Rapid Runway Inspection

We are looking for solutions for the challenging environmental conditions, auto-classification of damage/debris, time constraints and autonomy required for runway damage assessment.  The Seeker wishes to receive proposals of technologies addressing the technical requirements described in the Challenge details section.

This Challenge requires only a written proposal.

Rapid, reliable, and flexible assessment of runway conditions is paramount to maintaining and improving airfield resiliency post attack or following severe weather.  These events can render an airstrip unusable or degraded; leaving voids such as craters and camouflets, unexploded ordnance (UXO), and foreign object debris (FOD).  Recovery from such events requires rapid assessment of conditions and identification of options to maintain minimum operations. The Seeker wishes to receive proposals of technologies addressing the technical requirements described in the Challenge details section.

This is a Theoretical Challenge that requires only a written proposal to be submitted.  The Challenge award will be contingent upon theoretical evaluation of the proposal by the Seeker. 

To receive an award, the Solvers will not have to transfer their exclusive IP rights to the Seeker.  Instead, they must grant to the Seeker a non-exclusive license to practice their solutions.

The total award prize pool is $80,000. Four awards of $10,000 will be given out to the four best submissions with an option to award up to the next four submissions at $10,000 each at the Seekers discretion.  Additionally, award winners and other selected proposal participants will be invited to provide a limited demonstration of their solutions at an upcoming event for Air Force stakeholders.  The best demonstrated system at this demo will be invited to submit a proposal to build a proof-of-concept system for an Air Force assessment. If successful, additional procurements maybe obtained.

Submissions to this Challenge must be received by 11:59 PM (US Eastern Time) on June 26, 2018. Late submissions will not be considered.