KNEXUS RESEARCH LLC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase II: N121-082

Description

The introduction of Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) compounds the already challenging nature of conducting mine countermeasures (MCM) operations, which take place in a dynamic and uncertain operating environment. The MCM Commander (MCMC) needs decision aids to streamline their decision making. To meet this need, we will research and develop a suite of modular algorithms called Adaptive MCM Operations Planning and Replanning (AMORE) to support Mission Planning, Waterspace Management, Planning Algorithms, Situational Awareness, and Scheduling. In the Base period, we will focus on reducing technical risks by developing an initial set of software design artifacts accompanied by study results that evaluate our algorithms in relevant LCS missions. In Option 1, we will develop implementation ready software design artifacts and evaluate the performance of advanced algorithm features. In Option 2, we will deliver increasingly mature implementations of AMORE modules every six months that are tested internally as well as at the program level. Our deliverables will include specifications, code, knowledge bases, and results of testing and studies; these will go through internal testing and quality assurance to ensure their clarity and utility. Our evaluations will consider program provided data and will include automated testing for reliability and assurance of component performances.