Part of the DoW SBIR/STTR FY27 Release 2 topic list. Browse all 83 topics by industry or service.
Topic DAF27BZ02-DV019 from the DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 2. Pre-release now; proposals due January 6, 2027, 12:00 PM ET.
Quick answer
DAF27BZ02-DV019 is a Department of the Air Force Direct-to-Phase II SBIR topic seeking modular collaborative-autonomy technology that lets multiple Group 2/3 or similarly expendable UAS jointly deliver Government-approved non-kinetic effects under human-on-the-loop control. No Phase I awards will be made. Proposals are due January 6, 2027, 12:00 PM ET.
Solicitation at a glance
- Topic number: DAF27BZ02-DV019
- Official title: Collaborative Autonomous UAS for Distributed Non-Kinetic Effects
- Agency: Department of the Air Force
- Program: SBIR (DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 2)
- Award type: Direct to Phase II (no Phase I awards)
- Award amount: Up to $2,000,000. Source: Department of the Air Force Release 2 instructions in DSIP.
- CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
- ITAR: No
- Technology areas: Air Platform, Electronics, Sensors
- Pre-release (direct TPOC contact allowed): November 4 to December 2, 2026, 8:00 AM ET
- Opens in DSIP: December 2, 2026, 8:00 AM ET
- Proposals due: January 6, 2027, 12:00 PM ET
- Official source: DSIP Topics app (search DAF27BZ02-DV019)
BW&CO's take
What the Department of the Air Force wants
Instead of putting sensing, communications, and effects on one expensive aircraft, the Air Force wants them spread across several low-cost autonomous UAS that coordinate on their own. Mission functions include electronic support, communications relay, spectrum sensing, decoys, distributed RF effects, and network extension. The system must allocate and reassign tasks, keep working with intermittent communications and lost aircraft, and keep a human on the loop with positive control, abort, and safe-state behavior. Phase II culminates in a multi-aircraft collaborative flight demonstration producing a measurable Government-approved non-kinetic effect, plus integration with the Government-designated Raider platform, reaching a TRL 7+ end state.
Who is a good fit
- Collaborative autonomy software already flown on multiple aircraft, with data on task allocation, intervention rate, and behavior after aircraft loss
- Modular payload integration experience with open mechanical, electrical, RF, data, and software interfaces on Group 2/3 or expendable UAS
- Electronic support, spectrum sensing, communications relay, or MANET network-extension payload work
- Human-on-the-loop command and control with deterministic lost-link behavior and low-bandwidth coordination
Watch-outs
- This is Direct-to-Phase II: Feasibility Documentation must show Phase I-equivalent work completed outside SBIR funding, and offerors should state how many and what type of aircraft they have already flown collaboratively.
- Preferred entry maturity is TRL 5-6; TRL 4 may be considered where the core technology has been demonstrated and can credibly mature within about three years.
- Phase II includes integration with the Government-designated Raider platform, using Government-witnessed hardware-in-the-loop or lab verification if flight aboard Raider is not authorized. The topic excludes development of offensive cyber capabilities.
- The topic metadata lists CMMC Level 2 (Self). It is not marked as ITAR-restricted in the topic metadata.
Think your company fits DAF27BZ02-DV019? Talk with BW&CO before the January 6 deadline.
Plan Your DAF27BZ02-DV019 Submission
Official topic text (verbatim from DSIP)
The text in this section is copied word for word from the official DSIP topic as published on November 4, 2026. DSIP is the official source and topics can be amended. Always confirm the current version at dodsbirsttr.mil before you submit. Our commentary above is BW&CO's interpretation, not Government guidance.
Title
Collaborative Autonomous UAS for Distributed Non-Kinetic Effects
Objective
Develop, integrate, and demonstrate modular technologies enabling Group 2/3 UAS or similarly expendable autonomous aircraft to collaboratively generate distributed non-kinetic mission effects in contested environments.
The objective is to enable multiple low-cost autonomous platforms to coordinate sensing, positioning, task allocation, timing, communications, and payload employment to produce useful mission-level effects without requiring continuous human control or persistent high-bandwidth communications.
The desired architecture should employ a human-on-the-loop approach, allowing autonomous systems to conduct distributed mission execution while retaining oversight, positive control, and the ability for human operators to intervene when required.
The Government is particularly interested in technologies that distribute mission capability across multiple affordable aircraft rather than concentrating sensing, processing, communications, or effects on a single exquisite platform.
Description
Traditional non-kinetic capabilities can be constrained by platform availability, cost, survivability, operator workload, communications requirements, and centralized mission architectures.
Distributed autonomous UAS create the opportunity to separate the mission effect from a single exquisite platform and distribute sensing, decision-making, communications, and payload employment across multiple lower-cost aircraft.
The Government seeks modular technologies enabling Group 2/3 UAS and similarly expendable autonomous aircraft to collaboratively carry and employ Government-approved non-kinetic payloads while operating under a human-on-the-loop command architecture.
