Proposals in this area should have addressed environmental issues and toxicity issues associated with production, maintenance, repair, operation, and demilitarization of Department of Defense (DoD) weapons systems and platforms. Areas of interest included the following:

Repair and Maintenance
Alternative Materials. Demonstrate and validate environmentally sustainable materials for application in weapons and platforms. Targeted applications for alternative materials include but are not limited to:

• Surface Treatments (e.g., for adhesion and corrosion reduction)
• Coatings
• Degreasers
• Paint removers
• Composite Materials
• Additive manufacturing of metal, polymer, composite, ceramic, and hybrid material parts
• Alternative alloys with improved corrosion resistance for components and parts

Alternative Processes. Demonstrate and validate processes that eliminate or reduce the generation or use of hazardous or toxic materials. These include improved methodologies to join dissimilar materials and improved methodologies to reduce exposure of corrosion-susceptible alloys to corrosive environments. Additionally, improved sustainable methods for cleaning and treating surfaces are relevant.

Alternative Inspection Methodologies. Demonstrate and validate new technologies for the inspection of weapons systems that would reduce the requirement for maintenance and overhaul. Because the potential benefit to the environment through inspection techniques is indirect, letters of support for the inspection technique by the DoD or prime contractors are highly recommended in the proposal.

Monitoring and Control of Emissions. Demonstrate and validate technologies to detect and monitor hazardous materials used in industrial processes as well as the technologies to control the release of these materials into the environment.

Energetics
Alternative Materials. Demonstrate and validate new propellants, pyrotechnics, and explosive materials or formulations that reduce or eliminate the release of toxic materials into the environment.

Alternative Manufacturing Processes. Demonstrate and validate environmentally benign synthesis and production processes for energetic materials and munitions.
Monitoring and Control of Emissions. Demonstrate and validate technologies to detect, monitor, and control hazardous materials used in munitions manufacturing.

Demilitarization of Ordnance. Demonstrate and validate closed disposal technologies to demilitarize energetic materials or ordnance as alternatives to open burning and open detonation.

Refrigeration
Alternative Materials. Demonstrate and validate refrigerants that reduce or eliminate global warming potential while reducing or eliminating flammability associated with any refrigeration fluids used.

Alternative Processes. Demonstrate and validate refrigeration technologies that greatly reduce amounts of refrigerants used or do not use refrigerants at all.

Firefighting
Alternative Formulations. Demonstrate and validate fluorine-free foams (F3) as alternatives to aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) (or associated application technologies). F3s must be per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS)-free and have data indicating a potential to meet performance requirements in MIL-PRF-32725.

Alternatively, demonstrate and validate F3 formulations for dilution in seawater according to the requirements otherwise listed in MIL-PRF-32725.

Pre-mixed solutions for firefighting foams are used in various applications within the DoD. F3s that are pre-mixed and perform well according to MIL-PRF-32725 would be useful. The formulations should have a minimum threshold of 6-month shelf-life stability with an objective of 12-month shelf-life stability.

Stability. Demonstrate and validate methods to improve the stability of F3 concentrate and diluted solution for use.

Equipment. Demonstrate and validate equipment to improve the effectiveness of F3s according to MIL-PRF-32725.

Compatibility. Test and evaluate the compatibility of multiple approved F3 formulations. Traditional PFAS-containing AFFF formulations from different manufacturers appear to be compatible, ye, F3 formulations may not be compatible. Mixing with other F3 formulations is may not be recommended by the manufacturer. The logistics issues associated with this would increase cost and time associated with AFFF management or require single source purchasing. Thus, MILSPEC testing on mixtures of F3s is sought to determine whether certain mixtures could be used together or gain understanding of the degree of the compatibility problem. For compatible solutions, the duration of compatibility is also of interest. Note, that the FAA has conducted a series of tests in this regard (https://www.faa.gov/airports/airport_safety/aircraft_rescue_fire_fighting/f3_transition). Proposals should focus on remaining gaps.

Alternative Methodologies. Demonstrate and validate alternative methodologies for quantitatively evaluating the effectiveness of firefighting formulations against realistic DoD threats presented by Class B liquid pool fires.

Training. Demonstrate and validate mature firefighting training methodologies to simulate live fire training with foam on liquid pool fires. Training methodologies should reflect realistic threats in DoD relevant environments, while reducing or eliminating air and water emissions and hazardous waste generation from training activities.

Other
Demonstrate and validate other pollution prevention and sustainable technologies that directly impact weapons systems and platforms.

Proposals should have included a plan to conduct a Sustainability Analysis of appropriate proportion to the proposed research and development. Proposals should have established a lifecycle framework that can mature as the technology or process advances through the acquisition process. This tiered approach aims to develop and document a minimum data set at each stage of research and development that can be used to make informed decisions and streamline transition to an acquisition program. The Sustainability Analysis could include varying depths of data and information that can inform the goal and scope of an analysis; the identity and quantity of relevant inputs and outputs to the system; and the estimation of life cycle impacts and costs.