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 2018, RRF selected, executed, and transitioned multiple low cost projects, including: • Miniature Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Radars for Real-Time Through-Obstacle Imaging: A miniature (less than 1 lb.) UWB radar capable of detecting stationary individuals behind walls. The resulting prototypes transitioned to U.S. Army Special Operations Command and the Army Research Laboratory. • Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC): A 350 watt (W) SOFC suitable as a drop-in replacement for the 245W SOFC currently used in an operational small unmanned aerial system. The prototype fuel cell will provide approximately 40 percent more power with better size, weight, and cost characteristics when compared to the current 245W SOFC. The prototype transitioned to U.S. Army Special Operations Command and U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations Command. • Electromagnetic Metamaterials: An electromagnetic meta-surface for operationally relevant objects. The meta-surface for the demonstration object was designed using electromagnetic modeling, simulation, and performance predictors and allowed the object to be compared to a control item to demonstrate the difference in performance characteristics. This technology transitioned to the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy PEO Unmanned Small Combatants. Additional details are classified. • Storm: A mid-body warhead capable of mechanically changing shape in terminal flight to direct all of the fragmentation toward the target. The prototyped warhead uses an airbag inflation system to propel warhead sections to the forward orientation, effectively directing all the fragments forward while bypassing the guidance material. This prototype transitioned to the U.S. Navy Precision Strike Weapon Office (PMA-201) and U.S. Special Operations Command. • Autonomous Sling Load Cargo Delivery: This prototyping project added a sling load capability to the government-owned Autonomous Aerial Cargo/Utility System architecture. This capability was first demonstrated with a Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal mission and then with a U.S. Marine Corps cargo transport demonstration. This prototype transitioned to the U.S. Navy’s PMA-266 for integration into the MQ-8C Firescout program of record. • Extending Communication beyond Line-of-Sight: This project integrated and demonstrated an unmanned parafoil system with an unmanned surface vessel to extend digital communications and sensor connectivity beyond current line-of-sight limitations. This prototype transitioned to the U.S. Navy. • Eminent Tower: This project leveraged advances in mobile cognitive radio frequency technologies to port existing electronic warfare capabilities from large fixed-site facilities to mobile systems. The Eminent Tower prototype transitioned to the Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare program. • Joint Advanced Video Activity Analytics (AVAA) Workflows: A capability for the rapid exploitation of video imagery. AVAA enables analysts to rapidly assemble automated analysis workflows using custom computer vision algorithms as building blocks. AVAA building blocks include automated video enhancement (stabilization, de-hazing, etc.), scene classification, automatic object identification, and object and anomaly tracking. The capability deployed as an operational prototype in the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility. • Solid State Pulsed X-Ray Generator: A prototyped compact solid-state pulsed X-ray generator for use by explosive ordnance disposal personnel. The prototype provides detailed images of the interior of IEDs while significantly improving accuracy and speed. The prototype transitioned to Joint Service Explosive Ordnance Disposal program. • Advanced Persistent Malware Threat Intrusion Protection Tool: A prototype computer network intrusion protection system to detect, quarantine, and report attacks on DoD and defense industrial base computer networks before the attack can take effect. This capability transitioned to a DoD Crime Center. • Spatially Selective Electronic Attack: A capability to target electronic warfare effects to a small geographical region, and reduce impact on neutral or partner forces. This prototype transitioned to a classified customer. • Facial Recognition at Extreme Distances (FRED): A suite of algorithms that leverages existing camera systems in the DoD inventory. FRED enables operators to perform non-cooperative surveillance with the ability to detect, track, and recognize persons of interest, and match them against the DoD watch list. This technology transitioned to Product Manager Force Protection Systems. • Single Sweep: Novel algorithms to process raw radar data from existing radars and identify unmanned aerial vehicles in real time. This prototype transitioned to the Navy’s Fleet Forces Command. • Automation for Strategic Target Deployability: This prototyping