Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Contract Status

This document is an unclassified briefing dated 16 December 2008 regarding the status of contract HHM402-08-C-0072, titled 'Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications'. The briefing outlines the scope of the contract, which involves conducting technical studies on unconventional aerospace weapon systems with projections through the year 2050. These studies are explicitly noted as not being extrapolations of current technology. The technical areas covered include lift, propulsion, control, power generation, spatial/temporal translation, signature reduction, materials, configuration/structure, human interface, human effects, and armament (RF and DEW). The document notes that Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies submitted complete Program Management Plans for these 12 technical areas on 21 November 2008, which received DIA comment and approval. The briefing highlights that the project is on track, on schedule, and within cost. It mentions that an initial contract status brief was provided on 10 November, and the subject was raised by Senator Reid in a meeting on 13 November. The document also details the technical approaches for fiscal year 2009, which include calibrated data collection, expert access and analysis, collaboration with universities and national labs, investigation of major aerospace and electronics firms, cooperation with the intelligence community, and the use of technical peer review boards. Challenges identified include the difficulty of establishing a research effort from the ground up, specifically regarding staff, management, consultants, clearances, and facilities. Positives include the contractor's receptiveness to guidance and the quality of the Program Management Plans. The 'Way Ahead' section emphasizes the need for approval of specific topics for approximately 24 technical reports, approval of the research database architecture, approval of university and national lab grant solicitations, and the successful processing of personal and site security clearances.