Navy SBIR DON27BX01-NP001: ONR Open Topic for Low-Cost Heads Up Displays (HUDs) for Virtual & Augmented Reality (VR/AR)

Quick Answer

DON27BX01-NP001 is an Office of Naval Research SBIR Phase I open topic in the DoW SBIR 2027 Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO), Release 1, for low-cost, domestically sourced, NDAA-compliant heads-up displays (HUDs) with on-board 6 degrees of freedom (6DOF) tracking for Navy and Marine Corps users. Phase I is up to $315,000 ($200,000 base plus $115,000 option), closing November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

ONR wants existing hardware: demonstration platforms, prototypes, and commercial products for first-person view (FPV) drone pilots and AR for Forward Observers and Joint Terminal Air Controllers.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DON27BX01-NP001
• Title: ONR Open Topic for Low-Cost Heads Up Displays (HUDs) for Virtual & Augmented Reality (VR/AR)
• Component: Department of the Navy (Office of Naval Research)
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 CSO, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Phase I
• Award ceiling: $315,000
• Period of performance: 6 month base plus 6 month option
• Technical volume limit: 10 pages
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Not marked as ITAR restricted on DSIP
• Focus areas: Human-Machine Interfaces; Integrated Sensing and Cyber
• Keywords: heads up display, augmented reality, human-machine interface, first person drone, virtual reality, mixed reality
• Pre-release: October 7, 2026
• Opens: October 28, 2026
• Closes: November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET
• Submission portal: DSIP at dodsbirsttr.mil

What the Office of Naval Research Is Looking For

The Navy and USMC have gaps in affordable, NDAA-compliant HUDs. ONR will give Phase I awardees operational context and technical thresholds, assess technologies against them, and provide feedback to align with warfighting needs.

Your existing hardware should meet one or both areas

• A HUD for FPV pilot operations with integrated display, signal inputs, and mounting locations for organic FPV equipment such as antennas, transmitters, and power supplies.
• An integrated HUD with native 6DOF tracking using on-board sensors (cameras, IMUs, magnetometers), compute, and battery power.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I describes your existing technology, the Navy system it would improve or replace, expected improvements, and a transition approach to both the Navy and commercial markets. Deliverables are a kick-off brief at 15 days, progress report at 90 days, and a final report, quad chart, and Initial Phase II proposal at 180 days. The Option, if exercised, covers initial design specifications for a Phase II prototype.

Phase II is open to all Phase I awardees through an Initial Phase II proposal, evaluated on the same criteria as Phase I. It generally includes a functional prototype, a transition plan covering production, fielding, logistics, and safety, and further commercialization.

Phase III supports incorporating low-cost HUDs into USMC Fires programs of record for Forward Observers, JTACs, and FPV drone attack operators.

Funding and Proposal Limits

• Phase I Base: up to $200,000 over 6 months.
• Phase I Option: up to $115,000 over 6 months, for a Phase I total of up to $315,000 (less TABA).
• Phase II: up to $2,000,000 including all options and TABA. All Phase I awardees may submit an Initial Phase II proposal.
• Navy instructions state awards under this CSO are executed as Other Transaction (OT) agreements.
• Technical Volume (Volume 2) limit: 10 pages, with the Option tasks inside the 10 pages. TABA of up to $6,500 is available for Phase I.

Who Is Eligible

• You must be a U.S. small business concern that meets SBIR ownership and size rules at the time of award.
• Your firm must perform at least two-thirds of the Phase I work.
• ONR wants existing hardware: demonstration platforms, prototypes, or commercial products, not a paper concept.
• DoW now limits proposals on a per-topic basis, so plan on one strong proposal for this topic.

Key Dates and How to Apply

• Now through October 28, 2026: pre-release. Topic authors are listed on the DSIP Topics and Topic Q&A page and you can call or email them directly with technical questions. This is the only window for direct contact.
• October 28, 2026: the topic opens for proposals in the Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP). After this date, questions go through DSIP Topic Q&A only.
• November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET: complete proposals must be certified and submitted in DSIP. A proposal still marked In Progress or Ready to Certify is not considered submitted.
• Before you submit, confirm an active SAM.gov registration, a DSIP account, completed Volume 6 Fraud, Waste, and Abuse training, and the Volume 7 foreign affiliation disclosure webform.

Is This Topic a Fit for Your Company?

This open topic is built for XR hardware startups and FPV goggle makers with a domestic supply chain story and a product already working. If your components are sourced from covered foreign countries, address NDAA compliance directly in the proposal.

BW&CO has helped deep tech founders secure $350M+ in non-dilutive funding. If you want a second opinion on fit, feasibility documentation, or a proposal plan before the deadline, book a call with our team below.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Navy SBIR topic DON27BX01-NP001?

DON27BX01-NP001 is an Office of Naval Research SBIR Phase I open topic under the DoW SBIR 2027 CSO, Release 1, for low-cost, domestically sourced, NDAA-compliant heads-up displays with 6DOF tracking for FPV drone pilots, Forward Observers, and JTACs.

How much funding is available?

Phase I has a Base of up to $200,000 over 6 months and an Option of up to $115,000 over 6 months, for up to $315,000 total. Phase II can be up to $2,000,000 including options and TABA.

When is the deadline?

The topic pre-released October 7, 2026, opens October 28, 2026, and closes November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET in DSIP.

How long can the technical volume be?

Navy Phase I technical volumes are limited to 10 pages, with a 10-point minimum font, and the Phase I Option tasks must fit inside those 10 pages.

Does ONR want new concepts?

No. ONR is requesting existing technology demonstration platforms, prototypes, and commercial products. The proposing small business should already have a hardware solution that meets one or both technical areas.

What contract type is used?

Navy instructions state awards under this CSO are executed as Other Transaction agreements.

Can I talk to the topic author?

Yes, during pre-release only, from October 7 until the topic opens on October 28, 2026. After that, questions go through DSIP Topic Q&A.