Distributed Acceleration Sensor for Integrated Flight and Structural Control
ID: N242-093Type: BOTH
Overview

Topic

Distributed Acceleration Sensor for Integrated Flight and Structural Control

Agency

Department of DefenseN/A

Program

Type: SBIRPhase: BOTHYear: 2024

Topic Link

https://www.sbir.gov/node/2608115

Additional Information

https://www.defensesbirsttr.mil/SBIR-STTR/Opportunities/
Timeline
  1. 1
    Release Apr 17, 2024 12:00 AM
  2. 2
    Open May 15, 2024 12:00 AM
  3. 3
    Next Submission Due Jun 12, 2024 12:00 AM
  4. 4
    Close Jun 12, 2024 12:00 AM
Description

The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the development of a Distributed Acceleration Sensor for Integrated Flight and Structural Control. The objective is to create a low-cost, low-SWAP (size, weight, and power), embeddable measurement system that can measure real-time structural acceleration of an airborne platform's mode shapes. This technology will enable tightly integrated flight and aeroelastic control on future platforms, enhancing their speed, endurance, and agility.

Currently, conventional accelerometers can measure accelerations at distinct points, but they require a priori knowledge of the mode shapes. Fiber optic sensors can provide distributed measurements of structural displacement, but they lag acceleration by 180 degrees, posing stability challenges for aircraft control. The goal of this SBIR topic is to develop sensors and electronics that can produce real-time acceleration measurements of airframe structural modes without the need for a priori knowledge.

The proposed sensor should intrinsically measure structural acceleration for spans greater than 40 feet and exploit material phenomena that correlate to structural accelerations. The project will involve conceptual design, modeling and simulation, fabrication and testing of a prototype sensor, and validation in a controlled laboratory environment. The precision, accuracy, range, drift, noise, and bandwidth of the sensor will be quantified, and potential air platforms for operational testing will be identified.

In Phase III, the sensor's potential for use in a structural and flight dynamic closed-loop feedback system will be assessed, enabling future tailless air platforms capable of high-speed dash, long-endurance loiter, and agile maneuvering. Additionally, the sensor's application in structural monitoring and condition-based maintenance in commercial civil and aerospace engineering firms will be explored.

The project duration will include Phase I, which involves producing a conceptual design and estimating the cost of building and testing a prototype, Phase II, which includes fabricating and testing the prototype sensor, and Phase III, which focuses on dual-use applications and collaboration with DoD air platform providers and commercial firms. The solicitation is open until June 12, 2024, and more information can be found on the DOD SBIR website.

