Part of the DoW SBIR/STTR FY27 Release 2 topic list. Browse all 83 topics by industry or service.
Topic MDA27BZ02-DV004 from the DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 2. Pre-release now; proposals due January 6, 2027, 12:00 PM ET.
Quick answer
MDA27BZ02-DV004 is a Missile Defense Agency Direct-to-Phase II SBIR topic seeking physics-based models that predict ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared signatures of dim hypersonic vehicles, compatible with the JANNAF signature prediction suite. Phase I-like proposals will be rejected. Proposals are due January 6, 2027, 12:00 PM ET.
Solicitation at a glance
- Topic number: MDA27BZ02-DV004
- Official title: Modeling UV/VIS/near-IR Observables of Dim Hypersonic Configurations
- 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, Battlespace, Sensors, Weapons
- 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-DV004)
BW&CO's take
What the Missile Defense Agency wants
MDA wants physics-based models that predict at-source ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared observables of dim hypersonic vehicles, so fast-moving observers can detect and track them. The models must build on Navier-Stokes CFD and DSMC and add what the JANNAF EPSS suite lacks today, including thermal protection system response, material degradation, Arrhenius and collisional chemical kinetics consistent across continuum and rarefied regimes, NLTE effects, and UV, visible, and near-IR molecular band models. Phase II delivers software that integrates with the JANNAF suite and the stakeholders' current simulation process, connects to scene generators such as FLITES, and is handed over with source code and manuals.
Who is a good fit
- Hypersonic CFD and DSMC code development, including nonequilibrium and rarefied flow
- Chemical kinetics and NLTE radiation modeling, including molecular band models for UV, visible, and near-IR emission
- Ablation, thermal protection system response, and material degradation modeling
- Working knowledge of the JANNAF plume, wake, and hardbody signature suite and the ability to identify measured data usable for validation
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.
- Models must be compatible with the JANNAF suite infrastructure and shown working inside the stakeholders' simulation process and with scene generators such as FLITES. A standalone code will fall short.
- All software, including executable and source code, databases, makefiles, and example input/output cases, must be delivered to the Government. Settle your data rights position before proposing.
- The topic is marked ITAR-restricted, so export-control rules apply, and it lists CMMC Level 2 (Self).
Think your company fits MDA27BZ02-DV004? Talk with BW&CO before the January 6 deadline.
Plan Your MDA27BZ02-DV004 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
Modeling UV/VIS/near-IR Observables of Dim Hypersonic Configurations
Objective
Develop an innovative model of the ultraviolet (UV), visible (Vis), and near-infrared (near-IR) observables of hypersonic configurations at low- and high-altitudes to facilitate detection of dim, hypersonic vehicles by fast-moving observers.
Description
To address dim hypersonic threats in missile defense scenarios, the government desires to enhance current physical modeling tools with the ability to simultaneously predict at-source observable properties in the ultraviolet (UV), visible (VIS), and near-infrared (near-IR) spectral regimes that are founded and built upon Navier-Stokes Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) techniques and which accounts for, but is not limited to, vehicle surface heating and ablation, Arrhenius and collisional chemically reacting flows, non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) effects, boost and divert jet exhaust interactions with the hypersonic body flowfield, and electro-optical radiative transfer physics-based models. The modeling suite provided by the Joint Army-Navy-NASA Air Force (JANNAF) Exhaust Plume and Signatures Subcommittee (EPSS) [1-4] computes RF and certain IR observables. It is founded on CFD and DSMC flowfield codes, hardbody heating models, and radiative transfer / radar propagation techniques. However, the suite does not model all the underlying chemical and physical mechanisms needed to account for radiative emissions in the identified parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. Phenomenologies that must be enhanced within or added to the suite include, but are not limited to: characterization of thermal protection system response, development of material degradation models, detailed Arrhenius and collisional chemical kinetics models that consistently apply across the continuum and rarefied regimes, and generation of molecular band models for UV, Visible, and near-IR radiative emission. The developed models should be compatible with the JANNAF suite infrastructure. And the resulting assemblage should be able to model realistic hypersonic configurations (such as boost-glide, divert jet, and cruise missiles) under steady, unsteady, and maneuvering flight conditions lasting tens of minutes with high Mach within the atmosphere over a wide range of continuum and rarefied altitudes. The resulting capability is expected to facilitate the acquisition and tracking of dim hypersonic threats in modeling and simulation venues, such as MDA’s existing agency framework, and operational scenarios.