project enabled the automated and timely mapping of key infrastructure at scale using commercial imagery, and transitioned to a classified partner. Further details of this project are classified. • Aqueous Li-ion Batteries: An aqueous lithium ion (Li-ion) battery prototype that is flexible and inherently safe. The battery uses a water-in-salt polymer electrolyte with a wide electrochemical stability window, providing energy storage comparable to conventional organic-based Li-ion batteries with increased safety. The aqueous Li-ion battery prototype transitioned to U.S. Army Special Forces for follow-on development. • Vector GEO: An instantaneous line of bearing system for radio frequency signals from an airborne platform. The front end is a small six-axis electric (E-field) and magnetic (B-field) sensor that can provide geolocation within 100 meters from operational standoffs and altitudes. This prototype transitioned to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. • Russian Gray Maritime Networks: A prototype capability to identify and track agents and members (vessels, owners/operators, port facilities, cargoes) of the Russian gray maritime network that could be activated during hybrid or gray zone warfare in the Baltic. The prototype transitioned to Sealink Advanced Analysis office at the Naval Research Laboratory. • Concealable Flexible Buoyant Body Armor: A concealable and flexible body armor system using low-cost, commercial-off-the-shelf components that protects the warfighter from small arms rounds up to 7.62x51 mm rifle rounds (National Institute of Justice (NIJ) level III threats). The body armor incorporates ceramic spheres encapsulated in a lightweight polyurea foam, resulting in a lightweight solution with flexibility, neutral buoyancy, and a multi-hit capability. After a successful demonstration, the prototype transitioned to the Air Force for further maturation. • Remote Runway Clearing Lidar: A prototyped and demonstrated sensor for scanning potential unimproved runways for gradients, undulations, and obstructions using lidar mounted on a class 1 unmanned aerial system. The system transitioned to U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command. • Tamper Resistance: A standalone anti-tamper chip providing device authentication and encryption using physically unclonable functions. The resulting prototype is a physical security technology for microelectronics, which is highly resistive to reverse engineering. This effort transitioned to U.S. Naval Air Systems Command. • Multistatic Operationally Distributed Sonar System (MODSS): A modeling and simulation capability that uses already-available data to optimize the design of an active sonar system for harbor defense from underwater threats. The resulting prototype system transitioned to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command for field evaluation. • Ordnance Threat/Target Automated Recognition (OTTAR): Computer vision analytics that enable the explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) warfighter to quickly and accurately identify military ordnance during the reconnaissance phase of unexploded ordnance response missions. This capability was successfully demonstrated and transitioned to Joint Service EOD Program. • Soldier Borne Sensor – Autonomy in Complex Environments (SBS - ACE): Autonomy algorithms that enable a very small unmanned aerial system to autonomously avoid obstacles while flying through complex terrain. These government owned algorithms use onboard electro optical/infrared sensors to fit the platform agnostic, multiple fly-off model of the SBS program. After a successful demonstration, this project transitioned to Product Manager – Soldier Maneuver Sensors via integration with the SBS program. • Multispectral Augmented Visually Enhanced Reality Imaging Capability (MAVERIC): A light-weight, multispectral binocular system for long-range intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. The handheld system is built around the state-of-the-art Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Pixel Network for Dynamic Visualization and integrates augmented reality graphics into the display. MAVERIC interfaces with Android Tactical Assault Kits, enabling the user to transfer tactically relevant graphics while keeping eyes on the target. This capability transitioned to U.S. Special Operations Command Program Executive Office Special Operations Force Warrior. • Multi-Mission Hybrid MRZR-4: This project matured and validated the operational prototype of a Hybrid Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) MRZR-4. Early technology demonstrators were developed for fully electric and hybrid technology on a tactical ATV. This effort merged these two tech demonstrators into a final operational design on tactical MRZR-4 using commercial off the shelf parts. This project transitioned to United States Special Operations Command. • Autonomous Tactical Combat Casualty Care Under-Layer: A modular, sensor-infused garment