Pioneering Aerospace Capabilities, Engineering and Research (PACER)

The PACER BAA will enable study efforts on novel concepts, as well as research and development efforts to mature specific technologies to appropriate technology readiness levels (TRL) depending on end use. Efforts under this BAA are intended to further AFRL/RQ’s mission in pioneering transformative aerospace technologies for the warfighter’s decisive advantage. AFRL/RQH High Speed Systems Technology Development: This technology area seeks to research, develop, demonstrate and validate advanced technologies and capabilities for high-speed aerospace vehicles. These technologies enable the analysis, test, assembly and successful operation of aerospace platforms in Mach 3+ flight regimes, as well as in environments leading to and from the operating condition(s). The breadth of technology includes: fundamental science, research and development of high-speed systems and components utilizing advanced analysis techniques, ground and flight test. This technical area also focuses on developing subsystems, advanced test methods, system studies, and integration of technologies into flight demonstration vehicles using appropriate model-based engineering approaches The high-speed systems research and development technology areas include the following topics: Aero-structures, propulsion technologies, vehicle integration and analysis, experimental sciences. AFRL/RQQ Power and Controls Technology Development and Demonstration: This technology area focuses development and demonstration of technologies and integrated systems for aerospace applications, which enhance the mission capabilities, vehicle performance or efficiency, autonomy and teaming of current or future military air vehicles. More topics: Autonomous control branch, control systems, electrical systems, flight systems integration, mechanical & thermal systems. AFRL/RQS Systems Analysis Technology Development: This technology area develops advanced modeling and simulation methods and tools to provide high- fidelity DAF mission analysis. It utilizes high-performance mission analysis to assess the potential benefits of new or emerging technology in complex and dynamic battlespace environments. It adapts and advances digital engineering techniques for research and development (R&D) applications. The systems analysis technology development area includes the following topics: science of modeling, simulation, and analysis, aerospace systems MS&A, digital engineering for R&D. AFRL/RQT Air-Breathing Engine Technology Development: AFRL/RQT seeks to design, develop, demonstrate, and transition advanced propulsion, power, and thermal technologies that provide disruptive improvement in affordable mission capability. This approach extends to a range of legacy, emerging, and future military propulsion, power, and thermal technology needs in multiple applications. Technology objectives aim to reduce development, production, and maintenance costs and timelines; increase fuel efficiency; increase propulsive capability; and integrate system propulsion, power, and thermal management. White Papers or Proposals shall address how the proposed technology will impact the systems into which it will be incorporated and explain what current system challenge(s) the technology is overcoming. The Turbine Engine Division research and development technology areas of interest include the following topics: Affordabillity, future enabling air breathing propulsion. AFRL/RQV Air Vehicle Technologies Development and Demonstration: This technology area focuses on technologies, at all levels of maturity, which enhance the performance or efficiency of current or future military air vehicles of any class or mission. Performance and efficiency may be of any measure, to include metrics of cost. Across the area of interest, the use and advancement of models-based systems engineering and other digital engineering principles and practices to rapidly advance the state of the art, accelerate maturation and enhance the transitionability of the subject technology products is of paramount interest: aerodynamic technologies, airframe structures, multidisiplinary design, analysis, and optimization, and development and demonstration of advanced military air vehicle capabilities