SITIS Topic Details |
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| Proposals Accepted: | |
| Program: | SBIR |
| Topic Number: | A10-165 (Army) |
| Title: | Improved Ballistic Combat Hearing Protection | Research & Technical Areas: | Biomedical, Human Systems |
| Acquisition Program: | PEO Soldier |
| The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals, their country of origin, and what tasks each would accomplish in the statement of work in accordance with section 3.5.b.(7) of the solicitation. | Objective: | Research and design a low profile Ballistic Combat Hearing Protection Device that significantly improves ear comfort and ability to hear spoken verbal commands in high impact noise and continuous steady state noise exposures. Increase the warfighter's ability to recognize the direction of sounds while increasing protection from hazardous noise levels, and from ballistic fragments to prevent irrereversible hearing damage. Create a wireless, cable-free design, that amplifies hearing and situational awareness (to 360 degrees), that Soldiers, Marines, and Aircrewmen will want to wear in combat.
| Description: | This SBIR will research "doubled" hearing protection worn today and create a new approach to combine the components necessary for sound localization and auditory advancements, while improving attenuation from the high impact and steady state noise hazards. It should be lightweight (a few ounces) and be modular (tailorable) to interface with as many military helmets as possible: for Ground Infantry, Artillerymen, Military Police, Transportion, Maintenance, Fuelers, and Crewman. Strive to meet the requirements of the Army's military Tactical Communication Aural Protection System (TCAPS) hearing protection device and MC Headborne Systems.
| PHASE I: The Ballistic Combat Hearing Protection CAD design or physical model should show a technology approach to:
a) provide hearing protection equivalent to current "double hearing protection" (Plug AND muff worn together) from noises above 104 dBA, 165 dBP
b) be lighter weight than current earplugs worn with lightest earmuff headsets
c) be dramatically comfortable for extensive continuous use, using materials that are soft (such as "thin pillows exteranl to the ear) and can absorb some impact from IED blasts and small fragments
d) low non-protruding profile in order to accomodate other types of communication systems within the helmet.
e) increase wearer's situational awareness in 360 degrees directional source around his head.
Research means of incorporating micro-power sources if necessary to provide continuous operability, requiring little to no disposal of batteries in the battlefield, or means that avoid additional weight burden to the head (vs current configurations), solar, or other natural source combinations.
The most prominent deficiency of passive (non-powered) hearing protection for our infantry is the lack of situational awareness in combat. Research and create a design that affords hearing protection equal to or better than combined earplug and earmuff (double ear protection) products, and in a wireless configuration to eventually upgrade the TCAP program Block III.
Deliverables of PHASE I should be a monthly report of research findings and engineering theory of proposed design solution; and deliver at least one illustration in addition to the final design model and Final Research Report at the close of period of performance. State predictable performance risks or tradeoffs for hearing protection level capabiity vs improved auditory capability.
| PHASE II: Develop the concept further to integrate its alpha and beta prototype components in order to interface it with designated military headgear (helmets, tactical headsets, eyewear). Describe specific engineering components and operability with new technical drawings, schematics, and prototype parts. Produce a single prototype. Identify engineering interface issues and propose alternatives during the development of the prototype build as needed.
| PHASE III: Make any necessary changes needed to the model with Govt Engineer/reviewer involvement. Demonstrate Proof of concept: Build 6 prototypes and conduct in-process testing of the components to ensure efficacy of the conduit design will work to achieve the auditory and hearing protection level improvements. Test the final 6 system prototype for performance goals: noise attenuation, high impulse energy testing, amplification testing, sound localization (directional source), speech intelligibility, and establish a Noise Reduction Rating. Measured the performances required for systems safety levels. Based on availability of funding, these systems will be tested in lab setting for the tests listed in references 6-9 below. Civilian uses for this technology include: Law enforcement and rescue community, commercial distribution warehouse centers, construction industry, electrical workers, crane industry.
| References: | 1. US Army Requirement: TCAPS Tactical Communication Aural Protection System (includes Enhanced Hearing Communication and Protection System- Capability Development Doc, Revised for Signature), 2. Ruskin, A. Armed Forces Battle Invisible Disability, Hearing Review article, May/June 2008 http://www.hearingreview.com/issues/articles/HPR_2008-05_06.asp 3. Xydakis, M., Air Force Theater Hospital, and Robbins, A. , David Grant Medical Center, Tympanic-Membrane Perforation as a Marker of Concussive Brain Injury in Iraq, Aug 23, 2007. http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/357/8/830 4. Navy Environmental Hearing Conservation program website: http://www-nehc.med.navy.mil/Occupational_Health 5. Center of Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine:http://usachppm.apgea.army.mil/hcp/hearingprotection.aspx and http://usachppm.apgea.army.mil/hcp/NoiseLevels.aspx 6. Test Standards: ANSI S3.2-1989 (R1999). American National Standard Method for Measuring the Intelligibility of Speech Over Communication Systems 7. ANSI S12.6-1997 (R2002). American National Standard Methods for Measuring the Real-Ear Attenuation of Hearing Protectors 8. ANSI S12.42-1995 (R2004). American National Standard Microphone-in-Real-Ear and Acoustic Test Fixture Methods for the Measurement of Insertion Loss of Circumaural Hearing Protection Devices 9. ANSI S12.7-1986 (R2006). American National Standard Methods for Measurement of Impulse Noise 10. Specification for performance references. Performance Specification For Hearing Protection Tactical Headsets, PEO-Soldier. Project Manager Soldier Warrior, 7 Sept 2007. 11. Hearing Armor Inc Customer Report. A Comparison of the Performance of Various Earplugs in Impulse and Continuous Noise, Mary Binseel, US Army Research Lab, 8 Sep 2009 12. Attenuation Performance of Auditory Protection Devices, Helmets, and Communication Equipment, CRADA Report from General Dynamics for US Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), 25 July 2007, POC at AFIOH, Maj Hobbs. 13. MIL-STD-662 for V50 ballistic test protocols: No specific ballistic hearing protection test protocol. |
| Keywords: | CAD design or physical model; solar, or other natural sources (micro power). |
Additional Information, Corrections, References, etc.. |
Ref #14: NEW Ref. 14 - Additional information from TPOC in response to FAQs for A10-165, 53 sets of Q&A (uploaded in SITIS 9/8/10). A10_165 REF Addl QA Info.doc |
Questions and Answers: |
Q: NOTE: See new Ref. 14 which contains 53 sets of Q&A from TPOC in response to FAQs for A10-165, uploaded in SITIS 9/8/10. |
A: o |
As of midnight September 1, questions for solicitations SBIR 10.3 and STTR 10.B will no longer be accepted.
To read the solicitation for full proposal preparation and submission details click here. |