The Department of Defense, specifically the U.S. Navy, is seeking small businesses to develop and demonstrate an advanced air-deployable F0-Wideband Acoustic Receiver and Source (F0-WARS) Sonobuoy under the SBIR program. The objective is to create a sonobuoy capable of collecting active target strength data in the F0 frequency range, enhancing anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities with improved directional information and echolocation features in three-dimensional space. This technology is crucial for gathering acoustic information on enemy targets, thereby significantly enhancing operational effectiveness in both shallow and deep-water environments. Interested parties must submit Phase I feasibility documentation by May 21, 2025, to validate their capability to meet the outlined requirements, with further details available at the provided source link.

OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Integrated Sensing and Cyber The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws. OBJECTIVE: Develop and demonstrate an updated and evolved air-deployable source and receiver combination sonobuoy that can collect target strength in the F0 Frequency range. DESCRIPTION: The U.S. Navy requires a new F0-Wideband Acoustic Receiver and Source (F0-WARS) Sonobuoy to facilitate the collection of acoustic information on enemy targets from Navy anti-submarine warfare (ASW) platforms. A new F0-WARS Sonobuoy will provide enhanced operational capability with improvements in directional information and enhanced echolocation in 3-dimensional (3D) space with incorporation of the directional and depth estimation features. Beyond the F0-WARS Sonobuoy mission lies its potential application to tactical ASW with the use of 3D tracking, shallow water echo parameter estimation, and Roll-On/Roll-Off Mission Processing. Together, a new F0-WARS Sonobuoy will provide significant capability not currently satisfied by legacy, enhanced legacy or other WARS activity, bringing significant tactical capability to the fixed- and rotary-wing ASW missions. As part of the development, the F0-WARS Sonobuoy will be enhanced with the incorporation of NATO-compatible upper electronics, enhanced in-buoy signal processing and associated circuit board consolidation, in a true A-size form factor. End-to-end testing will be performed in water. Environmental testing and over-the-side and air-drop testing of the F0-WARS Sonobuoy will be performed in a representative environment. The capabilities of current frequency transmitter/receiver sensors do not provide a calibrated, coherent source/receiver combination tailored for target strength collection. Innovative sensor technologies are sought with enhanced electromechanical property ceramics for the F0 frequency and responsiveness gaps for the transmitter and receiver elements that are capable of transmitting, collecting, and processing surveillance information. The Navy and other DoD agencies need to collect active target strength data from enemy targets to achieve key ASW measurement capabilities at F0. The output power source levels are indicated in the classified Annex for the sonobuoy specification. Selected firms need a clearance to view this information after the contract is awarded. The objective of this SBIR topic is to develop and demonstrate an updated and evolved air-deployable source and receiver combination sonobuoy that can collect active target strength data in the F0 Frequency range. The unit must be capable of both shallow and deep-water operations deploying the active and passive sensing elements through 500 ft (152.4 m) and have a minimum one-hour life (or 50 pulse seconds). Coherent signals of interest are in the High-Frequency range, to include but not be limited to, continuous waveforms (CW) and frequency modulation (FM) waveforms. Communication between the aircraft and sensor unit will be compliant with the NATO digital uplink format, STANAG 4718. This expendable sensor solution must be low power and sized to fit within an "A" size sonobuoy. A-size sonobuoy standards are: dimensions of 4.88 in. (12.39 cm) diameter x 36 in. (91.44 cm) length and weight of 40 lb. (18.14 kg) or less. PHASE I: For a Direct to Phase II topic, the Government expects that the small business would have accomplished the following in a Phase I-type effort and developed a concept for a workable prototype or design to address, at a minimum, the basic requirements of the stated objective above. The below actions would be required to satisfy the requirements of Phase I: The small business awardee interested in participating in Direct to Phase II must include in their response to this topic Phase I feasibility documentation that substantiates the scientific and technical merit (i.e., the small business must have performed Phase I-type research and development related to the topic NOT solely based on work performed under prior or ongoing federally funded SBIR/STTR work) and describe the potential commercialization applications. The documentation provided must validate that the small business has completed development of technology as stated above. Documentation should include all relevant information including, but not limited to technical reports, test data, prototype designs/models, and performance goals/results. Work submitted within the feasibility documentation must have been substantially performed by the offeror and/or the principal investigator (PI). Read and follow all of the DON SBIR 25.2 Direct to Phase II Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Instructions. Phase I proposals will NOT be accepted for this topic. FEASIBILITY DOCUMENTATION: Offerors interested in participating in Direct to Phase II must include in their response to this topic Phase I feasibility documentation that substantiates the scientific and technical merit and Phase I feasibility described in Phase I above has been met (i.e., the small business must have performed Phase I-type research and development related to the topic NOT solely based on work performed under prior or ongoing federally funded SBIR/STTR work) and describe the potential commercialization applications. The documentation provided must validate that the proposer has completed development of technology as stated in Phase I above. PHASE II: Develop and fabricate an over-the-side prototype unit(s) required to span the F0 Frequency range and demonstrate in both acoustic facilities and the ocean environment. Throughout this development phase, emphasize a comprehensive evaluation of the prototype’s performance under high-ambient and low-source level conditions, ensuring its adaptability and resilience in diverse acoustic settings. Collaborate with similarly focused domain experts and utilize feedback from preliminary tests to further refine and optimize the system at F0 Frequency. Explore integration pathways with existing Navy Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance infrastructure to maximize system collaboration. Demonstrate the prototype’s ability to attain desirable ASW measurement capabilities at High Frequency and provide a roadmap for iterative improvements and integration based on and feedback. Finalize the concept design and make recommendations for Phase III production-oriented designs, detailing potential challenges and solutions for scalable manufacturing. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Transition over-the-side prototype unit(s) into an air deployable sonobuoy system. Ensure that the sensor meets A-size packaging requirements specified in the PMA-264 Production Sonobuoy Specification. Perform required testing to verify that the sensor passes all required environmental, structural, and operational tests to include, but not be limited to, Environmental Exposure, Air Certification, Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance (HERO), and Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) certification. Note: Upon successful testing, Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) will need to be successful for transition to the platform. This technology/topic can benefit any entity such as the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) that requires calibrated active target strength measurements within the underwater environment. REFERENCES: 1. Urick, R. J. “Principles of underwater sound for engineers (3rd ed.).” Peninsula Publishing. 1983. https://www.worldcat.org/title/8688952 2. Holler, R. A.; Horbach, A. W. and McEachern, J. F. "The ears of air ASW: a history of US Navy sonobuoys." Navmar Applied Sciences Corporation, 2008. https://www.worldcat.org/title/720627294 3. Ultra Electronics Maritime Systems. "Sonobuoys." Ultra Electronics, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20110419103757/http:/www.ultra-uems.com/sonobuoys.html 4. Wignall, A. "An overview of ASW sonobuoy types and trends." Ultra Electronics, Ltd., 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20071010170351/http://www.ultra-scs.com/resources/whitepapers/asw.pdf 5. "Standardization agreement: STANAG 4718: Sonobuoy digital telemetry (Ed. 1)." North Atlantic Treaty Organization, The NATO Standardization Office (NSO), 4 November 2020. https://nso.nato.int/nso/nsdd/main/standards?search=4718 KEYWORDS: Anti-Submarine Warfare; Sonobuoy; Low Frequency; Navy Underwater Active Multiple Ping; NUAMP; Acoustics; Intelligence

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