The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is seeking innovative solutions to enhance the affordability, producibility, and scalability of high-temperature resistant Thermal Protection System (TPS) materials, which are critical for conventional hypersonic weapons and related defense applications. The initiative aims to strengthen domestic production capabilities and supply chain resilience while addressing challenges such as cost reduction, increased production efficiency, and risks associated with foreign reliance. The R&D effort will unfold in multiple phases, with Phase I focusing on demonstrating feasibility at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 3-6, with a funding limit of $306,872 over a 12-month period. Interested parties should note that the solicitation will open on December 4, 2024, and proposals are due by January 8, 2025, with further details available at the DOD SBIR/STTR website.

## Description

DLA R&amp;D is looking for domestic capabilities and capacity that demonstrates new or improved high temperature resistant TPS materials, processing and supply chains that increase domestic defense industrial base affordability, producability, production scaleability and supply chain resiliency for conventional hypersonic missile systems and other defense programs that depend on similar materials (e.g., other conventional weapons, strategic programs and space systems). R&amp;D tasks include identifying, developing and demonstrating new and/or improved high temperature resistant materials, processing and component fabrication that support this topic area&rsquo;s objectives for increasing TPS affordability, producability, production capacity and supply chain resiliency. Related areas of interest include materials, processing and fabrication of TPS components and structures as well as their various consitutent materials and processes (e.g., fiber reinforcements and their precursors, textiles including multidirectional preforms, matrix precursors and prepreg, rapid densificiation, heat treating, additive manufacturing, production automation and oxidation resistant coatings).PROJECT DURATION and COST: Phase I: Not to exceed a duration of 12 months and cost of $306,872

## Objective

High temperature resistant Thermal Protection System (TPS) materials, processing and structures, including their means of supply, are critical to the success of new conventional hypersonic weapons and related U.S. defense systems. Key to their success is increased affordability, producability, domestic production capacity and supply chain resiliency. Hypersonics TPS applications of particular interest include boost glide vehicles and specifically aeroshell acerage, leading edge, nosetip and control surfaces. Other defense applications that rely on similar TPS materials and technology, including re-entry systems (e.g., heatshields) and rocket motors, may also be of interest. TPS supply chain resiliency concerns include the need to reduce TPS materials and manufacturing costs, increase producability and, shorten production lead-times as well as reduce supply chain risks such as foreign reliance, single point of failure supply and material obsolesence. The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) seeks to provide responsive, best-value supplies of related materials consistently to our Department of Defense (DoD) customers and other DoD stakeholders. DLA continually investigates diverse technologies for new or improved materials, more efficient means of their production and more competitive domestic supply chains which would lead to higher levels of affordability and other innovations in current and future weapon systems combined with benefits to other commercial and government technology applications. Advanced technology demonstrations for increasing production capacity, affordability and supply chain resiliency for high temperature resistant TPS and related materials and processing are of high interest to DoD. These areas of materials and manufacturing technology provide potential opportunities toward achieving important advances for national defense. Proposed efforts funded under this topic may encompass diverse TPS materials and processing at multiple supply chain levels that will result in increasing affordability, producability, increased production capacity and supply chain resiliency.Research and Development (R&amp;D) efforts selected under this topic shall demonstrate and involve a degree of risk where the technical feasibility of the proposed work has not been fully established. Further, proposed efforts must be judged to be at a Technology and/or Manufacturing Readiness Level (TRL/MRL) 6 or less, but greater than TRL/MRL 3 to receive funding consideration.TRL 3: Analytical and Experimental Critical Function and/or Characteristic Proof of ConceptTRL 6: System/Subsystem Model or Prototype Demonstration in a Relevant Environment

## Phase I

The successful proposal will submit documentation demonstrating the project proposal is at TRL 3. Develop applicable and feasible process demonstration for the approach described and demonstrate a degree of commercial viability.

## Phase II

Develop applicable and feasible TPS materials, processing and relevant component manufacturing demonstration for the approach described, and demonstrate a degree of commercial viability. Validate the feasibility of the innovative process by demonstrating its use in the production, testing, and integration of items, and/or materials and processes, for DLA and key DoD government and defense industry stakeholders. Validation would include, but is not limited to, prototype quantities, data analysis, laboratory tests, system simulations, operation in test-beds, or operation in a demonstration system. Strong collaboration with a relevant DoD component organization (e.g., DoD lab and/or weapon system program office) and one or more relevant DoD weapon system supply chain participants or other suitable research organization is highly desirable and soughtafter. Identify commercial benefit or application opportunities of the innovation. Innovative processes should be developed with the intent to readily transition to production in support of DoD and its supply chains.

## Phase III: Dual Use Applications

Develop applicable and feasible TPS technology transition via successful demonstration of a new material, process and component/structures fabrication technology. This demonstration should show near-term TPS application to one or more relevant DoD weapon systems, subsystems, components, or their material supply chains. This demonstration will verify the potential for enhancement of increased TPS affordability, manufacturing yield, production capacity and supply chain resiliency. Private Sector Commercial Potential: TPS materials and manufacturing improvements, including development of domestic manufacturing capabilities, increased capacity, and affordability, have a direct applicability to diverse defense system technologies. Material manufacturing technologies, processes and systems have wide applicability to the defense industry including air, ground, sea, space and related defense technologies. Competitive material manufacturing improvements should have leverage into private sector industries as well as civilian sector relevance. Advancements in high temperature resistant materials, processing and supply chain resiliency will benefit the defense industrial base and key weapon system development, production and sustainablity, as well as afford spin-off opportunities to civilian and other commercial sectors that depend on associated technogies and their innovations.

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The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for innovations aimed at enhancing the affordability, producibility, and scalability of high-temperature resistant Thermal Protection System (TPS) materials, vital for conventional hypersonic weapons and related defense applications. The primary objective is to strengthen domestic production capabilities and supply chain resilience while addressing concerns such as cost reduction, increased production efficiency, and risks related to foreign reliance. 

The initiative focuses on various TPS components, including aeroshells, control surfaces, and high-temperature materials. Research and Development (R&D) will unfold in phases, where Phase I involves demonstrating feasibility at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 3-6, costing up to $306,872 over 12 months. Phase II emphasizes the validation of innovative materials and processes in practical applications, while Phase III targets transitioning these technologies into near-term defense operations.

This RFP aims to boost domestic defense industries through advancements that also promise spillover benefits for civilian sectors, enabling applications in air, ground, sea, and space technologies. The overarching goal is to foster a resilient defense industrial base and lay the groundwork for future technological innovations.

Innovations in Improving Affordability, Producibility, and Scalability of High Temperature Resistant, Thermal Protection System (TPS) Materials, Processing, Structures Manufacturing, and Resilient Supply Chains for Conventional Hypersonic Weapons and Related Defense System Applications

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