S²MARTS Aircraft Countermeasure Dispenser (26-11)

Executive Summary

The Navy and NSWC Crane are preparing an OTA prototype opportunity to build domestic manufacturing for an aircraft countermeasure dispenser that carries 1x1x8-inch and 2x1x8-inch expendables, plus critical survivability components. The Request for Solutions has not been released, so no deadline is set yet. NSTXL membership is required.

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The goal is a resilient, multi-source domestic industrial base. That makes manufacturing capacity, process maturity and domestic material sourcing as important as the design itself.

Solicitation at a Glance

• Agency: Department of the Navy, with Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane
• Opportunity: Aircraft Expendable Countermeasure Dispenser Prototyping and Manufacturing
• Project Number: S²MARTS Project No. 26-11
• Award Vehicle: Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype awards through S²MARTS, managed by NSTXL
• Funding: not yet published
• Technology Maturity: Prototype development and manufacturing scale-up
• Due Date: Request for Solutions not yet released (coming soon revision posted July 7, 2026)

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What Is Project 26-11?

Project 26-11 is a coming soon S²MARTS prototype opportunity focused on domestic manufacturing and sustainment for a dispenser or magazine that carries a hybrid of 1x1x8-inch and 2x1x8-inch countermeasure expendables, with a possible future variant for 1x1x8-inch expendables only, plus other critical aircraft survivability components.

What Problem Is the Navy Trying to Solve?

The Navy wants to strengthen the domestic industrial base for aircraft survivability. It is looking for resilient, scalable manufacturing that reduces supply chain vulnerabilities and establishes a multi-source domestic industrial base.

Priority Capability Areas: What the Navy Is Looking For

• Aircraft survivability: countermeasure dispenser and survivability capabilities
• Manufacturing process: process development and transition to production
• Advanced manufacturing: industrialization, precision manufacturing and assembly
• Supply chain: resiliency, sustainment and domestic material sourcing
• Speed: rapid prototyping and scaling

Funding and Award Terms

• Instrument: Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype awards through S²MARTS
• Period of performance: determined after the Request for Solutions, based on selected performers' proposed timelines
• Amounts: not yet published

Eligibility Requirements and Participation

• NSTXL membership: All respondents must have an active NSTXL membership to submit a solution to any S²MARTS opportunity. NSTXL asks applicants to allow one business day for a new application (membership@nstxl.org).
• Documents: the full revised coming soon notice is released through the key document request form on the NSTXL page

How to Apply

• Confirm NSTXL membership: apply or check status through membership@nstxl.org
• Request the full notice: use the key document request form on the Project 26-11 page
• Line up manufacturing partners: the effort values multi-source, domestic capacity
• Watch for the RFS: the submission format and deadline will be in the Request for Solutions

What Happens After You Submit?

• Request for Solutions: NSWC Crane will release the RFS with submission details
• Award: selected performers receive OTA prototype agreements
• Scale-up: the aim is a resilient, multi-source domestic industrial base for these components

Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?

It fits precision manufacturers, aerospace machining and assembly shops, defense electronics and pyrotechnic hardware suppliers, and companies with countermeasure or aircraft survivability experience.

How BW&CO Can Help

BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For S²MARTS prototype projects like Project 26-11, we help you:

• Check the fit: match your manufacturing capability to the focus areas
• Get set up on NSTXL: membership and documents ready before the RFS
• Build the team: find partners to cover design, components and capacity
• Write the solution: a credible prototype and manufacturing scale-up plan
• Frame the OTA: scope, milestones and price for a prototype agreement

Plan Your Project 26-11 Submission

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Project 26-11 open now?

Not yet. The coming soon revision was posted July 7, 2026. The Request for Solutions will set the deadline.

What changed in the July revision?

The name and description changed. The earlier notice focused on the Active Expendable Decoy (AED) system; the revision focuses on a dispenser or magazine for 1x1x8-inch and 2x1x8-inch expendables.

Who is running it?

The Department of the Navy with NSWC Crane, through the S²MARTS OTA that NSTXL manages.

What award type is planned?

Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype awards.

How much funding is available?

The public notice does not list funding amounts.

Do I need to be an NSTXL member?

Yes. All respondents must have an active NSTXL membership to submit.

Is manufacturing capacity important?

Yes. The stated goal is resilient, scalable, multi-source domestic manufacturing and reduced supply chain risk.

Where do I get the full notice?

Fill out the key document request form on the Project 26-11 page on nstxl.org.

Can BW&CO help with a Project 26-11 submission?

Yes. We help teams confirm fit, get set up on NSTXL, and write the solution. Book a call with our team.

Source: Project No. 26-11 on NSTXL