Very Low-Cost Kinetic Defeat for C-sUAS - SBIR Topic DAF26BX04-DP025
Funding Amount:
$2,000,000
Deadline to Apply:
August 19th, 2026
ITAR:
The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.
Objective:
Development and application of highly dispersible, survivable, and scalable kinetic defeat mechanisms capable of neutralizing Group 1-3 UAS threats.
Description:
This Department of the Air Force (DAF) focused open topic seeks C-sUAS defeat options for transition into the USAF and USSF, with a specific focus on transitioning technologies to AFLCMC/ES and the Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF 401) marketplace.
We seek the development and application of highly dispersible, survivable, and scalable kinetic defeat mechanisms capable of neutralizing Group 1-3 UAS threats.
This includes, but is not limited to, novel interceptor/munitions designs that achieve a <$6K cost per engagement and an effective engagement range of at least 800 meters.
Firing $30,000 interceptors at $500 commercial drones is financially unsustainable, especially against mass or swarm tactics.
Interceptors/Munitions must feature autonomous "fire-and-forget" terminal guidance with no user involvement required after launch.
System should be able to operate in a contested, GPS-denied environment.
It should feature the ability for simultaneous engagements.
Systems must demonstrate the potential to seamlessly integrate into various C-sUAS command and control frameworks.
Such systems include but are not limited to Medusa (SUADS).
It is preferred that systems are capable of operating in low collateral areas but not strictly required.
PHASE I:
This topic is intended for technology proven ready to move directly into Phase II.
Therefore, Phase I awards will not be made for this topic and Phase I proposals will not be accepted for this topic.
The applicant is required to provide detail and documentation in the Direct-to-Phase-II (D2P2) proposal which demonstrates accomplishment of a “Phase I-type” effort, including a feasibility study.
This includes determining, insofar as possible, the scientific and technical merit and feasibility of ideas appearing to have commercial potential of a very low-cost kinetic defeat mechanism.
The applicant should have defined a clear, immediately actionable plan with the proposed solution.
The feasibility study should have:
Describe the pathway to integrating with DAF operations, to include how the applicant plans to accomplish core technology development, navigate applicable regulatory processes, and integrate with other relevant systems and/or processes discussed in the Topic Description.
Describe if and how the solution can be used by other DoD, Governmental, or non-Federal customers.
Describe how the solution can neutralize Group 1-3 UAS threats.
PHASE II:
Deliver a field-ready, production-representative interceptor system demonstrating a strict sub $6k cost per unit.
Demonstrate engagement of Group 1−3 threats at 800m (Threshold) and 5km (Objective).
Proposals should include development, demonstration, and/or test and evaluation of the proposed solution prototype.
The relevant use case will be the defense of base assets, which will include integration with other defensive measures (munitions, non-kinetic weapons, and persistent ISR methods) using a system-of-systems and multi-layer detect and defeat system approach.
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS:
Transition to AFLCMC/ES and the JIATF-401 C-UAS marketplace for Base Defense.
Commercial dual-use applications include:
Airport security.
Critical infrastructure protection.
Border patrol.
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.
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