Close Air Support for Troops in Contact
USSOCOM has announced interest in research and development of airborne systems in support of persistent airborne close air support (CAS) of ground troops in contact (TIC). The area of interest includes new ideas and innovative approaches to rapidly mature proven technologies to a production readiness state, as well as applications of existing COTS-NDI solutions that may be integrated onto an existing airframe. Considerations include speed to field, integration complexity, etc. Areas of Interest
The proposal should be focused on the CAS/TIC mission. Interest areas include, but are not limited to:
1. Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance
a. Day/Night and Active/Passive Sensor Capabilities
i. Optical
ii. Short wave infrared (SWIR)
iii. Mid wave infrared (MWIR)
iv. Long wave infrared (LWIR)
v. Near infrared (NIR)
vi. LIDAR/LADAR
vii. Other capabilities
b. All Weather Sensor Capabilities
i. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)/GMTI
ii. Communications
iii. Antennas
iv. Target Identification/Recognition
v. Signals Data Collection and Processing Systems
vi. Personnel Location and Identification
2. Airborne Strike & Fire Control Capabilities (Integrated & Stand Alone)
a. Target Identification/Recognition
b. Medium Caliber Guns and Ammunition
c. Large Caliber Guns and Ammunition
d. Precision Weapons
e. All Weather Engagement Capabilities
f. Moving Target Engagement Capabilities
g. Ballistics Characterization
h. Sensors which provide inputs to Improve Fire Control Accuracies
i. Radar Technologies (SAR/GMTI, Beacons, etc)
j. Wind Measurement Systems
k. LIDAR/LADAR
l. Weapons Effects Improvements
m. Lethal and Non-Lethal Weapons for Airborne Applications
n. Fire Direction Determination Technology
o. High Precision Motor Dynamic Control Systems
p. High Accuracy Inertial, Gyro, GPS Systems
3. Munitions Launch Systems
4. Battle Management
a. Sensor Correlation/Evaluation
b. Data/Sensor/Display Fusion
c. Data Link Capabilities
5. Air Vehicle Self Protection
a. Aircraft Armor/Ballistics Protection
b. Electronic Warfare Receiver and Jammer Systems
6. Air Launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
7. Air Launched Ground Sensors
8. Precision Airdrop Technology
9. Affordable Composite Materials for Airborne Applications
Funding
There is currently no funding set aside for awards made under this BAA. Should a topic be found of interest, funding shall be sought for that effort. ♦