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Description

The Interrogative Anti-Submarine Warfare (IASW) program seeks to develop innovative solutions to dramatically close detect-to-engage timelines for Navy tactical ASW search systems. Typically these are active sonar systems that have the ability to detect and localize submarines over large areas with the ability to prosecute the targets as needed. End solutions identified by the IASW program may also apply for surveillance systems and future undefined long-range detection systems.

Currently, the intermediate step between detect and engage is consumed by a manned platform that flies to the possible contact position to re-acquire the underwater submarine target. For ship systems, a helicopter is tasked to validate and engage the target. For maritime patrol aircraft, the aircraft must break from its search (and drop altitude) to validate and engage the target. As such, there is little tolerance for false alerts which must be investigated sequentially. Further, the ability to handle multiple targets is limited. A successful IASW program will identify technology and system concepts that permit rapid and near simultaneous interrogation of long-range alerts without the mission costs of a manned aircraft. This will reduce the burden on operators and systems to correctly classify the target at long-range, and will provide engagement-quality localization for potential future standoff weapons. Solutions must at least address ship-based ASW, but will be more attractive if they are extendable to maritime patrol aircraft and surveillance systems.

Proposers should consider solutions that permit rapid delivery of multiple proximity sensors capable of detecting, classifying, and communicating the presence or absence of a target. The main technology components to consider should provide the following: 1. Delivery that is fast and which permits near-simultaneous interrogation of cued target positions; 2. Sensing that provides highly reliable detection and classification and; 3. Communication that provides robust message extraction from multiple long-range positions. With rapid delivery, it is expected that small time-late target position uncertainties will permit near-target sensor emplacement. This should lead to a rich set of signatures for classification automation. Successful automation should broaden the range of data extraction approaches. Communication is expected to be particularly challenging.

Proposers must have existing, and in-place prior to execution of an award, approved capabilities (personnel and facilities) to perform research and development at the classification level they propose but at a minimum SECRET.

DARPA-BAA-09-24, entitled Interrogative Anti-Submarine Warfare (IASW) is provided as an attachment to this solicitation notice and includes information on the area of interest, the submission process, proposal formats, as well as all other pertinent administrative and contractual information. The BAA is attached as a Word Document File, IASW BAA 2009Mar11 Finalx.

Administrative, technical, or contractual questions should be sent via email to BAA09-24@darpa.mil. All requests must include the name, address, and phone number of a point of contact.

Contracting Office Address

3701 North Fairfax Drive
Arlington, Virginia 22203-1714

Place of Performance

United States Primary

Point of Contact

DARPA-BAA-09-24, BAA Coordinator
BAA09-24@darpa.mil