DON26BZ05-DV087 — Edge-Deployed Explainable Digital-Twin CBM+ Platforms for Carrier-Based Systems

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Quick Answer

DON26BZ05-DV087 is a Navy Direct to Phase II (DP2) SBIR topic sponsored by NAVAIR. It funds an edge-deployed, explainable AI digital twin platform, referred to as a CBM+ Workstation, that predicts faults in carrier-based Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE) despite limited shipboard connectivity. Maximum Phase II award across Base and Option is $1,400,000. Proposals are due September 23, 2026 (confirm against the official BAA posting).

Executive Summary

Carrier aviation systems like the Advanced Arresting Gear, steam catapults, hydraulic deck handlers, and fuel management valves generate constant, high-frequency streams of voltage, current, pressure, vibration, and temperature data. The problem is getting insight out of that data at sea. Denied, Disrupted, Intermittent, and Limited (DDIL) connectivity on carriers forces maintenance crews to physically download raw logs and ferry them ashore for analysis, which delays detection of early warning signs like seal leakage, actuator fatigue, or control valve drift, drives up unscheduled maintenance costs, and puts sortie rates and aircrew safety at risk.

NAVAIR's answer is a CBM+ Workstation that runs at the edge, meaning on the ship itself, and does the reasoning locally rather than waiting for a shoreside connection. The platform needs to do several things well. It has to ingest and reduce high-rate sensor streams onboard in real time, using model-order-reduction and adaptive sampling to turn raw sensor traces into compact, information-rich features that can move under DDIL bandwidth limits. It has to fuse first-principles digital twin models with maintenance-domain knowledge graphs and shipboard context, producing human-readable fault diagnostics with isolation down to the Lowest Replaceable Unit, rather than opaque alerts a maintainer has to interpret blindly. It needs a secure developer API so new subsystem-specific workstations can be spun up without touching source code, and it must meet shipboard resilience standards with under one second anomaly-detection latency and under 10 MB per hour of data transferred to shore when connectivity reconnects.

This directly supports two existing Navy mandates: DoDI 4151.22, which requires CBM+ to be examined, evaluated, integrated, and incorporated into weapon system engineering and sustainment plans, and OPNAVINST 4790.16C, which requires program managers to document CBM+ implementation and assess its maturity at every acquisition and sustainment review. A workstation built to this spec gives program offices a direct way to satisfy both.

Phase I feasibility centers on the Advanced Arresting Gear as the representative subsystem: NAVAIR expects proposers to have already established feasibility of the edge-deployed, explainable CBM+ concept using AAG as the test case. Phase II builds on that foundation with a prototype running on representative edge hardware, processing live AAG test site data, demonstrating semantic AI fault inference for at least two critical AAG failure modes such as seal leakage or valve blockage, complete with confidence metrics and natural language explanations. It also requires a second demonstration: generating a lightweight workstation for a different carrier subsystem, like the catapult accumulator system, to prove the plug-and-play architecture actually works across systems, not just for AAG.

Phase III moves toward a fully operational, supported, scalable solution for the MK15 Advanced Arresting Gear specifically, with broader commercial potential in any industrial or commercial site facing limited connectivity, such as additive manufacturing facilities or HVAC systems.

Funding

Phase II Base: up to $1,000,000, period of performance up to 30 months
Phase II Option: up to $400,000, period of performance up to 12 months
Maximum total (Base plus Option): $1,400,000
No separate Phase I award is issued under DP2
Award types considered: Cost Plus Fixed Fee, Firm Fixed Price, Basic Ordering Agreement, or Prototype Other Transaction
Discretionary TABA available: up to $25,000 per award, included in the Phase II award amount

Timeline

Step one: submit a Phase I Feasibility Proposal through DSIP
Step two: if selected, the SYSCOM contacts the company directly with instructions to submit a Full DP2 Proposal
Proposal deadline: September 23, 2026 (verify against the official BAA close date for this release)
Notifications sent approximately one week after BAA close, based on the Cover Sheet email address

Key Requirements

Must demonstrate completed Phase I-type R&D independently, not solely from prior federal SBIR/STTR funding
Must show established feasibility using the Advanced Arresting Gear as the representative subsystem
Must meet under one second anomaly-detection latency and under 10 MB per hour data transfer to shore
Must demonstrate fault inference for at least two critical AAG failure modes with confidence metrics and natural language explanations
Technical Volume limited to 30 pages total: 20 pages for Phase I feasibility, 10 pages for the Phase II snapshot
Minimum 50 percent of Phase II work performed by the proposing small business, in both Base and Option
CMMC Level 2 (Self) projected requirement

Point of Contact

Kristi DePriest, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)
navair-sbir@us.navy.mil

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a CBM+ Workstation?
An edge-deployed, explainable AI digital twin platform that ingests high-rate sensor data from carrier-based systems, fuses it with physics models and maintenance knowledge graphs, and produces human-readable fault diagnostics locally, without relying on a shoreside connection.

Why does this need to run at the edge instead of ashore?
Carriers operate under Denied, Disrupted, Intermittent, and Limited connectivity, so waiting for a shore connection delays detection of problems like seal leakage or actuator fatigue and increases unscheduled maintenance and safety risk.

What subsystem is used for Phase I feasibility?
The Advanced Arresting Gear, as the representative NAVAIR subsystem for establishing feasibility of the edge-deployed CBM+ concept.

What does Phase II require beyond the AAG demonstration?
A second demonstration showing the platform can generate a lightweight workstation for a different carrier subsystem, such as the catapult accumulator system, without requiring source code changes.

What performance standards must the platform meet?
Under one second anomaly-detection latency and under 10 MB per hour of data transfer to shore when intermittent links reconnect, on MIL-SPEC or ruggedized hardware.

Which Navy policies does this topic support?
DoDI 4151.22, which mandates CBM+ integration into weapon system sustainment plans, and OPNAVINST 4790.16C, which requires documented CBM+ maturity assessments at acquisition reviews.

Is there a commercial application for this technology?
Yes. NAVAIR points to any industrial or commercial site with limited network connectivity, including additive manufacturing and HVAC systems, as a natural extension of an edge-deployed digital twin approach.

How much can a Phase II award be worth?
Up to $1,000,000 for the Base and up to $400,000 for the Option, for a maximum of $1,400,000.

What is the proposal deadline?
September 23, 2026

DON26BZ05-DV086 — Customized Aerospace Lightweight, High Power, High Frequency Bandwidth, Nanocrystalline EMI Filters

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Quick Answer

DON26BZ05-DV086 is a Navy Direct to Phase II (DP2) SBIR topic sponsored by NAVAIR. It funds development of lightweight, high power, high frequency bandwidth EMI filters using nanocrystalline core materials for aerospace power generation systems, targeting more than a 50 percent weight reduction compared to existing commercial off-the-shelf filters. Maximum Phase II award across Base and Option is $1,400,000. Proposals are due September 23, 2026 (confirm against the official BAA posting).

Executive Summary

As the Navy pushes toward more electrified aircraft power and propulsion systems, it is leaning heavily on wide bandgap power conversion technology to get there. That technology solves one problem and creates another: it introduces significant electromagnetic interference and compatibility challenges that, if left unaddressed, can degrade avionics or mission systems and put warfighting readiness at risk. NAVAIR's answer is a better filter, specifically a common mode voltage cancellation EMI filter built around nanocrystalline core materials.

Nanocrystalline materials are attractive here because of their high saturation flux density, high temperature tolerance, and low core losses, all of which translate into weight savings for common mode inductors. The catch is that existing commercial nanocrystalline cores were built for different use cases: high power at low frequency for industrial drives, or low power at high frequency for radio frequency systems. Military aerospace applications need both high power and high frequency bandwidth simultaneously, which existing commercial parts do not deliver, and the power density and EMI requirements are notably more stringent than what commercial electric vehicle components are designed to meet.

The performance target is concrete and easy to evaluate: greater than 50 percent weight reduction compared to existing COTS CMVC filter and inductor components, achieved through customized high power, high frequency bandwidth nanocrystalline core materials, while still meeting EMI performance requirements defined in DO-160 and MIL-STD-461.

Phase I feasibility here is about materials pedigree: NAVAIR expects proposers to demonstrate real experience developing, manufacturing, and testing passive nanocrystalline magnetic core materials across various end-use applications, along with the technical depth to integrate those materials into CMVC EMI filter devices. This is a topic suited to companies with an existing materials science and magnetics engineering base, not a systems integration play.

Phase II is structured around Technology Readiness Level maturation: reach TRL 5 through lab testing and demonstration as a threshold requirement, then push to TRL 6 in a relevant end-use environment, while designing to both DO-160 and MIL-STD-461. The deliverable is concrete: at least two CMVC EMI filter units, each demonstrating the targeted weight reduction along with measurable improvements in filter attenuation.

Phase III moves toward flight-representative prototypes integrated into an aerospace generator or power system, with ground and flight test. NAVAIR notes the dual-use case directly: commercial aerospace faces the same demanding size, weight, power, and cooling constraints alongside similarly strict EMI and EMC requirements, making this a technology with a real path outside the military market.

Funding

Phase II Base: up to $1,000,000, period of performance up to 30 months
Phase II Option: up to $400,000, period of performance up to 12 months
Maximum total (Base plus Option): $1,400,000
No separate Phase I award is issued under DP2
Award types considered: Cost Plus Fixed Fee, Firm Fixed Price, Basic Ordering Agreement, or Prototype Other Transaction
Discretionary TABA available: up to $25,000 per award, included in the Phase II award amount

Timeline

Step one: submit a Phase I Feasibility Proposal through DSIP
Step two: if selected, the SYSCOM contacts the company directly with instructions to submit a Full DP2 Proposal
Proposal deadline: September 23, 2026 (verify against the official BAA close date for this release)
Notifications sent approximately one week after BAA close, based on the Cover Sheet email address

Key Requirements

Must demonstrate completed Phase I-type R&D independently, not solely from prior federal SBIR/STTR funding
Must show prior experience developing, manufacturing, and testing passive nanocrystalline magnetic core materials
Must target greater than 50 percent weight reduction versus existing COTS CMVC filters
Must design to DO-160 and MIL-STD-461 EMI performance requirements
Technical Volume limited to 30 pages total: 20 pages for Phase I feasibility, 10 pages for the Phase II snapshot
Minimum 50 percent of Phase II work performed by the proposing small business, in both Base and Option
CMMC Level 2 (Self) projected requirement

Point of Contact

Kristi DePriest, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)
navair-sbir@us.navy.mil

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the Navy need a new EMI filter design?
Increased use of wide bandgap power conversion for electrified aircraft systems introduces electromagnetic interference that can degrade avionics and mission systems if not properly filtered.

Why can't existing commercial nanocrystalline components solve this?
Commercial nanocrystalline cores are built either for high power at low frequency, like industrial drives, or low power at high frequency, like RF systems. Military aerospace applications need both high power and high frequency bandwidth together, along with more stringent EMI requirements than commercial electric vehicle parts are designed for.

What is the specific performance target?
Greater than 50 percent weight reduction compared to existing COTS CMVC filter and inductor components, while meeting EMI performance requirements in DO-160 and MIL-STD-461.

What kind of company background does NAVAIR expect for Phase I feasibility?
Demonstrated experience developing, manufacturing, and testing passive nanocrystalline magnetic core materials, along with the expertise to integrate those materials into EMI filter devices.

What TRL does Phase II need to reach?
TRL 5 through lab testing as a threshold requirement, with further testing to reach TRL 6 in a relevant end-use environment.

What does NAVAIR expect as a Phase II deliverable?
At least two CMVC EMI filter units demonstrating the targeted weight reduction and improved filter attenuation compared to existing COTS designs.

Is there a commercial market for this technology?
Yes. NAVAIR points to commercial aerospace as facing similarly demanding size, weight, power, cooling, and EMI/EMC requirements.

How much can a Phase II award be worth?
Up to $1,000,000 for the Base and up to $400,000 for the Option, for a maximum of $1,400,000.

What is the proposal deadline?
September 23, 2026

DON26BZ05-DV085 — Persistent Non-Destructive Inspection System for Airfield Readiness and FOD Mitigation

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Quick Answer

DON26BZ05-DV085 is a Navy Direct to Phase II (DP2) SBIR topic sponsored by NAVAIR. It funds a continuous, sensor-based system that inspects airfield pavement, reproduces Pavement Condition Index (PCI) assessments in line with ASTM D 5340 and FAA guidance, and detects Foreign Object Debris (FOD) risks, all without interfering with active airfield operations. Maximum Phase II award across Base and Option is $1,400,000. Proposals are due September 23, 2026.

Executive Summary

Airfield pavement condition and Foreign Object Debris are directly tied to flight safety, and today's inspection process depends on periodic manual surveys. NAVAIR wants a sensor-based system that inspects continuously, reproduces the standard Pavement Condition Index that airfields and funding sponsors already use to prioritize maintenance, and detects and classifies surface features including markings, vegetation, and debris, all while operating persistently without disrupting flight operations.

"Without interfering" is defined precisely in this topic: the system cannot require additional runway, taxiway, or apron closures, cannot introduce operational delays, and cannot increase operator burden. That is a meaningfully higher bar than simply automating an existing inspection, since it rules out solutions that need dedicated inspection windows or closures to operate.

The system also needs a credible path to autonomy. NAVAIR specifies that any platform used must be capable of transitioning to an autonomously operated system that plugs into a larger airfield management digital architecture, described as the beginning of a FOD Operational Decision Network.

Phase I feasibility centers on sensor development and qualification, with a specific statistical bar: the system must quantify probability of detection well enough to identify, distinguish, and quantify PCI features within a 95 percent confidence interval, and must be able to distinguish those features from markings, vegetation, and FOD. AI and machine learning may be used to categorize features, but the core requirement is measurable sensor performance, not just an algorithm.

Phase II moves from sensor validation to full system integration on an active airfield, with 100 percent coverage of accessible pavement sections, documented handling of any inaccessible areas, and reproduction of a legacy-format PCI report for both asphalt and concrete per ASTM standards. The system must also produce near-real-time condition updates and integrate with existing FOD data systems and digital twins, plus a Phase III commercialization and transition plan.

