Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: AF192-024

Description

To address the Air Force need for next-generation cognitive and fully autonomous sensor technologies amenable to a highly distributed airborne swarm, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new advanced Integrated Monolithic Platform for Swarm Sensors (IMP-S). IMP-S is a compact, lightweight, and low-power sensor that directly fits in the electronics or payload bay of compact unmanned aerial systems (UASs). It interfaces with the platform’s flight computer through standard UAS buses, through which it transfers the high-fidelity radar information to a remote operator or the ground control station for visual confirmation and countermeasures. IMP-S’s innovative system design and algorithms provide (a) a device with large computational capability within a small form factor that consumes little power, which is sufficient to detect, identify, and track multiple threats with a low false alarm rate using radar cross-section data; and (b) a system with a platform-agnostic, low-SWAP (size, weight, and power) design; (c) autonomously and dynamically access and manage spectrum. In Phase I, POC will design IMP-S and develop limited-scale benchtop hardware to show component feasibility. In Phase II, POC will develop a field-ready, TRL-5/-6, UAS-mounted IMP-S with threat detection capability that can be demonstrated to a suitable customer for further transition.