-art capabilities of UUV acoustic communication systems. Areas of improvement include: 1) providing higher data rate capability, including RF; 2) decreasing the computational load required for a given data rate; 3) providing low probability of intercept (LPI) capability; 4) higher data reliability (robustness to errors), 5) lossless and lossy data compression; and 6) any other algorithms which will improve the capabilities for a UUV acoustic communication system. Electromagnetic and acoustic signature reduction technologies (both active and passive) including quiet, lightweight, low magnetic signature electric motors, and quiet, efficient propulsors. Autonomous control systems for hydrodynamic maneuvering and control of UUVs/USVs especially in littoral environments. Intelligent, fault tolerant controller capable of reliable, long-range unattended operation of UUVs/USVs with embedded mission control consisting of mission planning, replanning, collision avoidance, and fault diagnosis and response. Oceanographic data collection, including but not limited to temperature, pressure, and current profiling, in support of tactical decision aids and the national oceanographic database. Sensor systems for object detection, classification, identification, or avoidance. Advanced environmental sensors. Autonomous robotics technologies for undersea work. High performance, low drag shaft seals. Integrated propulsor/motor combinations. Novel propulsion concepts. High-efficiency, high-energy density, safe long-endurance chemical, electrochemical, and thermochemical energy sources for undersea vehicles. Lightweight, stiff, corrosion resistant, acoustically damped vehicle structures. Fault tolerant vehicle systems. Artificial intelligence. Programming technology providing the capability to install tactical software at the operational level. Programming technology providing the capability to prevent compromise of tactical software. Technology and advanced concepts for launch and retrieval of unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs) from submarines and USVs from surface ships including concepts for platform vehicle communication prior to launch and during the retrieving process. Simulation of undersea launch and retrieval of UUVs. TORPEDO DEFENSE (LAUNCHERS) Universal surface ship launcher for countermeasure devices up to 12.75-inch diameter. Common data and power transmission with countermeasure device and universal launcher. No maintenance, unmanned surface ship launcher design. Advanced launcher concepts (including external and tubeless concepts) for the ejection of weapons, countermeasures, and auxiliary devices from surface ships. Technology for the simulation and design of torpedo defense launchers. Low-cost, modular, portable stimulators for on-board training. TORPEDO DEFENSE (MODELING AND SIMULATION) Acoustic and magnetic properties within various surface ship wakes. Acoustic and magnetic surface reverberation. Acoustic and magnetic multiscatter effect within various wakes. High-speed torpedo operation at shallow depths within various wakes. Models addressing operation in a shallow water environment (propagation loss, multiple bottom types, performance prediction tools, etc.). Models and concepts addressing Terminal Defense issues, fuze influence technologies, and advanced countermeasure operations and tactics. Low-cost, modular, portable stimulators for on-board training. TORPEDO AND ACOUSTIC COUNTERMEASURES/COUNTERMEASURES DEVICES TECHNOLOGY Technology supporting mobile and stationary surface and submarine launched jammers and countermeasures (CMs) capable of operating in layered defense scenarios and in open ocean and/or littoral environments. Improved countermeasure systems, transmit waveforms, beam patterns, sound pressure levels, endurance, in-situ design, and classification smart adaptive processing, mobility, fuze influence technologies, and acoustic communication links. Passive/active signal processing techniques for countermeasure application especially the following technologies: wavelet theory, time frequency distributions, full spectrum processing, transients, digital signal processing, parameter/feature extraction, neural networks, curve fitting routines, clustering algorithms, fuzzy logic, field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), smart adaptive processing, and active signal processing for detection, classification, and localization (DCL). Ocean physics simulation and analysis including: broadband environmental acoustic modeling shallow water; blue water; low, sonar, weapon, high, and very high frequency; wake physics acoustic properties of wakes; nonacoustics, i.e., electromagnetic, laser. Small affordable broadband high efficiency, high power, high fidelity acoustic sensors, transducers, and arrays especially the following technologies: split ring, barrel stave flextensional, flextensional, rare earth materials, piezoelectric materials, plasma, piezo rubber, and/or fiber optic hydrophones, wideband arrays, planar arrays, and lead, magnesium, niobate material. Undersea material technology: small expendable high energy primary batteries metal hydrides, polymer, and lithium ions. CM system engineering including packaging, versa module European (VME) extension instrumentation (VXI), simulation based design tools, commonalty, modular, rapid prototyping, and CM device operation in multiple device environment including CM data acquisition systems in support of CM development and testing in laboratory and at sea. Computer-based warfare modeling, simulation, and analysis including synthetic environments, analysis methodologies using advanced processing techniques and integration to NUWCDIVNPT's various simulation bed facilities. To specifically include engagement modeling; a CM test bed providing for CM signal design and assessment, CM logic design, real-time algorithm development, and on-line threat database; distributed interactive simulation (DIS) networks to integrate to major weapons analysis facilities; advanced displays; and software development tools to support state-of-the-art CM development. Dual-use (sonar and torpedo) countermeasure that fits in existing launchers. THERMAL AND ELECTRIC PROPULSION (FOR TORPEDO, TARGET, UUV, MOBILE MINE AND COUNTERMEASURE APPLICATIONS) High energy fuels and oxidants for internal and external combustion engines, hot gas expander engines, and gas turbines for use in torpedoes, targets, mobile