This topic's Phase III path is unusually well-defined: it feeds directly into NAVAIR's Zero FOD program, and its outputs are expected to inform facilities commands including NAVFAC, MCICOM, and CNIC. The civil aviation crossover is explicit as well, since the FAA faces the identical 40-year pavement mandate and airfield recapitalization challenge, and the Zero FOD program is already coordinating with the FAA on a shared operational condition index built from this kind of data.

Funding

Phase II Base: up to $1,000,000, period of performance up to 30 months
Phase II Option: up to $400,000, period of performance up to 12 months
Maximum total (Base plus Option): $1,400,000
No separate Phase I award is issued under DP2
Award types considered: Cost Plus Fixed Fee, Firm Fixed Price, Basic Ordering Agreement, or Prototype Other Transaction
Discretionary TABA available: up to $25,000 per award, included in the Phase II award amount

Timeline

Step one: submit a Phase I Feasibility Proposal through DSIP
Step two: if selected, the SYSCOM contacts the company directly with instructions to submit a Full DP2 Proposal
Proposal deadline: September 23, 2026 (verify against the official BAA close date for this release)
Notifications sent approximately one week after BAA close, based on the Cover Sheet email address

Key Requirements

Must demonstrate completed Phase I-type R&D independently, not solely from prior federal SBIR/STTR funding
Must quantify probability of detection for PCI features within a 95 percent confidence interval
Must operate without requiring closures, delays, or increased operator burden
Must have a credible path to autonomous operation and integration into a digital airfield architecture
Technical Volume limited to 30 pages total: 20 pages for Phase I feasibility, 10 pages for the Phase II snapshot
Minimum 50 percent of Phase II work performed by the proposing small business, in both Base and Option
CMMC Level 2 (Self) projected requirement

Point of Contact

Kristi DePriest, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)
navair-sbir@us.navy.mil

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Pavement Condition Index and why does it matter here?
PCI is the standard, ASTM D 5340-aligned method airfields use to assess pavement condition and prioritize maintenance. NAVAIR wants a sensor system that can reproduce PCI assessments automatically and continuously.

What does "without interfering with airfield operations" mean specifically?
The system cannot require additional runway, taxiway, or apron closures, cannot introduce operational delays, and cannot increase operator burden.

Does the system need to detect Foreign Object Debris specifically?
Yes, along with distinguishing FOD from pavement markings and vegetation, as part of the broader PCI feature detection requirement.

What statistical performance is required in Phase I?
Probability of detection sufficient to identify, distinguish, and quantify PCI features within a 95 percent confidence interval.

Does the platform need to be autonomous?
It must be capable of transitioning to autonomous operation and integrating into a larger airfield management digital architecture, described as the start of a FOD Operational Decision Network.

What is the connection to the Zero FOD program?
Zero FOD, managed by NAVAIR, is the primary Phase III transition partner for this topic, and its outputs will also inform Navy facilities commands including NAVFAC, MCICOM, and CNIC.

Is there a civil aviation angle to this topic?
Yes. The FAA faces the same airfield recapitalization and pavement lifecycle challenge, and the Zero FOD program is coordinating with the FAA on a shared operational condition index.

How much can a Phase II award be worth?
Up to $1,000,000 for the Base and up to $400,000 for the Option, for a maximum of $1,400,000.

What is the proposal deadline?
September 23, 2026

DON26BZ05-DV084 — Innovative Flexible Fuel Cell Design

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Quick Answer

DON26BZ05-DV084 is a Navy Direct to Phase II (DP2) SBIR topic sponsored by NAVAIR. It funds advanced manufacturing processes and materials for producing Class A, Type I crashworthy, self-sealing aircraft fuel cells compliant with MIL-DTL-27422F, with a focus on faster production timelines and fewer defects. Maximum Phase II award across Base and Option is $1,400,000. Proposals are due September 23, 2026 (confirm against the official BAA posting).

Executive Summary

Aircraft fuel cells (fuel bladders) have to survive crash impacts, stay flexible enough to fold into tight airframe cavities during installation, and self-seal if punctured, all while meeting a decades-old but still governing specification, MIL-DTL-27422F. NAVAIR's problem is not the performance target itself but the production process behind it: current manufacturing takes months, and the Navy wants materials and processes that get fuel cells built in weeks instead, without sacrificing quality or increasing defect and rework rates.

The technical bar is specific. The finished fuel cell must remain lightweight, pliable, and foldable enough for installation into structural airframe cavities, while still withstanding crash impact loads at velocities of 65 feet per second. It must self-seal and continue operating at temperatures down to negative 40 degrees Fahrenheit and pressures of 1.5 psi. This is a materials and manufacturing engineering challenge as much as a design challenge, since the same fuel cell needs to be both flexible for installation and rugged enough to survive a crash.

Phase I feasibility here is comparatively lean relative to other topics in this release: NAVAIR asks for availability of material-level data and a defined proof of concept for fuel cell construction designs or applications that validates the approach. Companies with existing material characterization data and a credible construction concept are well positioned to qualify.

Phase II work aligns directly with MIL-DTL-27422F qualification activities, prioritizing crash impact, gunfire performance, and flexibility evaluation. Deliverables include material coupons, panels, and cubes, along with testing that demonstrates the materials and processes meet the spec.

Work is expected to become classified in Phase II, and the contractor must be able to obtain and maintain a secret facility clearance and personnel clearances. Phase III looks toward scaling to aircraft-representative articles and validating compliance on a rotary platform, with clear crossover potential into Foreign Military Sales and commercial aircraft, where NAVAIR notes FAA requirements are actually less stringent than the military standard this topic targets, making commercial adaptation comparatively straightforward.

Funding

Phase II Base: up to $1,000,000, period of performance up to 30 months
Phase II Option: up to $400,000, period of performance up to 12 months
Maximum total (Base plus Option): $1,400,000
No separate Phase I award is issued under DP2
Award types considered: Cost Plus Fixed Fee, Firm Fixed Price, Basic Ordering Agreement, or Prototype Other Transaction
Discretionary TABA available: up to $25,000 per award, included in the Phase II award amount

Timeline

Step one: submit a Phase I Feasibility Proposal through DSIP
Step two: if selected, the SYSCOM contacts the company directly with instructions to submit a Full DP2 Proposal
Proposal deadline: September 23, 2026 (verify against the official BAA close date for this release)
Notifications sent approximately one week after BAA close, based on the Cover Sheet email address

Key Requirements

Must demonstrate completed Phase I-type R&D independently, not solely from prior federal SBIR/STTR funding
Must show material-level data and a defined proof of concept for fuel cell construction
Must target compliance with MIL-DTL-27422F Class A, Type I requirements
Technical Volume limited to 30 pages total: 20 pages for Phase I feasibility, 10 pages for the Phase II snapshot
Minimum 50 percent of Phase II work performed by the proposing small business, in both Base and Option
CMMC Level 2 (Self) projected requirement
Must be able to obtain a secret facility clearance and personnel clearances for classified Phase II work

Point of Contact

Kristi DePriest, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)
navair-sbir@us.navy.mil

Frequently Asked Questions

What specification does this fuel cell need to meet?
MIL-DTL-27422F, for Class A, Type I crash-resistant, ballistic-tolerant aircraft fuel cells.

What is the main problem NAVAIR is trying to solve?
Current fuel cell manufacturing takes months. NAVAIR wants processes and materials that produce compliant fuel cells in weeks, without increasing defects or rework.

What performance must the fuel cell survive?
Crash impact loads at velocities of 65 feet per second, operation down to negative 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and pressures of 1.5 psi, while remaining flexible enough to fold into airframe cavities during installation.

What does NAVAIR expect for Phase I feasibility?
Availability of material-level data and a defined proof of concept for fuel cell construction designs or applications that validates the approach.

Does this require a security clearance?
Yes. Work is expected to become classified in Phase II, and the contractor must be able to obtain and maintain a secret facility clearance and personnel security clearances.

Is there a commercial or allied-nation application for this technology?
Yes. NAVAIR points to Foreign Military Sales and commercial aircraft applications, noting FAA requirements are less stringent than the military standard, which supports an easier commercial adaptation path.

How much can a Phase II award be worth?
Up to $1,000,000 for the Base and up to $400,000 for the Option, for a maximum of $1,400,000.

What is the proposal deadline?
September 23, 2026

DON26BZ05-DV083 — Solution to Reduce Towing Based Mishaps During Flightline Operations

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Quick Answer

DON26BZ05-DV083 is a Navy Direct to Phase II (DP2) SBIR topic sponsored by NAVAIR. It funds retrofit technology that improves situational awareness and prevents collisions during aircraft towing operations, both at land-based airfields and on shipboard flight decks. Maximum Phase II award across Base and Option is $1,400,000. Proposals are due September 23, 2026.

Executive Summary

Towing aircraft is one of the most routine and unavoidable tasks on a flightline, and it is also a persistent source of costly mishaps. NAVAIR wants a retrofit solution that can be added to existing Navy tow tractors, specifically the Mid-Range Tow Tractor, Shipboard Tow Tractor, and Large Land-Based Tow Tractor, to give towing crews better situational awareness and prevent unintended collisions.

The operating environment is demanding. Any solution must function whether or not the unit is actively towing, must operate correctly in an Emission Controlled environment, must meet electromagnetic interference requirements for both shipboard and shore-based use, and must give the towing crew enough advance warning to make an informed decision while accounting for the acceleration and inertial effects of a large towed object. NAVAIR is explicitly open to the approach: this can be a low-tech, human-in-the-loop alerting system or a high-tech, fully autonomous intervention system, as long as it meets the mission need of reducing mishaps.

Unlike most of the other DP2 topics in this release, this one does not carry an explicit classification or ITAR restriction in the topic description, and it does not require a security clearance, which may make it more accessible to companies without existing cleared facilities.

The Phase I feasibility bar is specific and demanding: NAVAIR expects proposers to already have prototyped and tested core sensing, alerting, and control functions in relevant operational conditions, with prior validation of real-time proximity detection, operator alerting performance, and integration with representative towing platforms. This is a topic for companies who have already built and tested a working system, not one starting from a concept.

Phase II centers on a real-world demonstration. Deliverables include a Technical Data Package, maintained system specifications, an evaluation and analysis report covering reliability, maintainability, sustainability, and Supply Chain Risk Management, plus training documentation and manuals. The effort concludes with a final prototype demonstration at NAS Lakehurst or NAS Pax River, tested directly on the MRTT, STT, and LLTT during standard towing operations.

Phase III looks toward low-rate or full-rate production and fleet-wide deployment, along with training program rollout. NAVAIR also flags a genuine commercial pathway: towing is just as critical to commercial airport operations, where the same technology could reduce schedule-impacting incidents and improve ground safety at major airports.

Funding

Phase II Base: up to $1,000,000, period of performance up to 30 months
Phase II Option: up to $400,000, period of performance up to 12 months
Maximum total (Base plus Option): $1,400,000
No separate Phase I award is issued under DP2
Award types considered: Cost Plus Fixed Fee, Firm Fixed Price, Basic Ordering Agreement, or Prototype Other Transaction
Discretionary TABA available: up to $25,000 per award, included in the Phase II award amount

Timeline

Step one: submit a Phase I Feasibility Proposal through DSIP
Step two: if selected, the SYSCOM contacts the company directly with instructions to submit a Full DP2 Proposal
Proposal deadline: September 23, 2026 (verify against the official BAA close date for this release)
Notifications sent approximately one week after BAA close, based on the Cover Sheet email address
Final Phase II prototype demonstration occurs at NAS Lakehurst or NAS Pax River

Key Requirements

Must demonstrate completed Phase I-type R&D independently, not solely from prior federal SBIR/STTR funding
Must have already prototyped and tested sensing, alerting, and control functions in relevant conditions
Must be compatible with the MRTT, STT, and LLTT tow tractor platforms
Technical Volume limited to 30 pages total: 20 pages for Phase I feasibility, 10 pages for the Phase II snapshot
Minimum 50 percent of Phase II work performed by the proposing small business, in both Base and Option
CMMC Level 2 (Self) projected requirement

Point of Contact

Kristi DePriest, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)
navair-sbir@us.navy.mil

Frequently Asked Questions

What towing equipment must this be compatible with?
The Navy's Mid-Range Tow Tractor, Shipboard Tow Tractor, and Large Land-Based Tow Tractor.

Does the solution have to be fully autonomous?
No. NAVAIR accepts either a low-tech, human-in-the-loop alerting system or a high-tech, fully autonomous intervention system, as long as it meets the mission need.

Does this topic require a security clearance?
No. Unlike several other topics in this release, DV083 does not include a classification or clearance requirement in the topic description.

What kind of prior work does NAVAIR expect for feasibility?
Prototyped and tested core sensing, alerting, and control functions in relevant operational conditions, with validated real-time proximity detection and integration on representative towing platforms.

Where does the Phase II demonstration happen?
At NAS Lakehurst or NAS Pax River, tested on existing MRTT, STT, and LLTT tow tractors during standard towing procedures.

Is there a commercial market for this outside the Navy?
Yes. NAVAIR specifically notes applicability to commercial airports, where reducing towing mishaps improves both safety and schedule reliability.

How much can a Phase II award be worth?
Up to $1,000,000 for the Base and up to $400,000 for the Option, for a maximum of $1,400,000.

What is the proposal deadline?
September 23, 2026

DON26BZ05-DV082 — Cross-domain Interface for Trusted Access & Data Exchange Logic (CITADEL)

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Quick Answer

DON26BZ05-DV082 is a Navy Direct to Phase II (DP2) SBIR topic sponsored by NAVAIR. It funds a bi-directional software Cross Domain System (CDS) guard that runs on small form factor, PCIe-based commercial computer modules aboard Navy aircraft and ships. The government references CITADEL as a demonstrated approach to this problem. Maximum Phase II award across Base and Option is $1,400,000. Proposals are due September 23, 2026.

Executive Summary

Navy aircraft and ships need to move data securely between networks with different classification or trust levels, and doing that today typically requires large, expensive, purpose-built hardware guards. NAVAIR wants a bi-directional software CDS guard that instead runs on small, modular, removable, commercially available computer systems with an open PCIe interface, so the capability can be fielded more cheaply and updated faster.

