Army Futures Command (AFC) releases topics during three specific solicitation periods throughout the fiscal year to address the Army’s current and anticipated war-fighting technology needs.
Current munitions manufacturing is often limited to monolithic, simple designs due to the difficulty of manufacturing the very hard and strong metals of interest to the military through conventional means. Additive manufacturing (AM) has the potential to enable the production of complex, multi-material munitions with enhanced lethality.
Field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) are a high volume, programmable, relatively low cost, approach for creating hardware applications from state machines to softcore processors. A field programmable neural network equivalent of a FPGA is needed to provide the same level of flexibility at low cost for neural network applications. A field programmable neural network array would also provide bring FPGA-like functionality to DoD and Army neural network applications and empower future neural network developments.
Continuous Time Spiking Neural Network Field Programmable Neural Network Array Read More »
In order for the Army to advance the development of extended range precision artillery and long-range missiles, while meeting the key need to penetrate adversary defensive capabilities and engage key targets at those extended ranges, the need to develop electromagnetic protection solutions and ways to integrate them onto munitions becomes increasingly critical.
The Army is currently looking for novel solutions of integrating electromagnetic (EM) protection materials onto artillery munitions. The proposed solutions must be capable of surviving typical artillery gun launch loads, should conform to the geometry of artillery projectile, and also be able to perform at elevated skin temperatures caused by aerodynamic heating due to higher velocities commonly required to achieve extended ranges. Ultra-low temperature co-fired ceramic (ULTCC) materials have demonstrated potential as EM materials; however, for artillery these EM materials must be capable of being applied to conformal surfaces and surviving the mechanical shock of gun launch.
Electromagnetic Protection Coating for Artillery Projectiles Read More »
Future conflicts are anticipated to involve significant use of autonomous unmanned aircraft system (UAS) weapons combined with aggressive electromagnetic interference and adversary geolocation of radio frequency (RF) emissions. Spatial and spectral management overlaid on fielded tactical waveforms and navigation signals will improve soldier lethality and survivability by providing awareness of enemy electromagnetic spectrum operations and enabling communications with reduced risk of detection.
AI/ML Augmented Antenna Systems for Contested Electromagnetic Environments Read More »
This Imaging/Detector to be used in conjunction with a source of high-energy neutrons to achieve a state-of-the-art neutron radiography system.
Solid-State Scalable/Tileable Imaging Detector for High-Energy Neutron Radiography Read More »
Advanced Spectrum Situational Awareness is required for improved threat detection and Future Tactical UAS applications. UAS swarms require accurate timing and position information for navigation and information fusion.
UAS Continuous Time Spectrum Situational Awareness Read More »
Recent advances in MEMS-based technology offer the promise of rapidly measuring azimuth with high accuracy and in a small, ruggedized form factor. The desired application for this technology is the orientation of weapons platforms (e.g., mortar systems), radar system configuration. The technology should also be suitable as a and-alone navigation aid for soldiers in austere environments. The technology should offer the capability to provide the measured heading to the user or to a host system in which the technology is embedded.
Lightweight, Robust, Ruggedized North Finding Technology Read More »
To overcome limitations inherent in conventional image-based targeting systems, (e.g., visible, and conventional thermal vision systems) a polarimetrically filtered SWIR camera system based on new high resolution FPA technology is to be developed.
We define an Electromagnetic (EM) skin as a thin layer of radio frequency (RF) components and/or periodic structures conformed to an Army platform that manipulate radiation or scattering parameters. Thin EM skins will occupy areas designed and shaped primarily for mechanical and environmental functions.
Electromagnetic Skins and Smart RF Radomes for Spectrum Camouflage Read More »
Current generation aviation systems were not developed with strong computer security requirements. Past cyber threats, Spectre, Meltdown, current cyber treats, and future cyber treats need to be countered.
Open Source, High Assurance Hardware and Software Co-Design Read More »
