Treatments for Crack Propagation in Metal Aircraft Parts
ID: AF242-D020Type: BOTH
Overview

Topic

Treatments for Crack Propagation in Metal Aircraft Parts

Agency

Department of DefenseN/A

Program

Type: SBIRPhase: BOTHYear: 2024
Timeline
  1. 1
    Release Apr 17, 2024 12:00 AM
  2. 2
    Open May 15, 2024 12:00 AM
  3. 3
    Next Submission Due Jun 12, 2024 12:00 AM
  4. 4
    Close Jun 12, 2024 12:00 AM
Description

The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the development of treatments for crack propagation in metal aircraft parts. The objective is to develop ground support equipment capable of performing in-place repair of structural components with stress-induced cracks without removing the component from the aircraft. The technology should extend the usable service life of aircraft parts while maintaining dimensional tolerances and mechanical properties. The desired characteristics of the technology include the ability to apply repairs in a loaded state, maintain the functionality of the treated part, minimize pre-repair part conditioning, and minimize repair time. The technology should be portable and suitable for use in space-constrained areas of the aircraft. The focus is on repair of aluminum alloys and steel, and the technology should not require line power exceeding common voltages. The project will have a Phase II, where awardees will develop and demonstrate a prototype system that meets the topic objective. The project has potential dual-use applications and resources are available for successful transition into Phase III. The solicitation is open until June 12, 2024. For more information, visit the solicitation link.

