The contract, which supports the Air Force’s high power microwave (HPM) program, is a five-year, $49.9 million indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity task order intended to develop techniques and approaches for HPM components and systems, as well as other directed energy systems.
Under the terms of the contract, the SAIC team will develop new technologies and do applications R&D in pulsed power and HPMs, with a focus on transitioning important non-lethal technologies from the AFRL to end users in the Department of Defense and other federal agencies.
Directed energy technology solutions are viewed as important tools for national security, homeland defense, and the global war on terrorism. Dr. Ray O. Johnson, senior vice president and general manager of SAIC’s Advanced Concepts Business Unit, said: SAIC has a strategic interest in the development of high power microwave systems and in transitioning them to support our soldiers in the field.
The SAIC team includes 25 subcontractors bringing scientific, engineering, and systems engineering knowledge to AFRL in directed energy. This team also includes 12 small businesses, helping AFRL meet its desire for increased small business participation in high technology programs.
The DETAR program will be managed by Charles Gilman, vice president and manager of SAIC’s Applied Sciences Operation, out of SAIC’s Albuquerque office. The program is expected to support nearly 150 jobs, most of which will be in the Albuquerque area.