The hardware baseline is specific: at minimum a 10-core processor, 64 GB of DDR5 RAM, 2 TB of SSD storage, at least four 1 GigE ports, four USB ports, and one HDMI or DisplayPort interface. On top of that hardware, the software architecture needs to support rapid rule set updates so the guard can be re-certified and re-approved by the NSA more efficiently than legacy guard systems allow, and it needs an affordable licensing model that keeps acquisition and sustainment costs down for the Navy over the life of the program.

Functionally, the guard must parse up to 100 Mbps of mixed data types, including video streams, tracks, messaging, and voice, and it must log that data. Business rules will be provided by the government as classified Government Furnished Equipment after award, and the architecture needs to let the contractor maintain and update those rules in a data library without requiring a full software rebuild every time a rule changes.

The Phase I feasibility bar here is unusually specific: NAVAIR references CITADEL directly, describing a system that has already demonstrated a cross domain guard on commercial single board computers while emphasizing affordability, modularity, and rapid prototyping, all while maintaining high assurance through hardware and software controls. Companies proposing on this topic should be prepared to show a comparable level of demonstrated capability, since the government is essentially describing the shape of qualifying prior work.

Phase II calls for a working demonstration: a bi-directional guard running across four COTS, removable, plug-and-play computer modules, parsing IP-based HF track data, voice, and messaging, with one module hosting the guard itself. The software architecture also needs to be structured in a way that supports NSA approval through a partitioned layout, minimizing how often the whole system needs re-approval when rules change.

This work is expected to become classified, and the contractor must be able to obtain and maintain a secret facility clearance and personnel clearances. Dual-use potential is strong for critical infrastructure operators such as energy, transportation, and port authorities, along with financial services, healthcare networks, and cloud providers who need to move data across trust boundaries under regulatory or cybersecurity constraints.

Funding

Phase II Base: up to $1,000,000, period of performance up to 30 months
Phase II Option: up to $400,000, period of performance up to 12 months
Maximum total (Base plus Option): $1,400,000
No separate Phase I award is issued under DP2
Award types considered: Cost Plus Fixed Fee, Firm Fixed Price, Basic Ordering Agreement, or Prototype Other Transaction
Discretionary TABA available: up to $25,000 per award, included in the Phase II award amount

Timeline

Step one: submit a Phase I Feasibility Proposal through DSIP
Step two: if selected, the SYSCOM contacts the company directly with instructions to submit a Full DP2 Proposal
Proposal deadline: September 23, 2026 (verify against the official BAA close date for this release)
Notifications sent approximately one week after BAA close, based on the Cover Sheet email address

Key Requirements

Must demonstrate completed Phase I-type R&D independently, not solely from prior federal SBIR/STTR funding
Must show prior work comparable to the CITADEL description: a cross domain guard on commercial single board computers emphasizing affordability, modularity, and rapid prototyping
Technical Volume limited to 30 pages total: 20 pages for Phase I feasibility, 10 pages for the Phase II snapshot
Minimum 50 percent of Phase II work performed by the proposing small business, in both Base and Option
CMMC Level 2 (Self) projected requirement
Must be able to obtain a secret facility clearance and personnel clearances for classified Phase II work

Point of Contact

Kristi DePriest, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)
navair-sbir@us.navy.mil

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CITADEL?
CITADEL is referenced in the topic as the type of cross domain guard capability NAVAIR expects proposers to have already demonstrated: a bi-directional software guard on commercial single board computers, built for affordability, modularity, and rapid prototyping.

What hardware must the guard run on?
Small form factor, modular, removable commercial computer systems with a PCIe open systems interface, with a minimum baseline of a 10-core processor, 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2 TB SSD storage, four 1 GigE ports, four USB ports, and one HDMI or DisplayPort interface.

How much data must the guard be able to handle?
Up to 100 Mbps of parsed data, including video streams, tracks, messaging, and voice, with data logging support.

Does this require a security clearance?
Yes. Work is expected to become classified in Phase II, and the contractor must be able to obtain and maintain a secret facility clearance and personnel security clearances.

What does Phase II deliver?
A demonstrated bi-directional CDS guard running across four COTS, removable, plug-and-play computer modules, parsing IP-based HF track data, voice, and messaging, with a software architecture designed to minimize repeated NSA re-approval as rules change.

How much can a Phase II award be worth?
Up to $1,000,000 for the Base and up to $400,000 for the Option, for a maximum of $1,400,000.

What is the proposal deadline?
September 23, 2026

DON26BZ05-DV081 — Intelligent Data Analysis of Post-Mission Reporting Artifacts & Data

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Quick Answer

DON26BZ05-DV081 is a Navy Direct to Phase II (DP2) SBIR topic sponsored by Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). It funds a conversational, natural-language analytics platform that lets non-data-scientist Navy personnel connect to, clean, analyze, and visualize large heterogeneous datasets from post-mission reporting. This is DP2, meaning there is no separate Phase I award. Companies must already have completed Phase I-type R&D on their own and submit feasibility documentation proving it. Maximum award across Base and Option is $1,400,000. Proposals are due September 23, 2026.

Executive Summary

The Navy collects enormous volumes of high-quality operational and training data, but turning that data into decisions is a persistent bottleneck because most of the people who need insights are not data scientists. NAVAIR wants a platform that closes that gap by letting Fleet personnel ask questions in plain language and get back relevant visualizations, without needing to write queries or understand the underlying data structure.

The solution needs to connect to a wide range of data sources, including spreadsheets, SQL databases, cloud services, and on-premises resources, and it needs to clean and prepare that raw data automatically. Beyond ingestion, it must give users an intuitive interface for building relationships between data tables, defining measures, and constructing calculations, all without requiring technical expertise. The conversational layer is central to the ask: users should be able to propose analyses in natural language and receive interactive charts, graphs, tables, and maps in response.

Trust and transparency carry real weight in this topic. NAVAIR is explicit that outputs must be explainable, that personnel need to understand and trust the rationale behind any data-driven recommendation, and that users must have access to manual methods to verify results. The solution also has to align with the Department of War's ethical AI principles (Responsible, Equitable, Traceable, Reliable, Governable), current automated technology policy, and Risk Management Framework guidance. This is not a topic where a black-box model will clear the bar.

Because this is a DP2 topic, companies do not submit a traditional Phase I proposal. Instead, they submit a Phase I Feasibility Proposal proving they have already built and validated a relevant capability, independently of prior SBIR/STTR funding, including evidence that a previous version of the technology is feasible in a relevant domain, the ability to ingest data and produce initial visualizations, and a description of existing prototypes or modules that would be extended in Phase II. NAVAIR is explicit that feasibility cannot rest solely on work performed under a prior or ongoing federal SBIR/STTR award, so companies whose only track record is government-funded R&D on this exact capability will not qualify.

This topic is ITAR-restricted, and work is expected to become classified in Phase II, which means the selected contractor must be able to obtain and maintain a secret facility clearance and personnel clearances. Companies without a clear path to that clearance should weigh this carefully.

Phase III applications are broad. NAVAIR points to finance, healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing as industries facing the same challenge of large, complex datasets and non-technical users, and calls out business intelligence, market trend analysis, supply chain optimization, and predictive maintenance as natural commercial extensions.

Funding

Phase II Base: up to $1,000,000, period of performance up to 30 months
Phase II Option: up to $400,000, period of performance up to 12 months
Maximum total (Base plus Option): $1,400,000
No separate Phase I award is issued under DP2
Award types considered: Cost Plus Fixed Fee, Firm Fixed Price, Basic Ordering Agreement, or Prototype Other Transaction
Discretionary TABA available: up to $25,000 per award, included in the Phase II award amount

Timeline

Step one: submit a Phase I Feasibility Proposal through DSIP
Step two: if selected, the SYSCOM contacts the company directly with instructions to submit a Full DP2 Proposal
Proposal deadline: September 23, 2026 (verify against the official BAA close date for this release)
Notifications sent approximately one week after BAA close, based on the Cover Sheet email address

Key Requirements

Must demonstrate completed Phase I-type R&D independently, not solely from prior federal SBIR/STTR funding
Technical Volume limited to 30 pages total: 20 pages for Phase I feasibility, 10 pages for the Phase II snapshot
Minimum 50 percent of Phase II work performed by the proposing small business, in both Base and Option
CMMC Level 2 (Self) projected requirement
ITAR-restricted, with mandatory foreign national disclosures
Must be able to obtain a secret facility clearance and personnel clearances for classified Phase II work

Point of Contact

Kristi DePriest, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)
navair-sbir@us.navy.mil

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes this a Direct to Phase II topic?
DP2 means there is no funded Phase I. Companies must have already completed Phase I-type research and development on their own and prove it with feasibility documentation before being considered for a Phase II award.

Can I use work from a prior SBIR or STTR award as my feasibility evidence?
No, not solely. NAVAIR requires that feasibility be demonstrated through work that was not solely performed under prior or ongoing federally funded SBIR/STTR effort.

What is the core capability NAVAIR wants?
A platform that lets non-data-scientist Navy personnel connect to multiple data sources and use natural language to get interactive visualizations and analysis, with fully explainable and verifiable outputs.

Does this require a security clearance?
Yes. Work is expected to become classified in Phase II, and the contractor must be able to obtain and maintain a secret facility clearance and personnel security clearances.

How much can a Phase II award be worth?
Up to $1,000,000 for the Base and up to $400,000 for the Option, for a maximum of $1,400,000.

What is the minimum percentage of work the small business must perform?
At least 50 percent of the work, measured across direct and indirect costs, in both the Base and Option.

What is the proposal deadline?
September 23, 2026, pending confirmation against the official BAA posting, submitted through DSIP.

DON26BX05-NP004 — NAVWAR Unified APNT Operational Awareness and Decision Support

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Quick Answer

DON26BX05-NP004 is a Navy SBIR Open Topic under DoW 2026 SBIR CSO Release 5, sponsored by Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR). It funds software that improves how Navy operators understand Assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (APNT) status, confidence, threats, and recovery options across multiple existing systems. This topic does not seek new PNT sensors or navigation algorithms. It seeks data integration, human-machine interface design, visualization, and decision-support software that unifies fragmented information into one operational picture. Phase I awards up to $315,000 total, with multiple awards planned. Proposals are due September 23, 2026.

Executive Summary

The Navy depends on accurate positioning, navigation, and timing data to run maritime operations, coordinate distributed forces, and support mission planning. As the fleet adds more APNT-related systems and situational awareness tools, operators increasingly have to juggle multiple interfaces and data sources just to understand whether their PNT information is trustworthy, what is threatening it, and what to do if it degrades. That fragmentation increases cognitive workload, complicates training, and slows decisions in exactly the moments when speed matters most.

This topic sits under the Navy's GPS-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Service (GPNTS) program, which is expanding APNT resilience through a growing set of technologies, including open-source data types like All-Source Positioning and Navigation (ASPN) and the PNT operating system (pntOS). NAVWAR wants a software layer that ingests, integrates, processes, and presents information from GPNTS, alternate PNT sources, and related situational awareness systems through one unified operator experience, often described as a common operating picture or single pane of glass.

It is important for companies evaluating this topic to understand what NAVWAR is explicitly not asking for. This is not a call for new PNT sensors, navigation algorithms, timing hardware, or sensing technology. Instead, NAVWAR is looking for expertise in software architecture, data integration, information management, user experience and human-machine interface design, analytics, visualization, and decision-support technology. Companies with strong commercial track records in adjacent industries such as autonomous transportation, cloud operations, telecommunications, logistics, or industrial automation are specifically invited to apply their existing platforms to this problem, since NAVWAR states that solutions do not need to be purpose-built for APNT if they can be adapted to the operational objective.

The list of primary technology areas of interest is broad: data integration and orchestration platforms, HMI and UX design, common operating picture technologies, operational data visualization, decision-support systems, workflow automation, human-centered design methodologies, data analytics and correlation platforms, AI-enabled operator assistance, containerized software architectures, mission management software, and digital engineering environments. NAVWAR also notes solutions outside these areas may still qualify if they address the core objective, which gives proposers real latitude in how they frame their technical approach.

NAVWAR has stated it plans to make multiple Phase I awards under this topic, though it reserves the right to make none. Phase I work centers on establishing feasibility through relevant operational use cases, an integration approach, and expected improvements to operator effectiveness, along with a path to implementation in Navy environments. Phase I deliverables include a kickoff briefing, a progress report, a final report, and an initial Phase II proposal.

Phase II work matures the concept into a working prototype demonstrating measurable improvements in situational awareness, information accessibility, decision-making, workflow efficiency, or confidence assessment, validated within a representative operational environment and potentially integrated with real GPNTS or APNT data sources. The final report at that stage must include a transition strategy, deployment considerations, sustainment approach, and commercialization plan.

Phase III and dual-use potential are significant here. NAVWAR points to broad applicability in autonomous transportation, commercial shipping and logistics, aviation operations, industrial automation, telecommunications network operations, smart infrastructure management, cloud and data center operations, critical infrastructure monitoring, public safety, and enterprise operations centers. This is a strong fit for companies already building operational dashboards, data fusion platforms, or decision-support software for other industries who want to extend that capability into a defense context.

Funding

Phase I Base: up to $200,000
Phase I Option: up to $115,000
Maximum Phase I total (Base plus Option): $315,000
Award type: Prototype Other Transaction (OT)
Phase I period of performance: exactly 6 months for the Base, exactly 6 months for the Option
Phase II maximum: up to $2,000,000
Discretionary TABA available: up to $6,500 in Phase I, in addition to the award amount

Timeline

Proposal deadline: September 23, 2026
Submission portal: DoW SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP)
Proposal receipt confirmation: approximately one week after CSO close
Phase I award structure: two payments during the Base period, three payments if the Option is exercised

Key Requirements

Technical Volume limited to 10 pages
Minimum two-thirds of Phase I work must be performed by the proposing small business, in both Base and Option costs
No cost sharing accepted
CMMC Level 2 (Self) projected requirement
Foreign Risk Evaluation disclosures required in Volume 7
Not seeking new PNT hardware, sensors, or navigation algorithms
Multiple Phase I awards planned, though NAVWAR reserves the right to make none

Point of Contact

Shadi Azoum, Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR)
info@navwarsbir.com

Frequently Asked Questions

What is NAVWAR trying to solve with this topic?
NAVWAR wants software that unifies fragmented APNT status, confidence, threat, and recovery information across multiple existing systems into one operator interface, reducing cognitive workload and speeding up decisions.