Files
No associated files provided.
Similar Opportunities
DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - Automated Functional Grading of Materials for Directed Energy Deposition Additive Manufacturing
Active
Department of Defense
The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the development of software for automated functional grading of materials in directed energy deposition additive manufacturing. This research topic aims to enable the production of complex, multi-material munitions with enhanced lethality. The software should allow for the creation of functionally graded materials (FGMs) by generating tool paths for multi-material grading in at least three directions. The software should be capable of accepting user inputted gradients for combinations of at least four metals simultaneously. In Phase I, a proof-of-concept software should be developed to print FGMs on a directed energy deposition additive manufacturing printer. The software should be able to accept user-generated gradients and demonstrate control over changing the mixing of metals. Materials characterization should be performed to verify the chemistry of the deposited gradient. In Phase II, the software should be expanded into a prototype capability, allowing for user-defined material grading using up to four metals simultaneously. Graded test coupons should be fabricated in multiple orientations, and a demonstration part containing a functionally graded material should be generated. Materials characterization should be performed for each coupon. The development of this software will greatly increase manufacturing capability and potentially help increase widespread adoption of directed energy deposition additive manufacturing technology. The military and civilian sectors, including manufacturing research, aerospace, mining, power, tool manufacturing, and medical applications, would benefit from this technology. The solicitation is open until March 31, 2025. For more information, visit the [solicitation link](https://www.sbir.gov/node/2651311).
DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - Laminated Metallic Armor
Active
Department of Defense
The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the topic of "Laminated Metallic Armor" as part of its SBIR program. The Army branch is specifically interested in innovative manufacturing technologies that can cost-effectively produce laminated/graded metallic armor plates and high strength structural components. The goal is to reduce weight while maintaining the same level of force protection. In Phase I, proposals are accepted with a budget of up to $250,000 for a 6-month period. The feasibility of laminated steel armor will be demonstrated through various tasks, including computational materials engineering, prototype production, characterization, and ballistic testing. The weldability and scalability of the armor system will also be assessed. In Phase II, the focus shifts to maturing the manufacturing process, improving ballistic performance, and exploring the use of advanced alloys and multiple materials. The goal is to develop a stable and well-controlled process for producing shaped components with layered metallic armor arrangements. In Phase III, potential dual-use applications are highlighted, such as the automotive sector, space exploration, banking, construction machinery, and police/security industries. These industries can benefit from the enhanced performance and impact resistance of laminated armor. The solicitation is currently open, and the application due date is March 31, 2025. More details can be found on the grants.gov website or the DOD SBIR/STTR Opportunities page.
DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - NAVSEA Open Topic for Sustainment and Obsolescence
Active
Department of Defense
The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the NAVSEA Open Topic for Sustainment and Obsolescence. The objective is to address Navy needs regarding sustainment and obsolescence. NAVSEA is looking for existing technology demonstration platforms, prototypes, and commercial products that can quickly and reliably get Navy assets back in the field. The focus areas for potential projects include material quality, AI/ML generated work instructions, additive manufacturing advancements, cold spray technology advancements, shipyard and maintenance operational logistics improvements, rapid manufacturing for urgent part obsolescence needs, and digital twins for system lifecycle sustainability and design evolution. The Phase I awards for this topic will have a period of performance of four months and a cost not to exceed $75,000. Phase I feasibility will describe the proposed technology, improvements to existing capabilities, and impacts to current logistics. Phase II will involve developing a functional prototype, a transition plan, and further commercialization. The Phase II effort will be specific to each project. The technology developed through this program will have dual-use applications and can be applied commercially. The solicitation is open until March 31, 2025. For more information, visit the [solicitation link](https://www.sbir.gov/node/2652283).
DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - Advanced Enabling High-Speed Technologies
Active
Department of Defense
The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the topic of "Advanced Enabling High-Speed Technologies" in their SBIR 24.4 Annual solicitation. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is specifically interested in technologies related to additive manufacturing techniques, materials, propulsion combined cycles, and hot structures. They are also looking for advancements in the understanding and characterization of novel fluid dynamics that enhance propulsion performance. The objective is to achieve coherence between a cooperating set of commodity devices, resulting in increased thrust to weight, fuel efficiencies, and propellant mass fractions. This solicitation is open for Phase II proposals only, and Phase I proposals will not be accepted or reviewed. Phase II will involve designing and evaluating enabling technologies at the system and subsystem level, as well as advancing modeling and simulation tools. Physical hardware proposals should include development, installation, integration, demonstration, and/or test and evaluation of the proposed prototype system. Software or advanced tool development proposals should have a development approach anchored in the physics of the problem and ways to validate the software against existing test data. The Phase II effort consists of a base period of 12 months and an option period of 12 months. Phase III of this project will focus on transition and commercialization of the developed technologies. The proposer is required to obtain funding from private sector or non-SBIR Government sources to develop the prototype software into a viable product or non-R&D service for sale in military or private sector markets. The technologies developed under this topic will have applications in both commercial and military sectors, including commercial transportation, high-speed delivery, and responsiveness to fluidic environments. For more information and to submit proposals, interested parties can visit the DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual topic page on the SBIR website (https://www.sbir.gov/node/2492697). The solicitation is currently open, and the application due date is March 31, 2025.
DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - NAVAIR Open Topic for Advanced Robotic Automation for Fleet Readiness Center Industrial Processes
Active
Department of Defense
The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the NAVAIR Open Topic for Advanced Robotic Automation for Fleet Readiness Center Industrial Processes. The objective of this solicitation is to advance the automation of industrial processes within Fleet Readiness Centers (FRCs) to enhance efficiency, quality, safety, pollution prevention, and productivity through the integration of advanced robotic technologies. The technology areas of interest include advanced robotic systems integration for aircraft maintenance and repair, human-robot collaboration and safety in aviation MRO, and emerging technologies for autonomous aviation maintenance. Phase I proposals must include a base and option period of performance, with a total cost not to exceed $75,000 for the base and $100,000 for the option. Phase II will focus on hardening, ruggedizing, and/or marinizing the technology for integration into an operational environment, with the outcome being a working prototype. Phase III will involve deploying advanced robotic automation solutions tailored to FRC industrial processes and providing logistics support. The solicitation is open until March 31, 2025. For more information, visit the [solicitation link](https://www.sbir.gov/node/2652281).