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
Develop and deliver UV/Visible/near-IR at-source, observable prediction models that are compatible and integrate with the JANNAF Plume/Wake/Hypersonic Flowfield and Hardbody Signature Prediction Suite to provide simultaneous, high-fidelity, expanded spectral characterization of threats based on the proof of concept demonstrated by the Phase I evidence. Focus should be on, but is not limited to, adding the capabilities specified in the Description section above. As part of the Phase II effort, the small business should identify measured data which could be used to establish evidence of validation of the Phase II models under Department of War-relevant conditions. In addition, the integration of the Phase II prototype software within the stakeholders' current simulation process (such as the existing agency framework) should be demonstrated for relevant missile defense scenarios of interest to the Missile Defense Agency. The prototype software should also demonstrate the capability to integrate with relevant scene generators such as FLITES [5]. All software developed under this effort, including executable and source code, as well as associated databases, makefiles, and example case input/output files should be delivered during the course of contract performance to enable the Government to test the resulting prototype. The corresponding final software products and technical/user manuals should also be delivered to the Government.
Phase III Dual Use Applications
Example dual use applications include but are not limited to: collaboration with simulation model developers to integrate the Phase II product into a missile defense application, optimization of the resulting Phase II toolset to accommodate new advances in technology for tracking and predicting trajectories of emerging threats, transition of the resulting technology via JANNAF to appropriate government organizations and/or defense contractors for integration and testing, and integration of the resulting functional tools into a real-world missile defense applications.
References
Vaughn, M. E., Jr, “The JANNAF Initiative: Plume/Wake/Hypersonic Flowfield and Hardbody Signature Prediction Capabilities for the Near Term,” 39th JANNAF Exhaust Plume and Signatures Subcommittee Meeting, (2022).
Vaughn, M. E., Jr, “The JANNAF Initiative: Next Steps─An Integrated Approach to Providing a National Plume/Wake/Hypersonic Signatures Prediction Capability.” 40th JANNAF Exhaust Plume and Signatures Subcommittee Meeting, (2023).
Taylor, R. S.; Stelter, D.; Woldman, A.; Deschenes, T. R.; Johnson, H. B. and G. V. Candler, “An Overview of the US3D Plume, Wake Hypersonic (US3D-PWH) Software Suite,” 39th JANNAF Exhaust Plume and Signatures Subcommittee Meeting, (2022).
Deschenes, T.R. and V. Gidzak, “Considerations for the Simulation of Non-Equilibrium Gas Dynamics and Signatures Around Hypersonic Vehicles,” 37th EPSS JANNAF Subcommittee Meeting, (2019).; https://dsiac.dtic.mil/models/flites/
Keywords
Hypersonic; Cruise Missile; Boost-Glide Vehicle; Signatures; Ultraviolet (UV); Visible (VIS); Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR); Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD); Aerothermal Effects; Modeling and Simulation; Flight; Tracking
Frequently asked questions
What is MDA27BZ02-DV004?
It is a Missile Defense Agency SBIR topic to model the ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared observables of dim hypersonic vehicles at low and high altitudes, extending the JANNAF signature prediction suite to support detection and tracking.
When is MDA27BZ02-DV004 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 flight conditions must the models cover?
Realistic hypersonic configurations such as boost-glide, divert jet, and cruise missiles under steady, unsteady, and maneuvering flight lasting tens of minutes at high Mach within the atmosphere, across a wide range of continuum and rarefied altitudes.