SBIR-STTR Award

USAF does not have the flight line and operational wireless communications infrastructure required for effective future maintenance operations, which is already impacting existing day to day operations at some facilities. Huckworthy will evaluate proven mesh radio technologies to establish suitability to the task of providing connectivity via Wi-Fi, RJ45 ethernet (and 4G/5G cellular in the future) to maintenance crews and operations personnel on the flight lines of the future - both inside and outside of the static airframe. Huckworthy's evaluation will include ability to deliver sufficient data to operators, mobility and reliability, readiness of operations and IA qualifications, ability to interoperate, security and simplicity.

Huckworthy is interested in attending the Pitch Day in Austin TX on March 12. Huckworthy's 100 Second Video Introduction link for this Phase II application can be found on the first page of the Pitch Deck and first page of the Technical Volume. Huckworthy's Phase II SBIR will deliver a functional test wireless communication network onto the Flight Line at an identified US Air Force Base that will allow maintenance and operations air crews to leverage a self-healing MIMO Mesh Radio network to: • Show ability to extend a secured self-healing Layer2 mesh radio IP data network to airmen across flight-lines using fixed, portable and mobile radios • Show the ability to access the network via Ethernet hardline connection to a mesh radio • Show ability to access the network through secured Wi-Fi connection to the mesh radio network • Show the ability for the stakeholders to access and use Boeing’s Mission Accelerator software capabilities through the network, to provide options for enhanced training, maintenance and operations. These include use of laptops and of Augmented Reality headsets to deliver next generation content and interactive services to the flight line maintenance Airmen. • Demonstrate ability to add a private 4G LTE cellular network capability, for communications and/or sensors/logistics of future • Show an ability to change network frequency/spectrum to counteract future spectrum limitations or interference • Leave the network in place, if desired by the stakeholders at Travis AFB • Provide a smaller scale temporary capability to an second identified maintenance squadron to show how the architecture can be applied to differing geographies, use case and locations The end state of Huckworthy's SBIR Phase II will be a turnkey template with which USAF and other branches of service will be able to purchase proven, reliable, advanced high throughput wireless communication networks for their flight lines and operating bases through Phase III contracting. These networks will be designed to cater to the Wi-Fi based wireless needs of today, and the addition of the wireless technologies of tomorrow such as secure Private 4G LT