Is this topic asking for new PNT hardware or sensors?
No. The topic explicitly excludes new PNT sensing technology, navigation algorithms, timing sources, or hardware. It is focused entirely on software, data integration, and decision support.

Can a company from outside the defense sector apply?
Yes. NAVWAR specifically invites mature commercial technologies from industries like autonomous transportation, cloud operations, telecommunications, logistics, and industrial automation, as long as they can be adapted to the APNT decision-support objective.

What is GPNTS?
The Navy's GPS-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Service, a program expanding APNT resilience through a growing set of integrated technologies and data sources.

How many awards will NAVWAR make under this topic?
NAVWAR states it plans to issue multiple Phase I awards but reserves the right to issue none.

What are the Phase I deliverables?
A kickoff briefing, a progress report, a final report, and an initial Phase II proposal.

How much funding is available in Phase I?
Up to $200,000 for the Base and up to $115,000 for the Option, for a combined maximum of $315,000.

What is the proposal deadline?
September 23, 2026, submitted through the DoW SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP).

Does this technology have commercial applications outside the Navy?
Yes. NAVWAR identifies applicability in autonomous transportation, shipping and logistics, aviation, industrial automation, telecommunications, smart infrastructure, cloud operations, critical infrastructure monitoring, public safety, and enterprise operations centers.

DON26BX05-NP003 — NAVSEA MBSE Acceleration via AI/ML

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Quick Answer

DON26BX05-NP003 is a Navy SBIR Open Topic under DoW 2026 SBIR CSO Release 5, sponsored by Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). It funds development of an AI/ML capability that ingests disparate legacy technical documentation (paper records, PDFs, images, cable run sheets, hardware and software bills of material, and more) and automatically generates Systems Modeling Language (SysML) models compatible with the Cameo Magic Draw environment. The goal is to rapidly and affordably transition legacy Navy weapons systems, starting with the AEGIS Combat System, into Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) without diverting funding from ongoing capability development. Phase I awards up to $315,000 total. Proposals are due September 23, 2026.

Executive Summary

The Navy's AEGIS Combat System dates to the late 1970s, and much of its design documentation still exists only in paper form or in legacy digital formats that resist conversion into modern systems models. Rebuilding this documentation manually would pull funding away from capability development that the fleet needs now. NAVSEA is looking for a commercially available or near-commercial solution that solves this problem with AI and machine learning rather than manual labor.

The solution must ingest a wide range of technical documentation types, including digital files, scanned images, Adobe files, written documents, installation and interface configurations, hardware and software bills of material, cable run sheets, IP addresses, ports, protocols, and services. From that ingested data, it must auto-generate SysML models with minimal human input and a high degree of accuracy, and those models must convert directly into the CAMEO Magic Draw SysML modeling environment. NAVSEA states plainly that nothing commercially available does this today, which signals this is a genuine capability gap rather than an integration exercise.

Beyond model generation, the resulting models need to support system design, capability development, cyber assessment and authorization, interface design and verification, functional testing, configuration management, reliability calculation and tracking, problem tracking, and program certification. This is a broad mandate: the government is not just asking for a document parser, but for a pipeline that produces models useful across the full systems engineering lifecycle.

Companies should note two important constraints up front. First, this topic is ITAR-restricted, and proposers must disclose any planned use of foreign nationals, their country of origin, visa status, and the specific tasks they would perform. Second, work is expected to become classified as early as Phase II, and the selected contractor must be U.S.-owned and operated with no foreign influence, and must be able to obtain and maintain a secret-level facility clearance and personnel security clearances. Companies without an existing path to a facility clearance should weigh this carefully before proposing, since it becomes a hard requirement for advancing past Phase I.

Phase I work is limited to a feasibility and concept-development effort: demonstrating that the proposed AI/ML approach can meet the ingestion and model-generation requirements described above, and estimating initial performance against test and operational environments. If the Phase I Option is exercised, it adds initial design and interface specifications to prepare for a Phase II prototype build.

Phase III applications extend well beyond AEGIS. NAVSEA explicitly flags scaling the tool across PEO IWS, other combat systems, and C4I elements, and notes that almost any organization doing systems design or sustainment work with technical documentation, drawings, cable run sheets, hardware and software lists, DOORS records, or reliability reports could use a mature version of this technology. That gives the eventual solution real dual-use and commercial potential outside the Navy.

Funding

Phase I Base: up to $200,000
Phase I Option: up to $115,000
Maximum Phase I total (Base plus Option): $315,000
Award type: Prototype Other Transaction (OT)
Phase I period of performance: exactly 6 months for the Base, exactly 6 months for the Option
Phase II maximum: up to $2,000,000
Discretionary TABA available: up to $6,500 in Phase I, in addition to the award amount

Timeline

Proposal deadline: September 23, 2026
Submission portal: DoW SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP)
Proposal receipt confirmation: approximately one week after CSO close
Phase I award structure: two payments during the Base period, three payments if the Option is exercised

Key Requirements

Technical Volume limited to 10 pages
Minimum two-thirds of Phase I work must be performed by the proposing small business, in both Base and Option costs
No cost sharing accepted
CMMC Level 2 (Self) projected requirement
Foreign Risk Evaluation disclosures required in Volume 7
Must be able to obtain a secret facility clearance and personnel clearances for later phases
ITAR-restricted, with mandatory foreign national disclosures if applicable

Point of Contact

Jason Schroepfer, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)
NSSC_SBIR.fct@navy.mil

Frequently Asked Questions

What problem is NAVSEA trying to solve with this topic?
NAVSEA wants to convert legacy technical documentation for systems like AEGIS, much of it in paper or outdated digital formats, into modern Model-Based Systems Engineering models using AI and machine learning, without diverting engineering funding from ongoing capability work.

Does a commercial solution already exist for this?
No. The topic description states directly that nothing commercially available performs this ingestion-to-SysML-model capability today.

What kind of documentation must the solution be able to process?
Digital files, images, Adobe files, written documents, installation and interface configurations, software and hardware bills of material, cable run sheets, IP addresses, and ports, protocols, and services data.

What modeling environment must the output be compatible with?
The CAMEO Magic Draw SysML modeling environment.

Will this work require a security clearance?
Yes, eventually. Phase II work is expected to become classified, and the contractor must be able to obtain and maintain a secret facility clearance and personnel security clearances.

Is this topic ITAR-restricted?
Yes. Proposers must disclose any planned use of foreign nationals, their country of origin, visa or work permit status, and the specific tasks they would perform.

How much funding is available in Phase I?
Up to $200,000 for the Base and up to $115,000 for the Option, for a combined maximum of $315,000.

What is the proposal deadline?
September 23, 2026, submitted through the DoW SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP).

Can this technology be used outside the AEGIS program?
Yes. NAVSEA identifies dual-use potential across other shipboard systems, PEO IWS, combat systems, and C4I elements, and broader applicability to any organization doing systems design or sustainment work with similar documentation types.

DME26TZ05-NP001: Cable Connector Enhancement

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Quick Answer

The Defense Microelectronics Activity is offering a Phase I STTR award of up to $100,000 for companies developing a solution that strengthens commercial off-the-shelf cable connectors on existing circuit boards, without requiring custom cable manufacturing or board redesign. This is topic DME26TZ05-NP001 under the DoW FY26 STTR BAA Release 5. As an STTR, this topic requires a formal research institution partnership. Proposals are due September 23, 2026 through DSIP.

What This Solicitation Is

This is a Phase I STTR topic, meaning the small business must formally partner with a single Research Institution for the duration of the project. DMEA structures this Phase I specifically as a lower-cost, shorter-duration examination of concept merit rather than a full feasibility build: the award cap is $100,000 with a maximum period of performance of just 3 months, notably tighter than the standard DMEA SBIR Phase I terms.

This topic falls under the Contested Logistics Technologies critical technology area and Microelectronics component priority area. It carries a projected CMMC Level 1 requirement. Only unclassified proposals will be accepted. As with DMEA's companion SBIR release, the Company Commercialization Report WILL be considered during proposal evaluations here, which is a notable departure from most other DoW components.

Due to limited funding, DMEA reserves the right to limit awards under this topic, and only proposals considered to be of superior quality will be funded. That is a more explicit competitiveness warning than typically appears in these solicitations, worth flagging to any client considering this one.

What DAF Is Looking For

The cable-to-board connection is one of the most common failure points in electronics systems because of the thermal and mechanical stress it absorbs. For new designs, engineers can design around that risk from the start. For existing designs already in the field, options are limited. Potting protects against moisture, vibration, and shock, but potting material has to stop below the connector's electrical contact height to avoid disrupting the connection, which means the board side gets protected while the actual joint remains exposed and vulnerable to strain.

Swapping in a more specialized connector is possible if the board footprint allows it, but removing an existing connector takes significant technician time and introduces rework risk, particularly on densely populated boards where there may not be room for a heat shield to protect neighboring components during removal. Direct solder connections that eliminate the connector entirely, using something like Hot Bar Soldering, bring their own headaches: custom tooling, fixturing, and a compatible Anisotropic Conductive Film that may not exist or be sourceable in small quantities for an existing connector footprint.

DMEA wants a more versatile fix: something that strengthens the existing COTS connector itself, works across multiple connector form factors, doesn't touch core connector functionality, and is compatible with standard PCB assembly, coating, and potting processes already in use. No custom cable manufacturing or custom tooling.

Phase I is a feasibility study evaluated against these specific target requirements: operation across a -50°C to 140°C range, compatibility with MMCX, SMA, UFL, Panasonic, and Samtec connector types, compatibility with potting materials at a viscosity of 20,000 cp or higher (with the connector fully submerged in potting, not just protected below the contact area), suitability for small densely populated boards, and demonstrated compatibility with existing manufacturing techniques. The solution also needs a credible path to passing MIL-STD-202 Method 201A vibration testing, MIL-STD-202 Method 213B condition B shock testing, and MIL-STD-810 Method 501.5 and 503.5 thermal testing.

Phase II moves into actual physical testing across all of those environmental conditions, plus expanded testing at higher potting viscosities up to 60,000 cp, long-term electrical testing at three temperature conditions over durations up to 4 weeks, and investigation into compatibility with additional connector types beyond the original five. DMEA wants repeatable data and expects performers to provide sample materials or tools needed to replicate the enhancement.

Funding and Timeline

Phase I award maximum is $100,000 with a maximum period of performance of 3 months. The technical volume page limit is 10 pages, and proposals exceeding that will be deemed non-compliant and will not be evaluated.

Phase II, available only to Phase I awardees, has an award maximum of $1,340,000 with a maximum period of performance of 24 months, and a technical volume limit of 40 pages. Phase I awardees can submit a Phase II proposal without invitation up to 60 calendar days after the Phase I contract ends. Phase II awards are subject to available funding regardless of proposal quality, and proposals must remain valid for 180 days after submission.

Technical and Business Assistance funding is available at up to $6,500 per Phase I project and up to $50,000 per Phase II project.

Proposals are due September 23, 2026 through DSIP. Firms will be notified of Phase I selection status within 90 days of the topic closing date.

Who Should Apply

This topic fits companies with materials science or electronics packaging backgrounds, particularly those with experience in conformal coatings, potting compounds, or connector reinforcement techniques, combined with a research institution partner capable of environmental and mechanical stress testing. Companies coming from ruggedized electronics, aerospace, or marine electronics backgrounds, where connector reliability under harsh conditions is already a familiar problem, have a natural fit. Because this is explicitly framed as a short, narrow concept-merit study rather than a full engineering build, a company with a clear, testable materials or coating innovation is better positioned than one proposing an open-ended research program.

Eligibility and Compliance Notes

As an STTR, this requires a formal partnership with a single Research Institution. Percentage of Work requirements follow the standard DoW STTR calculation and DMEA does not permit deviations. Subcontractor, consultant, and facility lease costs combined may not exceed one third of the total contract price or cost unless separately approved in writing by the Contracting Officer.

Cost sharing is permitted but not required and will not be used as an evaluation factor.

Only unclassified proposals will be accepted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the proposal deadline?
September 23, 2026, submitted electronically through DSIP.

How much funding is available for Phase I?
Up to $100,000 with a maximum period of performance of 3 months, plus up to $6,500 in Technical and Business Assistance funding.

How much funding is available for Phase II?
Up to $1,340,000 with a maximum period of performance of 24 months, plus up to $50,000 in Technical and Business Assistance funding.

Does this require a university or research institution partner?
Yes. As an STTR topic, the small business must formally partner with a single Research Institution to meet program eligibility requirements.

What connector types does the solution need to support?
At minimum, MMCX, SMA, UFL, Panasonic, and Samtec connectors.

What environmental standards does the solution need to pass?
MIL-STD-202 Method 201A for vibration, MIL-STD-202 Method 213B condition B for shock, and MIL-STD-810 Method 501.5 and 503.5 for thermal testing, expanding to additional MIL-STD-810 methods in Phase II.

Is award funding guaranteed for high-quality proposals?
No. DMEA explicitly states that due to limited funding, only proposals considered to be of superior quality will be funded, and Phase II award ability is subject to available funds regardless of merit.

What is the technical volume page limit?
10 pages for Phase I, 40 pages for Phase II.

What happens in Phase III?
The solution could be marketed to other defense contractors, consumer electronics companies, or hobbyist markets, as well as directly to DoD and other government agencies deploying electronics in harsh environments.

DME26BZ05-NV001: Additive Manufacturing for Flexible Electronics

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Quick Answer

The Defense Microelectronics Activity is offering a Phase I SBIR award of up to $200,000 for companies developing additive manufacturing processes that can build radio frequency electronics modules on 3D printed or flexible substrates, as a lower-cost alternative to traditional advanced packaging. This is topic DME26BZ05-NV001 under the DoW FY26 SBIR BAA Release 5. Proposals are due September 23, 2026 through DSIP.

What This Solicitation Is

This is a standard Phase I SBIR topic issued by DMEA rather than a service branch. It falls under the Contested Logistics Technologies critical technology area and Microelectronics component priority area. It carries a projected CMMC Level 1 requirement, notably lower than the CMMC Level 2 (Self) requirement seen on most other topics in this release cycle. Only unclassified proposals will be accepted.

