Award Data

The edge on the battlefield today comes from improved communications and real-time situational awareness. Current solutions relying on omni-directional antennas congest the RF space reducing the effectiveness of TCDL multi-node networks. In addition, the wide coverage pattern of an omni-directional antenna results in high probability of intercept, high probability of detection, and low protection ...

TDA Research Inc. (TDA) proposes to develop a high temperature fiber optic sensor.TDA will use a novel temperature sensing mechanism and extremely high temperature materials so that we can reliably measure temperature even under extreme conditions (>1600oC).Other high temperature sensing technologies have poor accuracy, require careful calibration, or are not very consistent.TDA's technology will ...

As the threat landscape evolves, it is critical that the DoD develop expanded capabilities for anti-ballistic missile defense.To reliably defeat re-entry vehicles and other space-based targets, the engagement envelope for air munitions needs to be expanded by blending the tradespace between the warhead and the motor, allowing for air munitions to selectively utilize the high-performance propellant ...

The accumulation of orbital debris has become a problem of critical importance to the satellite industry and the DOD.While numerous deorbit systems have been developed in the past decade for small satellites, no practical systems have yet been developed for the large (i.e., > 1,000kg) satellites and spent upper stages that are most likely to destroy other operational LEO assets.To address this cap ...

The potential for damage resulting from a collision with orbital debris in Low Earth Orbit has become a significant danger to active, viable space missions. Policies intended to curb the debris growth rate are being overwhelmed by the rapid growth in small satellites.The preponderance of these satellites has a short mission life, often 12-20 times shorter than the expected time those objects will ...

The DF&NN team has significant experience in delivering Space Domain Awareness tools. These tools will be applied to 2 years of GEO ephemeris data of active satellites at DF&NN. The RDESB prototype will reduce the risk in rapidly discovering the behavioral patterns of potentially evasive and/or ambiguous active resident space objects. RDESB will detect non-Keplerian behavior in ephemeris data for ...

ColdQuanta is partnering with Dr. Zoya Popovic at the University of Colorado, Boulder, to develop a three-dimensional quantum-enhanced radio-frequency (RF) signal sensor and direction finder. Our approach combine Rydberg-atom-based RF electrometry and discrete lens arrays (DLAs) of planar antennas. The DLA will serve as a Fourier optic for an incident wave, and a Rydberg-atom RF electrometer will ...

In this Phase II effort, FIRST RF, partnered with UCSD, will demonstrate array technology enabling highly directive multi-beam TCDL communications using phased arrays. The system expands upon prior SBIR development programs by enabling additional simultaneous full duplex data links by utilizing a novel array topology and beam forming technology allowing for the maximized SWaP solution for the disa ...

The Air Force is seeking solutions for a sun-tracking millimeter wave radiometer to measure atmospheric attenuation over a high dynamic range. The V- and W- bands have rarely been used for space communications and telemetry applications, but rapidly increasing government and commercial bandwidth needs will require future solutions within these bands. Our team, comprised of experienced scientists, ...

This Air Force Phase I STTR program would develop self-calibrating, conformal nanomembrane (NM) based pressure sensors for embedded sensing applications, using SOI (Silicon on Insulator) NM techniques in combination with our pioneering nanocomposite materials.Such low-modulus, conformal nanomembrane sensor skins with integrated self-calibration, interconnect elements and electronic devices that ca ...