Ground-Based Affordable Mass (G-BAM) Challenge - SBIR Topic ARM26BX04-DV010

Funding Amount:

$2,000,000

Deadline to Apply:

August 19th, 2026

Note:

The following topic number, ARM26BX04-DV010 – Ground-Based Affordable Mass (GBAM), in this release is tied to a Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) Challenge Commercial Solutions Opening.

The DIU G-BAM Prize Challenge will be used to identify small business concerns that meet the criteria for a potential SBIR Direct-to-Phase II (DP2) award under this topic.

Finalists selected from the DIU G-BAM Prize Challenge will be the only firms eligible to submit an SBIR DP2 proposal under this topic.

Proposals submitted to this topic by non-winners of the DIU Prize G-BAM Challenge will not be evaluated.

How to Apply

Visit the DIU Open Solicitations page to read the full Challenge Announcement, topic details, and application instructions:

https://www.diu.mil/work-with-us/open-solicitations

Key Dates

• July 2, 2026: White paper submission window opens via the link above.

• July 14, 2026 at 11:59:59 PM ET: Response deadline via the link above.

(Challenge Submission Window Subject to Change. Please refer to the DIU Open Solicitations page for the latest information.)

DIU Prize Challenge applications are NOT submitted through DSIP.

Small business concerns that do not submit an application through the DIU Open Solicitations page (https://www.diu.mil/work-with-us/open-solicitations) before the deadline will be ineligible to compete or submit a full SBIR proposal to DSIP.

The DSIP proposal submission window tied to this topic is for the winners of the competition only.

Objective:

The United States currently faces an "unprecedented" military buildup by China and increasing air and missile threats that demand a robust deterrent. However, the current inventory of longrange strike weapons is dominated by high-cost, low-volume systems or aging strategic assets like the Minuteman III, which dates back to the 1960s. The lack of a cost-effective, ground-launched payload delivery system prevents the Joint Force from achieving producibility at scale, leaving the U.S. vulnerable in high-intensity, multi-domain environments where high-end munitions would be rapidly depleted. The objective of this topic is to facilitate innovative research on low-cost, rapidly manufacturable, payload delivery systems.

Description:

The Department of War (DoW) is pivotally shifting toward "affordable mass" to counter peer adversaries who are rapidly expanding their military capabilities.

While hypersonic systems offer high speeds, their exorbitant costs—exceeding $50 million per round—limit the military's ability to achieve the "magazine depth" necessary for prolonged conflict.

This project proposes a ground-based, non-hypersonic, long-range precision payload delivery system that leverages low-cost production methods and commercial technologies to provide a scalable, high-volume alternative that is a tenth of the price of current high-end munitions.

PHASE I:

This topic is accepting DP2 submissions for a cost limit up to $2,000,000 and a 12-18 month period of performance.

(DIRECT TO) PHASE II:

This topic is a DP2 topic.

In order for proposers to submit a DP2 proposal, they must provide justification documentation to substantiate that the scientific and technical merit and feasibility described above has been met and describes the potential military and/or commercial applications.

Documentation should include all relevant information including, but not limited to:

• Technical reports.

• Test data.

• Prototype designs/models.

• Performance goals/results.

This justification must be provided during the DIU G-BAM Challenge in order to be selected as a winner and eligible to submit a DP2 proposal under this topic.

The results from the DIU G-BAM Challenge demonstration event will be used to determine eligibility for DP2.

The objectives during Phase II are to produce prototype solutions that will be easy to operate by a Soldier.

These products will be provided to select Army or other Department of War (DoW) units for testing and experimentation with end Users in a realistic field environment.

Feedback from testing and experimentation will be provided directly to Small Businesses to iterate rapidly on recommended modifications or improvements for Army operational use.

In addition, companies will work with Army partners to develop a draft technology transition and commercialization plan for DoW and commercial markets.

Prototype capabilities sought include:

• Cost Efficiency: Achieve a "flyaway" unit cost of less than $2 million, representing a significant reduction from current advanced tactical missiles.

• Producibility: Demonstrate a company manufacturing process capable of producing at least 500 units annually.

• Operational Range: Validate a ground-launched threshold range exceeding 300 nm, matching or exceeding the capabilities of the Precision Strike Missile Increment One.

• Employment: Should not require the Army to develop or modify other systems for employment. Should be a “plug and play” system that easily integrates with existing transport, targeting, and situational awareness systems.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS:

The sub-system technologies developed for low-cost, long-range payload delivery have significant applications in the civilian/commercial aerospace and logistics sectors.

The artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous navigation systems required for these munitions can be adapted for commercial cargo delivery drones and autonomous maritime vessels.

Additionally, the push for additive manufacturing and rapid prototyping in the Indo-Pacific region to support these systems can revitalize domestic high-tech manufacturing, providing private companies with advanced production techniques that reduce costs for civilian infrastructure projects.

Additionally, this space lends itself to the potential for development of low-cost alternate fuel technologies.

Companies participating in the shoot-off are encouraged to propose tech development for manufacturing methods, materials, guidance, seekers, alternate propulsion, etc. to enhance their products.

These are the primary opportunities for commercialization.

Who will win?

If you can achieve the objective above better than any other company on the market, you have a very high-likelihood of success and should apply.

Who is eligible to apply?

Any company that meets the following criteria:

• For-profit company

• U.S.-owned and controlled.

• 500 or fewer employees (including affiliates)

How Can BW&CO Help?

1) End-to-end support including, strategy, writing of the full proposal, and administrative & compliance support.

2) Proposal strategy and review.

3) Administrative & compliance support.

Request to talk with a member of our team by completing the form below: