Low Cost Innovative Projects (Projects less than $1.000 million dollars per phase)
Abstract
Investing in high risk/high reward concepts, QRSP projects are typically phased with clear developmental milestones. This approach enables QRSP to rapidly mature innovative technologies; quickly identifying technological dead ends and prioritizing investment in projects demonstrating results. Individual projects generally span twelve to twenty-four months and at a cost of less than $1.000 million per phase. In FY 2021, QRSP selected, executed, and transitioned multiple low cost projects, including: • Compact Micro-Electromechanical Systems (MEMS) LiDAR: This project developed and demonstrated a low-size, weight, and power (SWaP), MEMS LiDAR prototype to provide enhanced battlefield situational awareness for autonomous systems. The prototype transitioned to the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). • Next Generation Imagers: This project prototyped a novel charge-coupled-device imager providing enhanced spectral and interface performance for surveillance applications. Development of the prototype capability will continue in FY 2022 with final transition to the U.S. Space Force and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. • 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 transitioned to the U.S. Army. • Jaded Unicorn: This project 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. • SATURN Waveform: This project developed and demonstrated prototype waveforms for Second-generation Anti-jam Tactical Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Radio for NATO (SATURN) transceivers, used by the DoD and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Partners. The waveforms offer increased anti-jam performance in contested environments, for effective Fully Networked Command, Control and Communication (FNC3). Development of the prototype capability will continue in FY 2022 with final transition to the Services through the U.S. Air Force. • Arcadia: This project is developing and demonstrating a prototype, low-SWaP, radio-frequency (RF) transceiver, leveraging a Modular Open System Approach (MOSA) architecture. Development of the prototype capability will continue in FY 2022 with final transition to the U.S. Air Force. • CAROUSEL: This project performed rapid analysis, modeling, and simulation to identify opportunities to optimize DoD multi-domain targeting systems. The results transitioned to the Services and Combatant Commands (CCMDs) to inform future development. • Global IoT Data Exploitation on the Network (GIDEON): This project developed and demonstrated a prototype for discovery, classification, and analysis of Internet of Things (IoT) devices to enhance warfighter situational awareness. The prototype transitioned to the U.S. Army. • Advanced Electronic Warfare (EW): This project developed a cohesive end-to-end EW technology designed to attack priority threat systems. The prototype transitioned to the U.S. Navy. • Intelligent Power Distribution System: This project prototyped an intelligent power distribution unit leveraging AI/ML to reduce power grid failures. This project transitioned to the U.S. Army. • Vulnerability Analysis and Testing Tools: This project developed a software toolset that allows the warfighter to rapidly identify cyber vulnerabilities. The project transitioned to the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marines Corps. • Advanced Off-board Payload: This project developed and successfully demonstrated an advanced payload prototype for use in off-board expendables. This prototype transitioned to the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy. • Autonomous Dynamic Control for Improved Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ADCII): This project developed and demonstrated new sensing and target verification techniques for applications at the tactical-edge. This project transitioned to the Joint AI Intelligence Center (JAIC) Smart Sensor Program. • Bullseye: This project developed and demonstrated novel web-based tools to significantly reduce the targeting time line. Development of the prototype capability will continue in FY 2022 with final transition to the U.S. Air Force and joint partners. • Tactical Identification System: This project developed and demonstrated a compact, cellular phone or ATAK chassis compatible Raman spectrometer that rapidly identifies unknown chemical substances. The prototype transitioned to the U. S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). • Interpretable Machine Learning for Adversarial Attack Detection and Mitigation: This project developed autonomy algorithms to enhance operator decision making when mitigating cyber-attacks. Development of the capability will continue in FY 2022 with final transition to the U.S. Navy. • Non-Traditional Sensors: This project developed a novel method to leverage payloads as non-traditional sensors. This project transitioned to the U.S. Navy. • Over the Firewall Horizon Cyber Defense: This project developed a novel cyber sensing and analysis capability to detect malicious cyber activity in advance of an actual attack. This capability transitioned to DoD and interagency partners. • 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. • Advanced Security Tag: This project is 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. • Weapon System Virtual Reality (VR): This project executed risk reduction activities on new low-cost standalone VR headsets and cloud-based computing to inform the development of virtual training for pilots and aircrew. This capability will optimize flight training, and reduce flight hours and full-scale simulator training time. The project transitioned to the U.S. Air Force. • High Performance Propulsion System for Picosatellites: This project prototyped an innovative, low-cost nanoscale electrospray propulsion system that provides high thrust density for small satellites. Development of the prototype capability will continue in FY 2022 with final transition to multiple U.S. Government agencies. • Smart Probe: This project developed new tools and software for executing a novel approach to protocol modeling and analysis. This project successfully transitioned to the U.S. Navy and interagency partners. • Red Claw: This project 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. • Enhanced Low Resource Language Identification: This project 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 U.S. Africa Command.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2023
- Source ID
- 824ba6400806e4e666d1f0fd309a3873