IRFLEX CORP — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: A20-140
IRFLEX CORP — SBIR Phase I award from Department of Defense.
Phase I SBIR feasibility signal
- Phase I awards fund proof-of-concept work. For capture teams, they mark early interest from Department of Defense in a technical approach.
- Watch for Phase II follow-ons from the same firm/topic family — that conversion path is where budgets and transition pressure rise.
- Obligated amount $111,500. Cross-check similar awards in the same agency and technology tags for going-rate context.
- Topic code A20-140 links this award to a solicitation family — search the same topic stem for incumbents and recompete timing.
- Amount
- $111,500
- Agency
- Department of Defense · Army
- Program / Phase
- SBIR · Phase I
- Topic
- A20-140
- Solicitation
- 20.2
- NAICS
- —
- Place of performance
- VA
- Period
- 2020-10-14 → 2021-05-31
Description
The Department of Defense has made significant investment in high-power infrared laser sources for critical U.S. military applications like infrared countermeasure (IRCM). There is a need to leverage the high-power infrared laser technology by developing a corresponding high-performance infrared fiber technology. Advanced IRCM laser systems will emit over 100 Watts power in multiple wavelengths covering the mid-wave infrared between 2-6 micron. Current fiber transmission capabilities at these wavelengths are limited by either water absorption or other losses. In addition, there are no available infrared fibers that can transmit >100 Watts laser power without damage. Also, the infrared fiber strength and the ability to withstand extreme military environments (vibration, temperature, and humidity) are problematic issues. The proposed effort will demonstrate and design an approach to produce high-performance optical fibers capable of low-loss (<0.5dB/m) transmission between 2-6 micron of high-power laser (>100 Watts) over 5-meter long fiber with the mechanical properties to operate in military environments (vibration, temperature, and humidity). A clear development path toward manufacturing the improved fiber technology will be presented.