SOC26BZ02-NV003 — Passive Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) for Terminal Guidance
Award Maximum: $175,000 Period of Performance: 7 months Phase Type: Phase I
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this topic is to develop applied research toward an innovative capability that will provide kinetic One-Way Attack (OWA) Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) enhanced terminal guidance capability on approach to target by passively perceiving and navigating through complex, cluttered, and unstructured environments at mission relevant speeds.
DESCRIPTION: This topic seeks innovative research and development efforts that allow Special Operations Soldiers to employ autonomously navigating Group 1 UAS in complex, cluttered, and unstructured environments. OWA UAS often have some level of autonomous terminal guidance when a target is verified and approved for targeting. Basic UAS terminal guidance capabilities typically utilize computer vision to develop bounding boxes on a selected target and navigate directly to that location. Utilizing a designated target as a destination, the UAS developed under this SBIR must be capable of navigating to the target location/object by building a model of its current position relative to a designated target, identifying obstacles between the platform and the target, then developing and executing a navigation plan to the target while dynamically adjusting with changes in surrounding environment. As a part of this feasibility study, the proposers shall address all viable overall system design options with respective specifications on the following key system attributes:
Must be capable of utilizing passive sensors to perceive local environment.
Must be capable of identifying, analyzing, and selecting suitable navigation paths for UAS through unstructured dynamic environments.
UAS should be capable of navigating to both static and dynamic targets.
UAS should be capable of loop-closures to correct INS/SLAM drift.
All data, compute, and sensors utilized for navigation must be organic to aircraft (i.e. no cloud compute or reach-back authorized).
Must be Modular Open System Approach (MOSA)/Open software compatible.
Must use industry standard flight controls (Mavlink, Ardupilot, etc).
PHASE I: Conduct a feasibility study to assess what is in the art of the possible that satisfies the requirements specified in the above paragraphs entitled "Objective" and "Description."
The objective of this USSOCOM Phase I SBIR effort is to conduct and document the results of a thorough feasibility study ("Technology Readiness Level 3") to investigate what is in the art of the possible within the given trade space that will satisfy a needed technology. The feasibility study should investigate all options that meet or exceed the minimum performance parameters specified in this write-up. It should also address the risks and potential payoffs of the innovative technology options that are investigated and recommend the option that best achieves the objective of this technology pursuit. The funds obligated on the resulting Phase I SBIR contracts are to be used for the sole purpose of conducting a thorough feasibility study using scientific experiments and laboratory studies as necessary. Operational prototypes will not be developed with USSOCOM SBIR funds during Phase I feasibility studies. Operational prototypes developed with other than SBIR funds that are provided at the end of Phase I feasibility studies will not be considered in deciding what firm(s) will be selected for Phase II.
PHASE II: Develop, install, and demonstrate prototype systems determined to be the most feasible solution during the Phase I feasibility study on a passive visual-inertial SLAM navigation system to advance terminal guidance capabilities for National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)-compliant multi-rotor UAS. Performers will be expected to demonstrate UAS performance in cluttered, unstructured environments.
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: This system could be used in a broad range of military applications where advanced autonomy is required to navigate UAS to targets in dense rural or urban environments. In the commercial space, there exists broad applicability for this technology in drone delivery services, unmanned search and rescue, unmanned mapping, HAZMAT, and various other use cases.