Army posts quantum technologies request for solutions

On August 6, the U.S. Army issued a request for solutions: Quantum Technologies for Threat Military Applications. Responses are due by 12:00 p.m. Eastern on August 30.

This Request for Solutions is issued to identify and evaluate the current state of quantum technology applications, identify and evaluate peer and near-peer quantum/Electronic Warfare (EW) convergence implementations to ensure the Government remains current with adversarial quantum-based threat systems. The Government desires a prototype for a threat-representative system utilizing quantum technologies that can be developed to support U.S. Army training exercises at the major Combat Training Centers (NTC, JRTC, & JMRC).

Summary and Background

A global race has ensued to exploit and operationalize quantum technologies for the use of military effects. The race to conquer the quantum domain is among the most fiercely competitive in today’s world of technology. The U.S. Army’s Threat System Management Office (TSMO) desires a comprehensive evaluation of current adversarial, non-adversarial, and commercial capabilities utilizing quantum technologies as a strategic means of delivering or supporting operationalized effects (e.g. Cyber, Electronic Warfare, Anti-Access Area Denial, etc.) against U.S. Military and Coalition forces.

A comprehensive analyses is needed to show how current and future threat capabilities can be or have been enhanced or finally materialized through quantum physics and technologies. An initial research finding report and analyses will serve as a base effort. Upon acceptance of the findings and a conceptual description of a threat-representative follow-on prototype development, an option will support a follow-on methodology development effort and a proof-of-concept aligned with up-to-date threats utilizing quantum physics/technologies.

The Government’s domains of interest regarding quantum and adversarial Electronic Warfare are:
· Radars
· (Secure) Communications
· Sensing
· Navigation (inertial sensors – navigation without GPS)
· High Precision Weapons
· Unmanned Air Systems (UAS)
· Cyber (Testing & Training)

Several countries view quantum technologies as a key area for providing new and innovative capabilities to their forces. However, current state of the art technologies across all domains are assumed to be at a low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 1 to TRL 5. This project is based on the militarization of innovative disruptive technologies for adversarial defense purposes. These technologies are assumed to have a low-to-medium TRL but pose as potentially serious threats to Tri-Service Systems, U.S. Forces, and Coalition Partners. Upon completion of the evaluation period, the lead Government Agency and the selected Vendor will assess the feasibility of initial prototypes in the most mature domain and begin system/sub-system development.

Full information is available here.

Source: FedBizOpps