Selectee

• Creare LLC; Hanover, N.H.

Objective

Through the Yuma Test Center Full Load Cooling solicitation, the Army seeks to develop modernized data processing techniques — including performance limiting controls (e.g., engine derating) — that can assess the cooling capabilities of automotive platforms with electronically controlled powertrains.

Many modern automotive and combat vehicles have transitioned from mechanical to electronically-controlled transmissions. These updates highlight the need to update testing methodologies and data processing techniques for temperature data extrapolation.

Current extrapolation methods of temperature data existed before the arrival of electronically-controlled transmissions, impacting their ability to assess these new types of transmissions. As a result, the Army aims to modernize these testing methodology and data processing techniques for the Full Load Cooling of modern combat vehicles with electronically-controlled drivetrains.

Description

The Army aims to leverage commercial industry data and expertise on the behaviors of electronically-controlled powertrains, which have commonly circulated throughout the commercial automotive industry for more than 30 years.

However, the application of this technology to military vehicles is novel and requires a knowledge transference to Department of Defense testing experts as the “third-party” evaluators of military equipment.

A small business with experience assessing automotive powertrain and cooling systems could develop new FLC test methodology and mathematical formulae for advanced data processing techniques. The new methodology could help the Army appropriately assess vehicle powertrain performance in extreme natural environments across various military ground vehicles.

Current automotive industry practices include vehicle specific assessments. Meanwhile, there is no agnostic model for predicting cooling system performance via test data. Because of this — and a climate change-driven increase in ambient environmental conditions — the Army anticipates a rise in the importance of military vehicle cooling system performance testing.

Phase I

• 3QFY24: Evaluate proposals for Phase I.
• 4QFY24: Award contracts for the development of FLC test methodology, instrumentation requirements and mathematical formulae for advanced data processing techniques.

Phase II

• 3QFY25: Evaluate the data and analysis from Phase I — and contractors’ proposals for the Phase II field demonstration.
• 4QFY25: Award to contract to develop data processing software and refine the FLC test methodology across varying drivetrains during FLC test events.
• 3QFY26: Test the developmental methodology and data processing software in field conditions on a surrogate vehicle to analyze the actual performance capabilities. Then, determine the required refinements.
• 4QFY27: Test the developmental methodology and data processing software in field conditions on an Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle.

Phase III

• Academic and corporate research underscore the efficacy of instituting modeling and simulation capabilities for engine and energy cooling, AI and digital twin integration.
• Moreover, M&S capabilities, namely digital twin solutions, can augment cooling systems and powertrains during the manufacturing process, per corporate R&D literature.
• Current market applications, including start-up usage, for FLC M&S include:
  • Augmenting traffic cycles by analyzing driver behavior.
  • EV battery lifecycle improvement and integration.
  • Utility asset cooling and management Software as a Service products.

Submission Info

All eligible small businesses must submit proposals by 12;00 PM, Eastern Time

To view full solicitation details, click here.

For more information, and to submit your full proposal package, visit the DSIP Portal.

Applied SBIR Help Desk: usarmy.pentagon.hqda-asa-alt.mbx.army-applied-sbir-program@army.mil.