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A -- UNDERSEA WEAPONS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SOL 00-016 DUE 061501 POC Mr. Ed Johnson ONR Code 333 E-mail: johnsoed@onr.navy.mil The Office of Naval Research (ONR), Code 333, is interested in receiving white papers for new Science & Technology (S&T) concepts supporting undersea weapons systems and unmanned undersea vehicles. Proposers of ongoing work are requested to submit a full proposal in accordance with the guidance in this BAA. This BAA addresses a broad spectrum of technologies related to undersea weapons as well as specific technologies supporting Future Naval Capabilities (FNC) in Littoral Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW), Platform Protection, and Autonomous Operations. The FNCs are a technology demonstration process to transition needed products into the acquisition cycle. The Littoral ASW FNC demonstrations include torpedo intelligent control, connectivity, broadband processing, and stealth homing. The Platform Protection FNC focuses on an advanced countermeasure and 6 " anti torpedo torpedo and related Detection, Classification, and Localization (DCL) demonstrations. The Autonomous Operations FNC requires technology developments in low rate propulsion and non-traditional navigation methods to demonstrate its objectives in maritime reconnaissance and undersea search and survey. White papers/proposals are requested for the following major functional areas: (A) Guidance and Control Guidance and control technologies or concepts applicable to undersea weapon target acquisition, homing and tactics are being sought. All funding will support the Littoral Antisubmarine Warfare Future Naval Capabilities (FNC). The program is divided into four tasks: (1) Broadband Processing, (2) Torpedo Intelligent Controller, (3) Platform/Weapon Connectivity and (4) Non traditional Homing. Topic areas of interest are: (1) automated broadband active signal processing techniques for target detection, classification and tracking in highly cluttered undersea environments using existing weapon sensors, (2) automated guidance and control concepts for improved search, detection and homing, (3) automated weapon-platform-sensor connectivity approaches to improve search, target detection and homing and to reduce platform vulnerability and (4) innovative non-acoustic concepts. Expected funding available in fiscal year 2001 for this area is in the range of $9.0 to $11.0 million for ongoing efforts and potential new starts. Technical point of contact is Mr. Les Jacobi, jacobil@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 unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs), exercise targets, and swimmer delivery vehicles, while high-rate vehicles encompass current and future torpedoes and very high-speed underwater weapons. In addition to the performance requirements given below, total life-cycle costs, environmental compliance, and safety will be important evaluation criteria for any proposed low-rate or high-rate power source system. Low-rate systems fall into two categories based on specific energy goals: (1) systems with specific energies of 400 Wh/kg or greater that are readily recharged or replenished and (2) systems with specific energies surpassing 800 Wh/kg. In the first category, the recharging or replenishment methods must be compatible with on-board host vessel operations. For the latter category, a single-use approach requiring off-board refurbishing is acceptable; however, innovative recharging or replenishment concepts are highly desirable for these ultra-high specific energy systems, as well. Energy conversion technologies might include, but are not limited to, rechargeable batteries, fuel cells, semi-fuel cells, metal-water primary batteries, Stirling engines, and micro-turbines. All low-rate systems must exhibit quiet operation, possess multiple restart capability, and demonstrate acceptable on-board turnaround times. High-rate power sources fall into two categories based on platform operation: (1) torpedoes and (2) very high-speed underwater weapons. 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 very high-speed weapons is focussed on metallic hydroreactive fuels, principally aluminum and aluminum alloys, combusted with seawater; however, new concepts will be considered. Expected funding available for this area in fiscal year 2001 is in the range of $3.3 to $4.0 million for ongoing efforts and potential new starts. Technical point of contact is Dr. Richard Carlin, (703) 696-5075, carlinr@onr.navy.mil (C) Torpedo Stealth The objective of the Torpedo Stealth project is to develop noise control technologies that support 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 in order to improve the sonar performance. These changes will result in improved weapon effectiveness and increases the probability of kill. Proposals for reducing the acoustic signature through the use of modeling and noise control techniques that can be practically implemented are being sought. Robust and affordable noise control technologies are of focus. 