Electronic Warfare Discovery and Invention (DI) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Electronic Warfare Discovery and Invention (DI) opportunity?

The Electronic Warfare Discovery and Invention (DI) opportunity is a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from the Office of Naval Research (ONR), specifically the ONR 312 Electronic Warfare program. It invites submission of white papers describing research and development efforts to create and demonstrate next-generation electronic warfare (EW) components and systems.

Who is sponsoring this BAA?

The sponsor is the Office of Naval Research (ONR), under its ONR 312 Electronic Warfare program.

What type of submission is requested?

The announcement requests white papers that describe proposed EW science and technology research and development efforts, including work aimed at demonstrating next-generation EW components and systems.

What is the main technical priority of this opportunity?

While the BAA states it is open to truly innovative EW science and technology work, the main priority is advancing technologies that can detect and defeat modern threats that rely on imaging infrared and/or multi-mode guidance and tracking.

What kinds of threats is ONR trying to address?

The BAA highlights the growing challenge posed by precision guided munitions and threat tracking systems that use imaging-based infrared seekers, as well as threats that use multiple guidance and tracking modes (either sequentially or concurrently) to overcome single-domain defenses.

What is meant by imaging-based infrared seekers in this BAA?

The BAA refers to infrared seekers that use imaging to passively track targets and guide weapons. It specifically mentions both scanning sensors and focal plane array (FPA) sensors operating in key infrared atmospheric transmission windows.

Which infrared spectral bands are emphasized?

The BAA emphasizes infrared atmospheric transmission windows around approximately 1 to 2 micrometers, 3 to 5 micrometers, and 8 to 12 micrometers.

Why are older infrared countermeasures considered less effective against these threats?

The opportunity notes that older or simpler infrared countermeasures may be less effective because they may not match the target signature closely enough in spectral content (the wavelengths emitted) or spatial fidelity (how the signature appears in an image), which can allow imaging seekers to discriminate the true target from the countermeasure.

What kinds of approaches is ONR interested in for imaging infrared threats?

Based on the description, ONR is interested in advances that either (1) detect sophisticated imaging seekers earlier and more reliably, or (2) counter them in ways that remain effective even when the threat can perform imaging-based discrimination.

What does the BAA mean by multi-mode guidance and tracking?

Multi-mode guidance and tracking refers to threats that use more than one sensing or guidance mode, either switching between modes (handoff) or using them at the same time. The concern is that a weapon engagement may involve mode switching or sensor fusion that defeats a countermeasure that only works against a single mode.

Which guidance and tracking modes are listed in the announcement?

The BAA lists example modes including electro-optical imaging, infrared seeking, laser spot or beam tracking, radar homing, active radar emission, and radio frequency command guidance.

What kinds of EW effects or mechanisms are in scope for multi-mode threats?

The announcement indicates interest in technology and techniques that can handle multi-mode behavior, including detection, counter-tracking, denial, deception, or broader defeat mechanisms that remain robust even when the threat adapts its sensing strategy.

Is the opportunity limited to basic research, or does it include demonstrations?

The description explicitly calls for efforts aimed at creating and demonstrating next-generation EW components and systems, indicating interest that can span from science and technology research through applied work that supports demonstration.

What category of funding activity does this opportunity fall under?

It falls under the science and technology and other research and development activity category and is associated with CFDA 12.300 (Basic and Applied Scientific Research).

What kinds of award instruments might be used?

The listing states this is a discretionary funding opportunity and awards may be made through multiple instrument types, including cooperative agreements, grants, procurement contracts, and potentially other mechanisms depending on the nature of the proposed work and the government role anticipated.

Is cost sharing or a match required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is stated in the provided listing.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to a wide range of applicant types, subject to any additional constraints that might be included in the full announcement.

What are the key dates for this opportunity?

The listing indicates it was posted/created on January 8, 2009. The original and current closing date is May 12, 2009. The archive date is June 11, 2009.

Is this solicitation currently open?

Based on the dates provided (closing date May 12, 2009 and archive date June 11, 2009), this solicitation cycle is time-bounded and the listing is archived.

What does it mean that the listing is archived?

It means the solicitation was active during that cycle and is no longer open under the dates provided. The description still reflects ONR EW technology priorities at the time and the kind of white-paper-driven work ONR commonly seeks under BAAs.

Where can applicants find the full announcement or official attachments?

The listing points to ONR BAA resources for access to the full announcement content and any official attachments.

Who is the business point of contact for help accessing the announcement?

The business point of contact listed is Lynn Christian at (703) 696-1575, for assistance if the full announcement cannot be accessed electronically.