Attachment 10: Statement of Objectives

FA8650-21-S-1180
Attachment #10

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES (SOO)

“Multi-Spectral Sensing Technologies Research and Development (MuSTeR)” RYM BAA Background information

The Multispectral Sensing & Detection Division (RYM), Sensors Directorate (RY), Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), conducts research in the following areas: I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.

Multiband Multifunction Radio Frequency Sensing (RYMF)
Laser Radar Technology (RYMM)
Passive Radio Frequency Sensing (RYMP)
Distributed Radio Frequency Sensing (RYMS)
EO Target Detection & Surveillance (RYMT)

The goals of the 13 research topics are aligned with the strategic capabilities outlined in the Air Force S&T 2030 document: Global Persistent Awareness, Resilient Information Sharing, Complexity Unpredictability and Mass, and Speed and Reach of Disruption and Lethality. Solutions are required across the electromagnetic spectrum, with significant work in electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) and radio frequency (RF) sensing. The technologies outlined below are charged with enhancing the state-of-the-art (SOTA) sensor system research and development, utilizing the entire electromagnetic spectrum to deliver next generation capabilities in global persistent awareness to the Air Force. I.

RYMF – Multiband Multifunction Radio Frequency Sensing
1. Multiband Multifunction Array Development: The objective of this research is to advance antenna and electromagnetic technology and phenomenology studies for air, ground and spacebased sensing applications including radar, communications, satellite operations, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems (ISR) from HF to W-Band frequencies. In particular, the objective of this research is to advance the field of detection, tracking, and fusion of data and modeling and simulation of difficult targets in rapidly varying environments and contested electromagnetic spectrum utilizing broad and agile electromagnetic spectrum, advanced antenna and scattering theory as well as situational awareness methodologies and develop architectures and algorithms for ISR, navigation, communications. This topic specifically addresses development of new concepts and improvements in the following areas:
a) SOTA of multiband and multifunction, low cost, lightweight, planar and conformal phased array antennas operating at various power densities b) Antennas having the gain performance of conventional antennas in a significantly smaller physical space to reduce antenna size, weight, and co-site interference, for