SBIR / STTR #Phase I

Army SBIR Solicitation for Staring Pilotage Sensor Development for AH-64E Helicopters

The Army SBIR program is seeking innovative solutions to improve pilot situational awareness in AH-64E helicopters: - Government buyer: Army SBIR, with technical oversight from NVESD through MANTECH - Objective: Develop a staring pilotage sensor to replace the current Lockheed Martin Pilot Night Vision Sensor (PNVS) gimbaled system - Repackage a high dynamic range Long Wave Infrared (LWIR) 3K x 3K Focal Plane Array (FPA) into a miniaturized camera suitable for aircraft - Stitch imagery from three cameras to create a seamless forward-looking hemispherical image - Conduct performance testing and deliver a prototype miniaturized camera - Phased approach: - Initial phase: Design, integration, and prototyping - Follow-on phases: Helicopter integration and potential commercial applications - Notable requirements: - Reduce latency and mechanical wear compared to gimbaled systems - Enhance pilot safety and situational awareness - OEMs and vendors: - Lockheed Martin is the OEM of the current PNVS system (referenced for replacement) - Estimated contract value: Up to $250,000 - Project duration: Up to 6 months

Description

The Army SBIR is seeking to develop a staring pilotage sensor to replace the current mechanically gimbaled design used in AH-64E helicopters. The project involves repackaging a Long Wave Infrared (LWIR) 3K x 3K Focal Plane Array (FPA) into a miniaturized camera suitable for aircraft integration and stitching images from three cameras to create a seamless hemispherical view. The goal is to reduce latency, decrease mechanical wear, and increase pilot safety by providing two video streams. The project is structured in phases, starting with design and integration, followed by helicopter integration, and exploring commercial applications.

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