Low Cost Innovative Projects (Projects less than one million dollars each)
Abstract
Typical Rapid Reaction Fund (RRF) projects are completed with a single year of funding and at a cost less than $1.000 million to deliver conceptual prototypes for evaluation or assessment by warfighters and interagency users. In FY 2020, RRF selected, executed, and transitioned multiple low cost projects, including: • Millimeter-Wave Signal Processor (MMWSP): This project developed a microwave subsystem comprising a high-performance integrated circuit (IC) and associated control electronics to enhance traditional radio frequency (RF) front ends. This project successfully transitioned to the U.S. Navy. • High Performance Solid Rocket Propellant: This project developed a novel, aluminum-lithium alloy to be evaluated as a fuel in solid rocket propellant. This new ingredient could increase munition performance, and removes a dangerous emission common in alternative formulations. This project was transitioned to the U.S. Army. • SATURN Waveform: An enhanced waveform for use in SATURN transceivers. This technology supports effective Fully Networked Command, Control, and Communications (FNC3) channels in heavily-contested environments. This project was transitioned to the U.S. Air Force. • Magnetic Navigation: This project developed and tested an innovative navigation capability for GPS-denied environments. This capability successfully transitioned to the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy. • Smart Sensor: An autonomous sensor platform that significantly accelerates object identification, target recognition, and placement of effects on target. This capability transitioned to the U.S. Air Force. • Canine Head Mounted Display: A prototype head-mounted display (HMD) for military working dogs that allows the canine handler to maintain greater stand-off from hazardous situations. This project successfully transitioned to USSOCOM for further development. • Advanced Security Tag: A novel capability to mark, scan, and catalog military components that will be used to track and control inventories while eliminating or mitigating the risks associated with parts tracking, quality control, and security management within maintenance and operational chains. This project successfully transitioned to the U.S. Navy. • Vector Sensor: A novel line of bearing system for radio frequency signals from an airborne platform. The sensor enables enhanced geolocation from operational standoffs and altitudes. This prototype transitioned to the U.S. Army. • Lightweight Transparent Armor: Developed a cost-effective, lightweight, ballistic armor to counter and protect against small arms calibers. This program successfully transitioned to the U.S. Army. • Weapon System Virtual Reality (VR): Developed a virtual reality training program for pilots that uses machine learning to analyze performance, identify trends, and adjust curriculum to optimize performance. The system is focused on building pilot proficiency when simulators or instructors are not available. This program successfully transitioned to the U.S. Air Force. • High Performance Propulsion System for Picosatellites: A novel, low-cost nanoscale electrospray propulsion system that provides high thrust density of small satellites. The prototype technology transitioned to multiple U.S. Government agencies. • Smart Probe: Developed tools and software for executing a novel approach to protocol modeling and analysis that will revolutionize how the DoD recognizes vulnerabilities and takes corrective countermeasures. This project successfully transitioned to the U.S. Navy. • Swift QUiet Airfield Assessment Device (SQUAAD): SQUAAD developed a novel prototype to assess the suitability of airfields for aircraft operations. The project transitioned to the U.S. Air Force. • BANSHEE: A solution for analyzing document data streams using a suite of machine learning algorithms and interactive visualizations to provide fast and optimized document triage and understanding for the novice user. This project successfully transitioned to DoD end users. • Red Claw: Developed and demonstrated the capability to detect, classify, locate, and track signals of interest. The capability transitioned to the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, and USSOCOM. • Single Tag: Developed and demonstrated a data-triage tool that uses data-processing algorithms to rapidly clean, sort, and label data. This technology is currently in use by DoD analysts. • Enhanced Low Resource Language Identification: Developed novel tools and algorithms to identify low-resource/low-density languages in austere environments. This technology successfully transitioned to DoD agencies in support of the United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM). • Jaded Unicorn: Developed and demonstrated an innovative electronic-warfare capability, easily deployable on existing platforms, to address modern challenges. The capability successfully transitioned to the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force. • Mid-wave infrared (MWIR) fiber laser: A novel fiber laser design demonstrating a 10x increase in optical power compared to the current state of art. Prototype successfully transitioned to the U.S. Navy for further development.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2022
- Source ID
- 0f5898087b6b65d5db0df52d6c1bd856