listopportunitiesSUMMARY

1) Shipboard chemical, biological and explosives sensors
Problem: Detecting threats from approaching/boarded craft
Synopsis: In support of expanded maritime interdiction operations, the Navy is seeking highly
accurate, integrated and multifunctional threat sensors for ships as well as boarding teams. The
threats to detect are explosives, chemical and biological. Nanotechnology solutions are considered
possible.

2) Transparent seas technology
Problem: “Seeing” in highly turbid surf
Synposis: The Navy is seeking a capability to detect, track, identify and engage underwater threats,
including mines (including buried), submarines, unmanned underwater vehicles, torpedoes and
swimmers. Interested in alternatives to acoustic techniques. Detecting buried mines in surfzones of
high interest.

3) Next generation autonomous vehicle
Problem: A stealthy vehicle that can take independent action
Synopsis: The Navy is seeking an “thinking” vehicle that can coordinate with other vehicles and
make decisions about its situation, including target information. The Navy wants to accelerate
development of storage and power systems. Particularly interested in closed systems with no exhaust,
intake or vent, reduced sensor/communications footprint and increased payload. Seeks automated
launch/recovery system suitable to high seas.

4) Common displays for platforms
Problem: Visual displays for rapid, accurate decision-making by multi-users
Synopsis: Identifying critical characteristics of visual perception, cognition and decision-making to
support development of visual displays that allow for rapid, accurate decision-making. Techniques
developed here will help create policies and establish common displays and presentations (color,
symbols, fonts, etc.) to convey data to users with different information needs.

5) Soft-kill and equipment disabling weapons
Problem: Non-lethal weapons
Synopsis: The Navy wants the capability to neutralize potential threats with non-lethal, standoff
weapons that can disable personnel and electro-mechanical equipment

6) Naval fires support
Problem: Cost-effective fire support
Synopsis: The Navy seeks alternatives to provide naval fire support of the Marines in joint
maneuvers to determine which provide the most cost-effective fires with respect to volume of fires,
range, lethality, and the ability to logistically support the systems on board ship. It also seeks to target
a weapon during the terminal guidance phase to hit smaller, fast-moving targets. The Navy needs an
inexpensive, long-range, pinpoint accurate high explosive projectile to support joint forces at the
extreme edge of littoral regions.

7) On-demand logistics
Problem: An alternative to pre-positioning spare and repair parts
Synopsis: Typically the military relies on pre-positioning spare and repair parts based on anticipated
failures. The Navy seeks a capability for on-demand or just-in-time delivery of spare and repair parts
for joint forces onshore, complete with remote monitoring and diagnostics of typical military
equipment needs. Should determine feasibility of just-in-time manufacturing of spare and repair parts
(on-demand manufacturing).

8) Alternative fuels and power sources
Problem: Alternative to petroleum-based fuels
Synopsis: Availability of petroleum-based fuels are likely to be limited in the near future. In addition,
transport and delivery of large volumes of liquid and gaseous petroleum fuel is a major impediment to
the cost and the ability to rapidly move forces. The Navy seeks to more efficiently convert traditional
fuels; identify and develop alternative fuels; and redouble energy conservation efforts within the fleet
without reducing readiness. Efforts should include accelerated development of hydrocarbon and
hydrogen fuel cell technology for shipboard power production and focus on medium-sized marine
fuel cells, hybrid technologies, and related energy technology such as “scavenged fuels.” One
example, nanomaterials woven into clothing that can capture solar energy to provide power for the
individual soldier.

9) Environmental quality for sustained naval operations
Problem: A more environmentally sensitive fleet
Synopsis: S&T in this area should develop shipboard capabilities necessary to conduct sustained
naval operations in compliance with national and international environmental policies and regulations.
S&T efforts should encompass pollution prevention, waste management, emissions, and energy
efficiency.

10) Ship survivability
Problem: Ship survivability to meet current, emerging threats
Synopsis: Current ship survivability (susceptibility, vulnerability and recoverability) is inadequate
compared to previous decades. S&T in this area should focus on reducing susceptibility to EM
threats, reducing ship radar detection and classification ranges, reducing acoustic detection range, as
well as focusing on technology that will minimize and or assist in surviving severe damage. A
potential focus area includes nanotechnology research on high strength, lightweight, antiballistic
materials (nanoaluminum alloys and nanocomposites).