Technical Inquiries (TIs)

The core function of DSIAC is to answer technical questions using our in-house technical personnel, vast DoD information resources, and our extensive network of subject matter experts (SMEs). DSIAC has technical staff available to conduct technical research in order to give you a head start on your analysis or study in any of our technical focus areas. We offer a free 4-hour TI research service or, for slightly larger research efforts, we offer an extended technical inquiry (ETI) service.

Technical Inquiry Features

Our TIs include the following to help you with your research:

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Literature Searches

A curated bibliography given a technical topic

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Document Requests

Dissemination of technical reports to authorized users

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SME Referrals

Contacts and connections with relevant, technical SMEs

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Free Technical Inquiry Services

DSIAC's free TI service offers 4 hours of free research per inquiry on any topic within our technical focus areas. Typical TI efforts may include answering technical questions, literature searches, document requests, or referrals to SMEs. Completed responses are compiled and delivered to the inquirer in less than 10 business days. Registered users can submit TIs online through the provided form or by phone.

Submit A Technical Inquiry

Extended Technical Inquiry (ETI) Services

ETIs are externally funded research efforts that go slightly beyond 4 research hours. ETIs require between 5 and 160 technical hours of research, with a $50K maximum ceiling and period of performance up to 2 months.

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Notable Inquiries

Notable TIs are findings and/or summaries of responses to the most recent and impactful technical inquiries submitted by DSIAC members under our 4 free hours of information research support.

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Filter by Technical Focus Areas

By default, only content within your selected technical focus areas is displayed throughout the site. You can update your technical focus areas in your profile or temporarily filter the content here.

Shortages and Risks to the U.S. Energetic Materials Supply Chain

What are the economics of the energetic materials market related to potential shortage and/or risk to the supply chain?

  Defense Systems Information Analysis Center (DSIAC) staff conducted research on the…

Department of Defense (DoD) and Commercial Aircraft Transparency Construction, Materials, and Applications

What are the different materials, manufacturing methods, and properties for aircraft transparencies?

  Defense Systems Information Analysis Center (DSIAC) staff responded to a technical…

Torque Specifications for Small Arm Weapons

Should torque specifications be included on every weapon fastener?

DSIAC was asked to provide insight into the notion of torque specifications being…

Autonomous Micro Insect Robots

Is it possible that the future of information gathering will be up to robotic insects?

DSIAC was asked to track down technical publications regarding tiny, insect robots…

ISR Sensor Ball for Aircraft

What existing Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems will meet a given set of requirements?

DSIAC staff surveyed open source ISR systems and developed a matrix of…

Non-Lethal Requirements at 0-100 Meters for the Army and Marine Corps

How can a variable velocity non-lethal system can best meet the 0-100 meter non-lethal requirements for the Army and Marine Corps?

DSIAC conducted research to identify existing non-lethal weapon systems in use by…

Example Inquiries

Example TIs are samples of the wide range of technical inquiries submitted by DSIAC members under our 4 free hours of information research support. They are intended to show the breadth of information requests we receive.

Can live-fire-like training for research and development be provided for the engineers working on weapons platforms at U.S. Army Picatinny Arsenal, NJ?

July 18, 2024

How many "gate runner" (intentional or unintentional vehicle that passes through a secure access point without authorized access) incidents have occurred at U.S. military installations (including U.S. Department of State embassies and consulates) in the past 2–3 years?

July 18, 2024

Can information be provided to explain beamforming techniques used for active, electronically scanned array radar/beam form/beam steer?

July 18, 2024

What test data/information exists on ullage overpressures for fuel tanks greater than 100 gallons?

July 9, 2024

What work has been done on using active illumination to image through blast events?

July 9, 2024

What information exists on aerial-based datasets of maritime vessels for training deep-learning artificial intelligence models to perform various tasks?

July 9, 2024