Potential mission functions may include lawful and authorized:
Electronic support. Communications relay. Spectrum sensing. Deception and decoy functions. Distributed RF effects. Cooperative sensing. Network extension. Authorized cyber-physical mission effects. Signature generation. Mission-support effects. Other non-destructive effects.
This topic is focused on enabling technologies, payload integration, distributed autonomy, mission coordination, and command-and-control architecture, not development of offensive cyber capabilities.
Fundamental engineering considerations include:
Modular Mission Systems
Modular payload integration. Open mechanical, electrical, power, data, RF, and software interfaces. Integration of Government or third-party payloads without fundamental aircraft redesign. Support for multiple payload types and aircraft architectures. Low-SWaP-C implementation suitable for expendable UAS.
Collaborative Autonomy
Autonomous task allocation. Collaborative mission planning and execution. Distributed decision-making. Dynamic reassignment of tasks following aircraft or payload loss. Cooperative sensing and information sharing. Graceful degradation as individual aircraft become unavailable. Quantifiable collaborative mission performance.
Human-on-the-Loop Control
Human-on-the-loop mission command and authorization. Positive control over initiation and termination of mission effects. Operator ability to modify objectives, constraints, or mission priorities. Deterministic responses to loss of communications. Abort and safe-state functionality. Appropriate human authorization for mission functions requiring Government approval.
Communications and Distributed Operations
Operation with intermittent, degraded, or unavailable communications. Distributed decision-making without persistent centralized control. Low-bandwidth coordination methods. Time and spatial synchronization. Network extension and relay capability. Resilient interfaces with Government mission and C2 systems.
Mission Assurance
Geographical, temporal, frequency, target-set, or mission-based constraints as applicable. Prevention of unintended or unauthorized effects. Defined operating boundaries. Fault detection and graceful degradation. Quantifiable reliability and mission-effect performance.
Phase I
As this is a Direct-to-Phase II (D2P2) topic, no Phase I awards will be made. To qualify, applicant(s) must provide Feasibility Documentation demonstrating prior completion of Phase I-equivalent efforts outside SBIR funding. Offerors should possess existing technology applicable to autonomous UAS, collaborative autonomy, spectrum operations, modular payloads, resilient communications, electronic support, distributed mission systems, human-machine teaming, or related capabilities.
Phase I-equivalent evidence may include:
Hardware demonstrations. Flight demonstrations. Collaborative autonomy testing. Multi-aircraft demonstrations. Modular payload integration. Electronic support or spectrum-sensing demonstrations. Communications relay or network-extension demonstrations. Distributed task-allocation demonstrations. Human-on-the-loop mission-control demonstrations. Degraded-communications testing. Hardware-in-the-loop or system-level testing. Relevant modeling supported by physical test data. Operational experimentation.
Offerors should identify:
Number and type of aircraft previously demonstrated collaboratively. Level and duration of autonomous operation. Human intervention requirements. Communications architecture and bandwidth requirements. Behavior during communications degradation or loss. Payload interfaces. Supported non-kinetic mission functions. Current aircraft and payload SWaP-C. Collaborative autonomy reliability. Current TRL and remaining technical risks.
Preferred entry maturity is TRL 5-6, with TRL 4 considered where the core technology has been demonstrated and can credibly mature within approximately three years.
Phase II
The technical effort shall culminate in the multi-aircraft collaborative flight demonstration described in Task 6 within the period of performance.
Task 1 – Open Mission Architecture Define and implement modular interfaces among aircraft, autonomy software, operators, mission-planning systems, communications networks, and Government-approved payloads.
Document mechanical, electrical, power, RF, data, software, and command interfaces necessary to support additional aircraft and payloads.
Task 2 – Collaborative Autonomy Develop and integrate distributed task allocation, aircraft coordination, synchronization, cooperative behaviors, and degraded-communications mission execution.
Demonstrate the ability for the collaborative system to dynamically adapt to changes in aircraft availability, communications, sensor information, mission priorities, and payload availability.
Task 3 – Non-Kinetic Payload Integration Integrate one or more representative Government-approved non-kinetic payloads or suitable surrogates.
Characterize payload SWaP-C, aircraft interfaces, operator controls, and the ability to integrate additional payloads without fundamental redesign.
Task 4 – Human-on-the-Loop Mission Command and Effect Control Demonstrate a human-on-the-loop command architecture supporting autonomous execution while maintaining appropriate Government authorization and oversight.
Demonstrate:
Positive control. Authorization logic. Effect boundaries. Mission constraints. Abort functionality. Operator intervention. Deterministic lost-link behavior. Prevention of unintended or unauthorized mission effects.
Task 5 – Degraded Communications and Distributed Operations Demonstrate useful collaborative mission performance under representative communications degradation, intermittent connectivity, bandwidth constraints, and temporary loss of centralized C2.
Quantify communications requirements and the degree to which mission execution can continue without persistent connectivity.
