Miniaturization, Modulation, and Chip Scaling of Photonic Technologies - SBIR Topic MDA26BZ04-NV005
Funding Amount:
Phase I - $314,000
Deadline to Apply:
August 19th, 2026
ITAR:
The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.
Objective:
To advance and adopt chip-scale photonic and quantum technologies for operation in the Missile Defense System.
Description:
The Missile Defense Agency seeks advancing and incorporating quantum and photonic technologies that can augment current state-of-the-art radar and communication systems into fielded hardware.
Photonic technologies coupled with measurable quantum effects could dramatically increase the resilience and effectiveness of the sensors and radios in the Missile Defense System.
Selected proposals shall provide a pathway to common building block technologies to direct sample and/or heterodyne structure software defined radios (SDRs).
Low size, weight, and power (SWaP) photonic and quantum transceivers that are compatible with modern sensor requirements will be prioritized.
PHASE I:
Phase I work should address the challenges and inhibiting factors for large-scale adaptation of photonic and quantum technologies.
Operation in real-world environments, scalability to larger arrays, transmit capabilities, laser SWaP issues, compatible back-end interfaces, chip scale (miniaturization) and manufacturability should be evaluated.
Optional and selectable components for a possible Phase II effort should be included.
Phase I Deliverables should include:
Assessment of the challenges to performance, capability, scalability, and packaging.
A roadmap to develop a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 product.
Identify hardware, software, and material required in Phase II.
Development, Test, and Evaluation Plan of a TRL 6 Prototype.
PHASE II:
Successful performance shall culminate with operation in real-world environments in such a way that it addresses the scalability, transmit, and SWaP challenges evaluated in Phase I.
Proposals should have a clear transition path forward with partners capable of chip-scaling novel quantum and photonic sensing architectures and integrating those technologies into the Missile Defense System.
Conduct engineering and manufacturing development, test, evaluation in a realistic environment with a system level testbed.
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS:
Production, test, and evaluation in a realistic environment with a system level testbed.
Technology shall be ready for demonstration in relevant operational environment.
This environment could include placement on airborne or space low SWaP platforms.
All technical parameters for the technology given will be verified.
Production and manufacturing should be scalable with a miniaturized package.
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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