DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-NV005: Luminescence-Based Surface Measurement Technique for Simultaneous Pressure and Temperature Measurements within Non-Oxygen Based Hypersonic Ground Test Facilities

Quick Answer

DAF27BZ01-NV005 is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for a non-intrusive, luminescence-based surface technique that measures pressure and temperature simultaneously in hypersonic wind tunnels that use nitrogen instead of air, such as AEDC Tunnel 9. Phase I awards are up to $300,000 over 6 months, closing November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

Conventional pressure sensitive paint relies on oxygen quenching, so it does not work in oxygen-free flows. That leaves these facilities limited to discrete measurements.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-NV005
• Title: Luminescence-Based Surface Measurement Technique for Simultaneous Pressure and Temperature Measurements within Non-Oxygen Based Hypersonic Ground Test Facilities
• 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: Hypersonics
• Keywords: hypersonic, instrumentation, non-intrusive, wind tunnel
• 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

Pressure sensitive paint (PSP) gives global surface pressure data used to calculate aerodynamic loads and spot small-scale flow features. Its luminophores fluoresce inversely with local oxygen concentration, which rules it out in nitrogen blowdown facilities.

The Air Force wants a new technique, paint or luminophore system plus data reduction, that captures simultaneous global pressure and temperature in non-oxygen hypersonic tunnels.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I develops the technique or paint and establishes feasibility through thorough characterization of paint properties, sensitivities, and the data reduction process, using benchtop tests and small-scale educational supersonic or hypersonic facilities.

Phase II demonstrates the full-scale prototype in a hypersonic test facility using test probes or a well-known standard test article, and delivers the completed technique and refined data reduction process.

Phase III markets the technique for non-intrusive simultaneous pressure and temperature measurement in non-oxygen high-speed tunnels.

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?

Optical diagnostics firms, luminescent materials chemists, and university aerospace labs with PSP or TSP experience are the right fit. A university co-investigator with access to a small hypersonic facility helps Phase I credibility.

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-NV005?

DAF27BZ01-NV005 is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 to develop a luminescence-based technique for simultaneous global surface pressure and temperature measurement in non-oxygen hypersonic ground test facilities.

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.

Why doesn't standard pressure sensitive paint work here?

Standard PSP depends on oxygen quenching of luminophores. Facilities such as AEDC Tunnel 9 use nitrogen as the working fluid, so there is no oxygen signal to measure.

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.