Files
No associated files provided.
Similar Opportunities
DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - Multilayer Waveguide Optical Gyroscope
Active
Department of Defense
The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the development of a high-end tactical miniature optical waveguide gyroscope for future U.S. Army missions. The current inertial navigation systems used by the Army are large and expensive, and smaller alternatives such as Micro-Electro-Mechanical (MEMS)-based sensors do not meet the Army's requirements for cost, accuracy, stability, and survivability. The goal is to develop a low-cost and lightweight 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) with high-tactical performance. The desired performance includes a gyro bias stability of 0.2 degrees/hour, scale factor error less than 50 ppm, and angular random walk less than 0.05 degree/root-hour. The gyroscope should also have a high bandwidth, high dynamic range, and low sensitivity to extreme shock and vibration environments. The solicitation focuses on the feasibility of new optical waveguide gyroscope technologies, such as the integrated Silicon waveguide Optical Gyroscope (iSOG). The Phase I of the project involves proving the feasibility of a multi-level waveguide optical sensor coil, while Phase II focuses on designing and delivering a prototype waveguide optical gyroscope. The final phase aims to develop an Inertial Sensor Assembly (ISA) consisting of three gyros and three accelerometers. The technology has potential applications in commercial IMUs and military autonomous modular payloads. The project is open for proposals until March 31, 2025. For more information, visit the [solicitation link](https://www.sbir.gov/node/2651325).
DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - Autonomous Optical Sensors
Active
Department of Defense
The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the topic of "Autonomous Optical Sensors" as part of their SBIR program. The objective of this project is to develop a portable optical sensor that can capture high-quality real-time imagery data during missile tests. The sensor will be positioned near a missile launcher or target to analyze the terminal phase of the flight. The sensor will incorporate high-speed imaging cameras with advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities, allowing it to calibrate and manage itself and operate autonomously for an extended period. The sensor will wirelessly receive setup and calibration data from a centralized command center. In Phase I, the awardee will research and define an integrated configuration of the Autonomous Optical Sensor (AOS) that includes various types of optical sensors and an AI framework. Phase II will involve creating a prototype of the AOS based on the Phase I analysis, refining the integrated system design, and conducting functional testing in an operational context. The potential applications of this technology include collecting real-time imagery for air traffic management at airports or surveillance of sensitive areas. It can help track flights, assist in airspace coordination, and alert operators of potential safety or security concerns. The project is currently open for proposals, with a closing date of March 31, 2025. More information can be found on the DOD SBIR website.
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 - Lightweight Longwave Bolometer Sensor Components
Active
Department of Defense
The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the topic "Lightweight Longwave Bolometer Sensor Components" as part of the SBIR program. The objective of this topic is to develop components that enable low size, weight, and power (SWAP) thermal bolometer-type longwave thermal sensor payloads. These components should have equal or better performance than current commercial offerings while driving down SWAP. The components of interest include lens, focal plane, and readout and processing embedded hardware. The components should be ready for integration into a camera module by the end of Phase II. Thermal longwave infrared (LWIR) capabilities are crucial for many Army applications, especially for small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). However, the size, power, and weight constraints often limit the performance of these sensors. This topic aims to develop components that reduce the weight of thermal payloads while increasing their capabilities and keeping unit costs low. The project will have a Phase I and Phase II, with Phase I proposals accepting a cost of up to $250,000 for a 6-month period of performance. During Phase I, firms should design a proposed component with stakeholder input, analyze the SWAP-C impact of the component, and discuss how it will support the objective sensor payload. Phase II will involve completing the component design, fabricating, testing, and characterizing the component for integration into a lightweight sensor payload. Firms will also refine the design, define relevant interfaces, and lay out a high-level plan for integration. The potential applications of this research include smartphone camera augmentation, UAV camera augmentation, home security systems, and climate tech development. The project references academic research on bolometer manufacturing methods and the efficacy of leveraging colloidal quantum dots (QDs) for IR light sensing. Military contractors have also contributed to the research in the LWIR sensor and bolometer manufacturing spaces. For more information and to submit proposals, visit the DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual solicitation notice on grants.gov or the DOD SBIR/STTR Opportunities page. The open date for proposals is October 3, 2023, and the close date is March 31, 2025.
DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - Biomaterial Energy Dissipating Structures (BEDS)
Active
Department of Defense
The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the topic "Biomaterial Energy Dissipating Structures (BEDS)" as part of the SBIR program. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is specifically interested in developing novel energy-dissipating biomaterial structures to enhance materiel and equipment airdrop capabilities. The current technology, which uses honeycomb cardboard pads, has limitations that can reduce the effectiveness of airdropped equipment. DARPA is looking for new biomaterial structures that can dissipate high levels of energy per unit mass and meet specific performance metrics. The structures must be at least 98wt% wood or other biodegradable plant-based material, have low projected costs for full-scale production, and pass various dynamic crushing stress and rebound energy tests. The project will be conducted in two phases, with Phase I focusing on achieving the specified mechanical properties of the structures within a six-month timeframe. Phase II will involve scale-up and mechanical properties testing, with the option for further scale-up and mass production in Phase II Option I. The ultimate goal is to develop energy-dissipating structures that can be used not only in airdropped materiel protection but also in various commercial applications such as truck trailers, shipping containers, packaging material, and building material for temporary structures. The solicitation is currently open, and the application due date is March 31, 2025. For more information, visit the [SBIR topic link](https://www.sbir.gov/node/2651285) or the [solicitation agency website](https://www.defensesbirsttr.mil/SBIR-STTR/Opportunities/).