One DMEA-specific detail worth flagging: the Company Commercialization Report, which is typically not considered in evaluations under other components' topics, WILL be considered by DMEA during proposal evaluations for this release. That is a meaningful difference for any client used to CCR being a formality.

What DAF Is Looking For

Nearly every DoW system with electronics needs printed circuit board manufacturing, and today's commercial substrate manufacturing and advanced packaging techniques are expensive with long lead times, which makes them a poor fit for the high mix, low volume production DoW actually needs. DMEA wants to validate additive manufacturing of electronics, essentially 3D printing applied to electronics packaging, as a viable, reliable alternative.

The specific ask is a feasibility study and design of a radio frequency system built using additive manufacturing techniques such as multi-material 3D printing or Flexible Hybrid Electronics interconnect processes. The RF module needs to integrate a variety of surface mount components, including QFN and BGA packages, along with passive resistors, inductors, and capacitors, all built onto an additively fabricated substrate. Once assembled, the module needs to go through reliability testing and demonstrate performance comparable to standard manufacturing processes or sufficient to meet DoW mission needs.

The topic lays out eleven specific target specifications applicants need to design toward: interconnect trace width and pitch width of 5 mil or better, the ability to integrate a 12x12 BGA with 0.5mm ball pitch, printed passive component tolerance of 0.1 percent or better, resistor range from 1 ohm to 10 megohm, capacitor range from 1 picofarad to 1 microfarad, inductor range from 1 picohenry to 100 nanohenry, and thermal survivability at 150°C for 10 hours continuous operation plus storage survivability at 125°C for up to 4 weeks.

DMEA explicitly welcomes multiple incremental feasibility studies rather than requiring one company to solve everything at once, and lists four acceptable goal areas a proposal can target: hybrid electronic manufacturing as an alternative to standard packaging and soldering, additive manufacturing for fine pitch RF tuned circuitry on flexible substrates, printing passive components directly onto flexible substrates, or hybrid circuit design and layout that replicates existing RF module functionality on a flexible substrate. A proposal can focus on just one of these and still be a strong fit, provided the report explains how it could combine with other incremental work toward a holistic manufacturing solution later.

The Phase I deliverable is a feasibility report, not a working prototype. It needs to document the proposed manufacturing process flow with diagrams, bulk material specifications, a cost breakdown compared against existing commercial and research alternatives including any bulk discount price points, and the characterization methodology used to validate the approach. If any of the eleven target specifications can't be fully addressed, the report needs to explain why, and if addressing them is technically possible but not financially practical, that needs to be justified too.

Phase II moves to building, testing, and delivering an actual functional RF system meeting the Phase I specifications, with attention to manufacturing yield and reliability demonstrated across multiple production lots, not just a single best-case sample.

Funding and Timeline

Phase I award maximum is $200,000 with a maximum period of performance of 6 months. The technical volume page limit is 20 pages, and proposals exceeding that will be deemed non-compliant and will not be evaluated.

Phase II, available only to Phase I awardees, has an award maximum of $1,340,000 with a maximum period of performance of 24 months, and a technical volume limit of 40 pages. Phase I awardees can submit a Phase II proposal without invitation up to 60 calendar days after the Phase I contract ends. A Phase II contractor may also receive one sequential Phase II award, though that must be initiated by the government technical point of contact and approved in advance by the DMEA SBIR/STTR Program Manager. DMEA notes that Phase II awards are subject to available funding regardless of proposal quality, and proposals must remain valid for 180 days after submission.

Technical and Business Assistance funding is available at up to $6,500 per Phase I project and up to $50,000 per Phase II project.

Proposals are due September 23, 2026 through DSIP. Firms will be notified of Phase I selection status within 90 days of the topic closing date.

Who Should Apply

This topic fits companies with existing additive manufacturing or 3D printing experience applied to electronics, particularly aerosol jet printing, multi-material printing, or Flexible Hybrid Electronics work, combined with RF or microelectronics packaging knowledge. Companies that have already worked with conductive nanoparticle inks, printed passive components, or ceramic interposer fabrication have a strong head start given how specific the target performance envelope is. Because DMEA explicitly allows incremental, narrowly scoped proposals, this is also approachable for a company strong in just one piece, such as printed passives or fine-pitch interconnects, rather than requiring end-to-end RF module capability out of the gate.

Eligibility and Compliance Notes

Percentage of Work requirements follow the standard DoW solicitation calculation, and DMEA does not permit deviations from those requirements. Subcontractor, consultant, and facility lease costs combined may not exceed one third of the total contract price or cost unless separately approved in writing by the Contracting Officer.

Cost sharing is permitted but not required and will not be used as an evaluation factor.

Only unclassified proposals will be accepted under this topic.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the proposal deadline?
September 23, 2026, submitted electronically through DSIP.

How much funding is available for Phase I?
Up to $200,000 with a maximum period of performance of 6 months, plus up to $6,500 in Technical and Business Assistance funding.

How much funding is available for Phase II?
Up to $1,340,000 with a maximum period of performance of 24 months, plus up to $50,000 in Technical and Business Assistance funding.

Does a proposal need to address all eleven target specifications?
Not necessarily in full working form for Phase I, but the feasibility report must address each one, either demonstrating a path to meeting it or providing justification for why it is not applicable or not financially feasible.

Can multiple companies propose different pieces of this challenge?
Yes. DMEA explicitly states multiple feasibility studies may be appropriate if they address the goals incrementally and could later combine into a holistic manufacturing solution.

What is the CMMC requirement for this topic?
Level 1, which is lower than the Level 2 (Self) requirement seen on most other topics in this release cycle.

Is the Company Commercialization Report considered in evaluation?
Yes, notably. Unlike most other DoW component topics, DMEA states the CCR will be considered during proposal evaluations.

What is the technical volume page limit?
20 pages for Phase I, 40 pages for Phase II.

What happens in Phase III?
The technology could be applied to other DoW and commercial applications wherever additive manufacturing offers a cost, schedule, or performance advantage over traditional methods.

DAF26TZ05-NV005: Real Time Enhanced Fine Tracking in Directed Energy Applications

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Quick Answer

The Department of the Air Force is offering a Phase I STTR award of up to $300,000 for companies developing a real-time 3D imaging and tracking pipeline for the fine track segment of directed energy systems, aimed primarily at counter-drone applications. This is topic DAF26TZ05-NV005 under the DoW FY26 STTR BAA Release 5. As an STTR, this topic requires a formal partnership with a research institution. Proposals are due September 23, 2026 through DSIP.

What This Solicitation Is

This is a Small Business Technology Transfer topic, distinct from a standard SBIR award. STTR requires the small business to formally partner with a single Research Institution, such as a university or federally funded R&D center, for the duration of the project. This is not optional and there are no deviations permitted from the required work split.

The topic falls under the Directed Energy, Trusted AI and Autonomy, and Advanced Computing and Software component priority areas, with Scaled Hypersonics listed as the OUSW critical technology area. It carries a projected CMMC Level 2 (Self) requirement. This topic description does not carry the standard ITAR/EAR restriction language seen elsewhere in this release, but given the directed energy and counter-drone application, applicants should still confirm export control status with the contracting officer.

What DAF Is Looking For

Counter-drone defense is a top priority for the Department of War, and current directed energy tracking relies on 2D imagery that struggles against low-flying targets set against cluttered backgrounds. 2D imaging cannot cleanly separate a target from clutter without extra processing, and coherent illumination introduces its own problems, namely scintillation and speckle noise, that degrade tracking accuracy. These weaknesses hit hardest in the fine track segment of the directed energy kill chain, where tracking loops need to run above 1kHz with very narrow fields of view to keep pace with a changing atmosphere.

AFRL wants to explore 3D imaging, specifically LiDAR or coherent 3D approaches like digital holography, combined with machine-learning-based declutter and image reconstruction, to close this gap. 3D imaging offers three specific advantages the topic calls out: precise range gating that separates a target from cluttered backgrounds, range images that are inherently robust against scintillation and speckle, and the ability to correct phase aberrations caused by aero-optics and turbulence. While the immediate driver is counter-drone defense tied to a recent executive order on missile defense, the underlying technology is also relevant to ballistic, cruise, and hypersonic missile defense more broadly.

Phase I work is organized around three research directions. Basic research covers determining system-level requirements for real-time 3D imaging and tracking, evaluating available motion-compensated 3D imaging techniques and selecting one after a pros and cons analysis, and building an empirical or theoretical signal-to-noise ratio model. Applied research covers maturing 3D tracking algorithms to work across different imaging modalities, determining what specific benefit coherent 3D and 2.5D imaging provide over conventional approaches, and developing software architecture capable of real-time tracking. The Phase I deliverable is a design and hardware specification for a prototype system, plus reports on the comparative strengths and weaknesses of different 3D imaging approaches, not a working hardware prototype itself.

Phase II moves into hardware, building a processor prototype capable of interfacing with real-time closed-loop hardware for aimpoint maintenance and demonstrating it in either a scaled laboratory optical system or an outdoor test range.

Funding and Timeline

Award maximum is $300,000 with a maximum period of performance of 6 months. Proposals exceeding either figure will not be considered. The technical volume page limit is 20 pages.

DAF also provides up to $6,500 in Technical and Business Assistance funding per Phase I award, on top of the cost proposal total.

Proposals are due September 23, 2026 through DSIP. DAF anticipates evaluation and selection within roughly 90 calendar days of solicitation close.

Who Should Apply

This topic fits companies with existing expertise in coherent optical sensing, digital holography, or LiDAR-based 3D imaging, ideally with some background in adaptive optics or image reconstruction through turbulence. Companies with machine-learning-based image restoration experience have an added edge given the topic's explicit interest in combining physics-based and ML-based reconstruction methods. Because this is an STTR, the applicant also needs a research institution partner already lined up or in active discussion, ideally one with relevant optics, photonics, or computational imaging research capability, since that partnership has to be formalized before submission.

Eligibility and Compliance Notes

STTR performance of work requirements are fixed and not open to deviation requests. A minimum of 40 percent of the effort must be performed by the small business, and a minimum of 30 percent must be performed by the single partnering research institution. Only one research institution can be used to satisfy STTR eligibility, though the applicant may hold discussions with multiple qualifying institutions before choosing one.

Unlike the Phase I SBIR topics in this same release cycle, small businesses majority owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds are NOT eligible to submit applications or receive STTR awards under this BAA.

All research and development work must happen in the United States except in rare, specifically approved circumstances requiring written approval from the funding agreement officer at initial submission. Only one principal investigator can be designated per proposal, and their technical resume with publications must be included. An Allocation of Rights Agreement with the research institution partner is also required as part of the cost volume documentation.

DAF runs a foreign risk evaluation and due diligence review on every proposal under 15 U.S.C. 638(vv), covering foreign ownership, financial ties to countries of concern, and listing on federal restricted entity lists.

DAF26TZ05-NV005: Real Time Enhanced Fine Tracking in Directed Energy Applications

Quick Answer

The Department of the Air Force is offering a Phase I STTR award of up to $300,000 for companies developing a real-time 3D imaging and tracking pipeline for the fine track segment of directed energy systems, aimed primarily at counter-drone applications. This is topic DAF26TZ05-NV005 under the DoW FY26 STTR BAA Release 5. As an STTR, this topic requires a formal partnership with a research institution. Proposals are due September 23, 2026 through DSIP.

What This Solicitation Is

This is a Small Business Technology Transfer topic, distinct from a standard SBIR award. STTR requires the small business to formally partner with a single Research Institution, such as a university or federally funded R&D center, for the duration of the project. This is not optional and there are no deviations permitted from the required work split.

The topic falls under the Directed Energy, Trusted AI and Autonomy, and Advanced Computing and Software component priority areas, with Scaled Hypersonics listed as the OUSW critical technology area. It carries a projected CMMC Level 2 (Self) requirement. This topic description does not carry the standard ITAR/EAR restriction language seen elsewhere in this release, but given the directed energy and counter-drone application, applicants should still confirm export control status with the contracting officer.

What DAF Is Looking For

Counter-drone defense is a top priority for the Department of War, and current directed energy tracking relies on 2D imagery that struggles against low-flying targets set against cluttered backgrounds. 2D imaging cannot cleanly separate a target from clutter without extra processing, and coherent illumination introduces its own problems, namely scintillation and speckle noise, that degrade tracking accuracy. These weaknesses hit hardest in the fine track segment of the directed energy kill chain, where tracking loops need to run above 1kHz with very narrow fields of view to keep pace with a changing atmosphere.

AFRL wants to explore 3D imaging, specifically LiDAR or coherent 3D approaches like digital holography, combined with machine-learning-based declutter and image reconstruction, to close this gap. 3D imaging offers three specific advantages the topic calls out: precise range gating that separates a target from cluttered backgrounds, range images that are inherently robust against scintillation and speckle, and the ability to correct phase aberrations caused by aero-optics and turbulence. While the immediate driver is counter-drone defense tied to a recent executive order on missile defense, the underlying technology is also relevant to ballistic, cruise, and hypersonic missile defense more broadly.

Phase I work is organized around three research directions. Basic research covers determining system-level requirements for real-time 3D imaging and tracking, evaluating available motion-compensated 3D imaging techniques and selecting one after a pros and cons analysis, and building an empirical or theoretical signal-to-noise ratio model. Applied research covers maturing 3D tracking algorithms to work across different imaging modalities, determining what specific benefit coherent 3D and 2.5D imaging provide over conventional approaches, and developing software architecture capable of real-time tracking. The Phase I deliverable is a design and hardware specification for a prototype system, plus reports on the comparative strengths and weaknesses of different 3D imaging approaches, not a working hardware prototype itself.

Phase II moves into hardware, building a processor prototype capable of interfacing with real-time closed-loop hardware for aimpoint maintenance and demonstrating it in either a scaled laboratory optical system or an outdoor test range.

Funding and Timeline

Award maximum is $300,000 with a maximum period of performance of 6 months. Proposals exceeding either figure will not be considered. The technical volume page limit is 20 pages.

DAF also provides up to $6,500 in Technical and Business Assistance funding per Phase I award, on top of the cost proposal total.

Proposals are due September 23, 2026 through DSIP. DAF anticipates evaluation and selection within roughly 90 calendar days of solicitation close.

