DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-NV001: Shallow Jet Spurt Engineering Model

Quick Answer

DAF27BZ01-NV001 is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 to build a fast, physics-based engineering model of the hydrodynamic spurt in fluid cavity created jets. Phase I awards are up to $300,000 over 6 months, with a 20 page technical volume. The topic opens October 28, 2026 and closes November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

Hydrocodes can already simulate the spurt, but they are too slow for design iteration. The Air Force wants a validated reduced-order model that predicts spurt velocity, mass, and geometry orders of magnitude faster.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-NV001
• Title: Shallow Jet Spurt Engineering Model
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Phase I
• Award ceiling: $300,000
• Period of performance: 6 months
• Technical volume limit: 20 pages or slides
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Not marked as ITAR restricted on DSIP
• Focus areas: Advanced Computing and Software
• Keywords: warhead, engineering model, hydrodynamic spurt
• 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

The spurt is the initial, often unsteady ejection of material from the liner that comes before the main, stable jet forms. Predicting it accurately as a function of liner material, geometry, and threat characteristics matters for designing and optimizing advanced warheads.

The Air Force wants a computationally efficient engineering-level model, analytical or semi-empirical, validated against high-fidelity simulation and experimental data, that can sit inside warhead design toolchains.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I identifies and analyzes the physical mechanisms behind spurt formation using literature and high-fidelity hydrocode runs, develops a preliminary analytical or semi-empirical framework, and demonstrates feasibility on a baseline shaped charge design. The final report covers the model's theoretical basis and a proof-of-concept correlation with high-fidelity simulation data for at least one configuration.

Phase II turns the model into a robust software prototype, expands it across liner materials, geometries, and explosive types, and validates it against a matrix of existing or new experimental data. The tool must be orders of magnitude faster than full hydrocode runs.

Phase III hardens the software for DoD warhead design toolchains with training and support for government and prime contractor teams. Dual-use markets include high-speed metal forming, explosive welding, and industrial perforation.

Funding and Proposal Limits

• Phase I award maximum: $300,000. Proposals above this amount will not be considered for evaluation or award.
• Phase I award maximum duration: 6 months.
• Technical Volume (Volume 2) limit: 20 pages or slides.
• Technical and Business Assistance (TABA): DAF will provide up to $6,500 per Phase I award, in addition to the topic award amount. The detailed TABA 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.
• Your firm must perform at least two-thirds of the Phase I research or analytical 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 rather than several variations.

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?

This fits small firms and university spinouts with shock physics, hydrocode, and reduced-order modeling expertise, particularly those who have worked with shaped charge or explosively formed penetrator problems.

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-NV001?

DAF27BZ01-NV001, Shallow Jet Spurt Engineering Model, is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 to develop a fast, validated reduced-order model of the hydrodynamic spurt in fluid cavity created jets for warhead design.

How much funding is available?

Phase I awards are up to $300,000 over up to 6 months. The DAF also provides up to $6,500 in Technical and Business Assistance per Phase I award, in addition to the topic amount.

When is the deadline?

The topic pre-released October 7, 2026, opens October 28, 2026, and closes November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET. Proposals must be certified and submitted in DSIP.

How long can the technical volume be?

Volume 2 is limited to 20 pages or slides for this topic. Pages beyond the limit are not considered.

What should Phase I deliver?

A theoretical framework for the model and a final report showing proof-of-concept correlation with high-fidelity hydrocode data for at least one baseline shaped charge configuration.

Can I talk to the topic author?

Yes, during pre-release only, from October 7 until the topic opens on October 28, 2026. After that, technical questions must go through DSIP Topic Q&A.