Hybrid Multi Material Rotor (HMMR) | Apply Online

Hybrid Multi Material Rotor (HMMR) - DARPA BAA 09-75 FAQs

What is the Hybrid Multi Material Rotor (HMMR) opportunity?

HMMR is a DARPA Defense Sciences Office (DSO) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) focused on radically accelerating how the U.S. Navy designs and develops submarine rotors, particularly very large and complex rotors that can exceed 20 feet in diameter.

What problem is DARPA trying to solve with HMMR?

DARPA is targeting the long, expensive rotor development process. The current approach often treats major engineering disciplines (structures, hydrodynamics, acoustics, materials, durability, manufacturing, and others) in a mostly disconnected way, which tends to drive lengthy, repetitive test-and-redesign cycles.

What is the main goal of the HMMR program?

The program sets an aggressive goal of reducing the overall rotor design and development cycle from roughly eight years to about two years by enabling more accurate, tightly integrated multiphysics design and analysis earlier in the process.

Why is DARPA emphasizing multiphysics integration and model coupling?

Because handling key disciplines in an "uncoupled" way typically forces teams into long iteration loops. HMMR emphasizes state-of-the-art physics model coupling and High Performance Computing (HPC) so multiple physical phenomena can be simulated together with enough fidelity to reduce reliance on slow and costly redesign cycles.

Why are single-material rotor systems considered insufficient?

DARPA states that future Navy rotor requirements combine nominal operations, off-design scenarios, and casualty load conditions, while still needing strict durability and practical limits on cost and weight. According to the announcement, these combined requirements are not achievable with existing single-material solutions.

What does "tailored" multi-material mean in this BAA?

It refers to rotor and blade designs that strategically combine different materials within a rotor or blade to meet competing performance goals (for example, balancing weight reduction, stiffness, durability, and manufacturability).

What baseline is DARPA comparing against?

DARPA cites improvements relative to a traditional Nickel/Aluminum/Bronze (NAB) baseline.

What target performance improvements are referenced?

The announcement cites targets including a 50 percent reduction in the weight of individual rotor blades and a 1.5x increase in blade stiffness, along with additional performance improvements referenced in the BAA.

What types of research is DARPA soliciting under HMMR?

DARPA is soliciting proposals for revolutionary advances in both (1) materials and manufacturing approaches for multi-material rotors and (2) computational tools and environments that enable rapid, accurate, tightly integrated multiphysics design and analysis.

Is this opportunity focused only on theory, or on practical demonstrations too?

The intent is to develop and demonstrate capabilities that can transition to the U.S. Navy for future submarine rotor applications, not only to perform research in isolation.

What are the main technical areas of interest (Tasks) in HMMR?

Proposers may address one or both of two areas of interest: Task 1 and Task 2.

What is Task 1?

Task 1 focuses on building and demonstrating a Coupling Software Environment (CSE): a multiphysics coupling framework intended to enable rapid, accurate multidisciplinary design and analysis simulations for lightweight, multi-material submarine rotors.

What is the Coupling Software Environment (CSE) intended to do?

In practical terms, the CSE is meant to link relevant models together so designers can explore trade spaces quickly and with confidence, using tightly integrated multiphysics simulation supported by HPC.

What is Task 2?

Task 2 focuses on the physical side: designing, developing processes, and demonstrating multi-material rotor manufacturing methods, including the material solutions as well as manufacturing and quality control processes capable of meeting Navy weight and multidisciplinary performance requirements.

Why does DARPA include manufacturing and quality control in the scope?

Because advanced designs only matter if they can be manufactured reliably at scale with predictable quality and performance, especially for demanding Navy applications.

Can an organization propose to only one task, or must it cover both?

The announcement states that proposers are invited to address one or both Tasks (Task 1 and/or Task 2).

What is the funding mechanism for this opportunity?

This opportunity uses an "Other Procurement Contract" instrument rather than a traditional grant.

How is this opportunity categorized?

It is categorized as discretionary funding and is issued under a DARPA Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) through the Defense Sciences Office.

What is the BAA number for HMMR?

The opportunity was issued as DARPA BAA 09-75.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The listing references CFDA 12.910 (Research and Technology Development).

Is there a stated cost sharing or matching requirement?

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

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to different kinds of entities, subject to any clarifications or requirements contained in the full BAA.

What are the key dates for this opportunity?

The posted date is September 29, 2009, and the original/current closing date listed is November 10, 2009. The listing also indicates it was later archived.

Is this opportunity still open?

Based on the provided dates (closing date of November 10, 2009) and the note that the listing was archived, it appears this particular listing is not currently open.

Where should administrative questions be sent?

Questions and administrative correspondence were directed to the BAA Administrator, with email preferred, at DARPA_BAA_09_75@darpa.mil.

Is there a phone number and mailing address for the BAA Administrator?

Yes. Phone: (571) 218-4565. Address: DARPA/DSO, ATTN: DARPA BAA 09-75, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714.

What does DARPA say about intellectual property (IP) and transition?

DARPA highlights transition practicality and affordability, and notes that the government needs sufficient IP rights to support flexible acquisition approaches later, such as enabling competition or alternate suppliers rather than being locked into a single proprietary pathway.

What should applicants consult for complete submission instructions and requirements?

The announcement emphasizes that the full BAA (noted as attached) should be consulted for complete requirements, submission instructions, and detailed technical expectations.