Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Office-Wide Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)
Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).
Executive Summary:
The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Office-Wide Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is open through June 22, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET, with white papers accepted on a rolling basis throughout the open period.
This BAA solicits innovative basic research, applied research, advanced technology development, and prototype efforts that advance naval aviation capabilities and directly support Department of the Navy mission needs.
NAWCAD may make awards using contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or Other Transaction (OT) agreements depending on the nature of the work and the level of government involvement required.
Funding & Award Structure
Number of Awards: Multiple awards anticipated
Estimated: $500K to $5 million. Award Size: Not predetermined; varies based on technical merit, relevance, and available funding
Period of Performance: Varies by project
Possible Award Instruments:
Procurement contracts
Grants
Cooperative agreements
Other Transaction (OT) agreements for research or prototypes
The Government reserves the right to fund all, some, or none of the submitted proposals and may fund efforts incrementally or with options.
Research Areas
Advanced Manufacturing (Priority). Areas of research include but are not limited to the following: multi-functional aircraft components to enable mission flexibility and platform interoperability, aircraft part digital repository and large-scale complete part printing, and manufacture-on-demand of Naval aviation assets.
Aeromechanics. Areas of research include but are not limited to the following: aerodynamic and flight controls (manned and unmanned), aeromechanics modeling and analysis tools, flight performance, rotorcraft aerodynamics and performance, ship/aircraft aerodynamic interactions, and unmanned aviation and integration including pilot augmentation and automation and UAV autonomous landing flight mechanics.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) / Machine Learning (ML) (Priority). Areas of research include but are not limited to the following: AI/ML-driven signal and analysis type sensing, complex reasoning, multi-agent based operation and decision making, airspace integration including sense and avoid algorithms, deep reinforcement learning, neural networks, and demand forecasting.
Autonomy (Priority). Areas of research include but are not limited to the following: autonomous air-to-air refueling, autonomous system development, testing, evaluation, verification and validation tools, airworthiness and risk quantification/acceptance, collaborative autonomy, and autonomous system precision takeoff and landing.
Avionics, Sensors & Electronic Warfare. Areas of research include but are not limited to the following: multi-modal sensors, passive and active sensor systems (RF, EO/IR, and acoustic), advanced or alternative precision navigation and timing (PNT), advanced computational and open system architectures, advanced signal and image processing, flight information and control systems, and advanced concepts in electronic warfare systems.
Cyber (Priority). Areas of research may include but are not limited to the following: high accuracy threat detection, cyber effects modeling, reverse engineering, behavioral analysis, intrusion, adaptive cybersecurity, simulation and interface research, concolic testing, and systems configuration management.
Data Science & Visualization. Areas of research include but are not limited to the following: predictive modeling algorithms, complex big-data environments, data access, storage and retrieval, data visualization techniques, risk assessment and uncertainty quantification, and statistical analysis.
Digital Engineering (Priority). Areas of research include but are not limited to the following: advancements in the use of Digital Twin technology to support predictive maintenance, automated sustainment environments, diagnostics and prognostics, digital communication of system requirements using model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and Systems Modeling Language (SysML) views, and engineering models and virtual environments to test designs across broader parameters than what live testing permits.
Human Systems. Areas of research include but are not limited to the following: human performance assessment and modeling, cognitive performance and workload, human-machine interface and teaming, protective equipment, controls and displays, ergonomics, anthropomorphic measurement, virtual environments, human factors engineering (social, behavioral, health, and cultural), cognitively enhanced operator-state monitoring, prediction, and recommendation, and human-machine fusion AI-supported operator enhancement.
Hypersonic Systems. Areas of research include but are not limited to the following: external and internal high-speed aerodynamics, multi-physics modeling and simulation, hypersonic system testing and evaluation, high-temperature and high-specific-strength materials, structures and coatings, guidance, navigation and control, and advanced air-breathing propulsion.
Materials and Aircraft Structures. Areas of research include but are not limited to the following: additive manufacturing, corrosion prevention, non-destructive inspection, structural repair and repair processes for metals and ceramics, polymers and composites, analysis and simulation of aircraft structures, structural mechanics, fouling, low observable materials, high-temperature materials, low-temperature icing-resistant materials, and life management of airframes.