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 on-going ONR efforts in submarine silencing, is encouraged. The Torpedo Stealth project has two tasks: Noise Mechanisms & Modeling and Noise Control Technology, which deal with developing a physics-based radiated noise predictive capability and noise control approach. The Noise Mechanisms & Modeling 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 the power plant, propulsor, gearbox, motor, and pump as well as hydrodynamic noise due to exhaust, flow, and turbulent boundary layer. Based on the knowledge and understanding of these noise generation and radiation mechanisms noise models and a simulation capability must be developed. From a system perspective the outputs of the noise modeling and simulation should be used to target the dominant noise components and select the appropriate noise control approaches. The Noise Control Technology effort should incorporate approaches such as conventional passive control, hybrid active-passive control, fully active control, and innovative acoustic designs, i.e. energy reclamation and Integrated Motor Propulsor (IMP) concepts. Expected funding available for this area in fiscal year 2001 is in the range of $1.5 to $2.1 million for ongoing efforts and potential new starts. 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 computational tools and a simulation-based methodology to optimize undersea weapons system designs with respect to cost and performance requirements. Affordable S&T product development, acquisition, and support for future undersea weapons requires a software driven Simulation-Based Design (SBD) process that provides: 1) improved (reduced time and cost) product development, 2) efficient transition of technology to the end users, and 3) a good estimate of cost/benefit of new technologies to meet future war-fighting needs. This project will develop the 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 will establish a modeling and simulation environment that integrates the Navy's S&T with Engineering Development efforts in Undersea Weaponry. The goal of the project is to develop a system that can determine the design that gives optimal performance with a minimal Total Ownership Cost (TOC). The UWD&O project focuses on SBD system architecture and tool development. Design tools such as a virtual prototype design environment, Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO), and cost/performance analyses are of particular interest. Cost and performance trade-off studies 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, Computer Aided Design (CAD) systems, 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, forms the basis for the vehicle subsystems and creates a virtual prototype system design that can be used for performance, cost, and quality assessment. Expected funding available for this area in fiscal year 2001 is in the range of $1.2 to $1.7 million for ongoing efforts and potential new starts. 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 vehicle guidance, control, and maneuvering capabilities for quick reaction weapons. This effort could lead to the design of autonomous high-speed undersea weapons, a revolution in undersea warfare. High-speed weapons are expected to offer the Navy great tactical advantage for ASW close encounter scenarios. The new operational paradigm with emphasis on the littoral will require rapid weapon systems response at ranges close to the platform. 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 the homing sensor, signal processing, waveform design, and the auto pilot commands that are used to guide (either autonomously or with external interaction) the weapon to its target. Vehicle Control deals with the control and maneuvering of the high-speed weapon, with emphasis on stabilizing the supercavitating bubble cavity and optimizing the bubble shape for reduced drag. Some of the technical issues are: instability due to vehicle planing and tail slap, interaction between the cavity and propulsion exhaust, and propulsion system transient including startup. Test Bed Development is an ongoing effort that will develop a 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 2001 is in the range of $1.1 to $1.6 million for ongoing efforts and potential new starts. Technical point of contact is Dr. Kam Ng, ngk@onr.navy.mil (F) Torpedo Counterweapons/Countermeasures The objective of the torpedo defense program is to develop technologies that will increase the probability of survival for surface ship and submarine platforms against torpedo threats. Proposed technologies should focus on defeating high priority threats including wake homing torpedoes, acoustic homers, straight runners, high speed torpedoes, air dropped torpedoes, and salvoes of torpedoes. To be successful, approaches must have a high probably of defeating either general or specific threat weapons. The torpedo defense program has four focus areas for which proposals are solicited: (i) counterweapon technologies; (ii) terminal defense; (iii) countermeasures; and (iv) torpedo detection, classification, and localization. In the area of counterweapons, the major objective is to develop technologies for defeating complex weapon salvoes and counterweapon guidance and control in