Plasma Assisted Combustion for Enhanced Performance and Operability in Naval Air Vehicles and Weapons
ID: N24A-T016Type: Phase I
Overview

Topic

Plasma Assisted Combustion for Enhanced Performance and Operability in Naval Air Vehicles and Weapons

Agency

Department of DefenseN/A

Program

Type: STTRPhase: Phase IYear: 2024

Topic Link

https://www.sbir.gov/node/2479611

Additional Information

https://www.defensesbirsttr.mil/SBIR-STTR/Opportunities/
Timeline
    Description

    The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program focused on the topic of "Plasma Assisted Combustion for Enhanced Performance and Operability in Naval Air Vehicles and Weapons". The objective of this program is to develop, demonstrate, and validate a novel Plasma Assisted Combustion (PAC) device that can be integrated into future naval air platforms and weapons propulsion systems. The primary goal is to identify and explore advanced combustion technologies that will enable significant improvements in performance, fuel efficiency, operational capabilities, and integration with various fuel types, while maintaining or enhancing reliability, maintainability, and safety. The target applications for this technology are gas turbine primary combustors, augmentors, rotating detonation combustors, and inter-turbine burners. The research and development efforts will be conducted in three phases: Phase I will involve a feasibility study and conceptual design, Phase II will focus on prototype development and preliminary testing, and Phase III will involve full-scale testing and validation. The resulting PAC system is expected to provide benefits such as increased combustion efficiency, decreased burning length, improved operational flexibility, acceptable reliability and maintainability, and scalability for integration into future naval aircraft. The program is specifically interested in liquid Jet fuel PAC solutions. The technology has potential dual-use applications in commercial aviation, where it could significantly reduce fuel consumption and emissions, leading to cost savings for airlines and reduced environmental impact.

