Part of the DoW SBIR/STTR FY27 Release 2 topic list. Browse all 83 topics by industry or service.
Topic DON27BZ02-NV008 from the DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 2. Pre-release now; proposals due January 6, 2027, 12:00 PM ET.
Quick answer
DON27BZ02-NV008 is a Department of the Navy SBIR topic seeking a ruggedized, multi-spectral, 360-degree-capable camera system that fits into Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) periscopes. It follows a standard Phase I then Phase II path, with a Phase II prototype integrated and demonstrated on a USMC ACV. Proposals are due January 6, 2027, 12:00 PM ET.
Solicitation at a glance
- Topic number: DON27BZ02-NV008
- Official title: Integrated Multi-Spectral Periscope for the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV)
- Agency: Department of the Navy
- Program: SBIR (DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 2)
- Award type: Phase I (see topic text for Phase II)
- Award amount: Phase I base up to $200,000 plus an option up to $115,000. Source: Navy Release 2 instructions in DSIP.
- CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
- ITAR: No
- Technology areas: None
- Pre-release (direct TPOC contact allowed): November 4 to December 2, 2026, 8:00 AM ET
- Opens in DSIP: December 2, 2026, 8:00 AM ET
- Proposals due: January 6, 2027, 12:00 PM ET
- Official source: DSIP Topics app (search DON27BZ02-NV008)
BW&CO's take
What the Department of the Navy wants
Marine Corps combat vehicle periscopes today offer daylight optics over a limited field of view, with no digital, thermal, or night vision imaging. The Navy wants a single compact, modular camera unit that provides visible (EO), NIR/low-light, and LWIR imaging, fuses those feeds onboard, and sends low-latency video to vehicle displays and augmented-reality systems. It must retrofit into existing ACV periscope housings or replace optical viewports with an electronic display, survive MIL-STD-810H, MIL-STD-461D, IP66, and seawater corrosion testing, add little weight, and support VICTORY and STANAG 4609. Phase II builds the prototype and demonstrates it on an ACV with crew displays such as IVAS, ENVG-B, and JMDS.
Who is a good fit
- Fielded or prototype EO, NIR/low-light, and LWIR camera hardware packaged for rugged military or vehicle use
- Onboard multi-sensor image fusion with low-latency video output, including edge processing for threat or motion highlighting
- Experience qualifying hardware to MIL-STD-810H, MIL-STD-461D, IP66, and salt or seawater corrosion standards
- Familiarity with VICTORY and NATO STANAG 4609 video architectures and with crew display systems such as IVAS, ENVG-B, or JMDS
Watch-outs
- Phase II work may become classified. The contractor must be U.S. owned and operated with no foreign influence and must be able to acquire and maintain a Secret facility clearance and personnel clearances.
- The unit must fit existing ACV periscope housings (or replace optical viewports) without significant weight increase over the standard periscope, so size and weight claims need to be credible in Phase I.
- Phase II requires integration and demonstration on a USMC ACV in coordination with PM AAA, including interoperability with onboard display systems such as IVAS, ENVG-B, and JMDS.
- The topic requires CMMC Level 2 (Self). It is not marked as ITAR-restricted in the topic metadata.
Think your company fits DON27BZ02-NV008? Talk with BW&CO before the January 6 deadline.
Plan Your DON27BZ02-NV008 Submission
Official topic text (verbatim from DSIP)
The text in this section is copied word for word from the official DSIP topic as published on November 4, 2026. DSIP is the official source and topics can be amended. Always confirm the current version at dodsbirsttr.mil before you submit. Our commentary above is BW&CO's interpretation, not Government guidance.
Title
Integrated Multi-Spectral Periscope for the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV)
Objective
Develop and demonstrate a ruggedized, multi-spectral imaging, 360-degree-capable camera system capable of integration into Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) periscopes.
Description
Current periscopic vision systems on Marine Corps combat vehicles are limited to daylight optical performance, over a limited Field of View (FoV), and lack the ability to integrate modern digital imaging, thermal, and night vision technologies. The new system shall provide daylight, low-light/night vision, and thermal (IR) imaging capabilities through a single, compact, and modular unit; and enhance situational awareness, target detection, and crew safety for Marines during water, transition, and land operating environments.
This SBIR topic seeks to develop an integrated camera-based periscope module that:
- Provides visible (Electro-Optical [EO]), night vision (Near-Infrared Low-Level Laser (or Light) [NIR/LLL]), and long-wave infrared (LWIR) imaging in a compact unit.
- Is retrofit-compatible with existing periscope housings used in the USMC ACV FOV, or is capable of replacing optical viewports with an electronic display module.
- Includes onboard image fusion and low-latency video output for vehicle displays and augmented-reality systems.
- Meets ruggedization standards (MIL-STD-810H, MIL-STD-461D, and EC Standard 60529, rating IP66) for temperature, shock, vibration, EMI, dust and water resistance.
