CALL FOR PAPERS IN SUPPORT OF A NEW AFRL TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS STUDY The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is conducting a new technology applications study to consider the feasibility and payoff of directed energy technology in airborne tactical missions. For the purposes of this study, directed energy is defined as laser and microwave technology. The study, entitled Directed Energy Applications in Tactical Airborne Combat (DE ATAC), began with a kick-off meeting at Wright-Patterson AFB on 28 May 1998. The first phase of the study is considering a wide range of potential application and directed energy technology concepts and will identify those that are most promising, based on technical feasibility, platform impact, mission priority, and potential for cost-effective implementation. A government team is conducting this phase, with contractor support from existing SETA analysis contracts. It is anticipated that this phase will last approximately three months. During the second phase, the most promising application/technology concepts will be developed and evaluated in more detail, through parallel concept development contracts (one for each concept) with industry. At the end of the first phase in September 1998, the phase one results will be presented to industry through (1) a CBD announcement of a Program Research and Development Announcement (PRDA) solicitation (or other similar mechanism) for a concept development and evaluation effort for each of the selected concepts, and (2) a Briefing to Industry by the study team, in which the phase one concept definition process, the evaluation/screening process, and the selected application/technology concepts will be described. For future reference, attendance at the Briefing to Industry and future participation in the study will require a DOD SECRET clearance. Based on the evaluation of proposals received from the PRDA solicitation, the government contemplates award of a separate, parallel concept development and evaluation contract for each concept. Each contract will be approximately 6 months in duration, at a level of effort of roughly one man- year. To ensure that all interesting ideas and concepts are considered during the first phase of the DE ATAC study, organizations or individuals are invited to submit white papers for review and consideration by the study team. White papers may address either or both of the following: (1) airborne tactical system applications in the areas of lethal weapons, non-lethal weapons, or mission support; or (2) directed energy technology concepts which enable one or more useful airborne tactical missions. In conducting the DE ATAC study, AFRL is considering the results of past studies of related missions and directed energy technology state-of-the-art and development plans within the DOD. The white paper should thus concentrate on innovative ideas or concepts, particularly those that are supported by analysis or experiments that are not widely known within AFRL. As indicated above, the Air Force does not intend to award any contract directly from the information in a white paper submitted pursuant to this call for papers, and will not pay bid and proposal costs associated with its preparation. Any proprietary information will be protected within the study group (government and SETA contractor personnel); do not submit any information for which this level of protection is deemed to be insufficient. If a white paper concept is selected through the phase one evaluation process as a final concept for further development and evaluation during the second phase of the study, the description of the concept in the PRDA solicitation announcement and the Briefing to Industry at the end of phase one will be general in nature and will not disclose any proprietary information. After review of the white papers, the submitting organization or individual may be contacted for further review or presentation to the DE ATAC Study group, or for possible contractor site visits by key DE ATAC study group personnel. Submit white papers electronically in Microsoft Word to the e-mail address DEATAC@plk.af.mil. White papers may be submitted at any time, but should be submitted not later than 26 June 1998 to be considered at the next DE ATAC Study group meeting. Please contact Mr. William Thompson, AFRL/DEP, (505) 846-2251 or Mr. Steve Cloyd, AFRL/PRP, (937) 255-9392 for more information.

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