Army posts new EW, alternative PNT RFI

On July 6, the U.S. Army Contracting Command posted a Request for Information (RFI) for Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning approaches, algorithms, and systems in Support of Electronic Warfare; and Alternative Means of Positioning, Navigation and Timing. Responses must be received by 10:00am EDT on July 28.

The Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) is considering the development of one or more capabilities as described below:

CAPABILITY DESCRIPTIONS

1. Electronic Warfare (EW): The Army must meet the challenges of fighting in an increasingly dense electromagnetic environment against adversaries with well-developed electronic warfare capabilities or those that are becoming increasingly agile. U.S. Army soldiers are responsible for understanding a vast amount of information presented to them. Compounding the issue is the source and location information of, potentially, infinite number of electronic signals through various sensing means, coordinating defensive and offensive operations to defend against electronic attack, and blunt the electronic means of the threat. Machine Learning solutions of interest cover both supervised and unsupervised learning systems, to include deep learning systems and reinforced learning systems. Electronic Support (ES) and Electronic Attack (EA) targeting solutions are within the scope of this capability. Solutions capable of increasing the accuracy, efficiency, and throughput of the current Army Electronic Support systems and experienced/novice operators are within scope of this capability. Solutions capable of using machine learning techniques on monitoring and assessing threat Radio Frequency emissions, to establish normal and abnormal patterns of life, and to characterize emitter types and signal structures are within scope of this capability. Solutions capable of integrating with and analyzing Army data, both tactical network and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), to include electro optical sensors and Electronic Support Radio Frequency Electronic Warfare sensors, are also within the scope of this capability.

2. Alternative Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT): The Army relies heavily on Global Positioning System (GPS) services to conduct many aspects of military operations. There exist today increasingly sophisticated capabilities to deny access to GPS services or spoof existing signals. Additionally, the Army is asked to conduct military operations in environments where GPS signals are not always reliably available such as in urban canyons, under dense canopy or in subterranean environments. The Army is interested in understanding alternative means of providing trusted Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) information to operators for ground/air maneuver, precision location, and timing.

The RCO intends to use the results of this RFI to assist in the assessment of on-going industry efforts within the identified focus areas. The finding will also help to shape the path forward for potential acquisitions to include determination of contractual mechanisms to potentially pursue capabilities.

Full information is available here.

Source: FedBizOpps