DARPA News August 14, 2024 Current simulations of biology are either physically accurate or scalable, but not both; in particular, models of a single whole useful cell are incomplete. The behavior of simple model organisms can be partially simulated, but knowledge gaps remain. The Simulating Microbial Systems (SMS) program seeks to create computational simulations that accurately predict the behavior of bacteria in various contexts, create comprehensive, generalizable, and interpretable simulations of E. coli by leveraging high-throughput and automated experimental test beds, and advanced computational techniques. The result will be a comprehensive and extensive software package that will help DoD stakeholders […]
Tag Archives: DARPA
RACER Speeds Into a Second Phase With Robotic Fleet Expansion and Another Experiment Success
DARPA News April 23, 2024 DARPA’s Robotic Autonomy in Complex Environments with Resiliency (RACER) program successfully tested autonomous movement on a new, much larger fleet vehicle. The RACER Heavy Platform (RHP) vehicles are 12-ton, 20-foot-long, skid-steer tracked vehicles – similar in size to forthcoming robotic and optionally manned combat/fighting vehicles. The RHPs complement wheeled RACER Fleet Vehicles (RFVs) already in use. Phase 2 off-road average autonomous speed goals are higher at lower intervention rates. Both RFVs and RHPs allow RACER to show adaptability and resiliency of autonomous software at multiple, platform-agnostic ground robot scales in an array of complex, military-relevant […]
Accelerating Interoperability Standards for Commercial Lunar Infrastructure
DARPA October 11, 2023 Many shareable, scalable commercial systems will be needed to support a future lunar ecosystem. Through the Lunar Guidelines for Infrastructure Consortium (LOGIC) logic.jhuapl.edu/ . , DARPA will convene stakeholders across industry, academia, and government to identify critical lunar infrastructure interoperability and interface needs. The Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) will administer LOGIC, providing technical leadership and management of the consortium. LOGIC envisions a permanent, self-sustaining, and independent forum where international industry, government and academia can collaborate for the benefit of the entire lunar community. LOGIC will foster international engagement and the required technical […]
Revolutionary DARPA X-65 Plane With No Moving Control Surfaces
Next Big Future October 11, 2023 The Control of Revolutionary Aircraft with Novel Effectors (CRANE) program aims to design, build, and flight test a novel X-plane that incorporates Active Flow Control (AFC) as a primary design consideration. The X-65 has no external moving parts. No flaps. No rotors. No elevators, rudders, stabilators. The flight can be improved while also reducing costs, and wear and tear on the aircraft. The smoother surface should help improve the X-65s stealth characteristics. Crane seeks to optimize the benefits of active flow control by maturing technologies and design tools, and incorporating them early in the […]
DARPA Seeks Input on Novel Methods to Separate, Purify Rare Earth Elements
DARPA News July 12, 2023 Rare Earth Elements (REEs) comprise 17 elements, including scandium, yttrium, and the lanthanide series. REE extraction, separation, and purification from a complex feedstock can be environmentally degrading, energy inefficient, and difficult to permit in the United States. DARPA is sponsoring a hybrid workshop, to be held on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 to provide an overview and facilitate technical discussion regarding the Separation and Purification of Rare Earth Elements (SPREE) Advanced Research Concept (ARC) opportunity. The SPREE ARC opportunity is soliciting ideas to explore the following question: How can we purify Department of Defense (DoD)-relevant REEs […]
The Key to Securing Legacy Computing Systems
DARPA News April 10, 2023 For a cyber-attack to be successful, one must conduct a sequence of exploits to move from the initial system access, through privilege escalation and lateral motion steps, until reaching the ultimate target. With processor hardware enhancements, fine-grained software compartmentalization would not significantly impact the system’s speed and efficiency. The challenge, however, is in the billions of lines of existing software, all of which would be impossibly time-consuming to rewrite in safer programming languages. Through its new Compartmentalization and Privilege Management (CPM) program, DARPA is seeking proposals to develop tools that can automatically restructure a software […]
DARPA Team Begins Work on Field Deployable Whole Blood Equivalent
DARPA January 31, 2023 DARPA’s Fieldable Solutions for Hemorrhage with bio-Artificial Resuscitation Products (FSHARP) program aims to develop a field-deployable, shelf-stable whole blood equivalent that can be used to resuscitate trauma patients when donated blood products are not available. DARPA selected the University of Maryland to lead this effort with support from several universities and industries. Their plan is to integrate multiple bio-artificial and synthetic components to deliver oxygen, stop bleeding, and replace volume—key therapeutic functions of whole blood in resuscitation. They will evaluate efficacy and safety in increasingly complex and realistic trauma models and intend to develop strategies for […]
Cranking the Power on Radar Capabilities
DARPA November 23, 2022 Technologies for Heat Removal in Electronics at the Device Scale (THREADS) aims to overcome the thermal limits inherent to internal circuitry operations in general, and to critical power-amplifying functions specifically. THREADS targets thermal management challenges at the transistor level. Central to this effort will be reducing the thermal resistance involved in dissipating internal heat without degrading performance or increasing the footprint of the transistors key to advancing radar capabilities. Wide bandgap transistors, such as gallium nitride (GaN), were developed specifically to improve output density in power amplifiers and further order-of-magnitude increase in power output is possible […]
DARPA’s Robotic In-Space Mechanic Aces Tests, on Track for Launch
DARPA November 8, 2022 DARPA is seeking to create a persistent operational dexterous robotic capability in geosynchronous Earth orbit to enable on-orbit satellite repair and upgrade, extending satellite life spans, expanding the capabilities of existing satellites, enhancing spacecraft resilience, and improving the reliability of the current U.S. space infrastructure. All component-level tests are complete on DARPA’s Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites (RSGS) program and the on-orbit demonstration mission is on schedule for launch in 2024. Following a period of checkout and calibration activities, the program anticipates on-orbit satellite servicing activities will begin in 2025. RSGS is intended to remain in […]
POWER Aims to Create Revolutionary Power Distribution Network
DARPA News October 5, 2022 DARPA is working on the next leap forward in energy distribution by leveraging wireless power beaming to create a dynamic, adaptive, speed of light wireless energy web. The goal of the Persistent Optical Wireless Energy Relay (POWER) program is to design and demonstrate airborne optical energy relays. These relays are a critical component necessary to allow ground-sourced lasers to be coupled with high-altitude, efficient long-range transmission. Additionally, such relays will enable future multi-path wireless energy networks. It is a three-phase development effort, culminating in a compelling energy relay flight demonstration. This is the internet for […]