N252-117 TITLE: Interception of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles
OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Advanced Computing and Software;Integrated Network Systems-of-Systems;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 an innovative solution to intercept Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs), Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs).
DESCRIPTION: UUVs are a rapidly advancing technology, with their future progression likely following a similar path to that of Un-crewed Aerial Systems (UASs). Over the past decade, UAVs have significantly improved in navigation and maneuverability, and nations around the world have supported these developments for their own purposes [Ref 1]. Events in recent global conflicts indicate that similar technological advances are well on their way for UUVs. Therefore, an ideal proposal for UUV systems should allow flexibility for future enhancements, particularly the potential to improve the system’s capabilities to intercept future threats.
The proliferation of UUVs has created a need for the U.S. Navy to increase its ability to prevent trespassers from accessing its assets. Permanent underwater barriers are not considered a viable option due to the interference with our own port operations. Therefore, a more operationally supportable approach is required to achieve the U.S. Navy’s aims. The Navy is searching for the capability to intercept any unauthorized UUV that is trespassing in sensitive underwater areas. Interception is defined as the capability to reach the location of a trespassing UUV with enough accuracy for neutralizing actions to take place.
The innovative solution will be capable of intercepting small and medium sized UUVs travelling at sprint speeds [Ref 2]. The U.S. Navy defines small and medium UUVs as having a diameter no greater than 21 inches. The solution will include the capability to intercept these UUV classes at depths up to 800 feet below the surface.
Modelling the interception of underwater vehicles has additional challenges. UUVs operate in three-dimensional (3D) space, increasing the number of possible trajectories they can take. An interceptor can commit to an intercept path, but if the unauthorized UUV changes its trajectory, the higher density fluid (in contrast with air) means that it will take longer for the interceptor to fully react to the change. If the UUV is faster than the interceptor, the problem is compounded. Furthermore, the additional trajectories allowed in 3D space also limit the interceptor’s ability to fully anticipate and prepare for changes in the UUV’s motion [Ref 3].
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 SSP 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: Define and develop an interception method that meets the requirements in the Description. Define and develop a method to deny the UUV access to our assets once it has been intercepted and meets the requirements in the Description. Define the proposed components of the system, including power sources, electronics, interception algorithms, denial tactics, interfaces, and any other design components deemed necessary by the developer. Demonstrate the feasibility of the concept through modelling and simulation.
The Phase I Option, if exercised, will include the initial design specifications and capabilities description to build a prototype solution in Phase II.
PHASE II: Develop and deliver a prototype UUV Interception and Denial system that meets the requirements listed in the Description. Demonstrate the efficacy of the system in an appropriate location. The prototype shall be delivered by the end of Phase II.
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: Support the U.S. Navy while transitioning the technology to Navy use through production, integration, and maintenance. Ensure that the final product includes any systems required for interception and subsequent denial or destruction of unauthorized UUVs. A user-friendly interface for ease of use should also be part of the final product.
Prepare a strategy to utilize the technology it has developed for commercial use. Possible uses include protection of commercial ports and shipping, or research into marine life.
REFERENCES:
KEYWORDS: Interception; Interdiction; Unmanned; Autonomous; Harbor Protection; Capture; Three Dimension Trajectory; UUV; AUV; Underwater Vehicle
** TOPIC NOTICE ** |
The Navy Topic above is an "unofficial" copy from the Navy Topics in the DoD 25.2 SBIR BAA. Please see the official DoD Topic website at www.dodsbirsttr.mil/submissions/solicitation-documents/active-solicitations for any updates. The DoD issued its Navy 25.2 SBIR Topics pre-release on April 2, 2025 which opens to receive proposals on April 23, 2025, and closes May 21, 2025 (12:00pm ET). Direct Contact with Topic Authors: During the pre-release period (April 2, 2025, through April 22, 2025) proposing firms have an opportunity to directly contact the Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) to ask technical questions about the specific BAA topic. The TPOC contact information is listed in each topic description. Once DoD begins accepting proposals on April 23, 2025 no further direct contact between proposers and topic authors is allowed unless the Topic Author is responding to a question submitted during the Pre-release period. DoD On-line Q&A System: After the pre-release period, until May 7, 2025, at 12:00 PM ET, proposers may submit written questions through the DoD On-line Topic Q&A at https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/submissions/login/ by logging in and following instructions. In the Topic Q&A system, the questioner and respondent remain anonymous but all questions and answers are posted for general viewing. DoD Topics Search Tool: Visit the DoD Topic Search Tool at www.dodsbirsttr.mil/topics-app/ to find topics by keyword across all DoD Components participating in this BAA.
|
| 4/20/25 | Q. |
|
| A. | 1. The solution may assume that the target UUVs have a maximum sprint speed of 10 knots. The solution should not assume that there is a constant communication link between the threat UUV and the user.
See the topic for size information. 2. We would be particularly interested in capturing UUVs for analysis in a scenario where the threat UUV seems to be engaged in ISR, but this capability is not a requirement. 3. Ports and harbors are the operational environment of concern. See the topic for depth requirements. The depth requirement can be assumed to go all the way down to the seafloor at the sites of concern. 4. We have no specific SWaP requirements. However, a smaller solution (by any metric) might be favored over a comparable, but larger, solution. We will consider any solution with the potential to meet our performance requirements. 5. There are no active systems that the solution needs to integrate with. It is likely, however, that the solution will eventually interact with a yet-to-be-determined detection system. |
|
| 4/4/25 | Q. | What is the distinction between topics 116 and 117? 116 appears to be more defensive whereas 117 is offensive, but with significant overlap in some of the possible solution spaces. May a solution that addresses both be proposed “identically” for both topics? (this question is repeated on topic 116) |
| A. | The Interception of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (Topic N252-117) focuses on a vehicle reaching the location of the unauthorized UUV, but does not require a further mitigation action.
The Delay and Denial of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (Topic N252-116) involves a mitigation action against the unauthorized UUV, but does not require the initial tactic of interception by another vehicle. Yes, a solution may be proposed “identically” for both topics. Furthermore, any overlap within one proposal between the two topics will not be held against any submission. |
|
| 4/9/25 | Q. | How does this differ from N252-116? Appears to be a duplicate solicitation. |
| A. | The Interception of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (Topic N252-117) focuses on a vehicle reaching the location of the unauthorized UUV, but does not require a further mitigation action.
The Delay and Denial of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (Topic N252-116) involves a mitigation action against the unauthorized UUV, but does not require the initial tactic of interception by another vehicle. |