Mechanical Systems. Areas of research include but are not limited to the following: fire and ice protection for aviation systems, fuel containment, hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, and landing gear systems analysis.
Power and Propulsion Systems. Areas of research include but are not limited to the following: reliability engineering, fuel systems, prognostics and diagnostics, energy storage and efficiency, air-breathing engines, fuels and lubricants, electrical power generation, auxiliary power, low observable signature technologies, propulsion life management, mechanical and drive systems, and affordable small- to medium-scale propulsion systems.
Quantum (Priority). Areas of research may include but are not limited to the following: precise self-reliant onboard navigation and threat detection, secure communication and sensing capabilities, nitrogen vacancy diamond sensing, quantum encryption, and quantum computing.
Secure Communications & Networks (Priority). Areas of research include but are not limited to the following: resilient data and communications networks for command and control, architecture, analysis and software development, information assurance including blockchain networks and security, platform and system health monitoring, effective data transfer of communications and video, and end-to-end security integration in software development for autonomous applications operating in dynamic and contested environments.
Support Equipment. Areas of research include but are not limited to the following: launch and recovery equipment, forward-deployed sustainment and resupply, rapid assessment and repair technologies for contested environments, electromagnetics, high-energy generation and control, environmental sensing, prognostics and health monitoring, automatic testing of hardware and software, displays, advanced maintenance technologies, information systems and intelligent agents, and advanced computer and data processing applications.
Test and Evaluation Engineering. Areas of research include but are not limited to the following: telemetry, communications, data links and data acquisition, signature technologies, mission system testing, system-of-systems testing environments, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), extended reality (XR), target engineering, airborne threat simulation, integrated battlespace simulation (Live Virtual Constructive Environments), hardware-in-the-loop testing, flight instrumentation, ground radar analysis, test article configuration, navigation and identification, manned-unmanned teaming, advanced training systems including instructional techniques and strategies, and game-based training.
Warfare Analysis. Areas of research include but are not limited to the following: operational suitability, signal extraction, clutter reduction, modeling and simulation, maritime effectiveness, vulnerability and capability-based assessment, and conceptual aircraft design.
NAWCAD may also consider submissions outside these areas if the white paper involves the development of novel-based capabilities with potential to enhance naval capabilities.
Who Should Pay Attention
Small businesses, startups, and non-traditional contractors (explicitly encouraged)
Mid-size and large defense R&D firms
Universities and research institutions
Teams with novel sensing hardware, algorithms, or system concepts
This is an unrestricted solicitation. Cost sharing is allowed but not required. Foreign entities may not serve as primes.
Deadline
White Paper Deadline: June 22, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET. Only proposers whose white papers are deemed of interest will be invited to submit a full technical and cost proposal.
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals are evaluated using the following criteria, in descending order of importance:
Technical Approach – Innovation, feasibility, completeness, and risk mitigation
Potential Contribution & Naval Relevance – Alignment with NAWCAD and Navy mission needs
Cost – Realism and consistency with the proposed technical approach
Proposals are not evaluated against each other but on their individual merit and relevance.
Bottom Line:
NAWCAD has flexibility to award OTs, which can be more startup-friendly than FAR-based contracts
Successful prototype OTs may be eligible for noncompetitive follow-on production awards
White paper quality is critical; there is no guarantee of a Phase II invitation
How long will it take me to prepare an application?
For a first-time applicant on your own, preparing an White Paper under this BAA will likely take 20–50 hours in total. BW&CO offers services to save you time and increase your likelihood of success.
How can BW&CO help?
Our team specializes in complex federal R&D proposals and can:
Triple your likelihood of success through proven strategy and insider-aligned proposal development
Reduce your time spent on the proposal by 50–80%, letting your team focus on technology and operations
Ensure you are targeting the best opportunity for your project and positioning your company for long-term growth under Federal & State R&D Initiatives.
How much would BW&CO Charge?
Our full service support is available for a flat fee of $5,000 for the White Paper Submission.
Fractional support is $300 per hour, with most AFRL proposal projects requiring 10-20 hours of expert support from strategy through submission of full proposal.
For startups, we offer a discounted rate of $250 per hour to make top-tier grant consulting more accessible while maintaining the same level of strategic guidance and proposal quality.
Additional Resources
Review solicitation here.