Award Data

EO/IR elements of the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) responsible for detecting and tracking ballistic missile threats encounter extraordinarily challenging threat and scene phenomenology. Specifically, non-stationary clutter characteristic of airborne and satellite-based sensor systems, along with dim target signatures, closely-spaced objects, and dense debris clouds typical of ballistic ...

In this Phase I STTR project for MDA, Vectraxx of Glen Allen, Virginia will address the critical problem of dealing with pre-intercept debris fields and launch family clusters as seen by IR sensors. This is an essential element to the ascent phase component of the MDA"s Ballistic Missile Defense System. The objective of this R & D effort is to characterize pre-intercept debris field and leverage ...

SciTec and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) propose a multi-scale simulation architecture for generating optical signatures from missile intercept debris clouds based on output from hydrocode tools developed at SNL while furthering optical data exploitation from the library of Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (ABMD) intercept test. This will require developing data-driven relationships for match ...

The modeling and simulation of human performance is often difficult because there is no uniform framework for expressing the content and structure of a human performance model and all but impossible to compare and contrast across different models despite the abundance of quantitative modeling tools. The inability to communicate model structure and content is not just a practical shortcoming; it is ...

OptTek Systems, Inc (OptTek), proposes an affordable, effective UQ capability for both legacy and new BMDS M & S. The OptTek Team includes research institution partner Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and subcontractor RTSync Corporation (RTSync). The proposed BMDS M & S UQ capability maximizes insertability into existing and future MDA BMDS M & S-supported Event processes, analysis methods, a ...

A goal of Uncertainty Quantification (UQ) is to use computer simulation of complex systems to make scientifically informed assessments for high-consequence decisions. Because end-to-end empirical data is difficult to obtain for the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS), computer simulation provides the best method for understanding BMDS capabilities against a wide range of threats. Numerica Co ...

M4 Engineering, Inc. and Missouri S & T propose to investigate and refine uncertainty quantification (UQ) methods for Ballistic Missile Defense Systems (BMDS) Modeling and Simulation (M & S) with the emphasis on demonstrating the feasibility of non-intrusive stochastic expansions based on polynomial chaos, which will address the accuracy and computational efficiency issues associated with UQ in BM ...

AeroSoft, with the USAFA Laser and Optics Research Center proposes to create an extensive and thorough Verification and Validation (V & V) Program for anchoring physics based modeling software for static and flowing DPAL systems. During Phase I, a review of existing experimental programs will made and used for preliminary validation with the GASP software suite. Once deficiencies in the current e ...

Quallion LLC proposes to continue development of its reference electrode technology into a commercial scale prototype and partner with the University of South Carolina to develop a life prediction model for cells cycled at high depths of discharge. In Phase II, Quallion will refine its reference electrode design based on lessons learned in Phase I, incorporate a reference electrode into commerc ...

The goal of this program is to design a lightweight optical bench capable of remaining stable under temperature and moisture changes, while isolating the precision optical array from vibrations such as engine noise and air turbulence. By integrating a customizable periodic stack in the bench, vibrations are attenuated more effectively than commercially available mounts. Additionally, the periodic ...