DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-DV010: Low SWaP, 2-micron Fiber Amplifiers

Quick Answer

DAF27BZ01-DV010 is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1. The Air Force wants a rugged, kilowatt-class 2-micron fiber amplifier module that matches the size, weight, and power (SWaP) of today's state-of-the-art 1-micron systems, to move laboratory technology toward directed energy programs. Awards are up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months, closing November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

Phase II must deliver physical hardware verified at more than 1 kW output, beam quality M2 below 1.2, linewidth under 5 GHz, and electro-optical efficiency above 25 percent.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-DV010
• Title: Low SWaP, 2-micron Fiber Amplifiers
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Direct to Phase II
• Award ceiling: $2,000,000
• Period of performance: 24 months
• Technical volume limit: 35 pages or slides
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Not marked as ITAR restricted on DSIP
• Focus areas: Directed Energy
• Keywords: directed energy, laser weapon system, low SWaP, electro-optical efficiency, power scaling, 2 micron high-power fiber amplifier
• Pre-release: October 7, 2026
• Opens: October 28, 2026
• Closes: November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET
• Submission portal: DSIP at dodsbirsttr.mil

What the Air Force Is Looking For

High-power fiber lasers in the 2-micron band offer eye-safer directed energy, advanced sensing, and precision materials processing. Kilowatt-class narrow-linewidth thulium-doped fiber amplifiers have been demonstrated, but they are not yet as compact as mature 1-micron amplifiers.

The Air Force wants to leverage existing laboratory architectures to prime industry for production of robust 2-micron fiber amplifiers and to pave the way for transition into active directed energy programs.

Phase II verification targets

• Output power greater than 1 kW.
• Beam quality M2 less than 1.2.
• Narrow linewidth less than 5 GHz, with spectral stability.
• Electro-optical efficiency greater than 25 percent.
• Low SWaP consistent with state-of-the-art 1-micron fiber amplifiers.
• Deliverables: the physical prototype, complete electrical and optical schematics, and a full test and characterization report.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I is skipped. Because this is Direct to Phase II, your proposal must prove feasibility already exists. The DAF will not consider a proposal that fails to show technical merit and feasibility, or whose feasibility was not substantially performed by your firm or principal investigator. The topic asks for documentation of high-power 2-micron amplifier design, thermal management in constrained spaces, and ruggedized packaging. Qualifying Phase I type work includes prior design, development, and demonstration of low SWaP, kilowatt-class 1-micron fiber amplifier modules.

Phase II builds, verifies in the lab, and delivers the 2-micron prototype against the metrics above.

Phase III moves the design into full-rate production, opens commercial markets, and integrates the amplifier into a deployable multi-kW laser defense system for environmental validation.

Funding and Proposal Limits

• Direct to Phase II award maximum: $2,000,000. Proposals above this amount will not be considered for evaluation or award.
• Award maximum duration: 24 months.
• Technical Volume (Volume 2) limit: 35 pages or slides.
• No Phase I awards will be made under this topic.
• TABA: DAF will provide up to $50,000 per Phase II award in addition to the topic amount, and you may split it 50/50 across a first and a sequential Phase II. The detailed request must be in Volume 5.

Who Is Eligible

• You must be a U.S. small business concern that meets SBIR ownership and size rules at the time of award.
• You must document that you already completed Phase I type feasibility work. That work must have been substantially performed by your firm or your principal investigator, and it cannot be based on or logically extend from any prior or ongoing federally funded SBIR or STTR work.
• Firms majority owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds are eligible to propose to DAF topics.
• DoW now limits proposals on a per-topic basis, so plan on one strong proposal for this topic.

Key Dates and How to Apply

• Now through October 28, 2026: pre-release. Topic authors are listed on the DSIP Topics and Topic Q&A page and you can call or email them directly with technical questions. This is the only window for direct contact.
• October 28, 2026: the topic opens for proposals in the Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP). After this date, questions go through DSIP Topic Q&A only.
• November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET: complete proposals must be certified and submitted in DSIP. A proposal still marked In Progress or Ready to Certify is not considered submitted.
• Before you submit, confirm an active SAM.gov registration, a DSIP account, completed Volume 6 Fraud, Waste, and Abuse training, and the Volume 7 foreign affiliation disclosure webform.

Is This Topic a Fit for Your Company?

Fiber laser companies already shipping compact kilowatt-class 1-micron modules are the clearest fit, along with thulium fiber specialists who have solved packaging and thermal problems. Medical and industrial 2-micron laser makers can also use this as a defense on-ramp.

BW&CO has helped deep tech founders secure $350M+ in non-dilutive funding. If you want a second opinion on fit, feasibility documentation, or a proposal plan before the deadline, book a call with our team below.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DAF SBIR topic DAF27BZ01-DV010?

It is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 to develop a rugged, kilowatt-class 2-micron fiber amplifier with SWaP comparable to state-of-the-art 1-micron systems for directed energy.

How much funding is available?

Up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months, plus up to $50,000 in TABA per Phase II award if requested.

What performance must the prototype meet?

Output above 1 kW, M2 below 1.2, linewidth under 5 GHz with spectral stability, and electro-optical efficiency above 25 percent, verified in the lab.

Does 1-micron experience count as feasibility?

Yes. The topic says qualifying Phase I type efforts include prior design, development, and demonstration of low SWaP, kilowatt-class 1-micron fiber amplifier modules.

When is the deadline?

The topic opens October 28, 2026 and closes November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET in DSIP.