- Provides hardware resistance to seawater corrosion, as tested in accordance with GMW 14872, “Exterior, Exposure D” as stated in Table A3.
- Does not result in significant weight increase over that of the standard periscope.
- Supports integration with vehicle electronics architectures, including Vehicular Integration for C4ISR/EW Interoperability (VICTORY) and NATO STANAG 4609 standards.
Novel design approaches may include:
- Digital overlay in periscope eyepieces, merging optical and sensor imagery for seamless situational awareness.
- Edge processing and SI-assisted fusion of EO/NIR/LWIR feeds to highlight threats or movement.
- Wireless or wired integration with crew display systems such as:
o Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS)
o Enhanced Night Vision Goggle – Binocular (ENVG-B)
o Joint Mounted Display System (JMDS)
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 and/or subcontractor 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 MCSC 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.
Phase I
Design a concept for a compact, multi-spectral camera system suitable for integration into combat vehicle periscopes. (Note: The preliminary mechanical and electrical design will include a high-level architecture diagram and interface concepts for periscope integration.) Deliver a final report that includes a technical feasibility study assessing image performance, latency, durability, and interface compatibility with vehicle systems. Document the design in a performance specification and an architecture diagram to be used in Phase II to build a prototype for testing.
Phase II
Develop, integrate, and test a prototype multi-spectral camera system. (Note: This will include engineering development of the camera, optics, and electronics to meet environmental and vehicle standards including a detailed architecture diagram. Integrate and demonstrate the camera system on a USMC ACV in coordination with PM AAA. (Note: The prototype must demonstrate interoperability with onboard display systems (IVAS, ENVG-B, JMDS, etc.) and meet the performance specification developed in Phase I.) Include in the final report a Phase III commercialization and transition plan that addresses manufacturing scalability, cost models, and potential dual-use applications.
Work in Phase II may become classified. Please see note in the Description.
Phase III Dual Use Applications
Support transition of the resulting camera system to Marine Corps combat platforms for integration into periscope or vision systems.
Dual-use opportunities include:
- Military Dismounted Operations, Federal and DoW Law Enforcement.
- Adaptation for ballistic shields used by the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Department of War, and local SWAT agencies by providing improved visibility and situational awareness.
- Armored security vehicles, border patrol systems, and maritime platforms that require all-weather visibility.
References
BAE. “ACV Spec Sheet.” https://www.baesystems.com/dam/jcr:36eb6327-a224-4f84-bc43-ab0a1914c618
“ACV conducting water and land operations.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw7qtudd_L0
National Industrial Security Program Executive Agent and Operating Manual (NISP), 32 U.S.C. § 2004.20 et seq. 1993”. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-32/subtitle-B/chapter-XX/part-2004
“MIL-STD-810H”. https://everyspec.com/MIL-STD/MIL-STD-0800-0899/download.php?spec=MIL-STD-810H.055998.pdf
“MIL-STD-461D”. https://everyspec.com/MIL-STD/MIL-STD-0300-0499/download.php?spec=MIL-STD-461D.019032.pdf
“IEC Standard 60529”. https://webstore.iec.ch/en/publication/2452
“GMW 14872”. https://store.accuristech.com/standards/gmw-gmw14872?product_id=2619373
“VICTORY v1.10”. https://govtribe.com/file/government-file/fy22c5isrcmoss-victory-spec-doc-v1-10-dist-a-approved-23-1003-dot-pdf
“NATO STANAG 4609” https://www.scribd.com/document/442950599/STANAG-4609-Ed3-NATO-DIGITAL-MOTION-IMAGERY-STANDARD
Keywords
Periscope; Combat Vehicle, Multi-Spectral Imaging; Electro-Optical/Infrared; EO/IR; Thermal Camera; Night Vision; Sensor Fusion; Situational Awareness
Frequently asked questions
What is DON27BZ02-NV008?
It is a Department of the Navy SBIR topic to develop and demonstrate a ruggedized, multi-spectral, 360-degree-capable camera system that integrates into Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) periscopes, giving Marines daylight, low-light/night, and thermal imaging in one unit.
When is DON27BZ02-NV008 due?
Proposals are due January 6, 2027, 12:00 PM ET. DSIP pre-release began November 4, 2026, and direct contact with the topic authors is allowed only until the topic opens on December 2, 2026, 8:00 AM ET. After that, questions go through DSIP Topic Q&A.
Is this a Phase I or Direct-to-Phase II topic?
It is a standard Phase I topic. Phase I delivers a concept design, a feasibility study covering image performance, latency, durability, and interface compatibility, a performance specification, and an architecture diagram. Phase II builds, integrates, and tests the prototype on a USMC ACV.
Which imaging bands and interfaces does the module need to support?
It must provide visible (EO), near-infrared low-light (NIR/LLL), and long-wave infrared (LWIR) imaging with onboard image fusion and low-latency video output, and it must support integration with vehicle electronics architectures including VICTORY and NATO STANAG 4609.