    Files
    No associated files provided.
    Similar Opportunities
    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 - Helicopter Expedited Refueling Operations (HERO)
    Active
    Department of Defense
    The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the topic "Helicopter Expedited Refueling Operations (HERO)" as part of the SBIR program. The objective of this solicitation is to develop solutions that increase the efficiency of setup, refueling operations, and disassembly of forward arming and refueling points (FARP) for rotary-winged assets. The goal is to reduce the amount of time these assets are unavailable for ground combat operations and decrease the likelihood of enemy detection and attack on the FARP. Currently, FARPs are vulnerable to enemy attack and require a significant number of personnel and equipment. Refueling times can take hours, and the FARP's limited defensive capabilities make mobility essential. The Army is looking for solutions that expedite the aggregation/setup/breakdown of FARP vehicles, decrease refueling times, improve pumping systems and equipment, and decrease aircraft wait times. The solicitation is open for proposals until March 31, 2025. The Phase I of the project requires Direct to Phase II (DP2) proposals that demonstrate scientific and technical merit, feasibility, and potential commercial applications. Phase II involves refining the design and creating a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 prototype/model/system. Phase III focuses on commercialization objectives and may involve low-rate production and testing. The SBIR program provides funding for small businesses to develop innovative solutions that address specific research topics. In this case, the focus is on improving the efficiency and safety of helicopter refueling operations in military settings.
    DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - Helicopter Expedited Refueling Operations (HERO)
    Active
    Department of Defense
    The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the topic "Helicopter Expedited Refueling Operations (HERO)" as part of its SBIR program. The objective of this solicitation is to develop solutions that increase the efficiency of setup, refueling operations, and disassembly of forward arming and refueling points (FARP) for rotary-winged assets. The goal is to reduce the amount of time these assets are unavailable for ground combat operations and decrease the likelihood of enemy detection and attack on the FARP. Currently, FARPs are vulnerable to enemy attack and require a significant number of personnel and equipment. The Army is looking for solutions that expedite the aggregation, assembly, setup, and breakdown of FARP vehicles, hoses, and equipment. Additionally, they are interested in solutions that decrease aircraft refueling times, improve pumping systems, valves, hoses, and other FARP equipment, and decrease aircraft wait/loiter times. The solicitation is open for proposals until March 31, 2025. The Phase I of the project requires Direct to Phase II (DP2) proposals that demonstrate scientific and technical merit, feasibility, and potential commercial applications. Phase II involves refining the design and creating a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 prototype/model/system. Phase III focuses on commercialization objectives and may involve developing a manufacturing-ready product design and engaging in laboratory or operational testing. The Army is particularly interested in solutions that integrate designated Army open standards, consider cost, and adapt to individual Soldiers' needs or scenarios. The funding specifics and performance goals will be provided in the solicitation document available on the DOD SBIR website.
    DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - YTC Full Load Cooling
    Active
    Department of Defense
    The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the topic "YTC Full Load Cooling" as part of their SBIR 24.4 Annual solicitation. The objective of this research is to develop modernized data processing techniques to accurately assess the cooling capabilities of military vehicles with electronically controlled powertrains. The current testing methodologies and data processing techniques for fluid temperature data in critical systems of military vehicles are outdated and cannot be used for assessing vehicles with electronically controlled transmissions. The goal is to modernize the test methodology and utilize synthetic data generation techniques to accurately characterize the performance of the vehicle, even in extreme environments. The Phase I of the project will involve an initial site visit, development of a new Full Load Cooling (FLC) test methodology, characterization of powertrain derating, and submission of a final report. Phase II will focus on refining the FLC test methodology, developing a software program and Graphical User Interface (GUI) for synthetic data generation, and creating a test plan for field conditions. The potential impacts of this research include improved testing and assessment of military vehicles' cooling system performance, better understanding of powertrain derating, and the development of advanced data processing techniques. The research will leverage commercial industry data and expertise on electronically controlled powertrains and can have applications in modeling and simulation capabilities for engine and energy cooling, as well as in the manufacturing process for cooling systems and powertrains. The project duration is from 4QFY24 to 3QFY26, and interested parties can find more information and submit proposals on the DOD SBIR website.
    DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - Advanced Manufacturing for Common Launch Container
    Active
    Department of Defense
    The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the topic of "Advanced Manufacturing for Common Launch Container" as part of the SBIR 24.4 Annual solicitation. The objective of this topic is to develop applied research towards an innovative capability to use advanced manufacturing and iterative design to enable a Common Launch Container to meet military specification requirements for storage, transportation, and munition launch. The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), and offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals and their country of origin. The research should address the development of an iterative design process and advanced manufacturing to design and validate a munition container for transportation, storage, and launch. The system should be designed to launch the munition at 12-18 feet per second from the pallet on the cargo ramp or pallet in free flight after cargo drop. The feasibility study in Phase I should investigate all options that meet or exceed the minimum performance parameters specified and recommend the option that best achieves the objective. Phase II involves developing, installing, and demonstrating a prototype system on a SOCOM aircraft. The system could have broad military applications where rapid iteration and production are needed, and it may be selected for production or follow-on iterations for future applications. The project duration is not specified, but the solicitation is open until March 31, 2025. More details and the application process can be found on the DOD SBIR 24.4 topic page.
    DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - Tactical Micro-grid Standard Add-on for Power Sources
    Active
    Department of Defense
    The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the topic "Tactical Micro-grid Standard Add-on for Power Sources" as part of their SBIR 24.4 Annual solicitation. The goal of this research is to address the need for reliable and flexible power solutions in dynamic and unpredictable environments, including directed energy. The objective is to enable the seamless integration of diverse power sources, such as renewable energy, generators, and storage systems, into a cohesive network. This would create resilient, self-sustaining power infrastructure capable of providing uninterrupted energy supply, enhancing operational efficiency, and reducing reliance on vulnerable external grids. The solicitation is open for Phase I proposals with a budget of up to $250,000 for a 6-month period of performance. Phase I involves analyzing the current state of power infrastructure, conceptualizing the design, and developing a feasibility study. Phase II will focus on building a fully functional prototype. The potential applications of this technology include urban and critical infrastructure, remote/rural communities, electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles, and data centers. The implementation of the Tactical Micro-grid Standard has the potential to establish a modular, efficient, and more effective smart power microgrid.
    DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - Multisystem Mobile Corrosion Unit
    Active
    Department of Defense
    The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for a research topic titled "Multisystem Mobile Corrosion Unit" as part of their SBIR program. The objective of this topic is to develop a deployable solution for the Army's major corrosion issue, allowing for repairs in austere environments while in the field. The solution should include capabilities such as laser ablation, corrosion preventative coating application, cold spray, plasma blast, welding, and more. The project will consist of two phases, with Phase I accepting proposals for up to $250,000 for a 6-month period to develop a proof-of-concept prototype. Phase II will involve developing a deployment-ready multisystem corrosion unit. The technology has potential applications in industries such as automotive, aircraft, construction, agriculture, and power and energy. The project duration is not specified, and interested parties can find more information and submit proposals on the DOD SBIR website.
    DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - Advanced Manufacturing for Common Launch Container
    Active
    Department of Defense
    The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the topic of "Advanced Manufacturing for Common Launch Container" as part of their SBIR 24.4 Annual solicitation. The objective of this topic is to develop applied research towards an innovative capability to use advanced manufacturing and iterative design to enable a Common Launch Container to meet military specification requirements for storage, transportation, and munition launch. The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), and offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals and their country of origin. The research should address the development of an iterative design process and advanced manufacturing to design and validate a munition container for transportation, storage, and launch. The system should be designed to launch the munition at 12-18 feet per second from the pallet on the cargo ramp or pallet in free flight after cargo drop. The feasibility study in Phase I should investigate all options that meet or exceed the minimum performance parameters specified and recommend the option that best achieves the objective. Phase II involves developing, installing, and demonstrating a prototype system on a SOCOM aircraft. The potential impacts of this research include enabling rapid and iterative manufacturing processes for a broad range of military applications. The advanced manufacturing and modular design will be critical to all services where rapid iteration and production are needed. The system could be selected for production or follow-on iterations for future applications. The project duration is not specified, but the solicitation is open until March 31, 2025. More details and the application process can be found on the DOD SBIR 24.4 topic page on the Defense SBIR/STTR website.
    DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - YTC Full Load Cooling
    Active
    Department of Defense
    The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the topic of "YTC Full Load Cooling" as part of their SBIR 24.4 Annual solicitation. The objective of this research is to develop modernized data processing techniques to accurately assess the cooling capabilities of military vehicles with electronically controlled powertrains. The current testing methodologies and data processing techniques for fluid temperature data in critical systems of military vehicles are outdated and cannot be used for assessing vehicles with electronically controlled transmissions. The goal is to modernize the test methodology and utilize synthetic data generation techniques to accurately characterize the performance of the vehicle, even in extreme environments. The research will involve developing a new Full Load Cooling (FLC) test methodology, mathematical formulae for data processing, and a methodology to characterize powertrain derating. The project will be conducted in two phases, with Phase I focusing on developing the initial plan and Phase II refining the methodology and developing a software program for data processing. The research has potential applications in the automotive industry and can contribute to the development of modeling and simulation capabilities for engine and energy cooling. The project duration is from 4QFY24 to 3QFY26, and interested parties can find more information and submit proposals on the DOD SBIR website.
    DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) Dual Band Focal Plane Array in High Definition Format
    Active
    Department of Defense
    The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the development of a small energy-efficient self-contained transceiver capable of wireless communication without using traditional radio frequency (RF) transport. The goal is to utilize a non-standard means of signal communication, such as magnetic, acoustic, or infrared, that is difficult to detect and report in covert activities. The transceiver should be highly resistant to interference, detection, and exploitation, and be self-contained, man-portable, easily concealable, and field programmable. The project duration is divided into two phases: Phase I involves creating a design and rationale supporting the solution, while Phase II focuses on developing and testing a prototype. The final product should be fully documented and include operating instructions, interface control documents, and programmability commands. The potential impacts of this technology include new mission deployment possibilities for remote sensor operation and control, as well as applications in areas such as home security, healthcare, additive manufacturing, and automotive safety. The deadline for proposal submission is March 31, 2025. For more information, visit the solicitation agency's website here.