Description:
TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Nuclear
OBJECTIVE: Develop and demo capability to provide HEMP protection for C2 systems and power sources within Wing Command Posts (WCPs) or used by Mobile Support Teams (MSTs). This shield or barrier should prevent/limit HEMP fields & conducted transients from damaging Nuclear Command, Control, and Communication (NC3) systems.
DESCRIPTION: WCPs and MSTs are critical NC3 nodes that utilize fixed and mobile NC3 systems used for emergency action messaging (EAM). These systems require HEMP protection along with HEMP protection for their power sources in order to operate in a HEMP environment. The solution options may include shielding for systems/operations, penetration protection technologies for electrically conductive structures (building materials such as composites, concrete/stucco, conducting metals etc.), and special protective measures for non-conducting areas like ventilation routes.
PHASE I: Phase I shall produce a prototype to demonstrate the feasibility of the concept described above. Offerors may propose against the topic areas of (1) shielding for systems/operations, (2) penetration protection technologies for electrically conductive structures (building materials such as composites, concrete/stucco, conducting metals etc.), (3) special protective measures for non-conducting areas like ventilation routes. For shielded systems focus area the offeror shall propose structural materials for HEMP shielding in accordance with the requirements referenced in MIL-STD-188-125 or MIL-STD-2169C. The Phase I effort should produce samples of sufficient size for testing against these standards (typically 14 x 14 in. or 26 x 26 in.). Testing can be accomplished by methods such as TEM cell measurements to mitigate costs. For the penetration protection technologies for electrically conductive structures, the offeror shall propose material based sealing solutions to complete the electrical pathway around the penetration and maintain the same level of shielding performance as the baseline wall from HEMP. Demonstration of this should be accomplished by before and after testing as defined in the MIL-STD-188-125. For the focus area of special protective measures for non-conducting areas like ventilation routes, the offeror shall demonstrate waveguide below cut-off or other standard airflow conditions. The offeror shall produce sections of ventilation at least 48 in. in length and 12 in. in diameter. Testing can be accomplished by free field testing methods. Offerors must be capable of acquiring Secret and Critical Nuclear Weapon Design Information(CNWDI) access by the end of the Phase I effort in order to be eligible for a Phase II award. If all technology areas are not addressed by one proposal, associate contractor agreements will be required during the Phase II.
PHASE II: Phase II shall produce one full scale (approximately 4 ft w x 6 ft l x 6 ft h) HEMP protection barrier kit in a WCP and on a MST that demonstrates the ability to reliably protect NC3 systems and their power sources from damage or degradation by threat-relatable transients. The system shall incorporate the technologies developed in the Phase I effort and demonstrate that they function as a system and not just as individual components. MILSTD-2169C shall be used as the validation testing and will be performed in coordination with Air Force or Army test capabilities. The offeror is to produce the structures as the deliverable and the government will provide validation testing.
PHASE III: Phase III shall analyze the solution set to ensure that the preventive maintenance, inspection, test, and repair activities to maintain HEMP hardness are feasibly retainable throughout its operational life cycle.
REFERENCES:
1. MIL-STD-464:http://everyspec.com/MIL-STD/MIL-STD-0300-0499/MIL-STD-464C_28312/.
2. Nuclear Survivability Overview, DTRA:http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2011CBRN/Franco.pdf.
3. DoD Nuclear Survivability Program (Kuspa):www.dtic.mil/ndia/2011CBRN/Kuspa.pdf.
Test Operations Procedure (TOP), 01-2-620 High-Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse (HEMP) Testing:www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a554607.pdf.
KEYWORDS: High-Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse (HEMP), Emergency Action Messaging (EAM), EAM, HEMP, Mobile Support Teams (MST), MST, Nuclear Command, Control And Communication (NC3) Systems, NC3, Wing Command Posts (WCP), WCP