Who Should Apply

This topic fits companies with existing expertise in coherent optical sensing, digital holography, or LiDAR-based 3D imaging, ideally with some background in adaptive optics or image reconstruction through turbulence. Companies with machine-learning-based image restoration experience have an added edge given the topic's explicit interest in combining physics-based and ML-based reconstruction methods. Because this is an STTR, the applicant also needs a research institution partner already lined up or in active discussion, ideally one with relevant optics, photonics, or computational imaging research capability, since that partnership has to be formalized before submission.

Eligibility and Compliance Notes

STTR performance of work requirements are fixed and not open to deviation requests. A minimum of 40 percent of the effort must be performed by the small business, and a minimum of 30 percent must be performed by the single partnering research institution. Only one research institution can be used to satisfy STTR eligibility, though the applicant may hold discussions with multiple qualifying institutions before choosing one.

Unlike the Phase I SBIR topics in this same release cycle, small businesses majority owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds are NOT eligible to submit applications or receive STTR awards under this BAA.

All research and development work must happen in the United States except in rare, specifically approved circumstances requiring written approval from the funding agreement officer at initial submission. Only one principal investigator can be designated per proposal, and their technical resume with publications must be included. An Allocation of Rights Agreement with the research institution partner is also required as part of the cost volume documentation.

DAF runs a foreign risk evaluation and due diligence review on every proposal under 15 U.S.C. 638(vv), covering foreign ownership, financial ties to countries of concern, and listing on federal restricted entity lists.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the proposal deadline?
September 23, 2026, submitted electronically through DSIP.

How much funding is available?
Up to $300,000 for a Phase I award with a maximum period of performance of 6 months, plus up to $6,500 in additional Technical and Business Assistance funding.

Does this require a university or research institution partner?
Yes. As an STTR topic, the small business must partner with a single Research Institution performing at least 30 percent of the effort, while the small business performs at least 40 percent. This split cannot be waived.

Are venture capital or private equity backed companies eligible?
No. Unlike the Phase I SBIR topics released this same cycle, this STTR BAA release excludes small businesses majority owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds.

What is the primary application driving this topic?
Counter-drone defense, specifically enhancing the fine track segment of the directed energy kill chain, though the underlying technology also applies to broader missile defense against ballistic, cruise, and hypersonic threats.

Is a working hardware prototype required for Phase I?
No. Phase I deliverables are a design, algorithms, and hardware specifications for a prototype system, along with basic research findings comparing 3D imaging approaches. The physical prototype comes in Phase II.

What is the page limit for the technical volume?
20 pages.

What happens in Phase III?
Phase III involves completing the real-time computational pipeline and conducting experiments with real-time hardware and existing beam director technology, such as the Beam-Control, Targeting Resource Advanced Integration Lab, to demonstrate coherent 3D imaging as a viable DoD tracking asset for counter-drone kill chains.

DAF26BZ05-NV029: Cost-Effective Composite Joints with Tailorable Performance and Geometry

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Quick Answer

The Department of the Air Force is offering a Phase I SBIR award of up to $300,000 for companies developing scalable, cost-effective carbon fiber composite joint technologies with tailorable geometry for aerospace applications. This is topic DAF26BZ05-NV029 under the DoW FY26 SBIR BAA Release 5. Proposals are due September 23, 2026 through DSIP.

What This Solicitation Is

This is a standard Phase I SBIR topic, meaning applicants are proposing a feasibility study. It falls under the Scaled Hypersonics critical technology area, touching Advanced Materials and Advanced Infrastructure and Advanced Manufacturing as component priority areas. It carries a projected CMMC Level 2 (Self) requirement and is restricted under ITAR and EAR, requiring disclosure of any foreign national involvement.

This topic carries a higher award ceiling and longer duration than the other three Phase I topics in this release.

What DAF Is Looking For

Composite structural joints today force a tradeoff. Back-to-back "L" joints offer customizable geometry but lower mechanical performance, while 3D woven pi-joints offer higher structural integrity but limited design flexibility. Both are expensive and hard to scale for surge manufacturing. DAF wants a new approach to carbon fiber preform architectures and manufacturing processes that breaks that tradeoff, delivering joints that are both tailorable in geometry and strong in performance, at a cost point that supports mass production.

This matters most for Autonomous Collaborative Platforms and other advanced weapons systems, where affordable, high-capability autonomous air vehicles depend on being able to manufacture composite airframes at scale without sacrificing mechanical performance or driving up unit cost.

The proposed work starts at TRL 2, fundamental research into design space and material configurations, and targets TRL 6 by the end of Phase II, meaning validated prototypes demonstrated in a relevant operational environment. Phase I activities include a literature review and trade study benchmarking current composite joint solutions, design and fabrication of initial carbon fiber pi-joint test articles demonstrating novel fiber architectures or manufacturing processes, a preliminary process flow for converting dry fiber preforms into finished composite pi-joints, and a technical feasibility report covering proposed geometries, material configurations, and cost projections.

Phase II expands into optimizing fiber architectures for a broader design space, developing scalable preform manufacturing with advanced resin impregnation techniques, fabricating additional joint specimens for diverse operational scenarios including Autonomous Collaborative Platform applications, mechanical testing to validate performance, and cost models covering both low-rate initial production and high-rate surge production.

Funding and Timeline

Award maximum is $300,000 with a maximum period of performance of 9 months, both higher than the other three Phase I topics in this release. Proposals exceeding either figure will not be considered. The technical volume page limit is 20 pages.

DAF also provides up to $6,500 in Technical and Business Assistance funding per Phase I award, on top of the cost proposal total.

Proposals are due September 23, 2026 through DSIP. DAF anticipates evaluation and selection within roughly 90 calendar days of solicitation close.

Who Should Apply

This topic fits companies with composite materials manufacturing experience, particularly carbon fiber preform design, resin impregnation processes, or 3D weaving techniques for structural joints. Companies with existing aerospace composite manufacturing relationships or experience with automotive composite structures, where similar tradeoffs between cost, geometry, and performance apply, are well positioned. Since this starts at TRL 2, a credible design and manufacturing process concept matters more at this stage than a finished prototype, but real materials engineering depth will differentiate a strong proposal.

Eligibility and Compliance Notes

At least two thirds of the research effort must be performed by the awardee, measured by direct and indirect costs. All research and development work must happen in the United States except in rare, specifically approved circumstances.

Small businesses majority owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds are eligible to submit and receive awards under this Phase I BAA release.

Only one principal investigator can be designated per proposal, and their technical resume with publications must be included.

DAF runs a foreign risk evaluation and due diligence review on every proposal under 15 U.S.C. 638(vv).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the proposal deadline?
September 23, 2026, submitted electronically through DSIP.

How much funding is available?
Up to $300,000 for a Phase I award with a maximum period of performance of 9 months, plus up to $6,500 in additional Technical and Business Assistance funding.

Why does this topic have a higher award ceiling than the other Phase I topics in this release?
The solicitation does not explain the difference, but the scope, spanning literature review, physical test article fabrication, and cost modeling across two production scenarios, is broader than the other three Phase I topics in this release.

What TRL is this starting from and targeting?
TRL 2 at Phase I start, targeting TRL 6 by the end of Phase II.

Are venture capital or private equity backed companies eligible?
Yes. This Phase I BAA release does not exclude VC, hedge fund, or private equity owned small businesses.

What is the page limit for the technical volume?
20 pages.

Is this topic export controlled?
Yes. It is restricted under both ITAR and the Export Administration Regulations, with disclosure required for any foreign national involvement.

What happens in Phase III?
Phase III advances the composite joint technology for military Autonomous Collaborative Platform airframes and advanced weapons systems, with commercial crossover into automotive and aerospace industries, focusing on preform optimization and surge production cost reduction.

DAF26BZ05-NV028: Ultra-Sensitive Quantum Telemetry Receiver

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Quick Answer

The Department of the Air Force is offering a Phase I SBIR award of up to $250,000 for companies investigating quantum sensing technology, specifically Rydberg atomic sensors, to build an ultra-sensitive telemetry receiver that outperforms classical receivers by orders of magnitude. This is topic DAF26BZ05-NV028 under the DoW FY26 SBIR BAA Release 5. Proposals are due September 23, 2026 through DSIP.

What This Solicitation Is

This is a standard Phase I SBIR topic, meaning applicants are proposing a feasibility study. It falls under the Quantum and Battlefield Information Dominance critical technology area, spanning Trusted AI and Autonomy, Quantum Science, and Integrated Network System-of-Systems as component priority areas. It carries a projected CMMC Level 2 (Self) requirement. This topic description does not carry the standard ITAR/EAR restriction language found on other topics in this release, though applicants should confirm export control applicability given the quantum sensing and DoD telemetry application space.

What DAF Is Looking For

FCC spectrum auctioning to private cellular carriers has squeezed the frequency bands available for DoD telemetry, particularly within the Major Range Test and Facility Base infrastructure. Classical telemetry receivers are limited in bandwidth, sensitivity, and adaptability to shifting spectrum availability. DAF wants to explore whether quantum sensing, specifically Rydberg atomic sensors, can leapfrog those limitations given their extreme sensitivity and intrinsic wide-band frequency operation that does not depend on traditional licensed bands.

The desired end state, several phases out, is a validated prototype quantum telemetry receiver that beats classical systems on signal-to-noise ratio, operational bandwidth, and environmental adaptability, ultimately reducing dependence on costly leased spectrum and integrating with the Advanced Battle Management System and Joint All-Domain Command and Control architecture.

Phase I starts at TRL 2, meaning a technology concept has been formulated but not yet validated, and Phase I work is exploratory: defining key performance parameters around sensitivity, bandwidth, noise mitigation, and signal fidelity, evaluating candidate quantum component technologies like Rydberg sensors, building models and simulations to predict performance in contested electromagnetic environments, and running initial lab experiments to benchmark against classical systems. Minimum Phase I deliverables are a technical report, a performance comparison against baseline classical telemetry, and a preliminary design concept scalable toward Phase II prototyping.

Phase II moves to fabricating an actual prototype receiver, validation testing in high-congestion and broadband scenarios, and integration into an ABMS-compatible architecture, targeting TRL 6 by the end of Phase II, meaning a system or subsystem prototype demonstrated in a relevant environment.

Funding and Timeline

Award maximum is $250,000 with a maximum period of performance of 6 months. Proposals exceeding either figure will not be considered. The technical volume page limit is 20 pages.

DAF also provides up to $6,500 in Technical and Business Assistance funding per Phase I award, on top of the cost proposal total.

Proposals are due September 23, 2026 through DSIP. DAF anticipates evaluation and selection within roughly 90 calendar days of solicitation close.

Who Should Apply

This topic fits companies with existing quantum sensing research, particularly Rydberg atom-based sensing, or strong RF and telemetry engineering backgrounds looking to bring a quantum angle to a defense telemetry problem. Given the TRL 2 starting point, this is genuinely early-stage research, so a company with a credible quantum physics research team and some prior modeling or lab bench work in atomic sensing will be far more competitive than one starting from a purely conceptual position.

Eligibility and Compliance Notes

At least two thirds of the research effort must be performed by the awardee, measured by direct and indirect costs. All research and development work must happen in the United States except in rare, specifically approved circumstances.

Small businesses majority owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds are eligible to submit and receive awards under this Phase I BAA release.

Only one principal investigator can be designated per proposal, and their technical resume with publications must be included.

DAF runs a foreign risk evaluation and due diligence review on every proposal under 15 U.S.C. 638(vv).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the proposal deadline?
September 23, 2026, submitted electronically through DSIP.

How much funding is available?
Up to $250,000 for a Phase I award with a maximum period of performance of 6 months, plus up to $6,500 in additional Technical and Business Assistance funding.

What TRL is this starting from and targeting?
TRL 2 at Phase I start, targeting TRL 6 by the end of Phase II.

What specific quantum sensor technology does DAF want explored?
Rydberg atomic sensors are specifically named as the primary technology of interest.

Are venture capital or private equity backed companies eligible?
Yes. This Phase I BAA release does not exclude VC, hedge fund, or private equity owned small businesses.

What is the page limit for the technical volume?
20 pages.

How does this connect to other Air Force modernization priorities?
The end goal aligns with Advanced Battle Management System integration and the Joint All-Domain Command and Control architecture.

What happens in Phase III?
Phase III focuses on turning the prototype into a practical, cost-effective commercial product, integrating with existing secure communication channels, and establishing manufacturing and certification infrastructure.

DAF26BZ05-NV027: Integrating Neural Architectures for Brain-Inspired AI with Low SWAP

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Quick Answer

The Department of the Air Force is offering a Phase I SBIR award of up to $250,000 for companies developing brain-inspired AI architectures that combine multiple neural network types into a single low SWAP system. This is topic DAF26BZ05-NV027 under the DoW FY26 SBIR BAA Release 5. Proposals are due September 23, 2026 through DSIP.

What This Solicitation Is

This is a standard Phase I SBIR topic, meaning applicants are proposing a feasibility study. It falls under the Applied Artificial Intelligence critical technology area, spanning an unusually broad set of component priority areas: Trusted AI and Autonomy, Advanced Computing and Software, Quantum Science, Space Technology, Integrated Sensing and Cyber, and Microelectronics. It carries a projected CMMC Level 2 (Self) requirement. This topic description does not carry the standard ITAR/EAR restriction language found on other topics in this release, though applicants should still confirm export control applicability with the contracting officer given the DoD application space.

What DAF Is Looking For

Today's AI systems mostly rely on a single, monolithic neural network architecture. DAF wants research that instead combines multiple neural network paradigms, things like convolutional networks, recurrent networks, transformers, spiking neural networks, and other biologically-inspired models, into one unified system modeled loosely on how the human neocortex organizes cognitive processing.

The goal is a system that emulates properties like hierarchical organization, contextual attention, working memory, and decision-making under uncertainty, while achieving low Size, Weight, and Power so it can run on resource-constrained platforms like wearables, drones, or autonomous vehicles. DAF wants to see the resulting system outperform state-of-the-art single-architecture approaches on cognitive tasks such as object recognition, natural language processing, or spatial reasoning.

