Mission Enhancements
AFRL IS LOOKING FOR FUTURE CAPABILITIES TO IMPROVE THE TACTICAL CAPABILITIES OF BATTLEFIELD AIRMEN AND SECURITY FORCES.
The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Munition Directorate (AFRL/MN) has been tasked under the Battlefield Air Operations (BAO) Kit program for the rapid improvement of warfighting capability. The improvements are for the benefit of warfighters including, but not limited to, the air combat controllers and tactical air control party (TAC-P) personnel. This is has been deemed a matter of highest priority.
The battlefield airman (BA) concept was initiated to transform the combat controllers, TAC-P, pararescue and tactical weather troops into a single fighting force using common equipment, tactics and training procedures. It has recently been adapted as a transformation process across the AF.
As part of the fulfillment of this task, AFRL/MN has issued a broad agency announcement (BAA). For purposes of the BAA, AFRL/MN intends to contract with educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and private industry for research in tactical capabilities for battlefield airman and security forces (SF). Research is defined to be scientific study and experimentation directed at developing technologies, components and quick reactive capabilities (QRC).
The BA concept was expanded to include the Air Force security forces personnel. Transformation of the SF personnel into combatcoded troops will eventually reduce critical manpower issues and costs associated with the air expeditionary force concept. It will involve common equipment, interfaces and training procedures throughout the Air Force.
This work includes, but is not limited to, tactical level command, control, communications, computers, intelligence and reconnaissance (C4ISR), threat intercept, and force application capabilities for battlefield airmen and security forces. Potential areas of interest include tactical level targeting applications such as wireless network applications, line-of-sight and beyond-lineof- sight communication links, remote sensing, remote switching, target tagging, tactical command and control of ground forces, small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and general improvements in situational awareness, targeting, force protection/fractricide prevention and damage assessment.
WIRELESS NETWORKS
The goal of this work is to perform wireless network research in the areas of self-forming, self-healing wireless networks for tactical level C4ISR, threat intercept, and threat intercept/interdiction applications. Hardware and software solutions should include-inter and intra-team communications for targeting and situational awareness tasks. The objective is to design, develop and integrate commercial and military components, systems and applications to form wireless network systems or sets of systems that take tactical data and information and link them to C4ISR architectures for all types of targeting.
These networks move sensor, positional and other tactical data from the soldier in the field to multiple levels of command and control. Time critical targeting information generated by the soldier in the field needs to be integrated into the global grid for a common operating picture and joint operations. Network development also needs to provide for an inter-team, situational awareness capability that allows personnel to communicate information at all levels (voice, text, video, etc.). This effort is focused on SOF, but also includes security forces, battlefield airman and other government related
applications.
Other areas of interest include: low frequency/high bandwidth communications, data and information fusion techniques, concept of operations analysis, mission planning and training procedures. This may require combinations of centralized data fusion with decentralized communication networks.
GROUND MOBILE GATEWAYS
The goal of this work is to perform communication reachback research in the areas of: tactical communications between forwardly deployed, remotely accessible, or rapidly deployed personnel and various levels of command and control and tactical forces. The objective is to develop mobile reachback systems for SOF, security forces and battlefield airman troops that bridge communications between tactical operations at a variety of local, base and joint level command and control.
These networks will use a variety of existing networks (satellites, radios, data links, cell phones, etc) and develop the necessary hardware and software to build mobile reachback systems. The architecture of this communication gateway is expected to be open and flexible across a very broad spectrum of frequencies and operational situations. The systems may require the passing and fusing of real-time targeting data and situational awareness information.
REMOTE SENSING
The goal of this work is to perform remote sensing research in the areas of: robotic control and systems, small/lightweight tactical cameras and sensors, integration of sensor information into dedicated and distributed network systems, operational placement of remote sensors, remote data storage, switching, reporting and unmanned systems for tactical level C4ISR.
The development of these applications also includes the integration of small unmanned systems to deploy remote sensors and collect tactical level information. The objective is to bring a systems- level approach to development of remote sensing and not just to the sensors themselves. In the case of small or micro-systems, size, weight, endurance, etc. are all trade-off variables that must be approached via a systems integration perspective.
This effort is particularly interested in developing the remote sensors along with their methods of deployment, sustainment and data extraction for SOF, security forces, battlefield airman and other government-related organizations. This effort may require individual component level (hardware or software) development as well as entire network level planning, development and integration for remote sensing.
TACTICAL ELECTRIC ENERGY
The goal of this work is to perform component and vehicle research in the areas of: advanced battery development, power management, and integrated vehicle design and body armor.
The objective is to develop highly mobile, quiet, lightweight, electrical vehicles for SOF, security forces and battlefield airman personnel. This work also includes the analysis, design and assessment of electrical power systems for their use at deployed or remote locations. The capability of deploying and moving electrical power on the battlefield is mission-essential.
This research on mobile, electrical power should also be considered for use with other government agencies and organizations. The efforts described may require individual component-level development as well as fabrication to develop a mobile power capability.
MICRO-TAGGING
The goal of this work is to perform tagging, tracking and locating (TTL) research in the area of micro-tagging.
The objective is to develop micro-miniature TTL technology that can be used in remote detection, switching and reporting, equipment monitoring and tracking, and target tracking and positioning. A broad spectrum of frequencies from acoustic through even visible light is to be considered for this effort. This work also includes analysis, design, hardware and software fabrication, and assessment of micro-tags as well as the systems and networks to collect the micro-tagging information.
The research extends to tactical targeting, logistical support, and detection and warning systems. Dual use considerations with other government organizations and agencies should also be considered. The efforts may require individual component level development.
SMALL UAS TESTBED FACILITY
The goal of this work is to perform small and micro unmanned air systems (UAS) research in the area of: payload development and flight testing, CONOPS development, off-board sensor and weapons integration, advanced flight controls, multiple UAS flight operations, and collision and avoidance systems development.
The objective is to establish long-term reductions in safety of flight, range and airspace issues for UASs, while simultaneously improving payload, communication and flight control systems. This work also includes mission planning techniques, training issues, data reduction and processing, and improvements in overall air vehicle performance capabilities for UASs currently or potentially used by SOF and security forces. The efforts may require individual component level development. ♦