Defense program seeks innovative technologies for demonstration, validation
SAN ANTONIO – The program manager for the National Defense Center for Energy and Environment announced that the program is accepting project proposals from March 1 through April 1 for innovative military technologies to demonstrate and validate at active DOD installations.
“Proven technologies that are beyond the research stage and provide a multi-service solution to current DOD challenges are considered strong project candidates,” said Jennifer Rawlings, program manager.
Projects must meet the basic eligibility requirements and clearly address four scoring criteria: mission/readiness, technical quality, transition potential, and modernization/innovation, she said.
NDCEE provides a direct funding process for DOD agencies seeking to demonstrate, validate and transition commercially available off-the-shelf as well as hot off-the-lab bench innovations for military application.
Funded projects typically range from 1-2 years with an average annual cost of $100,000 to $400,000. A support agreement is signed by the DOD Installation willing to demonstrate the technology, and a DOD transition partner is required to ensure the successful project is implemented DOD wide.
Since the organization’s creation in 1991, the NDCEE has supported hundreds of successful projects from across the military services realizing millions in cost savings in the areas of energy, environment, and safety occupational health.
“NDCEE is working on three multi-service projects that will improve the safety of a parachute jumper exiting the aircraft by detecting parachutists’ experience using sensor arrays, providing early detection of towed jumpers, and reducing the weight on parachutists for optimal balance, safety, and operational requirements,” said Charles Serafini, the NDCEE project facilitator for safety and occupational health. “The return on investment is somewhat intangible in that it will be measured in terms of decreased injury and fatality rates per jump rather than direct cost savings.”
Another example of a true multi-service project is the Charging-capable Li-ion Autonomous Safe Storage Interservice Container or CLASSIC developed as “a solution to the severe impact on force readiness caused by safety restrictions for lithium-ion batteries transported on military aircraft,” said Clayton Ferguson, NDCEE project facilitator for energy.
“This container will incorporate passive containment, sensors, and autonomous fire suppression to allow safe transport of fully charged Li-ion batteries aboard aircraft in a standard footprint while also housing charging infrastructure for use at the destination,” he said.
The Navy is providing the lead project manager from the Carderock Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center. The Army transition partner is the Combat Capabilities Development Command, and the Air Force transition partner is Air Force Materiel Command.
An example of an exciting project combining multiple technologies is the Satellite-Connected Remote Monitoring for Field Sensor Suite Deployment, a fully self-contained remote monitoring terminal designed to supply persistent power and secure, high-bandwidth connectivity to sensors and field equipment for years without maintenance.
“This project will install sensor connected terminals to augment existing field operations with a persistent ground presence in especially remote areas,” said Adrian Salinas, NDCEE project facilitator for environment. “We expect the suite of sensors will provide an effective way of transmitting data from ground-based sensors, such as camera traps, surveillance cameras, and weather stations, without the need for manual data retrieval or installation of extensive ground infrastructure.“
The system is currently being validated at the Barry M. Goldwater Range East in Arizona, and is planned for transition into use at Luke Air Force Base if the validation is successful.
Transitioned projects will ensure the NDCEE program remains an enabler in accomplishing the DOD mission with an emphasis in “achieving dominant capabilities through innovation and technical excellence.”
The NDCEE mission is to demonstrate and transition technology solutions in support of the DOD as it strives to enhance readiness, meet sustainability goals, and support warfighters at home and abroad. Proven technologies are transitioned to the DOD services and other federal agencies.
The Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health is designated by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment as the NDCEE lead agent. The U.S. Army Environmental Command provides NDCEE program management, but this funding source is available to all the services.
More information on the NDCEE or how to submit a project proposal can be found on the DOD Environment, Safety and Occupational Health Network and Information Exchange at https://denix.osd.mil/NDCEE.
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