Phase I work centers on a literature review of existing integration strategies, a conceptual design for the neocortex-inspired integrated architecture, feasibility demonstration of key components through simulation or small-scale prototypes, and identification of candidate low SWAP hardware approaches such as neuromorphic computing or spiking neural networks.

Phase II moves to a fully functional prototype, extensive testing against relevant DoD tasks and benchmarks, and hardware and software optimization to minimize SWAP while preserving performance. Phase III targets TRL 6 entry, aimed at autonomous systems for both military use, specifically tactical air dominance and Advanced Battle Management System applications, and commercial robotics and healthcare applications.

Funding and Timeline

Award maximum is $250,000 with a maximum period of performance of 6 months. Proposals exceeding either figure will not be considered. The technical volume page limit is 20 pages.

DAF also provides up to $6,500 in Technical and Business Assistance funding per Phase I award, on top of the cost proposal total.

Proposals are due September 23, 2026 through DSIP. DAF anticipates evaluation and selection within roughly 90 calendar days of solicitation close.

Who Should Apply

This topic fits companies with deep neural network research experience across multiple architecture types, ideally with some background in neuromorphic computing or spiking neural networks specifically, since those are called out as candidate low SWAP hardware directions. Companies coming from a computational neuroscience or cognitive architecture background have a natural edge given the neocortex-inspired framing. This is fundamental research at an early TRL, so a strong conceptual design and simulation-level proof of feasibility matters more than working hardware at this stage.

Eligibility and Compliance Notes

At least two thirds of the research effort must be performed by the awardee, measured by direct and indirect costs. All research and development work must happen in the United States except in rare, specifically approved circumstances.

Small businesses majority owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds are eligible to submit and receive awards under this Phase I BAA release.

Only one principal investigator can be designated per proposal, and their technical resume with publications must be included.

DAF runs a foreign risk evaluation and due diligence review on every proposal under 15 U.S.C. 638(vv).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the proposal deadline?
September 23, 2026, submitted electronically through DSIP.

How much funding is available?
Up to $250,000 for a Phase I award with a maximum period of performance of 6 months, plus up to $6,500 in additional Technical and Business Assistance funding.

What TRL does Phase III begin at?
TRL 6, targeting tactical air dominance and Advanced Battle Management System applications.

Are venture capital or private equity backed companies eligible?
Yes. This Phase I BAA release does not exclude VC, hedge fund, or private equity owned small businesses.

What is the page limit for the technical volume?
20 pages.

What hardware approaches are called out as candidates for low SWAP?
Neuromorphic computing and spiking neural networks are specifically mentioned as directions to define in Phase I.

What happens in Phase III?
Transition planning involves coordination with AFRL/RI and potential engagement with DAF customers, targeting both military autonomous systems applications and commercial robotics and healthcare applications.

DAF26BZ05-NV026: Automated Lethality

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Quick Answer

The Department of the Air Force is offering a Phase I SBIR award of up to $250,000 for companies developing a small footprint software stack that automates target modeling and lethality simulation for embedded weapons applications. This is topic DAF26BZ05-NV026 under the DoW FY26 SBIR BAA Release 5. Proposals are due September 23, 2026 through DSIP.

What This Solicitation Is

This is a standard Phase I SBIR topic, meaning applicants are proposing a feasibility study rather than a mature, already-demonstrated capability. It falls under the Applied Artificial Intelligence critical technology area, touching Trusted AI and Autonomy and Advanced Computing and Software as component priority areas. It carries a projected CMMC Level 2 (Self) requirement and is restricted under ITAR and EAR, requiring disclosure of any foreign national involvement.

What DAF Is Looking For

DAF wants to automate the weaponeering process, which today relies heavily on manual analysis, by building a full software stack that can run on embedded hardware. The stack needs to automate three things: generating target structure models directly from imagery and other visual inputs, calculating probability of kill, and quantifying uncertainty in that calculation.

The target model generation piece is specific. The software should determine structure type, structural layout, and the sizing of structural members from visual input alone, without a human building that model by hand. Once the target structure exists, the software needs to calculate probability of kill and then work out optimal engagement scenarios, all in an automated, fast-running way. The entire stack needs a small enough footprint to be embedded directly in hardware, not run on a server or ground station.

Phase I is meant to prove feasibility on three fronts: automated generation of building structure targets including layout and structural component detail, automated lethality simulation using a small footprint fast-running stack, and a concept for how the full stack would actually be embedded in hardware. Entry TRL for Phase II is expected to be TRL 2, exiting Phase II at TRL 3-4, which tells you this stays fairly early stage even after two phases.

Phase II involves two demonstrations: a laboratory digital environment test using simulated seeker or sensor inputs, followed by hardware-in-the-loop testing where the stack is integrated with an actual weapons seeker to identify deficiencies.

Funding and Timeline

Award maximum is $250,000 with a maximum period of performance of 6 months. Proposals exceeding either figure will not be considered. The technical volume page limit is 20 pages.

DAF also provides up to $6,500 in Technical and Business Assistance funding per Phase I award, on top of the cost proposal total.

Proposals are due September 23, 2026 through DSIP. DAF anticipates evaluation and selection within roughly 90 calendar days of solicitation close.

Who Should Apply

This topic fits companies with existing machine learning and computer vision experience, particularly in structural or object detection from imagery, combined with some exposure to weaponeering, ballistics, or lethality modeling. Companies with embedded software or edge deployment experience have an advantage given the small footprint requirement. This is an early TRL effort, so a working prototype is not required at the Phase I stage, but a credible technical approach and relevant prior work in either computer vision or lethality modeling will strengthen a proposal.

Eligibility and Compliance Notes

At least two thirds of the research effort must be performed by the awardee, measured by direct and indirect costs. All research and development work must happen in the United States except in rare, specifically approved circumstances.

Unlike the D2P2 BAA release, small businesses majority owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds ARE eligible to submit and receive awards under this Phase I BAA release.

Only one principal investigator can be designated per proposal, and their technical resume with publications must be included.

DAF runs a foreign risk evaluation and due diligence review on every proposal under 15 U.S.C. 638(vv), covering foreign ownership, financial ties to countries of concern, and listing on federal restricted entity lists.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the proposal deadline?
September 23, 2026, submitted electronically through DSIP.

How much funding is available?
Up to $250,000 for a Phase I award with a maximum period of performance of 6 months, plus up to $6,500 in additional Technical and Business Assistance funding.

What TRL is expected at Phase II exit?
Entry TRL 2, exiting Phase II at TRL 3-4.

Are venture capital or private equity backed companies eligible?
Yes. This Phase I BAA release does not exclude VC, hedge fund, or private equity owned small businesses.

What is the page limit for the technical volume?
20 pages.

Is this topic export controlled?
Yes. It is restricted under both ITAR and the Export Administration Regulations, with disclosure required for any foreign national involvement.

What happens in Phase III?
Phase III focuses on shrinking the software footprint further for embedding in operational weaponeering hardware, expanding to maritime and mobile targets, and integrating with Software Enabled Weapon applications for a full system demonstration against a near-peer target set.

DAF26BZ05-DV033: Dynamic Open Systems Enclave

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Quick Answer

The Department of the Air Force is offering a Direct-to-Phase-II SBIR award of up to $2,000,000 for companies that can build a real-time data integration toolkit giving fighter pilots a single, tailored common operating picture without increasing cognitive load. This is topic DAF26BZ05-DV033 under the DoW FY26 SBIR BAA Release 5. There is no Phase I award for this topic. Proposals are due September 23, 2026 through DSIP.

What This Solicitation Is

This is a Direct-to-Phase-II topic, meaning there is no separate Phase I contract. Applicants must already have a proof-of-concept and supporting evidence, such as prior demonstrations, analogous integration efforts, or past performance records, documented as part of the Phase II submission.

The topic falls under the Quantum and Battlefield Information Dominance critical technology area and the Integrated Network System-of-Systems component priority area. It carries a projected CMMC Level 2 (Self) requirement and is restricted under ITAR and EAR, requiring disclosure of any foreign national involvement.

What DAF Is Looking For

This topic is distinct from the F-16 and F-35 weapons integration topics in this same release. Rather than munitions integration, it targets the sensor-to-pilot data pipeline itself. As more aircraft systems gain connectivity, the volume of battlefield data has become overwhelming, degrading pilot situational awareness through sheer noise. The existing sensor-to-sensor process is slow, manual, and hampered by unreliable data links and difficult edge processing.

DAF wants a host platform agnostic software and hardware toolkit that securely integrates large amounts of information from multiple data sources into a single, tailored, real-time common operating picture, described in the topic as getting the "Right Data to the Right Shooter, Right Now." The toolkit needs to support entirely new capabilities such as cognitive electronic warfare, Manned-Unmanned Teaming, and Beyond Line of Sight communications, all without increasing pilot cognitive load.

Minimum deliverables include an open-architecture, high-speed computing enclave that rapidly augments fielded aircraft with next-generation sensor and data processing capability, a hardware-agnostic mesh network built on software-defined radio that works with existing hardware, onboard edge processing that autonomously identifies, processes, and filters data so only relevant information moves forward, and an automated data pipeline that ties the mesh network and edge processing together to meaningfully speed up the decision-making cycle.

Beyond the toolkit itself, applicants need to document the proposed architecture and engineering approach, how the solution interfaces with legacy platforms and existing mission systems, how the architecture extends to additional data networks and mission applications with limited rework, measured performance data covering interoperability, latency, and reliability, a realistic development and demonstration schedule with milestones and risk registers, and evidence the solution could be adopted across multiple aircraft platforms and mission sets.

Funding and Timeline

Award maximum is $2,000,000 with a maximum period of performance of 24 months. Proposals exceeding either figure will not be considered. The technical volume page limit is 35 pages.

DAF also provides up to $50,000 in Technical and Business Assistance funding per Phase II award, splittable 50/50 across a first and sequential award, contingent on a fully detailed request covering the provider, qualifications, tasks, and cost.

Proposals are due September 23, 2026 through DSIP. DAF anticipates evaluation and selection within roughly 90 calendar days of solicitation close.

Who Should Apply

This topic fits companies with strengths in edge computing, sensor fusion, mesh networking, or software-defined radio, particularly those with experience building data pipeline, situational awareness, or common operating picture tools for defense or aerospace customers. Because the effort is software and hardware toolkit-focused rather than physical weapons integration, companies coming from a data systems or C4ISR background are a stronger fit than traditional hardware integrators.

Eligibility and Compliance Notes

At least two thirds of the research effort must be performed by the awardee, measured by direct and indirect costs. All research and development work must happen in the United States except in rare, specifically approved circumstances.

Small businesses majority owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds are not eligible under this BAA release.

The principal investigator's primary employment must be with the applicant company at time of award and throughout the period of performance. Only one PI can be designated per proposal.

DAF runs a foreign risk evaluation and due diligence review on every proposal under 15 U.S.C. 638(vv), covering foreign ownership, financial ties to countries of concern, and listing on federal restricted entity lists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a Phase I award for this topic?
No. This is a Direct-to-Phase-II topic. Applicants must demonstrate Phase I-type feasibility through a proof-of-concept supported by prior demonstrations or comparable program outcomes.

What is the proposal deadline?
September 23, 2026, submitted electronically through DSIP.

How much funding is available?
Up to $2,000,000 for a Phase II award with a maximum period of performance of 24 months, plus up to $50,000 in additional Technical and Business Assistance funding.

How is this different from the F-16 and F-35 weapons integration topics in this same release?
This topic focuses on real-time data integration and pilot user experience, not munitions or weapons integration. It targets the sensor-to-pilot data pipeline rather than the physical weapons architecture.

What are the minimum required deliverables?
An open-architecture high-speed computing enclave, a hardware-agnostic mesh network using software-defined radio, onboard autonomous edge processing, and an automated data pipeline connecting the two.

Is this topic export controlled?
Yes. It is restricted under both ITAR and the Export Administration Regulations, with disclosure required for any foreign national involvement.

What is the page limit for the technical volume?
35 pages.

Are venture capital or private equity backed companies eligible?
No. This BAA release excludes small businesses majority owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds.

What happens in Phase III?
The goal is to become part of the F-16 Open System Enclave "Open Viper" baseline, funded through USAF procurement or NGREA funds, then transition to Active Duty F-16s and potentially F-15EX and F-35 Open System Enclaves.

DAF26BZ05-DV032: F-35 Agnostic Rapid Weapons Integration

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Quick Answer

The Department of the Air Force is offering a Direct-to-Phase-II SBIR award of up to $2,000,000 for companies that can build a modular, scalable weapons integration architecture for the F-35 that cuts integration timelines from years down to months or days. This is topic DAF26BZ05-DV032 under the DoW FY26 SBIR BAA Release 5. There is no Phase I award for this topic. Proposals are due September 23, 2026 through DSIP.

What This Solicitation Is

This is a Direct-to-Phase-II topic, meaning there is no separate Phase I contract. Applicants must already have a credible technical pathway to prototype, integrate, validate, and transition the capability, supported by prior demonstrations, analogous integration efforts, or past performance records, documented as part of the Phase II submission.

The topic falls under the Quantum and Battlefield Information Dominance critical technology area and the Integrated Network System-of-Systems component priority area. It carries a projected CMMC Level 2 (Self) requirement and is restricted under ITAR and EAR, requiring disclosure of any foreign national involvement.

What DAF Is Looking For

The Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Component F-35 fleet needs a way to integrate new weapons or software updates without coding, testing, and fielding entirely new operational flight programs. The fleet also needs hardware solutions that increase weapons carrying capacity to generate maximum mission effects. Both external and internal fires infrastructure need to be purchased and integrated to allow additional kinetic and non-kinetic fires options. The immediate, urgent driver is integrating an Extended Range Attack Munition on the Air National Guard's F-35 aircraft. The F-35 currently runs out of fires options quickly, after which mission capability drops sharply, and future operational flight program divergence across different aircraft blocks adds further pressure for a flexible fires solution.

Like the companion F-16 topic, this is an architecture and integration capability effort built on the Open Systems Enclave framework, not a munitions development effort. The long-term owner is the F-35 program office under PEO Fighters, and the Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Component Test Center has committed to conducting the operational test and evaluation.

