Precise Robust Inertial Guidance for Munitions Advanced Inertial Micro Sensors (PRIGMAIMS) | Apply Online

PRIGMAIMS (DARPA BAA 15-38) - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the PRIGMAIMS opportunity?

PRIGMAIMS stands for Precise Robust Inertial Guidance for Munitions Advanced Inertial Micro Sensors. It is a DARPA Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) solicitation (DARPA BAA 15-38) focused on advancing miniature, high-performance inertial sensors that can support precise navigation when external aids like GPS are unavailable, denied, jammed, or spoofed.

What problem is DARPA trying to solve with PRIGMAIMS?

The program targets the rapid growth of navigation error that can occur when small inertial sensor errors accumulate over time, especially during harsh launch conditions, high dynamics, and long flight profiles typical of munitions. The goal is to maintain accurate guidance using onboard inertial sensing alone, without periodic external corrections.

Why is GPS-denied navigation a major focus of this program?

PRIGMAIMS is aimed at situations where GPS may be jammed, spoofed, or completely absent. In these environments, guided munitions need inertial sensors capable of providing navigation-grade information independently, so they can still achieve precision guidance without relying on GPS updates.

What types of munitions or operating conditions are emphasized?

A major emphasis is on gun-launched, spin-stabilized munitions. These present a particularly difficult sensing environment due to intense acceleration and rapid rotation during launch and flight. The solicitation is also interested in inertial sensing approaches suitable for highly dynamic, long-range munitions that must tolerate wide ranges of angular rates, vibration, shock, and temperature variation.

What does DARPA mean by "navigation-grade information" in this context?

In this program context, the solicitation highlights that sensors must not only survive harsh conditions, but continue producing inertial measurements with enough accuracy, stability, and low drift to enable precision guidance over meaningful time and distance without external corrections.

What technical approaches does the solicitation explicitly mention as examples?

The opportunity explicitly points to several example technology directions of interest:

• Rate integrating gyroscopes
• Integrated photonic waveguide optical gyroscopes
• Optically interrogated MEMS gyroscopes and accelerometers

Why are rate integrating gyroscopes called out?

The mention of rate integrating gyroscopes signals interest in approaches that can handle high rotation rates and integrate angular rate directly, with strong scale-factor stability. This is especially relevant for spin-stabilized munitions operating under high angular-rate conditions.

Why is DARPA interested in integrated photonic waveguide optical gyroscopes?

The inclusion of integrated photonic waveguide optical gyroscopes reflects interest in leveraging photonics to create robust, potentially chip-scale optical inertial sensing solutions that could meet demanding performance needs while supporting miniaturization.

What are optically interrogated MEMS gyroscopes and accelerometers, and why are they of interest here?

The solicitation notes optically interrogated MEMS approaches, which combine MEMS mechanical structures with optical readout methods. These are often pursued to improve sensitivity and reduce electronic noise or drift mechanisms that can limit purely electrostatic or piezoresistive readouts, while still fitting within strict size and power constraints.

How important are Cost, Size, Weight, and Power (CSWaP) constraints in PRIGMAIMS?

CSWaP is a core theme. DARPA is looking for new sensing modalities and demonstrations that reduce CSWaP while improving performance, reflecting the need to fit advanced inertial sensing into munition-relevant form factors and operational constraints.

What is Amendment 01 and what did it change?

This posting includes Amendment 01. It exists mainly to revise and clarify restrictions related to travel funding and to correct a typo related to Coriolis Vibratory Gyroscopes (CVG) class wording. The amendment indicates that changes to the BAA text are highlighted in the updated document, and proposers are expected to consult the amended BAA for authoritative requirements and updated constraints.

How should applicants treat travel costs under this opportunity?

Amendment 01 specifically revises and clarifies restrictions related to travel funding. Applicants are expected to rely on the amended DARPA BAA 15-38 document for the authoritative rules on allowable travel costs and any related constraints.

What does the corrected CVG class typo imply for proposers?

The correction indicates attention to precise categorization and terminology in the technical sections. How a proposed concept is positioned relative to performance classes and intended use cases can matter, so applicants should use the amended wording in the BAA when describing their approach.

What kind of funding instrument(s) can DARPA use for PRIGMAIMS awards?

The opportunity supports multiple award instrument types, including cooperative agreements, grants, other transactions/arrangements as applicable, and procurement contracts.

Is this opportunity discretionary?

Yes. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The program is listed under CFDA 12.910, Research and Technology Development.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The summary indicates that cost sharing or matching is not required.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning a wide range of applicants can submit, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications contained in the full amended BAA text.

When was the solicitation posted and what were the key dates?

The posting date is May 29, 2015. The closing date is September 10, 2015. The archive date is March 31, 2016.

What are the award floor and award ceiling for this opportunity?

The summary record lists the award floor and ceiling as 0. This typically indicates the specific funding ranges are not captured in the metadata and applicants should rely on the full BAA for details such as expected award sizes, program phases, and funding profiles.

Where can applicants find the authoritative technical metrics, proposal structure, and performer responsibilities?

Applicants are directed to the amended DARPA BAA 15-38 document for full technical metrics, performer responsibilities, proposal structure, and the clarified travel-cost rules introduced by Amendment 01. The solicitation also references the MTO solicitations page as a source for the updated materials.

Who is the listed point of contact for PRIGMAIMS?

The listed point of contact is Robert Lutwak (Program Manager/BAA Coordinator).

What is the main takeaway for potential proposers?

PRIGMAIMS is a DARPA effort to push inertial micro-sensor technology beyond typical small-sensor limits to enable accurate, robust munition guidance in GPS-denied conditions. It prioritizes demonstrable advances in inertial sensing modalities and integration approaches that can perform in severe environments while meeting strict CSWaP constraints.