mines, and unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs). Emphasis is on propellants and combustion products that have minimal safety restrictions, personnel hazards, and environmental impact as well as low overall system life cycle costs. Battery, semi-fuel cell, and fuel cell technology including a) high rate primary and secondary batteries for high-speed underwater vehicles and b) low rate rechargeable energy systems for long endurance missions in unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). Systems should be energy and power dense, safe, free of environmental impacts throughout the cycle from production to disposal, and have reduced life cycle costs. Rapidly rechargeable secondary systems and smart chargers for high and low rate applications are also desired. Analytical models to perform in-depth optimization analyses on electric propulsion systems, including secondary and primary high energy density battery systems together with permanent magnet, brushless, DC motors, and on thermal propulsion systems, including fuels, oxidizers, combustion systems, thermal engines, and heat exchangers Analytical models to evaluate the transient behavior of aluminum aqueous battery and semi-fuel cell systems applicable to high energy density torpedo and/or UUV applications. Studies and assessments of primary and rechargeable battery systems regarding, but not limited to, the energy and power density, cycle life, affordability, and safety as appropriate to torpedo, target, mobile mine, countermeasure, and UUV systems. Electric motors and controllers for undersea systems including main propulsion, auxiliary thrusters, and other functions. Systems should be compact, lightweight, efficient, low cost throughout their life cycle, and have very low torque ripple and structural vibrations. (The power ranges of interest are 10-40 hp and 100-500+hp.) Affordable propulsion systems for three-inch and six-inch countermeasure devices. Novel propulsion concepts, including hybrid power cycles. Integrated motor/propulsor combinations, and quiet, efficient flooded motor concepts. Flow of conducting fluids in the presence of strong electric and/or magnetic fields. Effects of electrolytic bubbles, chemical reactions, and electromagnetic forces should be considered either theoretically and/or experimentally. Applications include flow in aqueous battery systems, magnetohydrodynamic propulsion, and electromagnetic flow control. Studies and assessments of propulsion system technology on the performance of tactical scale undersea vehicles (torpedoes, targets, UUVs, and countermeasures). Micro electro magnetic system (MEMS) devices for energy conversion and micro-sensor and controller applications. High-strength, rare earth permanent magnet materials and fabrication processes. Studies and assessments of advanced torpedo, target, mobile mine, and UUV propulsion system production and life cycle costs. Novel high-power (10-50 hp) propulsion concepts for small diameter (< 12") UUVs. MATERIALS Engineered coatings. Cost engineering in composite manufacturing. High-strength,lightweight, low cost, corrosion resistant, metallic material. High-strength, lightweight, low-cost, flame-resistant, non-metallic materials. High-strength, rare earth permanent magnet materials and fabrication processes. Lightweight, nonferrous, shielding of electromagnetic energy. Multisignature materials (e.g., radar and infrared low observable materials). Acoustic signature reduction materials. See materials requirements listed in other technological areas. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE (CNS) RESEARCH AS APPLIED TO UNDERWATER SYSTEMS Applications to state-of-the-art underwater Fully Automated Systems Technology (FAST) involving: Automatic sonar detection, classification and/or localization of diverse acoustic sources. Autonomous guidance and control. Autonomous perception, data fusion, analysis and decision making. Adaptive reasoning. Applications from on-going research in: Biologically-based visual and auditory systems. Architectures involving autonomous agents. Improved computational models based on biologically accurate neurons. Sub-neuronal computations including microtubules. Network of network computing. Information transfer to/from human using multiple senses for input to human and multiple methods of human input to system (five senses for input; voice, feet, hands, eyes, etc. for input to system). HUMAN PERFORMANCE Develop computer-based intelligent displays that will accelerate training, enhance human performance and reduce clutter. Investigate the effects of information processing using a multimodal workstation. Investigate cost/benefit regarding training, performance and decision making using 3D vs. 2D display systems. Adaptation and responses of individuals and groups to living in stressful environmental conditions. Stressful environmental conditions include confined spaces; altered atmospheric composition; hypo- and hyperbaric exposures; changing work, diet, or exercise schedules; noise; light; vibration; temperature extremes; etc. Adaptations and responses include biochemical, metabolic, physiological, psychological, circadian, and physical and mental performance. Medical treatment, diagnosis, and modeling of decompression sickness following diving and sojourns to a hypobaric environment. SUBMARINE ACCIDENTS AND ESCAPE AND RESCUE Effects of inert gas narcosis, hypo- and hyperthermia, hypoxia, hyperoxia, hypercarbia, and atmospheric contaminants on crew physiology and performance. Development of a physiologically-based algorithm for guiding escape vs. rescue decisions based on a mathematical model of the interaction of the disabled submarine environment and the crew condition. Factors include internal and external submarine environment (temperature, pressure, atmosphere composition, flooding, location of supplies and equipment, etc.) and their effects on crew physiology and performance. Estimates of crew survival, mortality, and morbidity for various disabled submarine scenarios. Optimization of rescue and escape supplies and equipment. Medical requirements for treatment of survivors and supply logistics for various disabled submarine scenarios. Development and evaluation of rescue and survival equipment and procedures. Decompression sickness risk assessment and amelioration. (End Part 3 of 4) Posted 06/28/99 (W-SN347829). (0179)

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