The Department of Defense, specifically the U.S. Air Force, is seeking proposals for the development of a Lightweight Optical Turret for Extended Capability High Energy Laser (HEL) applications, designated as AF254-D0816. The objective is to create a fully functional, lightweight beam director with a 10 centimeter class aperture that can effectively propagate a high energy laser from a transsonic airborne platform while compensating for aero-effects to maintain low jitter and effective targeting. This technology is critical for tactical airborne applications and is subject to strict export controls under ITAR and EAR regulations. Interested applicants must demonstrate prior feasibility through relevant experience and are encouraged to submit proposals by June 25, 2025, with further details available at the provided source link.

OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Directed Energy (DE) 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: To develop a fully functional lightweight 10 centimeter class high energy laser beam director for tactical airborne applications. The beam director must be capable of propagating a high energy laser from a transsonic (Mach 0.8) airborne platform while effectively compensating all relevant aero-effects in order to maintain low jitter and effective focusing of the beam on a non-cooperative target. DESCRIPTION: The Air Force requires a light weight beam director suitable for integration onto a small airborne platform for tactical high energy laser applications on transsonic aircraft. Significant previous development and testing has been conducted on such beam director concepts, and have shown success mitigating many of the aero-effects which significantly degrade performance of airborne laser systems[1],[2]. Several beam director concepts have been flight tested[3], however those devices were generally built as subscale models to evaluate certain aspects of the aero-effects mitigation, and were not fully functional optical beam directors capable propagating a well focused beam to a non-cooperative target. Recent analysis has shown that there is utility in beam directors with 10 centimeter class aperture sizes. The purpose of this topic is to develop a fully functional beam director of that size class, based on previously developed and demonstrated aero-effects mitigation technologies. The Air Force Research Laboratory has significant experience in designing systems for aero-effects mitigation and will work collaboratively with the contractor on selection and development of the desired system architecture. PHASE I: As this is a Direct-to-Phase-II (D2P2) topic, no Phase I awards will be made as a result of this topic. To qualify for this D2P2 topic, the Air Force expects the applicant(s) to demonstrate feasibility by means of a prior “Phase I-type” effort that does not constitute work undertaken as part of a prior or ongoing SBIR/STTR funding agreement. Applicant(s) may demonstrate feasibility in the following manner(s): Development and testing of high energy laser (HEL) turrets for airborne applications Development of beam control systems for high energy laser applications Development and performance modeling for aero-effects mitigation (mechanical and optical) PHASE II: Complete the design of a beam director prototype through critical design review to include all functionality necessary to propagate a laser beam from an airborne platform while maintaining low jitter and effective focusing of the beam on target. The turret should be 10 centimeter class and able to cover a full 360 degrees in azimuth and 150 degrees in elevation. Work collaboratively with the Air Force on selection of aero-effects mitigation approach and defining interfaces with laser, beam control system, and desired airborne platform. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Fabricate and integrate the beam director with an Air Force laser and beam control system for use in the Airborne Laser Weapon System Program currently scheduled to start in FY27. Support Air Force in integrating device into the selected aircraft platform and conducting flight testing of the fully integrated high energy laser system. Support the Air Force in developing plans for transition of this technology to a program office and operational customers. REFERENCES: 1. Crahan, G., “Turret Optimization Using Passive Flow Control to Minimize Aero-Optic Effects”, Ph.D Dissertation, Dept of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame IN, 2014; 2. Vukasinovic, B., Glezer, A., Gordeyev, S., Jumper E., Bower, W.W, “Flow Control for Aero-Optics Application”, J Exp Fluids 54:1492, 2013; 3. Jumper, E., Gordeyev, S, Cavalieri, D., Rollins, P., Whiteley, M., Krizo, M., “Airborne Aero-Optics Laboratory - Transonic (AAOL-T).”, 53rd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting (2015). KEYWORDS: beam director; aero-effects

Lightweight Optical Turret for Extended Capability HEL (LOTECH)

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