The Department of Defense, through the Special Operations Command (SOCOM), is seeking innovative solutions under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program for the Visual Augmentation Systems (VAS) Open Topic. The primary objective is to develop technologies that enhance user vision through various electromagnetic spectrums, including visible and infrared ranges, with applications for helmet-mounted, weapon-mounted, and handheld devices. This initiative is crucial for improving operational effectiveness and lethality in military environments, particularly during low-light conditions. Interested parties should prepare to submit proposals by July 23, 2025, following a feasibility study phase, with further details available on the official SBIR website.

## Description

PROGRAM OFFICE: PEO SOF Warrior, PM SOF Lethality, Visual Augmentation Systems&nbsp;The technology areas of interest to PEO SOF Warrior, PM SOF Lethality are those that augment the vision of the user, known broadly as Visual Augmentation Systems (VAS). Technologies should be those that can be incorporated into a packaged size and weight fit for helmet-mounted (~8-24 oz), weapon-mounted (~8-48 oz), or handheld (~24-88 oz) form factors. The VAS program office is interested in technologies associated with the following electromagnetic spectrums: visible, near infrared (NIR), short-wave infrared (SWIR), mid-wave infrared (MWIR), and long-wave infrared (LWIR).<ol><li>Novel sensor and imaging technologies.</li><li>Image signal processing software to improve performance of commercial sensors including but not limited to lower noise, higher dynamic range, super resolution, and lower perceived latency. Power-efficient hardware enabling this image signal processing while reducing latency is of equal interest.</li><li>Novel, low-light, reflective band sensor technologies.</li><li>Novel emissive band sensor technologies.</li><li>Single-sensor technologies for imaging in both reflective and emissive bands.</li><li>Low-cost SWIR sensor technologies.</li><li>Passive range measurement technologies.</li><li>Passive (without emitting laser energy) fire control and augmented aim point display.</li><li>Novel display technologies to reduce size and weight of VAS devices.</li><li>Medium Range and Long Range VAS for weapon-mounted applications to increase lethality at night. There is interest in single sensor, multi-sensor, fused, or image intensified solutions.</li><li>Displays suitable for providing digital information to users wearing analog night vision goggles. There is interest in both external displays as well as displays capable of being incorporated into the housing of the night vision goggle in-line with the image intensifier.</li><li>Modular night vision goggle concepts to decrease weight while also:<ul><li>increasing field of view, increasing effective depth of field, increasing situational awareness, incorporating digital displays, expanding wavelength bands beyond traditional image intensifier tubes</li></ul></li><li>Low size, weight, power, and cost electronics to fuse multiple digital sensor streams &amp; display them to the user with minimal latency.</li><li>Integration of digital solutions to enhance analog imaging systems.</li><li>Small form factor, low-cost SWIR cameras for detection of common laser rangefinders and laser markers and designators.</li><li>Handheld multi-sensor imaging and multi-domain sensing of the user’s environment with a focus on increasing lethality.</li><li>Laser detection/warning technologies</li><li>Optical Augmentation Detection/Defeat/Enable devices</li><li>Low-cost coolers for MWIR sensors</li><li>Event-based sensors and concepts of operation</li><li>Broadband enhancements to image intensifier tubes</li><li>Low-cost, ruggedized, open-standard cables to connect weapon mounted &amp; body-worn equipment on the SOCOM operator</li><li>Novel optical designs to reduce size, weight, and cost without compromising performance</li></ol>

## Objective

The objective of this SBIR Open Topic is to develop applied research toward an innovative capability within USSOCOM Program Offices. The following are the Program Offices and their areas of interest.

## Phase I

Conduct a feasibility study to assess what is in the art of the possible that satisfies the requirements specified in the above paragraphs entitled &ldquo;Objective&rdquo; and &ldquo;Description.&rdquo; The objective of this USSOCOM Phase I SBIR effort is to conduct and document the results of a thorough feasibility study (&ldquo;Technology Readiness Level 3&rdquo;) to investigate what is in the art of the possible within the given trade space that will satisfy a needed technology. The feasibility study should investigate all options that meet or exceed the minimum performance parameters specified in this write up. It should address the risks and potential payoffs of the innovative technology options that are investigated and recommend the option that best achieves the objective of this technology pursuit. The funds obligated on the resulting Phase I SBIR contracts are to be used for the sole purpose of conducting a thorough feasibility study using scientific experiments and laboratory studies as necessary. Operational prototypes will not be developed with USSOCOM SBIR funds during Phase I feasibility studies. Operational prototypes developed with other than SBIR funds that are provided at the end of Phase I feasibility studies will not be considered in deciding what firm(s) will be selected for Phase II.A phase II proposal is expected at the conclusion of the Phase I effort. 

## Phase II

Develop, install, and demonstrate a prototype system determined to be the most feasible solution during the Phase I feasibility study. 

## Phase III: Dual Use Applications

This system could be used in a broad range of military and commercial applications.

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