Part of the DoW SBIR/STTR FY27 Release 2 topic list. Browse all 83 topics by industry or service.
Topic MDA27BZ02-DV002 from the DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 2. Pre-release now; proposals due January 6, 2027, 12:00 PM ET.
Quick answer
MDA27BZ02-DV002 is a Missile Defense Agency Direct-to-Phase II SBIR topic seeking a rapidly deployable cluster of many low-SWaP-C aerial elements that can move from standby to deployed and operate autonomously for close-in defense. Phase I-like proposals will be rejected. Proposals are due January 6, 2027, 12:00 PM ET.
Solicitation at a glance
- Topic number: MDA27BZ02-DV002
- Official title: Rapidly Deployable Aerial Interdiction Cluster
- Agency: Missile Defense Agency
- Program: SBIR (DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 2)
- Award type: Direct to Phase II (no Phase I awards)
- Award amount: Up to $2,000,000 (Direct to Phase II). Source: MDA Release 2 instructions in DSIP.
- CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
- ITAR: Yes. Export-controlled (ITAR/EAR); see topic text
- Technology areas: Air Platform, Sensors
- 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 MDA27BZ02-DV002)
BW&CO's take
What the Missile Defense Agency wants
MDA wants a cluster of many small, low-SWaP-C aerial elements that can switch from standby to deployed and then run autonomous, sustained operations as part of layered missile defense. Elements should maneuver, loiter, cycle continuously, and carry sensors or effectors for surveillance, discrimination, electronic warfare, and attack against threats from drones to hypersonic and glide vehicles. The cluster needs a resilient mesh network with multiple communication pathways. Phase II is judged on high-volume, low cost-per-unit production, rapid redeployment, the share of assets kept on continuous deployment, and tracking of rapidly maneuvering objects, ending in a demonstration that verifies function and performance.
Who is a good fit
- Existing autonomous multi-vehicle or swarm hardware and coordination software with test data
- Low-SWaP-C airframe and payload designs built for high-volume, low cost-per-unit production
- Resilient mesh networking over multiple communication pathways with enough bandwidth to securely relay observation data
- Onboard sensing and fusion that detects and tracks rapidly maneuvering objects, plus modular payload bays for sensors or effectors
Watch-outs
- This is Direct-to-Phase II only. Phase I-like proposals are rejected as nonresponsive, and your feasibility documentation must show proof of concept in a relevant environment and/or TRL 5 or higher, from work substantially performed by your company or PI.
- Phase II evaluation weighs cost per unit, how quickly units can be redeployed, and what percentage of assets stay on continuous deployment. Give concrete figures for each, not only vehicle performance.
- The effort must end in a demonstration under conditions that verify function and performance, so budget and schedule for that demonstration.
- The topic is marked ITAR-restricted, so export-control rules apply, and it lists CMMC Level 2 (Self).
Think your company fits MDA27BZ02-DV002? Talk with BW&CO before the January 6 deadline.
Plan Your MDA27BZ02-DV002 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
Rapidly Deployable Aerial Interdiction Cluster
Objective
Demonstrate a rapidly deployable aerial interdiction cluster to be part of the layered missile defense.
Description
The Missile Defense Agency seeks novel solutions for a rapidly deployable aerial interdiction cluster for close-in defense against evolving threats to national security assets, including counter-air; counter-drone; electronic warfare; and force protection. The proposed cluster should be capable of transitioning from a standby state to a deployed state and be capable of autonomous, sustained operations. Cluster should contain a number of continuously cycling elements capable of multiple modes of operation (i.e., surveillance, discrimination, electronic warfare, attack). The cluster should contain a high volume of elements that are low size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C). The assets should be capable of maneuvering and loitering. Assets should be able to host various sensors and/or effectors capable of interdicting various threats (i.e., hypersonic vehicles, glide vehicles, drones, low-flying aerial objects). Modular cargo bays capable of carrying payloads are desired. System should employ a resilient mesh-node architecture and utilize multiple communication pathways.
Phase I
Phase I-like proposals will not be evaluated and will be rejected as nonresponsive. For this topic, the Government expects the small business would have accomplished the following in a Phase I-like effort via some other means, e.g., independent research and development (IRAD) or other source, a concept for a workable prototype or design to address, at a minimum, the basic capabilities of the stated objective above. Proposal must show, as appropriate, a demonstrated technical feasibility or nascent capability. The documentation provided must substantiate the proposer’s development of a preliminary understanding of the technology to be applied in their Phase II proposal in meeting topic objectives.
Documentation should comprise all relevant information including, but not limited to, technical reports, test data, prototype designs/models, and performance goals/results. Feasibility = maturity and what have you already done/validated.
Proposers interested in participating in Direct to Phase II must include in their responses to this topic Phase I feasibility documentation that substantiates the scientific and technical merit and Phase I feasibility described in Phase I above has been met.
(i.e., the small business must have performed a proof of concept like “Phase I” component and/or other validation in a relevant environment, and/or at a much higher Technology Readiness Level (TRL) level (5 or higher) and describe the potential commercialization applications. The documentation provided must validate that the proposer has completed development of technology in previous work or research completed.)
IRAD work: Documentation should include the most relevant information including, but not limited to: technical reports, test data, prototype designs/models, and/or performance goals/results. Work submitted within the feasibility documentation must have been substantially performed by the proposer and/or the principal investigator (PI).
Phase II
Proposals would be evaluated to the degree that they deliver a solution that demonstrates the ability to become a high-volume, low cost-per-unit cluster. Evaluation would also consider to what degree cluster units could be rapidly re-deployed and what percentage of total cluster assets could remain on continuous deployment. Cluster should be capable of detection and tracking of rapidly maneuvering objects. Cluster communication capabilities should have sufficient bandwidth to process and securely relay observation data. Significant technology advancements in core capability areas (swarm autonomy and coordination, advanced sensing and fusion, resilient communications and networking, countermeasures and survivability) would be considered for evaluation. The vendor solution should culminate in a demonstration subjected to conditions to verify function and performance.
Phase III Dual Use Applications
Conduct engineering and manufacturing development, test, evaluation in a realistic environment with a system level test-bed. Cluster sensitivity, performance, and communication capabilities should be verified.
References
https://www.anduril.com/hardware/anvil/
https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2024/11/20/pentagon-picks-programmers-to-connect-its-replicator-drone-swarms/
Keywords
Aerial Platform; Rapidly Deployable; Multi-Mission; Sensors; Non-Kinetic Missile Defeat; Fully Autonomous; Resilient; Scalable; Sustainable; Forward Deployed; Aerial Sensing Array
Frequently asked questions
What is MDA27BZ02-DV002?
It is a Missile Defense Agency SBIR topic for a rapidly deployable aerial interdiction cluster: a high volume of low-SWaP-C, autonomous elements that loiter, cycle continuously, and perform surveillance, discrimination, electronic warfare, and attack roles in layered missile defense.
When is MDA27BZ02-DV002 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.
Is this a Phase I or Direct-to-Phase II topic?
It is Direct-to-Phase II. Phase I-like proposals will be rejected as nonresponsive, so you must include feasibility documentation, such as technical reports, test data, and prototype designs, showing Phase I-equivalent work substantially performed by your company or PI.
What threats and missions should the cluster address?
The text lists counter-air, counter-drone, electronic warfare, and force protection. Elements should host sensors or effectors able to interdict threats such as hypersonic vehicles, glide vehicles, drones, and low-flying aerial objects.