DAF26BZ02-DV014 — Creating a Mobile L-Band Linear Accelerator (LINAC)
Award Maximum: $2,000,000 Period of Performance: 24 months Phase Type: Direct-to-Phase-II (D2P2)
OBJECTIVE: The program goal under the offered D2P2 topic is to design and build a transportable L-Band Linear Accelerator (LINAC) with a 20 MeV output. This LINAC would be used as both a standalone nuclear test environment and with other test capabilities to create a combined nuclear test environment for microelectronics. The program would leverage existing components (electron gun, klystrons, accelerator section) retrieved from a previously operated DoW LINAC. Work could include procurement/fabrication of injector system, modulator, beamline and magnetics, beamline diagnostics and support equipment, beamline structure, beamline cooling, power management & distribution system, power supplies, controls, external chillers, computer/software, and RF system. For procurement or fabrication work that cannot be completed under phase II, full drawings and phase III development/operation plan must be included at the end of phase II. This LINAC represents a capability that does not currently exist within the DoW.
DESCRIPTION: White Sands Missile Range's (WSMR's) Survivability, Vulnerability and Assessment Directorate (SVAD) received major components of a Linear Accelerator (LINAC) from Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center with the intention of rebuilding it to be a smaller LINAC with a 20 MeV output that could be housed in a freight container for ease of transport and positioning. This effort was put on hold, but a mobile LINAC is still needed to operate as a standalone capability and synchronized with other test capabilities for combined environment testing.
PHASE I: As this is a Direct-to-Phase-II (D2P2) topic, no Phase I awards will be made as a result of this topic. To qualify for this D2P2 topic, the Air Force expects the applicant(s) to demonstrate feasibility by means of a prior 'Phase I-type' effort that does not constitute work undertaken as part of a prior or ongoing SBIR/STTR funding agreement. Applicant(s) should provide documentation demonstrating a clear understanding of tools, equipment, modeling, and development/integration of LINAC components including electron guns, klystrons, accelerator sections, modulators, beamline equipment and diagnostics, power distribution and supplies, controls, software, chillers, and RF systems applicable to research and development of LINAC capabilities.
PHASE II: The overarching goal of Phase II will be completion of a final design and procurement/fabrication of major components toward the delivery of a mobile 20 MeV linear accelerator. During the two-year period of performance, the old LINAC parts will be transported from WSMR to an offsite location in order to analyze the existing klystrons and accelerator section. Further research and development work may include procurement/fabrication of injector system, modulator, beamline and magnetics, beamline diagnostics and support equipment, beamline structure, beamline cooling, power management & distribution system, power supplies, controls, external chillers, computer/software, and RF system. The awardee will submit for review a LINAC design and a list of the components they propose procuring or fabricating under Phase II. The awardee will also identify supporting equipment and components needed as part of a Phase III SBIR effort along with a timeline for final assembly and operation prior to transfer to the transition partner. Since a fully operational LINAC is not expected at the end of Phase II, a bidder may concentrate on subsystems and components within their area of expertise so long as they also develop a final design and plan for execution of that design (with cost estimates for completion).
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Upon final assembly and demonstration operations, the mobile LINAC will be used for component testing as a standalone pulse gamma simulation irradiator and in concert with other radiation test capabilities for exposure to combined environments. While lessons learned will support further Nuclear Hardness and Survivability (NH&S) test efforts in the future, commercial applications in the medical industry are also likely.