Open Architecture for a Low Volume Software Defined Radio (SDR) for Navy Aircraft - SBIR Topic DON26BZ01-NV009
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This topic was temporarily posted by the Department of War SBIR Program on March 2nd 2026 and removed the following day.
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Funding Amount:
Est. $240,000
Deadline to Apply:
Est. April 29th, 2026.
Objective:
Design, develop, and demonstrate an innovative airborne radio system with a reduction compared to current airborne radios. The solution will incorporate a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) and Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies to ensure seamless integration across Navy and Marine Corps platforms including fixed wing, rotary wing and UAV aircraft.
Description:
The Navy seeks an innovative, open-architecture airborne radio system optimized for a minimal Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) to ensure seamless integration across a wide range of NAVAIR platforms, such as the SH-60, F/A-18, E-2D, and MQ-4C.This system will leverage a MOSA to ensure future adaptability and significantly reduce the cost and complexity of radio upgrades. The goal is to provide a pathway for future modifications without impacting existing platform infrastructure.
Developing aircraft radio systems presents significant challenges due to stringent SWaP constraints, harsh environmental conditions, and demanding Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standards. Equally critical is robust cybersecurity, requiring adherence to standards like NIST SP 800-53 and the integration of security measures throughout the system design lifecycle.
The objective of this SBIR topic is to design, develop, and demonstrate an innovative airborne radio system optimized for SWaP efficiency. The system must satisfy current security and operational demands, while providing a modular, scalable architecture that accommodates future technology upgrades and supports evolving communication waveforms.
An open architecture is also critical to sustain radio systems through their lifecycle. The MOSA leverages a robust ecosystem of established standards, including Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA) and Modular Open RF Architecture (MORA) that enable modularity and interoperability. Additionally, applying an MBSE to radio system design will enhance system understanding, enable early defect detection and improve documentation.
Additionally, the resulting radio system architecture should adhere to the following technical goals:
Fit within the tight size constraints of two VNX+ standard cards (78 mm x 89 mm x 19 mm each). Note that a VNX+ power supply, backplane and I/O connectors will be external to the solution.
Support two separate Transmit and Receive RF channels. One RF channel capable of 30MHz to 6HGz operating frequency and the other capable of supporting 30MHz to 31GHz
Support at least 60MHz instantaneous bandwidth
Support transmit power amplifier capable of reliably delivering an average 25 Watts of RF power on transmit channel 1 and 1 Watt of RF power on transmit channel 2
Interoperability with MORA devices for control and I/Q data sharing
Capable of Digital Pre Distortion (DPD)
Capable of programmable RF waveforms including VHF/UHF communications waveforms including AM/FM, Air Traffic Control (ATC), Public Safety, Have Quick II, SATURN, SINCGARS, DAMA, MUOS, JPALS, and Automatic Direction Finding (ADF), Link-16
Capable of 1024-QAM OFDM modulation with 1000 subcarriers
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 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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