N251-034 TITLE: Maritime Expeditionary Response Crawler

OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Trusted AI and Autonomy

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.

OBJECTIVE: Develop a small, multi-mission capable, minefield suitable undersea crawler platform to operate in complex seabed environments.

DESCRIPTION: The Navy seeks an expeditionary-sized bottom crawler system to detect, acquire, and neutralize or render safe threat objects in the seabed environment. Currently there is no commercial capability available. The expeditionary-size bottom crawler system shall be a remotely operated platform that must be capable of conducting operations in water depths over 600 meters while also capable of transit on the ocean surface for a distance of at least two nautical miles to a georeferenced point where it can autonomously submerge to the seabed. The crawler platform should not exceed 150 lbs. (not including payloads) and must be designed to accommodate the addition of alternative, end-effector specialized payloads including disruptors, short-range diagnostic sensors, and manipulators. The crawler system must be capable of integration with alternative specialized payloads in the field, which range from neutrally buoyant up to 100 pounds, including additional power adequate for both the baseline platform and payloads without degrading crawler stability and mobility on the seabed. The system must be capable of at least 6 hours of continuous operation including power required for platform, navigation, sensors, and communications.

The system must incorporate navigation, camera, and high frequency sonar sensors and a tethered buoy subsystem with active tether management for Radio Frequency (RF) communications. When submerged, the system shall release the tethered buoy to enable RF command and control by operators at a safe standoff distance. The tethered buoy subsystem shall provide operators supervisory control and situational awareness for detection, reacquisition, and render safe or neutralization tasks to enable clearance of naval mines and other underwater explosive-laden threats. It shall also be capable of allowing operators to take full manual control of the platform when necessary. Supervisory autonomy to reduce cognitive burden to the operator is desired. The system’s tether shall be capable of very low latency, reliable communications at varying depths and standoff ranges to enable precision operations.

The system must be capable of effectively conducting operations in different sediment and seabed types (e.g., rocky, flat sand, silt, etc.) and must be stable on the seabed in dynamic sea states and currents. Additionally, it must be designed to achieve, maintain, and/or restore itself to the proper orientation for maneuver to and from the target, and for employment of payloads when at or near the target.

It is desired that the system be designed for operations in close proximity to influence actuated threat mines and have a magnetic signature of three times non-contact specification at a range of 3-4 feet from the closest point of the platform and appendages as specified in MIL-DTL-19595.

Work produced in Phase II may become classified. Note: The prospective contractor(s) must be U.S. owned and operated with no foreign influence as defined by 32 U.S.C. § 2004.20 et seq., National Industrial Security Program Executive Agent and Operating Manual, unless acceptable mitigating procedures can and have been implemented and approved by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) formerly Defense Security Service (DSS). The selected contractor must be able to acquire and maintain a secret level facility and Personnel Security Clearances. This will allow contractor personnel to perform on advanced phases of this project as set forth by DCSA and NAVSEA in order to gain access to classified information pertaining to the national defense of the United States and its allies; this will be an inherent requirement. The selected company will be required to safeguard classified material during the advanced phases of this contract IAW the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), which can be found at Title 32, Part 2004.20 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

PHASE I: Develop a concept for a Maritime Expeditionary Response Crawler System that meets the requirements described above. Demonstrate through modeling and simulation, benchtop tests or other supporting documentation the efficacy of the proposed system design for satisfying prototype system requirements. The Phase I Option, if exercised, will include the initial design specifications and capabilities description to build a prototype solution in Phase II, and plans to assist the Navy in refining system level requirements for transition to operational systems as a component of the Maritime Expeditionary Standoff Response (MESR) Family of Systems.

PHASE II: Develop and deliver a prototype for evaluation to determine its capability in meeting the performance goals defined in the Phase II SOW and the Navy requirements as stated above and to incorporate a diagnostic sensor payload. (Information on the payload will be provided as government furnished information (GFI) during the Phase I Option period). Demonstrate the prototype’s performance in a relevant undersea environment against Government-furnished threat representative surrogate targets. Prepare a Phase III development plan to transition the technology to Navy use.

It is probable that the work under this effort will be classified under Phase II (see Description section for details).

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Provide technical and transition support for the incorporation of the solution into Navy program(s). Provide support for additional testing depending on the particular program (if needed). Explore the potential to transfer the system or technology to other military and commercial systems, including the scientific community. For example, implementation in the US Navy, United States Marine Corps (USMC) and Army Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Workspace for littoral ordnance neutralization activities in the surf zone. In addition, this technology can provide support within other federal agencies (e.g., Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Department of Homeland Security (DHS)) and civilian first responders and law enforcement agencies to provide a broad range of EOD related support services.

REFERENCES:

1. Eckstein, Megan. "Expeditionary Mine Countermeasures Community Advancing Technology, Tactics for High-End Fight." USNI News, May 10, 2021. https://news.usni.org/2021/05/10/expeditionary-mine-countermeasures-community-advancing-technology-tactics-for-high-end-fight

2. Manley, Justin E. and Mangolds, Arnis. "Seafloor Crawlers: New Robotic Tools for Challenging Missions." Marine Technology News, September 17, 2018. https://www.marinetechnologynews.com/news/seafloor-crawlers-robotic-tools-564662

3. "National Industrial Security Program Executive Agent and Operating Manual (NISP), 32 U.S.C. § 2004.20 et seq. (1993)." https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-32/subtitle-B/chapter-XX/part-2004

KEYWORDS: small unmanned surface vessel; sUSV; bottom crawler; mine countermeasures; MCM; Navy expeditionary; underwater improvised explosive device; unexploded explosive ordnance

TPOC 1: James Hopkins
(301) 744-5751
Email: [email protected]

TPOC 2: Matthew Jackson
(619) 767-434
Email: [email protected]

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