The Department of Defense, specifically the U.S. Air Force, is seeking proposals for the SBIR topic titled "APPEAR - Aperture Projects for Passive Engineering and Advanced Research." The objective of this initiative is to explore and develop innovative antenna aperture techniques and technologies that enhance passive sensing capabilities for detecting various signals of interest, particularly in contested environments. This effort is critical for advancing the Air Force's operational effectiveness by leveraging commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) solutions and minimizing active transmissions to maintain strategic advantages. Proposals are due by May 21, 2025, with the opportunity to directly transition to Phase II for those who demonstrate prior relevant experience. Interested parties can find more information and submit proposals through the provided source link: [SBIR Topic](https://www.sbir.gov/topics/11899).

OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Integrated Network System-of-Systems; Advanced Computing and Software 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: The focus of this effort is to examine current antenna apertures and how they are used to detect various signals of interest and investigate new aperture techniques and technology to increase the likelihood of detection. Both single antenna applications and shared aperture applications should be investigated. In addition, single platform and multi, distributed platform concepts of operation should be considered. DESCRIPTION: The Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) Multispectral Sensing and Detection Division is developing technologies to provide survivable, adaptive, passive, situational awareness for contested, highly contested, and anti-access environments, to include the space domain. The importance of timely, accurate, and relevant sensing capabilities is paramount to ensure the success of critical warfighter operations. Often, these operations require sensing capabilities that have minimal or no active transmissions to maintain a strategic and/or tactical advantage, thereby elevating the need for passive sensing systems. The Multispectral Sensing and Detection Division is exploring passive sensing systems and operations across a wide range of systems, from the Air Forces’ newest manned platforms, un-manned collaborative systems where size weight and power (SWAP) constraints exist. The focus of this effort is to examine current apertures and how they are used to detect various signals of interest and investigate new aperture techniques and technology to increase the likelihood of detection. Both single antenna applications and shared aperture applications should be investigated. In addition, single platform and multi, distributed platform concepts of operation should be considered. To help reduce the cost and complexity of sustainment, it is highly desirable to design systems and concepts that leverage commercial products and non-cooperative illumination sources. The Department of Defense (DoD) is interested in passive RF solutions that leverage cost effective commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) capabilities that maximize interoperability and build upon the state-of-the-art (SOTA). The integration of these capabilities for DoD use-cases provides a conduit to establish feedback loops and collaboration with industry to improve commercial development for Air Force utility. The goal of this effort is to investigate aperture concepts for passive RF sensing techniques to determine technical feasibility and risk, programmatic costs, and schedule. The information, test, and evaluation (T&E) under this effort will be used to influence and guide passive RF sensing efforts. This topic is intended to reach companies capable of completing a feasibility study and prototype validated concepts under accelerated Phase I and II type schedules. This topic is aimed at later stage research and development efforts rather than “front-end” or basic research/research and development. The main deliverables will be modeling and simulation (M&S), software algorithms, processing architectures, and T&E of concepts that advance the viability and utility of innovative passive RF sensing apertures and techniques that support the reshaping, refocus, and re-optimization of the Air Force to deter and prevail in an era of Great Power Competition (GPC). PHASE I: This topic is intended for technology proven ready to move directly into Phase II. Therefore, a Phase I award is not required. The offeror is required to provide detail and documentation in the Direct to Phase II proposal which demonstrates accomplishment of a “Phase I-like” effort, including a feasibility study and preliminary aperture design validated through extensive simulation. This includes determining, insofar as possible, the scientific and technical merit and feasibility of ideas appearing to have commercial potential. Relevant areas of demonstrated experience and success include M&S, cost benefit analysis, risk analysis, concept development, concept demonstration and concept evaluation, laboratory experimentation and field testing. Offeror shall provide theoretical results that validate the performance of their aperture design in a M&S environment. Phase I type efforts should include the assessment of emerging operational imperatives and how they show a measurable value and operational impact. The result of Phase I type efforts is to assess and demonstrate whether commercial systems can support the furtherance of the operational imperatives. PHASE II: Eligibility for a Direct to Phase Two (D2P2) is predicated on the offeror having performed a “Phase I-like” effort predominantly separate from the SBIR/STTR Programs. These efforts will include M&S, simulation of prototype concepts, cost benefit analysis, system-of-systems studies, experimentation, and evaluation of operational imperatives to enable future concepts. Prototypes, M&S and experimentation should explore a wide range of integrating commercial capabilities to support the operational imperatives. These capabilities should consider areas that are unique to military operations, logistics, mission planning, mission execution, base sustainment, and logistics. A goal is for Phase II efforts to conduct sub-scale experiments and provide test articles for further test and demonstration. Experiments should address military-unique requirements that may not be otherwise met by commercial capabilities. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Phase III shall include upgrades to the analysis, M&S, T&E results and provide mature prototypes of system concepts. Phase III shall provide a business plan and address the ability to transition technology and system concepts to commercial applications. The adapted non-Defense commercial solutions shall provide expanded mission capability for a broad range of potential Governmental and civilian users and alternate mission applications. Integration and other technical support to operational users may be required. REFERENCES: 1. N. Hohman, "A Comprehensive Overview of GPS Antennas", Mar. 2023. 2. J. Banik, “Realizing Large Structures in Space”, Frontiers of Engineering, 2015. 3. D. Baoyan, “Large Spaceborne Deployable Antennas (LSDAs), Chinese Journal of Electronics, Jan 2020. 4. S. Abulgasem, F. Tubbal, R Raad, P. Theoharis, S. Lu, S. Iranmanesh, “Antenna Designs for CubeSats”, IEEE Access (Vol 9), mar 2021. KEYWORDS: Antenna Apertures; Passive RF; Air Platforms; SWAP Reduction

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