Direct to Phase II: Next-generation Autonomy for Unmanned Maritime Vehicles (UMVs)
ID: N241-D04Type: BOTH
Overview

Topic

Direct to Phase II: Next-generation Autonomy for Unmanned Maritime Vehicles (UMVs)

Agency

Department of DefenseN/A

Program

Type: SBIRPhase: BOTHYear: 2024

Topic Link

https://www.sbir.gov/node/2492689

Additional Information

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

    The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the topic "Direct to Phase II: Next-generation Autonomy for Unmanned Maritime Vehicles (UMVs)" as part of the SBIR program. The Navy is specifically interested in developing next-generation autonomy that will increase the capability and scope of utility of UMVs while decreasing the level of remote human operator involvement. UMVs refer to both Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) and Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs). The goal is to advance the state of the art in UMV autonomy by enabling UMVs to perform complex tasks with little to no human intervention, handle dynamic and harsh maritime environments, support diverse missions and tasks, and cooperate autonomously with other UMVs. The proposed autonomy should operate with low-bandwidth and intermittent communication and be robust to uncertain and inaccurate perception information. The project will consist of a Phase I-type effort to develop a workable prototype or design, followed by a Phase II effort to develop, demonstrate, and validate the next-generation autonomy software. The Phase II period of performance is anticipated to be four years. Successful completion of the project is expected to transition the Next-generation Autonomy software to the acquisition program for use within its Unmanned Maritime Autonomy Architecture (UMAA) in USV programs.

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