TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Battlespace, Electronics, Sensors

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare System (PEO IWS) 1.0 � AEGIS Combat System

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with section 5.4.c.(8) of the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.

OBJECTIVE: Develop a software application that simulates the effects of wave clutter for the AEGIS Combat System (ACS) to enhance its design and validation of sensor detection and tracking in Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW) and Anti-Air Warfare (AAW).

DESCRIPTION: Due to ever-evolving threats across ASuW and AAW and the manner in which they are being deployed, a software application is needed that can instantaneously determine the clutter created by sea waves and its impact on detection and/or tracking operations to improve the overall performance of ACS. This software application is necessary to assess and identify improvements in the combat system design in order to mitigate the effects of wave clutter and improve performance against existing and future threats. ACS detection and tracking utilizes track quality to establish and maintain data on valid contacts in order to optimally resource sensors.� Environmental effects such as waves can cause intermittent and unpredictable false tracks that may affect track viability and management.� Modeling wave characteristics is challenging due to the complexity of characterizing waveforms and their interaction with other objects.� Experimental models do not accurately characterize or predict wave phenomena. They require significant processing time and hardware resources, and do not capture the fidelity required to function in test or operational environments.

A software application is needed to model wave clutter. This application will be used to assess wave clutter impacts on performance and situational awareness.� Additionally, in the test and certification environment, this model will be used to optimize sensor resourcing through the reduction or elimination of false tracks that can be caused by wave clutter and reduce subsequent costs associated with testing AEGIS baseline designs. The software should accurately model wave characteristics and their interactions with surface and air objects to create a dynamic mapping capability for ship operations.� The software output should simulate the clutter generated from wave effects on Radio Frequency (RF) and Infrared (IR) signature returns for the AEGIS Weapons System (AWS) sensors including the radars, illuminators, and missile seekers.� It should provide instantaneous results to inform ACS detection and tracking systems in both test and operational environments.� The software application will not negatively affect the speed of execution within the simulation and operations environments.� This software application will need to integrate with the Combat System Test Bed (CSTB) environment to facilitate more cost-effective testing and certification of the ACS by supplementing realistic modeling and simulation for live testing to validate system performance.� The software application will be required to run on LINUX-based hardware and seamlessly interface with all ACS elements to include sensors and radars, track managers, and weapons control systems. AEGIS Baseline 9 and 10 combat system configurations will be the primary focus for integration activities.

The Phase II effort will likely require secure access, and NAVSEA will process the DD254 to support the contractor for personnel and facility certification for secure access.� The Phase I effort will not require access to classified information.� If need be, data of the same level of complexity as secured data will be provided to support Phase I work.

Work produced in Phase II may become classified. Note: The prospective contractor(s) must be U.S. Owned and Operated with no Foreign Influence as defined by DOD 5220.22-M, National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual, unless acceptable mitigating procedures can and have been implemented and approved by the Defense Security Service (DSS). The selected contractor and/or subcontractor must be able to acquire and maintain a secret level facility and Personnel Security Clearances, in order to perform on advanced phases of this contract as set forth by DSS and NAVSEA in order to gain access to classified information pertaining to the national defense of the United States and its allies; this will be an inherent requirement. The selected company will be required to safeguard classified material IAW DoD 5220.22-M during the advance phases of this contract.

PHASE I: Develop a concept for a software application that simulates the effects of wave clutter and enhances design and validation of sensor detection and tracking in ASUW and AAW within the ACS.� The concept will support the test capabilities identified in the description.� Feasibility will be established by evaluation of the proposed software application to incorporate physics-based mathematical models representative of wave effects.� The Phase I Option, if awarded, will include the initial design specifications and capabilities description to build a prototype in Phase II. Develop a Phase II plan.

PHASE II: Based on the results of Phase I and the Phase II Statement of Work (SOW), design, develop, and deliver a prototype wave clutter software application that demonstrates the capability to model sea wave clutter in the CSTB, which represents the combat system test environment.� The sea wave clutter software application must be able to execute in the operational environment of the combat system as described in the description.� The software must be evaluated against Government-provided test scenarios. The demonstration will take place at a Government- or company-provided facility.� Provide software design descriptions (SDDs) and test plans/procedures to demonstrate the product meets the attributes described in the description. Prepare a Phase III development plan to transition the technology for Navy use and potential commercial use.

It is probable that the work under this effort will be classified under Phase II (see Description section for details).

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Support the Navy in system integration of the prototype software application for wave clutter to allow further experimentation and refinement.� The implementation will include incorporation into AEGIS baseline testing and modernization processes and demonstration that the prototype is fully functional. This will consist of integrating into a baseline definition, incorporation of the baselines existing and new threat capabilities, validation testing, and combat system certification. AEGIS Baseline 9 and 10 combat system configurations will be the primary focus for integration activities.

Commercial air traffic control operations could use a clutter reduction model to minimize effects of naturally occurring events or objects.

REFERENCES:

1. Roulette, J. and Skrivseth, K.� �Coherent Data Collection and Analysis Capability for the AN/SPS-48E Radar.� Johns Hopkins APL Technical Digest, Volume 18, Number 3, January 1997, Page 397.� http://www.jhuapl.edu/techdigest/TD/td1803/roul.pdf

2. Ocampo-Torres, F. and Robinson, I. �Wind Wave Directionality Effects on the Radar Imaging of Ocean Swell.� Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 95, No. Cll, November 15, 1990, Pages 20,347-20,362. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/252826930_Wind_wave_directionality_effects_on_the_radar_imaging_of_ocean_swell

3. Lewis, Edward V.� �Principles of Naval Architecture: Volume III Motions in Waves and Controllability 2nd Edition.�� Jersey City:� The Society of Naval Architects & Marine Engineers, Oct. 1988.

KEYWORDS: Simulates the Effects of Wave Clutter; Intermittent and Unpredictable False Tracks; Valid Radar Contacts; Track Management Systems for Targeting; AWS Optimally Resource Sensors; Track Viability and Management for Targeting.