N232-108 TITLE: Low-Cost Electronic Warfare Training Hardware
OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Integrated Network Systems-of-Systems;Sustainment
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 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 low-cost hardware to remotely manipulate command and control (C2) gear to mimic Electronic Warfare (EW) attacks during Marine Corps training and exercises, especially those conducted in home station.
DESCRIPTION: Infantry Marines at Battalion level and below do not have organic training capabilities for EW. A key problem is the availability and affordability of EW training equipment that can be used by the units or support organizations conducting training scenarios. These training scenarios need to include realistic EW effects but are prevented in many cases due to classification or restrictions involved with employing actual attacks.
A low-cost remotely controlled hardware device which can mimic different EW attack effects is desired. Devices should easily interface with operational equipment such as tactical radios, GPS, networking gear, and computers. The device shall be interoperable with, and not hinder, range control and other communication and position location identification (PLI) systems that link and integrate other safety networks. The device should be man-portable, or transportable by an unmanned system (e.g., ground) and be capable of supporting a 5-day training event within a mission duration of 8 hrs/day. External power and different levels of activity mode (e.g., active, sleep, etc.) may be used to address training timeframe. Ideally, the total system cost is below $1,500. Control of the device should be enabled via standard Internet Protocol (IP) network messaging (e.g., Transport Control Protocol / User Datagram Protocol) on a separate network (wired or wireless) from tactical gear and support machine to machine control from other systems. Documented control interfaces to allow third-party control, integration, and testing (e.g., software API) must be provided with prototypes. Specifically, the goal is to enable remote management of the device to allow scenario managers or adjuctors/referees the ability to simulate EW effects on the training unit. Examples of attacks to be mimicked include jamming, deceptive signal broadcast, and data injection. Candidate solutions may be based on low-power close-in electromagnetic emmisions or hardware-based signal attenuation (i.e., in-line software-controlled signal attenuation devices), however alternate strategies will also be considered. SBIR submissions should, at a minimum, have capabilities of affecting frequencies supported by AN/PRC117G, including VHF and UHF SATCOM. Candidate devices may be reconfigurable or include heterogeneous components to enable compatibility with alternate frequencies or waveforms. The overall expectation is that a number of prototypes would be used to create an affected area in which the training unit would experience synthetic EW effects realistic enough to enhance training.
PHASE I: Construct a single non-hardened prototype device to support at least one attack vector. Research and market analysis documentation generated by SBIR performers will be evaluated in partnership with transition office, ONR SBIR technical POCs, and training communities evaluate and prioritize attack vectors and methods during early technical development phase.
Prototype device will demonstrate ability to generate electromagnetic (EM) signals or EW capability that mimics realistic effects within training community objectives. For example, EM Signals will match characteristics of realistic operational equipment (i.e., signal waveform) at an acceptable emission power level that will allow training range or home station EW sensing training (Order of Magnitude emission power 1-50 Watts). Multi-waveform emission capability via Software Defined Radio or similar technology (e.g., FPGA) that demonstrates multi-role utility is preferred. Components of prototype and production process should reflect technical and manufacturing approach that will enable cost per unit objective (below $1,500), however, higher costs reflecting greater system capability or adaptability are also acceptable. Prototype will be able to operate on battery power enabling long-duration standby (but can be supplemented by shore power for extended use). Ideally, the system would be compatible with program of record USMC battery or standalone electricity systems (e.g., 2590 batteries or SPACES-II solar kit). Prototype kit should be man-portable (i.e., hand-carry), fitting into a common �briefcase sized� protective case (e.g., Pelican 1550 or similar).
PHASE I: Construct a single non-hardened prototype device to support at least one attack vector. Attack vectors include, but are not limited to, jamming, deceptive signal broadcast, and data injection. Research and market analysis documentation generated by SBIR performers will be evaluated in partnership with transition office, ONR SBIR technical POCs, and training communities evaluate and prioritize attack vectors and methods during early technical development phase.