Task 6 – Multi-Aircraft Collaborative Demonstration Conduct an operationally relevant demonstration involving multiple autonomous aircraft collaboratively generating a measurable Government-approved non-kinetic mission effect.
The demonstration should characterize:
Mission completion rate. Task-allocation performance. Coordination latency. Communications requirements. Human intervention rate. Effectiveness following loss of individual aircraft. Autonomy reliability. Mission-effect performance.
Task 7 – Raider Platform Integration and Transition Architecture
Integrate the collaborative-autonomy capability with the Government-designated Raider platform using Government-furnished or Government-authorized interfaces, data, facilities, and security guidance. Demonstrate end-to-end exchange of the mission-planning, command, status, timing, and payload-control data required for the representative mission. If physical flight aboard the Raider platform is not authorized within the period of performance, complete Government-witnessed hardware-in-the-loop or system-integration-laboratory verification using the authoritative Raider interfaces.
Document integration pathways for additional aircraft, payloads, mission-planning systems, C2 systems, and Government networks, including platform-specific modifications, cybersecurity, airworthiness, data/interface requirements, and remaining transition risks.
Desired Phase II End State
A TRL 7+ collaborative autonomous UAS architecture integrated with the Government-designated Raider platform and demonstrated using multiple Group 2/3 or similarly expendable aircraft and at least one representative Government-approved non-kinetic payload in an operationally relevant environment.
The system should demonstrate distributed autonomous mission execution, human-on-the-loop oversight, degraded-communications operation, modular payload integration, graceful degradation following individual-aircraft loss, and measurable mission-level performance.
Phase III Dual Use Applications
Successful technology is intended to provide AFSOC, ACC, and operational organizations a rapidly fieldable NKE capability with payload integration ability and employment. This shall include a reusable modular integration pathway for future electronic-warfare, communications, sensing, processing, and self-protection payloads. The transition owner is PAE ISR SOF / Asymmetrical Warfare Division – WISS. The NKE capability is intended to support future adaptation to additional platforms through further integration and minimized cost burden. Follow-on funding is exploratory from AFSOC based on D2P2 results.
References
Association of Old Crows. (2024). Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO) in Contested Environments. Association of Old Crows.
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. (2021). Offsetting Dominance: Results from the Offensive Swarm-Enabled Tactics (OFFSET) Program. U.S. Department of Defense.
Hoverfly Technologies. (2024). Nexus: Network Extension of Unmanned Systems for Dispersed Formations. Hoverfly Defense Systems.
Mustafovski, R., Risteski, S., & Shuminoski, T. (2026). Integrated UAV-Satellite Communication Architecture with NOMA-based Multi-link Connectivity for Secure and Resilient Wireless Networks. International Journal of Wireless Networks, 15(1), 185-199. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11276-025-03912-x
Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. (2021). DoD Instruction 5000.88: Engineering of Defense Systems. U.S. Department of Defense.
PDW & CACI. (2024). Integration of Mastodon FireBeast Payload on Tactical Class 2 UAS for Signal Intelligence and Direction Finding. Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations Symposium.
Scharre, P. (2018). Army of None: Autonomous Weapons and the Future of War. W. W. Norton & Company.
Shield AI. (2023). V-BAT Teams: Collaborative Autonomy at the Tactical Edge. Shield AI.
Silvus Technologies & PDW. (2025). Mobile Ad Hoc Network (MANET) Extension and BVLOS Relay via Uncrewed Aerial Systems. Silvus Tactical Systems.
U.S. Army Program Executive Office Aviation. (2023). Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) Reference Architecture for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems. U.S. Department of Defense.
U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff. (2020). Joint Publication 3-85: Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations. U.S. Department of Defense.
Keywords
NKE, UAS, Group 2/3 UAS, Expendable UAS, Collaborative Autonomy, Human-on-the-Loop, Distributed Effects, EW, ESM, Spectrum Ops, Comms Relay, Distributed RF, Decoys, Cooperative Sensing, Network Extension, Swarming, Modular Payloads
Frequently asked questions
What is DAF27BZ02-DV019?
It is a Department of the Air Force SBIR topic to develop and demonstrate modular technologies that let multiple Group 2/3 or similarly expendable autonomous aircraft collaboratively generate distributed non-kinetic mission effects in contested environments under a human-on-the-loop architecture.
When is DAF27BZ02-DV019 due?
Proposals are due January 6, 2027, 12:00 PM ET. DSIP pre-release began November 4, 2026, and direct contact with the topic authors is allowed only until the topic opens on December 2, 2026, 8:00 AM ET.
Is this a Phase I or Direct-to-Phase II topic?
It is Direct-to-Phase II. No Phase I awards will be made, and applicants must provide Feasibility Documentation demonstrating Phase I-equivalent work completed outside SBIR funding.
Does the topic include offensive cyber work?
No. The topic states it is focused on enabling technologies, payload integration, distributed autonomy, mission coordination, and command-and-control architecture, not development of offensive cyber capabilities.