SBIR-STTR Award

Configured Airlift Load Building Tool (CALBT)
Award last edited on: 1/20/2020

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : AF
Total Award Amount
$896,204
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
AF182-048
Principal Investigator
Todd M Carrico

Company Information

Cougaar Software Inc

8260 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive Suite 700
Fairfax, VA 22031
   (703) 506-1700
   info@cougaarsoftware.com
   www.cougaarsoftware.com
Location: Single
Congr. District: 08
County: Fairfax

Phase I

Contract Number: FA8650-19-P-2008
Start Date: 1/10/2019    Completed: 1/10/2020
Phase I year
2019
Phase I Amount
$149,988
Configuring pallets for aircraft requires careful consideration of a diverse set of air cargo elementspallets, containers, and non-standard packages; a set of conveyance optionscontainers, pallets, boxes, aircraft cargo areas; and a set of operator specified preferences or priorities. Unfortunately, current capabilities do not successfully address the complex needs of pallet planning. Due to the configuration needs, weight difference, and varying sizes, the selection and assembly process to construct these pallets is time-consuming, error-prone, and inefficient. Cougaar Software, Inc. (CSI) proposes developing a Configured Airlift Load Building Tool (CALBT)an Artificial Intelligence enhanced software capability, with automated algorithms and planning tools for palletized cargo to render virtual prototypes of loads for aircraft for assembling them for transportation. CSIs aim is to develop a tool that has (1) high performance optimization engine for determining an optimized load configuration; (2) intuitive and simple user interfaces; (3) an open API allowing other programs or systems to access the loading optimization; and (4) technologies required for determining, capturing, and/or sensing cargo information, item identification, and cargo and cargo hold dimensions. Findings will provide a tool that significantly reduces airman disabilities and injuries and improves the efficiency of aerial port operations.multi-agent systems,artificial intelligence,Automated Load Planning,Palletized Cargo,Bin Packing Problem,Military Cargo Aircraft,Package Picking,spatial

Phase II

Contract Number: FA8649-20-C-0025
Start Date: 4/27/2020    Completed: 4/27/2022
Phase II year
2020
Phase II Amount
$746,216
Configuring pallets for aircraft requires careful consideration of a diverse set of air cargo elements – pallets, containers, and non-standard packages; a set of conveyance options – containers, pallets, boxes, aircraft cargo areas; and a set of operator specified preferences or priorities. Unfortunately, current capabilities do not successfully address the complex needs of pallet planning. Due to the configuration needs, weight difference, and varying sizes, the selection and assembly process to construct these pallets is time-consuming, error-prone, and inefficient. Cougaar Software, Inc. (CSI) proposes developing a Configured Airlift Load Building Tool (CALBT) – an Artificial Intelligence enhanced software capability, with automated algorithms and planning tools for palletized cargo to render virtual prototypes of loads for aircraft for assembling them for transportation. CSI’s aim is to develop a tool that has (1) high performance optimization engine for determining an optimized load configuration; (2) intuitive and simple user interfaces; (3) an open API allowing other programs or systems to access the loading optimization; and (4) technologies required for determining, capturing, and/or sensing cargo information, item identification, and cargo and cargo hold dimensions. Findings will provide a tool that significantly reduces airman disabilities and injuries and improves the efficiency of aerial port operations.