Extended Range 10-inch Air Launched Rocket - SBIR Topic DON26BZ01-DV001
Disclaimer:
This topic was temporarily posted by the Department of War SBIR Program on March 2nd 2026 and removed the following day.
We believe this topic is planned to be released once the SBIR program is reauthorized; however, this topic may ultimately be modified or withdrawn.
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Funding Amount:
Est. $2 Million.
Deadline to Apply:
Est. April 29th, 2026.
Objective:
Implement Highly Loaded Grain (HLG) propulsion technology into an existing 10-inch diameter rocket motor to create a tactically relevant, extended range rocket motor.
Description:
The U.S. Navy is pursuing enhancements to the performance, range, and tactical flexibility of existing 10-inch rocket motor systems. A key enabler of this objective is the maturation and application of HLG propulsion technology. HLG designs maximize total impulse within volume-constrained tactical solid propellant systems while enabling adaptable thrust-time profiles, including boost-sustain variants.
This Direct to Phase II SBIR topic seeks integration of HLG technology into an existing 10-inch diameter rocket motor, thereby increasing performance and advancing the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) of the HLG propulsion approach.
Key Technical Guidelines:
Rocket Motor Case: 10-inch diameter tactical casing with boat-tail geometry based on the High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) aft-end structure
Grain Design: HLG-formulated geometry tailored for constrained volume and thrust shaping
Ballistics Software: CLWire ballistic simulation software provided by Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD)
Risk Posture: Low to moderate for non-HLG-specific subsystems; medium risk for nozzle/igniter design
Performance Objective: Total impulse increase of approximately 30% over legacy baseline
Thrust Profile: Support both all-boost and boost/sustain regimes; comply with NAWCWD performance parameters including Maximum Expected Operating Pressure (MEOP) and thrust onset rates
Propellant Formulation: Aluminized solid propellant: Ammonium Perchlorate (AP) / Aluminum (Al) / Hydroxyl-Terminated Polybutadiene (HTPB) binder
Materials Compatibility: Maximize re-use of existing materials for insulation, liners, oxidizers, and binders
Environmental Qualification: Thermal: –65 °F to +160 °F (–53.9 °C to +71.1 °C); Structural: withstand shock and vibration in accordance with military deployment profiles
Nozzle & Igniter Development: Moderate risk with identified maturation path toward tactically viable configurations
Work produced in Phase II may become classified. Note: The prospective contractor(s) must be U.S. owned and operated with no foreign influence as defined by 32 U.S.C. § 2004.20 et seq., National Industrial Security Program Executive Agent and Operating Manual, unless acceptable mitigating procedures can and have been implemented and approved by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) formerly Defense Security Service (DSS). The selected contractor must be able to acquire and maintain a secret level facility and Personnel Security Clearances. This will allow contractor personnel to perform on advanced phases of this project as set forth by DCSA and NAVAIR in order to gain access to classified information pertaining to the national defense of the United States and its allies; this will be an inherent requirement. The selected company will be required to safeguard classified material during the advanced phases of this contract IAW the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), which can be found at Title 32, Part 2004.20 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
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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