Prototype device will demonstrate ability to generate electromagnetic (EM) signals or EW capability that mimics realistic effects within training community objectives. For example, EM Signals will match characteristics of realistic operational equipment (i.e., signal waveform) at an acceptable emission power level that will allow training range or home station EW sensing training (Order of Magnitude emission power should be greater than 1 Watt and no more than 50 Watts). Multi-waveform emission capability via Software Defined Radio or similar technology (e.g., FPGA) that demonstrates multi-role utility is preferred for low-power emmision devices. Components of prototype and production process should reflect technical and manufacturing approach that will enable cost per unit objective (below $1,500), however, higher costs reflecting greater system capability or adaptability are also acceptable. Prototype will be able to operate on battery power enabling long-duration standby (but can be supplemented by shore power for extended use). Ideally, the system would be compatible with program of record USMC battery or standalone electricity systems (e.g., 2590 batteries or SPACES-II solar kit). Prototype kit should be man-portable (i.e., hand-carry), fitting into a common �briefcase sized� protective case (e.g., Pelican 1550 or similar).
PHASE II: Construct training-ready (i.e., hardened) devices that support multiple EW attack or signal effect vectors.
Prototype will demonstrate downstream capability to network with program of record exercise control systems in distributed manner (i.e., multiple devices can be controlled at once), and provide sense/replay capabilities (if applicable) to be executed within training-relevant timelines (i.e., processing for replay fast enough to enable tactical mimic of signals). Prototype will be hardened physically and electromagnetically to meet acquisition-office deployment requirements (i.e., field-deployable with modest adjustments). Hardware will demonstrate ability to operate in the field within training-relevant timelines (hours-days+) in low-power mode to extend training time. Hardware will demonstrate ability to receive control messaging with existing exercise control (EXCON) systems via stakeholder selected IP-based messaging protocol to enable centralized control of many devices from a central EXCON station. Software controls enable dynamic control of signals to align with mobile training unit (i.e., emit power can be controlled to enable dynamic jamming effects, different frequencies for emission and waveform can be selected). Hardware configuration includes approvable sources electronics (i.e., no blacklisted hardware). Vendors will work with government identified program of records such as Marine Corps Live Virtual Constructive-Training Environment, Electromagnetic Warfare Ground Instrumented Range, and potential others.
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Establish at-scale manufacturing pipeline able to produce EW training hardware devices in limited runs. Demonstrate production equipment using approved components, software ATO, etc. Contracting method with the appropriate acquisition office established to enable purchase of standalone units (or block-purchases). LVC-TE program able to purchase equipment to field tied into selected next-generation range communication systems (e.g., 5G backhaul).
Outside of the DoD Marine Corps Infantry end user population, it is expected that the hardware developed under this SBIR topic can be used for testing or training by mimicking EM signals produced by civilian infrastructure. Potential end users that would be tested and trained include those working within commercial communications � e.g., first responders, cellular provider technicians, and others. Specific tasks may include equipment installation normally requires load-testing and interference testing during installation to characterize network performance envelope � this hardware can create realistic representation of single or multi-band users by generating signals within civilian frequency bands. Additionally, the device will be able to create temporary communications-degraded environments on channels used by civilian emergence or disaster-relief response teams. The device would be able to create a training environment simulating limited or loss communications emulating limited infrastructure expected under a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief scenario.
REFERENCES:
KEYWORDS: Training; Electronic Warfare; Marines
** TOPIC NOTICE ** |
The Navy Topic above is an "unofficial" copy from the Navy Topics in the DoD 23.2 SBIR BAA. Please see the official DoD Topic website at www.defensesbirsttr.mil/SBIR-STTR/Opportunities/#announcements for any updates. The DoD issued its Navy 23.2 SBIR Topics pre-release on April 19, 2023 which opens to receive proposals on May 17, 2023, and closes June 14, 2023 (12:00pm ET). Direct Contact with Topic Authors: During the pre-release period (April 19, 2023 through May 16, 2023) 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 May 17, 2023 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. SITIS Q&A System: After the pre-release period, until May 31, (at 12:00 PM ET), proposers may submit written questions through SITIS (SBIR/STTR Interactive Topic Information System) at www.dodsbirsttr.mil/topics-app/ by logging in and following instructions. In SITIS, the questioner and respondent remain anonymous but all questions and answers are posted for general viewing. 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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| 5/16/23 | Q. | Are chip level approaches that solve cost barriers to EW systems within the scope of this topic? |
| A. | Phase I candidates must provide a functional prototype that address the topic requirements (e.g. cost) and demonstrates at least one attack vector on one of the indicated waveforms. Chip-level approaches that will produce functional prototypes that conform to those requirements are within the scope of the topic. |