N251-021 TITLE: Open Architecture Solution for Data Transfer on Naval Aviation Platforms

OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Advanced Computing and Software;Integrated Sensing and Cyber

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 hardware, firmware, and software enhancements to existing legacy Mission Computers and associated data busses allowing rapid integration of modern software capabilities within in service aircraft (e.g. F/A-18, E-2D, SH-60, M/V-22) and their native data sources (e.g. MIL-STD-1553).

DESCRIPTION: Despite significant investments by the Department of Defense in the next generation of open architecture for military aircraft platforms; the truth remains that the bulk of the U.S. military aircraft fleet is still heavily reliant on proprietary, prime vendor supplied mission computers, and tactical data bus technologies. This reliance results in exorbitant costs imposed by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for any maintenance or upgrades of existing platforms; dramatically slowing NAVAIR’s ability to introduce capability into a highly dynamic battle space. Further, by maintaining a tight grip on mission computer, flight program, and data bus access prime vendors effectively box out any competition that could otherwise add significant value to these aircraft.

In order to maximize combat effectiveness and maintain U.S. technological superiority amongst global threats, there exists a need to develop airborne system architectures, hardware, and software solutions capable of securely exposing aircraft and mission data to third party hardware and software applications. These new capabilities must successfully interact with legacy mission computers and data busses without adversely impacting existing platform DO-254 and DO-178C certifications. Once in place, these capabilities will provide the necessary connectivity to in-service platforms allowing for rapid introduction of new capability without incurring the high cost of prime vendor-based integration and deployment. Solutions should identify critical components for interfacing with NAE platforms such as F/A-18, E-2D, SH-60 and M/V-22. Perform feasibility analysis of hardware and software options for implementing the selected approach, including the Tactical Mobility Integrated Project Team (TacMo IPT)/PMA-272-developed Multiple Obstructed Brokered Hub (MOB Hub) embedded computer.

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 NAVAIR 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: Design and develop an approach to sense, synthesize, and provide aircraft unique data to a modern software application suite. Solutions should identify critical components for interfacing with Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE) platforms such as F/A-18, E-2D, SH-60, and M/V-22. Perform feasibility analysis of hardware and software options for implementing the selected approach, including the TacMo IPT/PMA-272-developed MOB Hub-embedded computer. Finally, identify an approach to disseminate the collected data to third party hardware and software components without impacting the existing aircraft certifications. The Phase I effort will include prototype plans to be developed under Phase II.

PHASE II: Develop a prototype system using the results found in Phase I and evaluate against a representative test system using Government furnished simulation/stimulation equipment. Utilize MOB Hub Circuit Card Assembly (CCA) and/or Jet in a Box hardware to validate prototype with real or representative aircraft data. Potentially use a MOB Hub CCA as an embedded computer to evaluate prototype.

Work in Phase II may become classified. Please see note in the Description section.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Further refine the system developed in Phase II and integrate into a designated aircraft. Demonstrate the system’s ability to disseminate aircraft unique data to third party hardware and software components without impacting the existing aircraft certifications or assist with aircraft certification process.

Commercially this technology could be used for any legacy hardware/software platform where replacing legacy equipment is cost prohibitive. Commercial satellites, civilian aircraft, and older automotive platforms could all implement this technology to introduce modern computing capabilities without impacting the existing hardware/software suites while enhancing cyber security and extending future capability.

REFERENCES:

1. Department Of Defense. (2024, February 12). Quick Search assist. Retrieved July 19, 2024, from quicksearch.dla.mil: https://quicksearch.dla.mil/qsDocDetails.aspx?ident_number=36973

2. Surmi, J. L.; Quintana, A. L.; Miliano, M. and Kunkel, A. "Multilayered obstructed brokered (MOB) embedded cyber security architecture (US Patent No. US-10355853-B1)." U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, July 2019. https://ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/10355853

3. "Hardware open systems technologies." Naval Air Systems Command Air Combat Electronics (PMA-209), February 13, 2024. https://host-oa.com/host-resources/

4. Department of Defense. (2018, February 28). MIL-STD-1553C: Department of Defense interface standard: Digital time division command/response multiplex data bus. http://everyspec.com/MIL-STD/MIL-STD-1500-1599/MIL-STD-1553C_55783/

5. "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: Cyber Security; Open Architecture; Embedded Computers; Human Machine Interface; Naval Aviation Platforms; Data Busses

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