TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Information Systems, Electronics, Battlespace

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-202, Aircrew Systems

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 noise cancellation device (NCD) that could easily be mounted on top of the military radio�s microphone used by the Joint Terminal Attack Controller/Forward Air Controller (JTAC/FAC) personnel.

DESCRIPTION: The current JTAC/FAC radio does not have a noise cancellation mechanism that specifically targets noise due to artillery fire equipment on the battlefield. As a result, target location coordinate transmissions are usually overshadowed by unwanted noises, which make it difficult for the pilot to make sense of the information transmitted. This is an alarming situation because, when Close Air Support (CAS) is requested, the enemy is usually at a minimal distance from the troops. The pilot at that point requires accurate target location information in order to avoid accidentally hitting friendly force. Noise by definition is random, and current noise cancellation technology does a good job at cancelling it . But when it comes to well defined repetitive signal with known patterns (i.e. Gun shot), current noise cancellation technology fails to filter them out to leave only voice pass through. Those signals are perfectly good signals and are only considered noise because in a battlefield environment we would like to filter them out. In a different environment, they could be considered valuable information. Current noise cancellation technology is not capable of, in the presence of two well defined signals with known patterns, filtering out one signal (i.e. Gun shot), and allowing pass through of the second signal (i.e. voice). Current noise cancellation devices cancel all noise and do not have the capability to filter unwanted noise while allowing wanted noise to come through clearly. A NCD is required that will improve CAS effectiveness by filtering out noise resulting from artillery fire exchanged on the battlefield and transmitting only the JTAC/FAC�s voice. Surrounding environment noise will be left out of the transmitted information. This will decrease the probability of the pilot misinterpreting transmitted target location coordinates; increase the probability of correct target identification and destruction, and ultimately reduce the possibility of fratricide.

The NCD should be small enough to be mounted on top of the JTAC/FAC radio without adding extra weight. The NCD should be easy to mount, and not necessitate any additional upgrade to the existing JTAC/FAC radio. The NCD should also be easily removable, should be stand-alone, be self-powered, and have a state indicator light (ON/OFF). It should be compatible with the existing AN/PRC-117; AN/PRC-119, AN/PRC-5, AN/PRC-148, AN/PRC-152, ground radios used by the JTAC/FAC.

PHASE I: Determine the feasibility of designing an innovative NCD that can be mounted on top of the JTAC/FAC radio microphone capable of completely canceling unwanted noise, battlefield sounds, during communication between JTAC/FAC and the pilot. Proposed technologies and architectures should consider quality of material reliability, maintainability, susceptibility, survivability, size (5"H x 2"W x .77"D) and weight (<=1.5lbs) requirements.

PHASE II: Design, develop and demonstrate a prototype of the proposed NCD technologies and architectures. Integrate a developmental unit onto a JTAC/FAC radio. Demonstrate real-world operation of the system and its capability to improve CAS in a simulated battlefield environment.

PHASE III: Refine hardware and software solution to improve and optimize system performance. Upon successful system performance demonstration, start process of integrating system into battlefield environment and operations.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: The technology developed could be applicable to commercial radio transceivers, law enforcement radio transceivers, as well as commercial aircraft, particularly for helicopter and fleet radio transceivers. This technology would also be applicable to life-saving, Department of Homeland Security, and US Coast Guard helicopter radio units.

REFERENCES:
1. http://www.jfcom.mil/newslink/storyarchive/2007/pa072507.html.

2. Joint Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Close Air Support (CAS) Joint Publication 3-09.3.

KEYWORDS: Close Air Support; Noise Cancellation; JTAC; FAC; Artillery Fire; Fratricide

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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