Reusable Illumination System

The PF300 flash bulbs, that provide high-intensity illumination for high-speed video acquisition, are no longer in production. The objective is to award a contract to a small business to engineer, design, and manufacture a modern, robust, reusable replacement for the legacy PF300 flash bulb. This new system must meet or surpass the existing illumination and performance requirements of the original flash bulbs to ensure seamless integration with current high-speed video systems. The ideal solution would leverage Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) or near-COTS technologies to qualify this project as a direct-to-Phase-II effort. A successful reusable replacement would immediately solve the impending obsolescence issue, securing a reliable illumination source for future missions. Furthermore, transitioning to a reusable system would dramatically reduce consumable cost. This technological update could also pave the way for enhanced capabilities, such as adjustable light intensity and longer duration illumination, offering greater flexibility and improved data quality for high-speed video analysis across various applications

Objective

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 section 3.5 of 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.

Develop a reusable illumination system for high-speed photo-optic data collection used at the Holloman High Speed Test Track (HHSTT) and other sled test tracks.

Phase I

As this is a Direct-to-Phase-II (D2P2) topic, no Phase I awards will be made as a result of this topic. Offerors must demonstrate completion of Phase I feasibility research and development that is not based upon or logically extend from any prior or ongoing federally funded SBIR or STTR work. Prior "Phase I-type" work by other companies has produced similar illumination methods, but not to the requirements needed to operate in the Test Track Environment. The technology exists, but the operating environment of the Test Track is unique enough there is not a readily available product. The Test Track is ready to define requirements up to, but not limited to illumination levels, illumination duration, connectivity and ruggedness.

Phase II

The Phase II effort should develop a detailed design and operational procedures for a prototype reusable illumination system that meets requirements established by 846 TS Customers. Component level prototypes will be developed and tested to validate performance and mitigate risks prior to the development of the complete system prototype. The Phase II effort will culminate with the demonstration of an operational reusable illumination sled on the test track. The demonstration shall showcase the performance and reusability of the system.

Phase III

The Phase III effort should further refine the illumination system design following lessons learned from the Phase II demonstration. The matured system should be ready for operational use at the HHSTT as well as other DoW test tracks. Phase III may involve follow-on non-SBIR/STTR funded R&D or production contracts for products, processes or services intended for use by the U.S. Government.

Keywords: Illumination, photo-optic, hypersonic, sled test

Technology areas: Electronics

Focus areas: Advanced Materials, Hypersonics

ITAR: Applies

CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)