Department/Ind. Agency: DEPT OF DEFENSE
Sub-tier: DEPT OF THE AIR FORCE
Major Command: AIR FORCE MATERIEL COMMAND
Contract Award Number: FA239125CB010
Contract Amount: $43,959,963
Awardee: University of Dayton Research Institute
The Hybrid AI and Autonomy Research and Development Considered Operationally Relevant and Explainable (HAARDCORE) contract is a new sole-source cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contract.
There is a need for explainable and transparent decision-making by autonomous systems that comprehend and adhere to the operational constraints delineated by the Mission Commander and the rules of engagement (ROE). To achieve USAF autonomy objectives, AFRL’s Power and Control Division (AFRL/RQQ) has developed with the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) several Government-owned software products, tactical autonomy software frameworks and an AI Mission Management Autonomy software framework. These software frameworks form the basis of multiple past and on-going research and development efforts.
To continue AFRL/RQQ’s research and development efforts without significant delays, the USAF requires on-site contractor support which has extensive knowledge of, expertise in, and experience working with the following specific software suites, frameworks, development tools, and technical areas:
1. USAF Autonomy Core System software: Continue research and development in technical areas such as: autonomous mission planning, guidance, navigation, and control (NC), route planning, obstacle avoidance, flight maneuvers, coordinated/ uncoordinated flight behaviors, real-time processing of sensor data, dynamic decision-making, contingency management, integrated onboard edge computing, and vehicle and payload integration.
2. Mission Management Autonomy: Continue research and development of Mission Management Autonomy software.
3. USAF Open Mission Systems (OMS) architecture specification: Continue research and development of Mission Management Autonomy frameworks utilizing OMS-based architectures.
4. USAF Advanced Framework for Simulation Integration and Modeling (AFSIM) software: Perform integration, verification, validation, and evaluation activities utilizing USAF AFSIM software in support of continued research and development of Mission Management Autonomy frameworks.
5. USAF air vehicle mission concepts of operations (CONOPS): Continue research and development of Mission Management Autonomy frameworks through application of the software to address various USAF air vehicle CONOPS.
6. Model-based systems engineering (MBSE) tools: Perform MBSE activities in support of continued research and development of and Mission Management Autonomy frameworks.
7. DevOps Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD): Perform DevOps CI/CI pipeline implementation, automation, management, and maintenance activities in support of continued research and development of Mission Management Autonomy frameworks.
8. Work on base at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, in Government facilities (multiple times per week) to collaborate with other R&D teams.
9. Provide required knowledge and experience at contract award to execute ongoing R&D projects without introducing program delays.
Under the HAARDCORE contract, research and development to enable the maturation and application of AI Mission Management frameworks to multiple programs will address the Air Force’s dire need for advanced uncrewed/ crewed aircraft autonomy and mission management capabilities. Specifically, this contract will support efforts delivering autonomy capabilities for transition to DOD customers.
All efforts will deliver software source code, software executables, software design descriptions, model-based systems engineering (MBSE) documentation, interface control documents, test and evaluation plans, and technical reports with unlimited rights.
The total estimated contract value is $49.9M, funded with RDT&E funding, with expected period of performance (POP) during Calendar Years 2025 through 2028.
This effort began in 2009, when UDRI was involved with the initial development of the mission management autonomy framework. Thus, this follow-on contract would continue the research and development of the highly specialized AI Mission Management software frameworks which are key foundational components needed to complete the development and transition of the AFRL technologies. Therefore, this acquisition will be a follow-on contract for the continued development of highly specialized equipment.
