High Clutter Virtual Objects for Modeling and Simulation - SBIR Topic DON26BZ01-NV003

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is planned to be released once the SBIR program is reauthorized; however, this topic may ultimately be modified or withdrawn.

Sign up below to be notified as soon as this topic is released again. In the meantime, we’d recommend you start planning to respond if within your capabilities.

Funding Amount:

Est. $240,000

Deadline to Apply:

Est. April 29th, 2026.

Objective:

Develop a modeling and simulation (M&S) application for generating high-fidelity, thermally-attributed virtual electro-optic and infrared (EO/IR) object models—specifically weather-explicit 3D clouds and/or debris fields—for integration into real-time scene generation systems.

Description:

Developmental and Operational Testing (DT/OT) of Missile Warning Systems (MWS), Infrared Countermeasures (IRCM), and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems are currently limited to in-flight tests or the use of recorded flight video in digital system models (DSM). These methods do not adequately replicate the complexity of battlefield, industrial, and urban environments, especially under high-clutter, thermally dynamic conditions.

To enhance system survivability and test realism, validated synthetic 3D scene models are required to represent high-fidelity thermal environments unachievable through traditional Test & Evaluation (T&E) methods. These models enable more effective assessment of performance and operational effectiveness across a range of mission scenarios.

The Navy’s EO/IR Direct Inject (EOIRDI) initiative employs the Synchronized Kilohertz Injection Projection (SKIP) scene generation system to support hardware-in-the-loop engagements.

SKIP is capable of operating across multiple formats:

2k x 2k at 60 Hz

512 x 512 at 500 Hz

320 x 320 at 1kHz

To fully utilize SKIP's capabilities, synthetic test engagements must be developed to match specific system-under-test (SUT) frame rates and resolution formats, incorporating unique geographic locations and weather conditions.

This topic seeks a M&S application for generating high-fidelity, thermally-attributed virtual EO/IR object models—specifically weather-explicit 3D clouds and/or debris fields—for integration into real-time scene generation systems.

The tool must enable validated six degrees of freedom (6-DOF) physics-based simulations to support live, virtual, and constructive (LVC)-based survivability assessments of modern threat engagement systems in cluttered battlefield environments involving air-to-air missiles (AAM) and surface-to-air (SAM) threats.

The solution must support scene generation at real-time frame rates (60 Hz, 500 Hz, 1 kHz) using the EO/IR rendering framework built on OpenSceneGraph (OSG) and Virtual Planet Builder (VPB). Models must include optical, thermal, and physical attributes—such as spectral absorption, emissivity, and reflectivity—across the MWIR band (3.0–5.0 microns), with scalability to 0.2–20.0 microns. The system will enable creation, rendering, and validation of thermally accurate clutter (clouds/debris) varying by temperature, atmospheric composition, and precipitation to support enhanced DT/OT of threat detection and survivability systems.

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.

Request to talk with a member of our team by completing the form below: