Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase II: A13-001

Description

To address the Armys need for a low-cost rearward sense-and-avoid system, Physical Optics Corporation proposes to advance development of the Airborne Enhanced Rear Obstacle Avoidance System (AERO) proven feasible in Phase I. This system is based on a novel integration of two orthogonal sense-and-avoid techniques. The key innovation is its unique design that provides highly accurate obstacle detection and avoidance as well as situational awareness in degraded visual environment such as rain, fog, dust, or during nighttime operation. In Phase I, POC successfully met all the objectives and conclusively demonstrated the feasibility of the AERO system. Key technical risks associated with the technology were reduced via designing, developing, and testing a limited-scale prototype in simulated brownout conditions. As a result, Phase II development is now a straightforward process of engineering, optimization, and risk-reduction. In Phase II, POC plans to further mature this technology by building a modularized AERO system that can be integrated with select platforms for preliminary flight testing. We anticipate that at the end of Phase II, AERO will reach technology readiness level (TRL) 5/6 and will be mature enough to proceed to full certifications, engineering and regulatory documentation, and pre-productization.