Multi-Domain Force Applications and Traffic Management for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (M-FAT)

The Air Force Research Laboratory is soliciting white papers for research, development, integration, test, and evaluation of technologies to enhance Counter-small Unmanned Aerial System (C-sUAS) kill chain and point defense capabilities. The focus areas include Electronic Warfare (EW) and Cyberspace Operations (CO), C-sUAS Command and Control (C2), C-sUAS Sensors, C-sUAS Effectors, UAS Traffic Management (UTM), and Communications. The goal is to develop innovative solutions to counter sUAS threats, including swarm attacks, and to improve the overall security and effectiveness of C-sUAS systems. Some key aspects of the project include: • Developing EW-enabled cyberspace countermeasures to disrupt sUAS operations • Improving system resiliency in contested environments and prioritizing low-collateral damage solutions • Advancing C2 automation and autonomy capabilities to optimize responses to sUAS threats • Enhancing sensor technologies for detection, identification, and tracking of sUAS • Developing low-cost, autonomous interceptors with integrated EW/CO capabilities • Integrating UTM systems with existing air traffic control to enable safe integration of unmanned aircraft into the airspace • Enhancing communication systems through advanced modeling and simulation, development of resilient waveforms and networking protocols, and integration of AI for network optimization and spectrum management.