Executive Summary
DIU's SWAP-USV Sprint 2 is a prize challenge for production-ready uncrewed surface vessels with integrated counter-air effectors that defeat Group 1-3 drones and helicopters beyond 3 NM. U.S. and international vendors may apply. Submissions are due November 30, 2026, 23:59:59 EST.
The deciding factor is production readiness. DIU will only consider integrated systems (USV, launcher and effector together) with demonstrated integration and verifiable production capacity, and it wants systems suitable for forward operational fielding within 120 days. Prototype-only or conceptual designs are excluded.
Solicitation at a Glance
- Agency: Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), with the Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Unmanned Systems (DRPM UxS)
- Opportunity: Suitable Warfighting Adaptive Payloads (SWAP)-USV Sprint 2: Counter-Air
- Where it is posted: DIU Submit a Solution page (PROJ00721)
- Award Vehicle: Prize challenge under 10 U.S.C. 4025, with possible follow-on Other Transactions under 10 U.S.C. 4022
- Funding: Up to $40M in Sprint 2 prizes; $200M budgeted for prototype or follow-on production Other Transactions
- Technology Maturity: Production-ready systems with demonstrated integration
- Who Can Apply: U.S. and international vendors
- Deadline: November 30, 2026, 23:59:59 EST
Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the November 30 deadline.
What Is SWAP-USV Sprint 2?
SWAP-USV is a DIU prize challenge series run with the Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Unmanned Systems. It is organized as three sprints. Sprint 1 focused on beyond-line-of-sight FPV drone launch and surface interdiction. Sprint 2 focuses on counter-air: hard-kill effectors, 360-degree sensing and command and control on an uncrewed surface vessel. Sprint 3, with submissions planned for spring 2027, covers multi-domain swarm orchestration and secondary effectors.
What Problem Is DIU Trying to Solve?
Defending against low-cost threats such as explosive USVs, Group 1-3 drones, attack helicopters, go-fast boats and low-flying aerial threats currently depends on expensive naval and aviation assets. That makes the cost exchange unfavorable. DIU wants affordable, uncrewed systems that can take on part of the counter-air mission at sea.
Priority Capabilities: What DIU Is Looking For
- Single integrated system: USV, launcher and effector submitted together. Platform-only or effector-only submissions are not evaluated.
- Counter-air engagement: detect, track and engage Group 1-3 drones and rotary-wing aircraft at more than 3 NM under operator supervision. Group 5 engagement is highly desired.
- USV performance: at least 200 nm range and at least 10 kt sustained speed, plus waypoint navigation, patrol, station-keeping, collision avoidance and 360-degree detection, tracking and positive identification.
- Safe weapons control: remote arming and firing with human-in-the-loop interlocks and MOSA-compliant command interfaces.
- C2 integration: integration with Project AVO and SIL/HIL simulation evidence, including effector models.
- Effector categories: heavy kinetic (Hellfire or JAGM, with a Government-provided technical data package for the launcher interface and fire control available only to qualified Category 1 offerors), precision rocketry (APKWS), remote weapon stations (Stinger or better, 7.62 mm or better, or high-power laser) and alternate mature systems.
- Secondary attributes: logistics compatibility (trailers, ISO containers, C-17 and C-130 transport), resilient communications, GNSS-denied navigation, autonomous maritime behaviors and offensive surface-target capability.
Funding and Award Terms
- Prizes: up to $40M for Sprint 2.
- Follow-on: DIU has budgeted $200M to award prototype or follow-on production Other Transactions under 10 U.S.C. 4022. The Government may also procure experimental items under 10 U.S.C. 4023.
- Authority: the challenge is run under 10 U.S.C. 4025.
- Intellectual property: applicants keep ownership of their IP; DIU receives a limited license for testing and evaluation tied to the challenge.
- Costs: proposal costs are not reimbursed, and the Government may modify, suspend or cancel the challenge.
Eligibility and Participation
- Who can apply: "This solicitation is open to U.S. and international vendors."
- Teaming: specialized firms may join teamed submissions but cannot submit alone.
- Category 1 data access: requires an active CAGE code, a DD Form 2345 (JCP certification) and an executed NDA. The data package contains CUI and export-controlled data.
- Section 889: awards require confirmation of compliance with Section 889 of the FY2019 NDAA.
- Classification: submissions must contain no data above CUI.
How to Apply
- Prepare the deck: a horizontal 16:9 PDF slide deck "not to exceed 15 slides."
- Mark the cover: include the Sprint 2 Counter-Air Evaluation designation and the payload categories you are proposing.
- Cover the required content: system maturity, prior operational demonstrations, hull pedigree, manufacturing capacity, sensor pedigree, active production lines and surge capacity.
- Complete the form: company and submitter information, SAM.gov and CAGE status, and the CUI certification.
- Submit: through the DIU Submit a Solution page by November 30, 2026, 23:59:59 EST.
What Happens After You Submit?
- Response: DIU says it aims to respond within 30 days if it wants a pitch.
- Evaluation: mission performance, USV and payload design, and logistics, interoperability and production readiness.
- Readiness: selected offerors must be prepared to conduct integrated system testing within 30 days of down-selection.
- Test Event 1: a vendor-operated baseline integration and safety event with an on-water demonstration, launcher inspection and technical interview.
- Test Event 2: a three-week, DoW-operated operational challenge at Little Creek, Virginia, planned for early 2027, including Project AVO interoperability and dynamic target engagement.
Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?
It fits USV builders, weapons and launcher integrators, and counter-UAS companies that already have, or can team into, a production-ready integrated system with demonstrated on-water performance and manufacturing capacity. Teams with C2 integration experience and SIL/HIL evidence are better positioned. Companies with only a concept, a single component or no production line are a weak fit for this sprint.
How BW&CO Can Help
BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For prize challenges like SWAP-USV Sprint 2, we help you:
- Pick your lane: choose the effector categories that fit your system.
- Form the team: pair hull, launcher and effector partners into one integrated offer.
- Build the deck: a 15-slide submission that covers every required item.
- Prepare for testing: plan for the 30-day readiness window and test events.
- Plan the follow-on: position for prototype or production Other Transactions.
Plan Your SWAP-USV Sprint 2 Submission
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is running SWAP-USV Sprint 2?
The Defense Innovation Unit, with the Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Unmanned Systems.
When is it due?
November 30, 2026, 23:59:59 EST.
How much money is available?
Up to $40M in Sprint 2 prizes, and $200M budgeted for prototype or follow-on production Other Transactions.
Can I submit just a USV or just an effector?
No. Submissions must be a single integrated system covering the USV, launcher and effector. Specialized firms can join a teamed submission.
What are the minimum performance thresholds?
At least 200 nm range, at least 10 kt sustained speed, and engagement of Group 1-3 drones and helicopters at more than 3 NM.
Can international companies apply?
Yes. The solicitation is open to U.S. and international vendors.
What format is the submission?
A horizontal 16:9 PDF slide deck not to exceed 15 slides.
Where does testing happen?
Test Event 1 is vendor-operated at a vendor-selected site. Test Event 2 is a three-week operational challenge at Little Creek, Virginia.
Can BW&CO help with a SWAP-USV Sprint 2 submission?
Yes. BW&CO helps teams pick effector categories, line up partners and build the submission deck. Book a call with our team.