Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: A17-098

Description

To address the Army’s need for a squad level system to detect and counter unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Portable Anti-UAS Device (PAN-UAS). The system is based on a new design that combines state-of-the-art airspace monitoring technology with novel UAS countermeasure approaches packaged into a man-packable system. Specifically, the innovation in miniaturizing and ruggedizing radar detection and radio frequency (RF) jamming systems will enable the PAN-UAS system to detect and counter both individual and swarms of UASs while being self-contained in a very portable form factor. As a result, this system offers a tactical, ruggedized solution that is less than 100 in.^3, less than 3 lb, and costs less than $15k, which is appropriate for squad and platoon level operation and directly addresses the Army requirements. In Phase I, POC will theoretically demonstrate the feasibility of PAN-UAS by performing four focused trade studies coupled with select feasibility testing to reach technology readiness level (TRL)-3. In Phase II, POC plans to refine the system design and produce a fully-integrated prototype to use for live demonstration against a UAS, reaching TRL-6.