countermeasure rich environments. In the area of terminal defense we seek innovative concepts for defeating high speed weapons and close-in targets, as well as investigation of the vulnerability of high speed weapons. Operations in adverse environments and the speed of new threats will require rapid response at close ranges to the defended platform or connectivity to other elements of the Battle Group for early detection, classification and localization of the threat. In the area of countermeasures, proposals are sought for the next generation acoustic and non-acoustic countermeasures, including systems which can function adaptively in networked groups to more effectively defeat high priority threats. In the area of torpedo detection, classification, and localization, proposals for both acoustic and non-acoustic approaches will be considered. Acoustic approaches may include both active and passive processing, as well as data fusion, and area defense concepts. The long term goal is that technologies developed in the torpedo defense program ultimately be placed on board ship. Proposed technologies, should have minimum shipboard impact, allow automatic employment, and should require no organizational maintenance. Expected funding available for this area in fiscal year 2001 is in the range of $2.2 to $3.0 million for ongoing efforts and potential new starts. Technical point of contact is Dr. Teresa McMullen, mcmullt@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 for both offensive and defensive missions. Notwithstanding the focus on enhancements in performance for ASW missions, current Anti Surface Ship Warfare capability must not be compromised. These technologies may include novel warhead or explosive concepts and configurations. Expected funding available for this area in fiscal year 2001 is in the range of $4.0 to $5.0 million for ongoing efforts and potential new starts. Technical point of contact is Dr. Judah Goldwasser, goldwaj@onr.navy.mil (H) UUV Navigation Analysis has shown that the exploitation of the gravity field for navigational purposes can result in precise UUV geodetic positioning. The objective of this effort is to develop and demonstrate automated, real-time, covert non-traditional "geophysical" based navigation concepts for precise geodetic positioning in denied waters. Computationally light contour matching algorithms to accurately register and combine existing geophysical field data or make maps of unsurveyed regions are of interest. Also, accurate, and rapid interpolation methods are required. Expected funding available for this area in fiscal year 2001 is approximately $500K to $800K for ongoing efforts and potential new starts. Technical point of contact is Mr. Ed Johnson, johnsoed@onr.navy.mil White papers are initially sought to preclude unwarranted effort on the part of an offeror in preparing a full proposal except for those who are proposing continuing efforts. White papers/proposals are due by COB on 27 July 2000. 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 27 July 2000; however, white papers and/or proposals received after 27 July 2000 may not be considered for funding under the Fiscal Year 2001 program.. Submittals in response to this BAA are welcome until 15 June 2001. The Government reserves the right to select for award all, some, or none of the submissions. White papers should include the following items: 1.(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. 2.(B) White papers are to be limited to seven pages with font size no less than 12. 3.(C) White papers shall consist of three primary sections: Technical, Managerial, and Cost. 4.(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 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 be submitted. 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 27 July 2000. White papers will be evaluated using the following criteria that are listed in descending order of importance: (1) Overall scientific, technical, and socioeconomic merit (2) Understanding of undersea warfare and technical/scientific innovation and risk to develop affordable successful solutions to requirements (3) Potential for transition to higher category programs and/or fleet capability (4) Qualifications, capabilities and experience of the proposed Principle Technical Investigator, Project Manager, and other key personnel critical in achieving the proposed objectives (5) Budgetary cost and availability of funds. For those submitting proposals for continuing efforts, the following information is provided regarding format and evaluation criteria: The proposals shall be limited to a maximum of twenty pages per task, and will contain all of the information below within the twenty-page limit. Special emphasis should be given to the technical approach and progress. -Overall goal -System Applications/Payoff -Objectives -Progress -Technical approach -Current and outyear funding requirements -Milestones and deliverables -Transition strategy -Relationship to other programs -References -Applicable experience, qualifications, facilities Evaluations of proposals will be cond Posted 06/26/00 (W-SN468388). (0178)

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