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News Subject:
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The following SBIR success stories have been posted to the Electronic Library (see Innovation and Transition success story folders):
Appareo Systems LLC, located in Fargo, North Dakota, developed the Head Attitude Tracking System (HATS), a head-mounted system based on an ultrashort baseline Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and a miniaturized tightly coupled GPS inertial navigation system. HATS provides the first viable solution for measuring the dismounted warfighter’s head position and attitude and avoids implementation challenges and technical shortfalls of earlier systems. Appareo has been able to use several of the technology components derived from the HATS system in other projects, including a lightweight Flight Data Management device for light and legacy aircraft as well as for products being developed for the U.S. Army and Ultra Electronics (UK). The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Human Effectiveness Directorate manages this SBIR project.
Barron Associates, Inc., located in Charlottesville, Virginia, developed the safety-assurance Run-Time Verification and Validation (RTVV) system which continually monitors advanced components and, if necessary, switches to a simpler, reversionary mode to provide a “graceful degradation” capability. Other potential applications include unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) operating in Federal Aviation Administration designated airspace, automated aerial refueling of swarms of UAVs, and automated ground and collision avoidance systems. This SBIR led to several teaming opportunities between Barron Associates and Lockheed Martin in support of AFRL’s overarching Flight Critical System Software Initiative (FCSSI). This SBIR project is managed by the AFRL Air Vehicles Directorate.
Under a SBIR project managed by the AFRL Sensors Directorate, CAP Wireless, Inc., located in Newbury Park, California, produced an innovative prototype, successfully demonstrating a Gallium Nitride (GaN) Solid-State Power Amplifier (SSPA) with 150W continuous wave power and 35% power added efficiency covering the X-Band. This technology has high potential to meet an established requirement for the B-1B Bomber Defensive Self-Protection Avionics Subsystem (the AN/ALQ-161A Radio Frequency Surveillance/Electronic Countermeasures Subsystem, or RFS/ECMS). The planned and ongoing transition program is a four-year multi-million dollar effort involving CAP Wireless, AFRL, and the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center.
Nokomis, Inc., located in Charleroi, Pennsylvania, has developed technology to aid in the improved detection of electronic targets used in Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attacks. The Remote-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Detection Identification and Classification Algorithms (RADICAL) program is a unique approach to IED defeat that enhances Nokomis’ patented Advanced Electromagnetic Location of Electronic Devices (AELED) technology by adding phenomenologically based plug-in modules for detection and geo-location. The primary objective of the RADICAL program is to provide ground forces operating in urban and complex terrain with information concerning the presence, type, and location of IED associated electronics in real-time. Nokomis has transitioned this technology into SBIR Phase II and Phase III contracts with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), the Navy, and the Air Force. The AFRL Sensors Directorate manages this SBIR project.
Space Micro Inc., located in San Diego, California, designed and developed a Radiation Hardened Internet Protocol Encryptor (RH-IPE) that is capable of encryption rates beyond 10Gbps and will have a flight lifetime greater than 10 years. The technology is based on a highly redundant architecture, where all critical functions are performed in parallel using similar logic that operate independently, with all critical decisions compared by redundant check functions to assure 100% consistency of results. It is ideal for any advanced space-based communication system, particularly laser communication, which has high data rates and requires encryption for transmitting sensitive information. This SBIR project is managed by the AFRL Information Directorate.
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