Novel Computing for Streaming Radio Frequency in Low Size, Weight and Power Environments - STTR Topic DON26TZ01-NV007

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is planned to be released once the SBIR program is reauthorized; however, this topic may ultimately be modified or withdrawn.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. $240,000

Deadline to Apply:

Est. April 29th, 2026.

Objective:

Create a small and computationally powerful Radio Frequency (RF) sensor that meets or exceeds the requirements of extremely limited low size, weight, and power (LOW SWaP) platforms. This computational engine should weigh = 2 GHz of instantaneous bandwidth of RF spectrum continuously.

Description:

Today’s electronic processing technology is not keeping pace with the DOW’s computational demands. Growing networks of new higher resolution and higher fidelity sensors yield vast quantities of data, and deep neural networks are being deployed to reduce these data streams to actionable information for the warfighter. Concurrently, the constraints imposed by network capacity, latency, and data security are driving this sensor processing to the tactical and network edge where the data is collected. This transition is compounding processing throughput shortfalls because of edge platform challenges.

In today’s battle space, the concept of putting payloads on smaller and smaller unmanned platforms is a huge need. This STTR topic focuses on extremely low SWaP RF sensors that can be less than 5 lbs. The critical piece is the computational engine that will turn streaming Intermediate Frequency (IF) (with an Instantaneous Band Width of > = to 2 GHz) and perform the detection and data product formation for RF analysis and eventual classification and localization of emissions in the extremely broad RF spectrum. For these payloads to go on Group 2 or smaller Unmanned l Aerial platforms, the entire sensor package must weigh less than 5 lbs. and the processing engine is allocated less than 1.5 lbs. of this total weight and consume less than 150 Watts. The critical component is a computational engine that is small enough yet computationally powerful enough to make these payloads a reality.

The Navy seeks a single chip and infrastructure that is less than 1 lb. and less than 3 mm on either side. This will include the input/output (I/O) to the sensor data sources, the memory, the computational devices, and the I/O to the operator or decision engine (preferably the decision engine would be part of this device).

These computational engines must meet an extremely high performance metric while being extremely lightweight and energy efficient. The products resulting from this STTR topic will be utilized in Group 1 and 2 UASs as well as buoys that are less than 3 inches in diameter. These devices must be able to be zeroized and support data at rest encryption standards.

Work produced in Phase II is expected to 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 ONR 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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