to provide instantaneous notification of penetrating wounds to battlefield medics. The prototype transitioned to United States Special Operations Command. • SLING Blade: A low cost hybrid commercial Ka-band satellite terminal that is interchangeable among ground, maritime, and airborne vehicles with little to no adjustments. After a successful demonstration, the prototype transitioned to United States Special Operations Command. • Data Collection / Exfiltration Point for Sensitive Site Exploitation (SSE): This project developed algorithms and targeted integrations into SSE workflows to accelerate the collection, prioritization, and movement of extracted data. After a successful demonstration, this prototype transitioned to United States Special Operations Command’s Sensitive Site Exploitation office. • Mobile Power Meter (MPM): A non-intrusive palm-sized electrical load monitor that untrained soldiers can safely install on active power cables. The system is used for real-time power monitoring of multi-conductor cables in tactical microgrids. The prototype transitioned to Project Manager Expeditionary Energy & Sustainment Systems. • Prototype Model for Towed Glider Air Launch System (TGALS): A prototype design for a towed launch system to provide a low-cost, operationally responsive space launch alternative for small satellite payloads or hypersonic test vehicles. The design parameters transitioned to inform for further development addressing missions in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility. • High Performance Nano-Coating For Diesel Engines: A prototype coating for heat-exchangers in maritime diesel engines and land-based diesel generators. The nano-coating protects against bio-fouling build up and provides an immediate improvement in heat transfer, thereby increasing the engine’s efficiency and performance. The prototype was tested at sea on the Stiletto maritime demonstration platform before transitioning to the Navy’s PMS 443 Surface Ship Readiness and Sustainment Program. • Concurrent Engineering Interface Testbed Amphibious Combat Vehicle: This effort adapts a concept for concurrent engineering to demonstrate reduced cost and quicker development for complex military systems. The project developed algorithms and integrated models to enable rapid exploration of design trade space and identify potential problems with engineering design choices prior to committing development resources. The concept was tested on a joint-U.S. Marine Corps-Japanese amphibious combat vehicle design. • Malware Defense Applications: This project adapted a commercial endpoint solution as an on-demand malware classifier and evaluated performance on DoD systems. The project also experimented with an automated machine learning model-building solution for classifying events and malware metadata. The capabilities transitioned to the U.S. Navy. • Helios Airborne System: An advanced hyperspectral prototype imaging sensor on a Group 1 unmanned aircraft system (UAS) with sensor outputs integrated into the Android Tactical Assault Kit environment. After demonstrating in a relevant environment the sensor transitioned to Naval Special Warfare Development Group. • Digital Data Linkage Tool Phase 2: A prototype that enables an analyst exploiting a digital device to identify other devices associated with the same user, by identifying common access to cloud-based services. This capability transitioned to the National Media Exploitation Center and DoD forensics components. • Miniature Ultra Wideband (UWB) Radio: A miniature ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna capable of operating from 100 MHz to 50 GHz. The extended frequency range provided by this front-end allows multiple radios to be replaced by a single software defined radio. This prototype transitioned to U.S. Army Special Operations Command. • Special Operations Forces (SOF) Combat Diver Communications: A suite of optical and acoustic communications systems that enable high-bandwidth communications for submerged combat divers. This prototype transitioned to U.S. Special Operations Command Program Executive Office Maritime. • Fuel & Coupler for Hard and Deeply Buried Targets: This experimentation demonstrated the suitability of fueling Special Operations Forces operators with a ketone ester, beta hydroxybutyrate, for prolonged mission-critical activities involving hard and deeply buried targets while in full mission oriented protective posture gear. The prototype transitioned to U.S. Special Operations Command. • Magnetic Navigation: A prototype magnetic navigation system that leverages machine learning calibration algorithms to remove interference from an aircraft or missile’s major subsystems in real time. The resulting ‘clean’ platform allows for GPS-denied navigation using magnetometers. After a successful demonstration, the prototype transitioned to the Air Force munitions directorate.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2020
- Source ID
- 4f045ad0e4004f8c4c60e11a04d8ba06