Affordable Millimeter Wave Electronic Technology

USSOCOM is in need of sensors and imaging capabilities that are all weather and have no detectable signature. These systems must be low cost, compact and flexible in applications. Passive millimeter wave sensor technology is an emerging technology that promises to fulfill those needs. The objective of the program is to demonstrate the applicability of this technology to USSOCOM requirements. The plan is to define what is needed, identify a candidate for further development and lay out a development program. To be relevant, technology development must be in line with operational requirements. A detailed review will be made of the requirements, and those requirements translated into technical specifications. Projected hardware will be used for deriving the technical specifications. Different SOF missions will be reviewed and different sensor requirements will be defined. Commercial applications will be similarly processed. A search will be made for the most promising candidates. Cost, and user timelines will be used to rank the technology candidates for maturity and manufacturability. A development program will be defined for a sensor system based on the chosen technology. It will extend through engineering and manufacturing development. A preliminary design of a fully functional prototype will form the basis of the development.