TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Information Systems, Sensors, Battlespace, Human Systems

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PEO-A (PMA-299 MH-60R/S); Software/Explanatory Development

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals, their country of origin, and what tasks each would accomplish in the statement of work in accordance with section 3.5.b.(7) of the solicitation.

OBJECTIVE: Develop a near real-time novel algorithm to compute the maximum altitude (Above Ground Level � AGL) throughout an entire flight corridor in which an air vehicle is out-of-sight from all dynamic threats and provide for safe air vehicle rerouting in order to avoid applicable threats within the operational Area of Interest (AOI).

DESCRIPTION: Our military�s air superiority, especially in Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) operations, are threatened from various ground threats including Surface to Air Missiles (SAMs). Current state-of-the-art methods used to compute maximum safe altitudes for military aircraft are based on computationally intensive 3D terrain-masking calculations or intervisibility calculations and are run on large ground-based mission planning computer systems in non-real-time and on static intelligence data of the threat. Due to the computational demands of these algorithms, these methods are not capable of providing maximum safe altitude solutions in near real time to an aircraft in flight, especially using aircraft computer processing capability. If the threat changes during the operation, the aircraft is then exposed to the emerging threat with no way of re-computing a safe fly altitude or direction of flight in sufficient time to react to the threat. The development of a novel algorithm or methodology is sought that can compute safe fly altitudes in near real-time. This safe fly altitude solution can then be fed to a real-time aircraft re-routing tool to provide a safe corridor and haven away from the pop-up threat. This will greatly enhance the survivability and successful completion of CSAR operations. This ability needs to account for the radar and infrared signature of the air vehicle platform and be capable of running on current on board mission computers systems.

PHASE I: Design, develop and demonstrate a prototype for providing near real time safe fly altitude calculations for an Order of Battle (OOB) in response to a new or changed threat. The prototype will take into account air vehicle radar and IR signatures and provide in near real time no-fly areas and recommended safe fly areas based on specific SAM emitters encountered. The capability will be compatible with the Nation Geospatial Intelligence Agency�s (NGA�s) Digital Terrain Elevation Data (DTED), NGA�s cultural / feature and vertical obstruction data, and the OOB.

PHASE II: The feasibility prototype will be incorporated in a laboratory version of the MH-60 R/S mission computer and ran against simulated threats. It must demonstrate the above-mentioned objectives and performance criterion. The prototype should demonstrate a change in the AOI data set when the OOB changes and provide a calculated new data set to represent near real-time mission re-routing / re-planning and situational awareness.

PHASE III: Transition to the MH-60 R/S for mission planning and in-flight re-routing/re-planning.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL: This type of technology can be used to enhance the mission planning and surveillance systems of the U.S. Customs and Border patrol.

REFERENCES:
1. Gossett, J and Corman, Dr. D., (October 2001). WSOA � Weapon Systems Open Architecture � An Innovative Technology Framework for Time Critical Target Operations Retrieved from http://www.dodccrp.org/events/2001/6th_ICCRTS/Cd/Tracks/Papers/Track5/052_tr5.pdf

2. Cohen, H., Cook-Anderson, G., Buis, A. (August 2004). Refined Topographic Data Now Available for Large Areas of the World Retrieved from http://www.fas.org/sgp/news/2004/08/nga082704.pdf

3. Moitra, A., Mattheyses, R., DiDomizio, V., Hoebel, L., Szczerba, R., Yamron, B. (July 2003). Multi-vehicle Reconnaissance Route and Sensor Planning. IEEE Transactions on Aerospace and Electronics Systems Vol. 39, No. 3 http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/iel5/7/27785/01238737.pdf

KEYWORDS: Situational Awareness; Mission Planning; Safe Air Vehicle Rerouting; Reconnaissance; DTED; Navigation Systems

TPOC: (301)342-0408
2nd TPOC: (301)342-0109

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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