The starting technology readiness level is TRL 6-7, advancing to a target of TRL 8-9 by the end of Phase II, meaning DAF expects a mature, already-demonstrated capability rather than an early concept. Deliverables include a demonstrated hardware and software solution on the ANG F-35, detailed architecture and engineering documentation, integration feasibility documentation describing interfaces with legacy platforms and mission systems, documentation showing extension to additional munitions and platform variants, measured performance data, a realistic milestone schedule with risk registers, and evidence the solution could be adopted by Active Duty F-35s and other Combat Air Forces OSE platforms.

Funding and Timeline

Award maximum is $2,000,000 with a maximum period of performance of 24 months. Proposals exceeding either figure will not be considered. The technical volume page limit is 35 pages.

DAF also provides up to $50,000 in Technical and Business Assistance funding per Phase II award, splittable 50/50 across a first and sequential award, contingent on a fully detailed request covering the provider, qualifications, tasks, and cost.

Proposals are due September 23, 2026 through DSIP. DAF anticipates evaluation and selection within roughly 90 calendar days of solicitation close.

Who Should Apply

This topic fits companies with existing avionics integration, mission systems, or open architecture software experience, ideally with direct prior work on F-35 systems, OSE-type platforms, or comparable 5th generation aircraft integration programs. Because the starting TRL is already 6-7, applicants need real past performance evidence to be competitive, not just a concept.

Eligibility and Compliance Notes

At least two thirds of the research effort must be performed by the awardee, measured by direct and indirect costs. All research and development work must happen in the United States except in rare, specifically approved circumstances.

Small businesses majority owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds are not eligible under this BAA release.

The principal investigator's primary employment must be with the applicant company at time of award and throughout the period of performance. Only one PI can be designated per proposal.

DAF runs a foreign risk evaluation and due diligence review on every proposal under 15 U.S.C. 638(vv), covering foreign ownership, financial ties to countries of concern, and listing on federal restricted entity lists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a Phase I award for this topic?
No. This is a Direct-to-Phase-II topic. Applicants must demonstrate feasibility through a clear technical pathway supported by prior demonstrations, analogous integration efforts, or comparable program outcomes.

What is the proposal deadline?
September 23, 2026, submitted electronically through DSIP.

How much funding is available?
Up to $2,000,000 for a Phase II award with a maximum period of performance of 24 months, plus up to $50,000 in additional Technical and Business Assistance funding.

Does this effort involve developing the munitions themselves?
No. This effort is focused on the integration architecture and fires infrastructure, not munitions acquisition or development.

What TRL is expected at the start and end of the project?
Starting TRL is 6-7, advancing to a target of TRL 8-9 by the end of Phase II.

Is there already a committed test partner?
Yes. The Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Command Test Center has committed to conducting the operational test and evaluation.

Is this topic export controlled?
Yes. It is restricted under both ITAR and the Export Administration Regulations, with disclosure required for any foreign national involvement.

What is the page limit for the technical volume?
35 pages.

Are venture capital or private equity backed companies eligible?
No. This BAA release excludes small businesses majority owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds.

What happens in Phase III?
The goal is to become part of the F-35 Open System Enclave baseline, funded through USAF procurement or NGREA funds, then scale to Active Duty F-35s and other Combat Air Forces platforms.

DAF26BZ05-DV031: F-16 Agnostic Rapid Weapons Integration

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Quick Answer

The Department of the Air Force is offering a Direct-to-Phase-II SBIR award of up to $2,000,000 for companies that can build a modular, scalable weapons integration architecture for the F-16 that cuts integration timelines from years down to months or days. This is topic DAF26BZ05-DV031 under the DoW FY26 SBIR BAA Release 5. There is no Phase I award for this topic. Proposals are due September 23, 2026 through DSIP.

What This Solicitation Is

This is a Direct-to-Phase-II topic, meaning there is no separate Phase I contract. Applicants must already have a credible technical pathway and supporting evidence, such as prior demonstrations, analogous integration efforts, or past performance records, and document that as part of the Phase II submission.

The topic falls under the Quantum and Battlefield Information Dominance critical technology area and the Integrated Network System-of-Systems component priority area. It carries a projected CMMC Level 2 (Self) requirement and is restricted under ITAR and EAR, requiring disclosure of any foreign national involvement.

What DAF Is Looking For

The Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command need a way to integrate new weapons or weapons software updates onto the F-16 without coding, testing, and fielding an entirely new aircraft operational flight program, a process that currently takes two to three years. The immediate, urgent driver is integrating an Extended Range Attack Munition on the Air National Guard's F-16 Block 30 aircraft. The Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Component Test Center has already committed to conducting the operational test and evaluation for this effort, which meaningfully increases the odds of an eventual fielding decision compared to most other SBIR pathways.

This is explicitly not a munitions acquisition or integration effort. It is an architecture and integration capability effort, built on the Open Systems Enclave (OSE) framework, that enables rapid future integration of a broader range of munitions through open, modular, standards-based interfaces. The long-term owner is the F-16 program office under PEO Fighters, and the long-term plan is to scale the architecture to Active Duty F-16s and other Combat Air Forces OSE platforms.

The starting technology readiness level is TRL 6-7, and the target by the end of Phase II is TRL 8-9. That is a mature starting point, meaning DAF expects applicants to already have a working, demonstrated capability, not an early concept. Deliverables include a demonstrated hardware and software solution on the ANG F-16 Block 30, detailed architecture and engineering documentation, integration description showing how the solution interfaces with legacy platforms and existing mission systems, scalability documentation showing extension to additional munitions and platforms, measured performance data including interoperability and latency results, a realistic milestone-based schedule with risk registers, and evidence the solution could be adopted by Active Duty F-16s and other Combat Air Forces OSE platforms.

Funding and Timeline

Award maximum is $2,000,000 with a maximum period of performance of 24 months. Proposals exceeding either figure will not be considered. The technical volume page limit is 35 pages.

DAF also provides up to $50,000 in Technical and Business Assistance funding per Phase II award, splittable 50/50 across a first and sequential award, contingent on a fully detailed request covering the provider, qualifications, tasks, and cost.

Proposals are due September 23, 2026 through DSIP. DAF anticipates evaluation and selection within roughly 90 calendar days of solicitation close.

Who Should Apply

This topic fits companies with existing avionics integration, mission systems, or open architecture software experience, ideally with direct prior work on F-16 systems, OSE-type platforms, or comparable aircraft integration programs. Because the starting TRL is already 6-7, applicants need real past performance evidence, not just a concept, to be competitive. Companies without a demonstrated integration track record on similar systems will have a hard time meeting the feasibility bar.

Eligibility and Compliance Notes

At least two thirds of the research effort must be performed by the awardee, measured by direct and indirect costs. All research and development work must happen in the United States except in rare, specifically approved circumstances.

Small businesses majority owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds are not eligible under this BAA release.

The principal investigator's primary employment must be with the applicant company at time of award and throughout the period of performance. Only one PI can be designated per proposal.

DAF runs a foreign risk evaluation and due diligence review on every proposal under 15 U.S.C. 638(vv), covering foreign ownership, financial ties to countries of concern, and listing on federal restricted entity lists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a Phase I award for this topic?
No. This is a Direct-to-Phase-II topic. Applicants must demonstrate Phase I-type feasibility through prior demonstrations, analogous integration efforts, or comparable program outcomes.

What is the proposal deadline?
September 23, 2026, submitted electronically through DSIP.

How much funding is available?
Up to $2,000,000 for a Phase II award with a maximum period of performance of 24 months, plus up to $50,000 in additional Technical and Business Assistance funding.

Does this effort involve developing the munitions themselves?
No. This effort is focused solely on the integration architecture. The acquisition or integration of the munition itself is not part of this topic.

What TRL is expected at the start and end of the project?
Starting TRL is 6-7, advancing to a target of TRL 8-9 by the end of Phase II.

Is there already a committed test partner?
Yes. The Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Component Test Center has committed to conducting the operational test and evaluation.

Is this topic export controlled?
Yes. It is restricted under both ITAR and the Export Administration Regulations, with disclosure required for any foreign national involvement.

What is the page limit for the technical volume?
35 pages.

Are venture capital or private equity backed companies eligible?
No. This BAA release excludes small businesses majority owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds.

What happens in Phase III?
The goal is to become part of the F-16 Open System Enclave "Open Viper" baseline, funded through USAF procurement or NGREA funds, then scale to Active Duty F-16s and potentially F-15EX and other Combat Air Forces platforms.

DAF26BZ05-DV030: High Temp Semiconductor Transistors for Hot DoW Environments and Electronic Warfare

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Quick Answer

The Department of the Air Force is offering a Direct-to-Phase-II SBIR award of up to $2,000,000 for companies developing semiconductor transistors that can operate reliably at 500°C or higher for defense hot environments and electronic warfare applications. This is topic DAF26BZ05-DV030 under the DoW FY26 SBIR BAA Release 5. There is no Phase I award for this topic. Proposals are due September 23, 2026 through DSIP.

What This Solicitation Is

This is a Direct-to-Phase-II (D2P2) topic, meaning the government skips Phase I entirely and moves straight to Phase II funding under 15 U.S.C. 638(cc). Applicants must already have completed feasibility work on their own, using resources other than federal SBIR or STTR funding, and document that work as part of the Phase II proposal.

The topic falls under the Scaled Hypersonics critical technology area and touches Hypersonics, Microelectronics, Advanced Materials, Directed Energy, and Advanced Computing and Software as component priority areas. It carries a projected CMMC Level 2 (Self) cybersecurity requirement and is restricted under ITAR and EAR export control regulations, so any use of foreign nationals must be disclosed in detail.

What DAF Is Looking For

Today's commercial-off-the-shelf electronics cap out around 250°C, with limited transistor count and performance. Military systems increasingly generate and operate under heat loads that exceed that ceiling, both from the environment and from waste heat generated inside platforms. DAF wants semiconductor device and circuit solutions that push operation up to 500°C or higher to close that gap.

Applicants need a clearly identified DoW hot environment or electronic warfare application with a credible transition path into the microelectronics defense industrial base. DAF has a stated preference for solutions that target an electronic warfare application while using underlying device and circuit technology adaptable to a broader set of DoW high temperature needs, so companies with a flexible platform rather than a single-use design have an edge.

The technical work spans circuit design, semiconductor device design, fabrication, and device characterization. Circuit design needs to derive device performance metrics from 100 to 1,000 transistor count building blocks that scale toward future integrated circuits in the 5,000 to 100,000 transistor range. The desired operating temperature is 500°C or above, with a minimum operating frequency of 1MHz and a target of 10MHz, higher preferred. Solutions that realize complementary transistor circuit topologies, meaning two transistor types with opposite threshold voltage polarity and carrier type, are preferred since that supports standard industry circuit design practices.

Device failure analysis matters here too. DAF wants to see structural, chemical, and electrical characterization work, such as cross-sectional SEM imaging, spatially resolved energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, or temperature-soak in-situ electrical testing, though these are examples rather than strict requirements. Applicants should propose and justify whatever specific techniques fit their approach.

The proposed technology should sit at TRL 3 at the start of the project, meaning analytical and experimental proof-of-concept has already been demonstrated in prior work, and reach TRL 5 by the end of Phase II, meaning component validation in a relevant environment through actual high temperature device testing.

Funding and Timeline

Award maximum is $2,000,000 with a maximum period of performance of 24 months. Proposals exceeding either figure will not be considered. The technical volume page limit is 35 pages.

On top of the award, DAF provides up to $50,000 in Technical and Business Assistance funding per Phase II award, splittable 50/50 across a first and sequential award. Any TABA request needs a full written breakdown of the provider, their qualifications, tasks, and cost. A bare dollar figure in the cost volume without that detail will not be considered.

Proposals are due September 23, 2026 through DSIP. DAF anticipates evaluation and selection within roughly 90 calendar days of solicitation close.

Who Should Apply

This topic fits companies with real bench-level or experimentally benchmarked modeling data on high temperature semiconductor devices, ideally with wide bandgap material experience such as silicon carbide or gallium nitride, who already have a specific DoW hot environment or electronic warfare application identified and a named or credible transition partner. Early-stage material science work without device-level performance data will struggle to meet the feasibility bar, since there is no Phase I runway to develop that evidence within this mechanism.

Eligibility and Compliance Notes

At least two thirds of the research effort must be performed by the awardee, measured by direct and indirect costs. All research and development work must happen in the United States, with rare exceptions requiring written approval from the funding agreement officer at the time of initial submission.

Small businesses majority owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds are not eligible to submit or receive awards under this BAA release.

The principal investigator's primary employment must be with the applicant company at time of award and throughout the period of performance, meaning more than half their working time. Only one PI can be designated per proposal.

DAF also runs a foreign risk evaluation and due diligence review on every proposal under 15 U.S.C. 638(vv), covering foreign ownership, financial ties to countries of concern, and listing on a range of federal restricted entity lists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a Phase I award for this topic?
No. This is a Direct-to-Phase-II topic. Applicants must independently complete and document a Phase I-type feasibility effort before submitting the Phase II proposal.

What is the proposal deadline?
September 23, 2026, submitted electronically through DSIP.

How much funding is available?
Up to $2,000,000 for a Phase II award with a maximum period of performance of 24 months, plus up to $50,000 in additional Technical and Business Assistance funding.

What operating temperature and frequency does DAF require?
Operation at or above 500°C with a minimum frequency of 1MHz and a target of 10MHz at temperature, higher frequency preferred.

What TRL is expected at the start and end of the project?
TRL 3 at the start, meaning proof-of-concept already demonstrated in past work, advancing to TRL 5 by the end of Phase II, meaning component validation in a relevant environment.

Can feasibility work from a prior SBIR or STTR contract count?
No. Feasibility documentation cannot be based on or logically extend from any prior or ongoing federally funded SBIR or STTR work.

Is this topic export controlled?
Yes. It is restricted under both ITAR and the Export Administration Regulations, with disclosure required for any foreign national involvement.

What is the page limit for the technical volume?
35 pages.

Are venture capital or private equity backed companies eligible?
No. This BAA release excludes small businesses majority owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds.

What happens in Phase III?
Phase III would advance the technology to TRL 6 or higher by fabricating a high temperature application specific integrated circuit or microcontroller for a clearly identified DoW application, potentially integrated into a subsystem for further testing. Commercial crossover applications include automotive, aerospace, and oil and gas drilling.