SBIR-STTR Award

Existing air-to-ground weapon architectures are generally based on point designs which are unique to individual weapons and/or weapon prime contractors. These weapons cannot be readily modified or upgraded, or easily reconfigured to different capability levels for cost-effective performance of varying missions. Modular open system architecture (MOSA) principles offer significant promise for alleviating or minimizing such limitations through definition of an approach for implementing weapons from various combinations of common functional modules with defined open system interfaces and associated plug-and-play features for self-discovery and initialization of various weapon configurations based on different combinations of modules. Weapons could be upgraded and new technology introduced at the module level, while permitting open competition for module development and integration. The effort proposed here would define a recommended interface and networking infrastructure for a MOSA approach to weapon development and implementation, and develop and document a suggested plan for a follow-on program to develop and demonstrate a prototype of selected key elements of the defined infrastructure.

Benefits:
The subject technology will facilitate more flexible and cost effective development and implementation of future weapons. It also has significant potential for use in commercial applications such as unmanned vehicle integration and special test equipment.

Keywords:
Air-to-Ground Weapons, Smart Weapons, Weapon Architecture, Open System Architecture, Modular Architecture, Plug-and-Play, Networking, Data Communication

Existing air-to-ground weapon architectures are generally based on point designs which are unique to individual weapons and/or weapon prime contractors. These weapons cannot be readily modified or upgraded, or easily re-configured to different capability levels for cost-effective performance of varying missions. Modular open system architecture (MOSA) principles offer significant promise for alleviating or minimizing such limitations, through definition of an approach for implementing weapons from various combinations of common functional modules with defined open system interfaces and associated plug-and-play features for realization of various weapon configurations based on different module combinations. Weapons could be upgraded and new technology introduced at the module level, while permitting open competition for module development and integration. The preceding Phase I program investigated inter-subsystem signal interconnection and data transfer requirements for a GBU-X Interconnection Network, identified candidate technologies and approaches for network implementation, conducted trade studies and analyses of the identified candidate technologies, and developed a baseline recommended open system GBU-X interface and networking scheme. This proposal describes a suggested Phase II effort to demonstrate and verify critical portions of the data communication element of the proposed networking scheme, as recommended under the Phase I program.

Benefits:
The subject technology will facilitate more flexible and cost effective development and implementation of future weapons. It also has significant potential for use in commercial applications such as unmanned vehicle integration and special test equipment.

Keywords:
Air-to-ground Weapons, Smart Weapons, Weapon Architecture, Open System Architecture, Modular Architecture, Plug-and-Play, Networking, Data Communication