N254-C03 TITLE: Catapult Challenge: Modular Electronic Warfare Counter- Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) Payload
OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Integrated Sensing and Cyber; Microelectronics; Integrated Network Systems-of-Systems
OBJECTIVE: Develop a low Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) modular payload to deploy on an Unmanned Aircraft System/Unmanned Surface Vehicle (UAS/USV) platform to counter adversarial class I commercial Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) 5G Radio Frequency (RF) Command and Control (C2) links.
DESCRIPTION: The growing threat of adversarial Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) of various sizes and shapes to US Navy Vessels and operational areas has increased at an expeditious pace. The Navy has sought various methods to defend vessels against potential attacks and reconnaissance. However, with their advantages in ease of operation and low cost, the widespread availability of UASs and advances in technology continues to pose significant security threats to Navy vessels and operating areas. To defeat such threats, one effective Navy Counter-UAS technique is to employ electronic warfare to negate UAS threats and deny access to US Navy vessels and operating areas.
The Navy is seeking additional Phase II research and development on previous Phase I and Phase II efforts. The proposing small business concern must detail the status of previous SBIR/STTR efforts and how they can be further developed into technology for use.
The Navy is seeking additional modular payloads for counter UAS platforms. Potential capabilities could include, but are not limited to detection, identification, tracking, and defeat of class I commercial UASs. The Navy is also seeking to expand the capability to counter future commercial UAS platforms that utilize 5G cellular Frequency Range (FR) 2 & FR3 standalone C2 links.
The proposed solution should be a low SWaP modular electronic warfare payload for deployment on UAS and Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV) that can counter adversarial UAS to provide force protection capabilities. The payload should be compatible with the Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC based Government-owned Software Defined Radio (SDR) to utilize existing C-UAS electronic warfare functions. The Government-owned SDR is dual half duplex transceiver with a 3U form factor size, has a C5ISR Modular Open Suite of Standards (CMOSS) interface, and requires 38 Watts of power.
The vendor will integrate payload with SDR. It is anticipated that the payload will contain a single board computer, RF front end electronics, antennas, UAS/USV RF C2 link, SDR C2 link, housing, and power supply. RF Front end key parameters:
Payloads footprint must be no larger than 500 cubic inches and shall weigh no more than 10 lbs. Additionally, power consumption shall not exceed 100W. The payload should maximize the effective radiated power within these SWaP limits. The payload size is to be deployable on a UAS and USV platform in maritime environments.
The performer will be required are to demonstrate the C-UAS capability on an UAS platform as a modular payload and deploy a C-UAS RF capability for 5G cellular FR2 & FR3 standalone C2 links utilizing the Government furnished SDR, software, and techniques. The focus of the technology should be on developing a low SWaP modular payload that can be deployed on UAS/USV and is capable of countering small UAS and providing force protection capabilities. Performance parameters to bound the scope of research include the ability to demonstrate the C-UAS capability on an UAS platform, and a C-UAS RF capability for 5G cellular FR2 & FR3 standalone C2 links utilizing the Government furnished SDR, software, and techniques. Additionally, the performer should identify alternative UAS and USV platforms to rapidly integrate and deploy the C-UAS modular payload.
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 32 U.S.C. § 2004.20 et seq., National Industrial Security Program Executive Agent and Operating Manual, unless acceptable mitigating procedures can and have been implemented and approved by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) formerly Defense Security Service (DSS). The selected contractor must be able to acquire and maintain a secret level facility and Personnel Security Clearances. This will allow contractor personnel to perform on advanced phases of this project as set forth by DCSA 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 during the advanced phases of this contract IAW the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), which can be found at Title 32, Part 2004.20 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
PHASE I: The Government expects that the small business concern has developed a concept for a workable prototype or design to address, at a minimum, the basic requirements of the stated objective above in their previously funded SBIR/STTR phase I effort. The below actions would be required in order to satisfy the requirements of Phase I:
Proposals must demonstrate that the small business concern understands the current state of the art in digital and RF electronics and explain how the proposed approach will advance the state of the art.
Proposals must describe in detail the small business concern’s concept for electronic warfare payloads. The proposal should clearly explain the rationale for the selection of the proposed concept for next-generation autonomy and how it will satisfy the capabilities of this topic within the constraints stated in the Description section above. This rationale must be clearly supported by, for example, analysis, testing in simulation, and/or small scale-model testing.
PHASE II: Develop and deliver a prototype for evaluation as appropriate. The prototype will be evaluated to determine its capability in meeting the performance goals defined in the Phase II SOW and the Navy requirements for the counter UAS modular payload. Demonstrate performance with a detailed analysis, and live demonstration in a test environment as part of the evaluation. Provide detailed technical documentation of the design, including an interface control drawing and interface specification, to allow successful transition of the product. Prepare a Phase III development plan to transition the technology to Navy 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: Transition of this product includes C-UAS force protection rolls that require expanded coverage areas and that adapts to future threat requirements for critical expeditionary and afloat personnel and operations.
Dual use applications include C-UAS capabilities to support Federal law enforcement and National Special Security Events.
REFERENCES:
KEYWORDS: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle; Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle; Unmanned Aerial System; Uncrewed Aerial System; Modular; Networked; Software Defined Radio; Platform Integration; Force Protection; C2
** TOPIC NOTICE ** |
The Navy Topic above is an "unofficial" copy from the Navy Topics in the DoD 25.4 R1 SBIR BAA. Please see the official DoD Topic website at www.dodsbirsttr.mil/submissions/solicitation-documents/active-solicitations for any updates. The DoD/Navy issued its Navy 25.4 Release 1 Catapult Challenge pre-release on October 2, 2024 which opens to receive proposals on October 23, 2024, and closes November 20, 2024 (12:00pm ET). Direct Contact with Topic Authors: During the pre-release period (October 2, 2024 through October 22, 2024) proposing firms have an opportunity to directly contact the Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) to ask technical questions about the specific BAA topic. Once DoD begins accepting proposals on October 23, 2024 no further direct contact between proposers and topic authors is allowed unless the Topic Author is responding to a question submitted during the Pre-release period. Topics Search Engine: Visit the DoD Topic Search Tool at www.dodsbirsttr.mil/topics-app/ to find topics by keyword across all DoD Components participating in this BAA.
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| 11/4/24 | Q. |
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| 10/28/24 | Q. | In the” Description” section, it was stated: “The Navy is seeking additional modular payloads for counter UAS platforms. Potential capabilities could include, but are not limited to detection, identification, tracking, and defeat of class I commercial UASs.” However, most of the solicitation discussed a modular electronic warfare payload “ … to counter adversarial class I commercial Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) 5G Radio Frequency (RF) Command and Control (C2) links”. The electronic warfare module is only one of the effective ways to achieve the stated c-UAS objectives. Question: Does the solicitation also consider a kinetic payload that meets the SWaP (size, weight and power) requirements and is an effective counter UAS system? To what extent? |
| A. | This project is the integration of a government SDR to use software/techniques for EW capability on different platforms. | |
| 10/18/24 | Q. | |
| A. | The project is integration of a government SDR to use current software/techniques for EW capability on different platforms. Integration and effectiveness requirements for vision systems have not been defined for this project. |