SBIR / STTR #A254-038

Army SBIR seeks two meta lens solar compasses for potential Army use

The U.S. Army SBIR program seeks a complete meta lens solar compass system for potential Army use. - Government buyer: U.S. Army, through the Army Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program; no specific contracting office is identified. - Requested system: Design, prototype, demonstrate, and deliver two Meta Lens Solar Compasses (MLSCs). No part number is provided. - Notable developer: Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL) developed an existing prototype meta lens. Six prototype lens samples and technical design documentation may be available to the selected contractor; proposers may instead develop their own lens design. - Performance requirements: Provide accurate azimuth solutions without reorientation, with accuracy assessed across headings at a specified solar elevation angle. The system should improve performance while reducing the weight and cost of traditional multi-element optical assemblies, and be suitable for potential transition into an Army system. - Relevant experience and technical capabilities: Applicants must demonstrate experience integrating celestial compass systems into at least a prototype targeting system, plus knowledge of optical design, digital image processing, computational algorithms, microprocessors, and supporting electronics. Proposals must establish scientific and technical merit and feasibility equivalent to a Phase I effort. - Funding and performance period: Funding is available up to $2,000,000 for a 24-month period of performance.

Description

The Army SBIR topic seeks proposals to design and prototype a solar compass using meta lens technology, with the goal of improving performance while reducing weight and cost. The Direct to Phase II effort is to develop, demonstrate, and deliver two solar compasses ready for potential transition into an Army system. Proposals should document scientific and technical merit and feasibility equivalent to a Phase I project; proposers must also demonstrate relevant celestial compass and targeting-system experience. The topic allows up to $2,000,000 for a 24-month period of performance, and prototype lens samples and technical design documentation may be provided upon award.

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