Department of War SBIR/STTR FY27 Release 1 Topics
Quick Answer
Department of War SBIR/STTR FY27 Release 1 pre-released on October 7, 2026, opens for proposal submissions on October 28, 2026, and closes on November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET. Release 1 includes 25 topics: 16 from the Department of the Air Force (13 SBIR and 3 STTR), 6 from the Navy, 2 from the Office of the Secretary of War, and 1 Army topic tied to an xTech competition. It is the first release under the DoW FY27 SBIR and STTR Broad Agency Announcements and the FY27 SBIR Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO), which continue the monthly pre-release rhythm. Phase I awards run up to $300,000 for Air Force and OSW topics and up to $315,000 for Navy topics, while Direct to Phase II topics offer up to $2,000,000. The pre-release window from October 7 through October 27 is the only time proposers can contact topic authors directly. Below, BW&CO breaks down every Release 1 topic with technical objectives, eligibility, and funding so you can decide fit before the deadline.
Details
The Department of War (DoW) SBIR/STTR FY27 Release 1 solicitation is now in pre-release, opening the FY27 cycle for U.S. small businesses developing technology for national security priorities.
Budgets vary by topic and component, but the deadline for 24 of the 25 topics is November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET. The exception is Army topic ARM27BX01-DP001, which requires an xTech white paper by October 23, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET, with DSIP proposals from finalists and winners due May 7, 2027.
This page is BW&CO's central resource for DoW SBIR and STTR Release 1, with direct links to a detailed summary of each topic. Release 1 spans hypersonics test and evaluation, directed energy, advanced materials and manufacturing, robotics and autonomy, AI and computer vision, cybersecurity, counter-UAS, shipboard systems, and extended reality.
FY27 Release 1 Topics
Air Force SBIR, Direct to Phase II (up to $2M, 24 months)
- DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-DV007: Reusable Illumination System
- DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-DV008: Technical Data Package Modernization for Information Assurance and Secure Data Exchange
- DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-DV009: US Production of Ultra-High Temperature Ceramic-Yielding Preceramic Polymers
- DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-DV010: Low SWaP, 2-micron Fiber Amplifiers
- DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-DV011: Agile Wire Harness Manipulation and Installation for Unmanned Aerial Systems
- DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-DV012: Agile Autonomous Technical Data Package to Path Robotic Task Specification
- DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-DV013: Advanced Reserve Power Source Technologies
Air Force SBIR, Phase I (up to $300K, 6 months)
- DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-NV001: Shallow Jet Spurt Engineering Model
- DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-NV002: Optimally Packaged Assembly for Laser Systems (OPALS)
- DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-NV003: Multiple Telemetry Site Signal Source Synchronization
- DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-NV004: Long Rod Delivery System
- DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-NV005: Luminescence-Based Surface Measurement Technique for Simultaneous Pressure and Temperature Measurements within Non-Oxygen Based Hypersonic Ground Test Facilities
- DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-NV006: High Speed, Low Temperature Hyperspectral Imager for High Enthalpy Ground Testing
Air Force STTR, Direct to Phase II (up to $2M, 24 months)
- DAF STTR DAF27TZ01-DV001: AI-Enabled Computed Vision Air-to-Air Refueling Performance Assessment and Automated Pilot Debrief System
- DAF STTR DAF27TZ01-DV002: Cyber Resiliency for Fog and Edge Computing Devices
- DAF STTR DAF27TZ01-DV003: Fusion of Cooperative Information Sharing for Uncrewed Air Systems (FOCISAUS)
Navy SBIR, Phase I (up to $315K base plus option)
- Navy SBIR DON27BX01-NP001: ONR Open Topic for Low-Cost Heads Up Displays (HUDs) for Virtual & Augmented Reality (VR/AR)
- Navy SBIR DON27BZ01-NV001: Cleaner for the Time Domain Reflectometer Tank Level Indicator
- Navy SBIR DON27BZ01-NV002: Fire Resistant Joiner Bulkhead
- Navy SBIR DON27BZ01-NV003: Improved Cargo Door Actuator
- Navy SBIR DON27BZ01-NV004: Input-Output Unit (IOU) for Secure Processing and Routing of Hull, Mechanical, & Electrical (HM&E) and Navigation Signals
- Navy SBIR DON27BZ01-NV005: Intermediate Temperature Cooling Unit
Office of the Secretary of War (OSW) SBIR, Counter-UAS
- OSW SBIR OSW27BZ01-NV001: Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems Rapid Maturation
- OSW SBIR OSW27BZ01-DV002: Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems Rapid Maturation
Army SBIR, xTech Direct to Phase II (separate timeline)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DoW SBIR/STTR FY27 Release 1? DoW SBIR/STTR FY27 Release 1 is the first release of the Department of War FY27 SBIR and STTR cycle, issued under the FY27 SBIR BAA, STTR BAA, and SBIR CSO. It includes 25 topics from the Air Force, Navy, Office of the Secretary of War, and Army.
When does DoW Release 1 open and close? Release 1 pre-released on October 7, 2026, opens for proposal submissions on October 28, 2026, and closes on November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET. Army topic ARM27BX01-DP001 follows its own xTech timeline, with white papers due October 23, 2026 and finalist proposals due May 7, 2027.
How much funding is available in Release 1? Award sizes vary by component. Air Force and OSW Phase I topics offer up to $300,000, Navy Phase I topics offer up to $315,000 including the option, and Direct to Phase II topics offer up to $2,000,000.
What is the difference between an SBIR and an STTR topic? SBIR topics let a small business perform the research on its own, while STTR topics require a formal partnership with a research institution. For STTR, at least 40 percent of the work must be done by the small business and at least 30 percent by a single research institution. Release 1 includes three Air Force STTR topics.
What technology areas does Release 1 cover? Release 1 covers hypersonic test instrumentation, directed energy and fiber lasers, ultra-high temperature materials, robotic manufacturing, AI computer vision, cyber resiliency, counter-UAS, shipboard systems for DDG 51 destroyers, low-cost heads-up displays, and electromagnetic spectrum operations.
Can I talk to the topic author before submitting? Yes, but only during pre-release. From October 7 until the topic opens on October 28, 2026, proposers may contact the topic author directly. After that, all technical questions must go through the Topic Q&A page on the Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP).
How many proposals can I submit to one topic? Effective October 1, 2026, DoW has established proposal limitations on a per-topic basis. Check the BAA and component instructions on DSIP, and plan on one strong proposal per topic.
Where do I submit a DoW Release 1 proposal? All DoW SBIR and STTR proposals are submitted through DSIP. Registration in SAM.gov and an active DSIP account are required, along with Volume 6 fraud, waste, and abuse training and the Volume 7 foreign disclosure webform. Start registrations during pre-release rather than in the final week.
Each topic listed below links to an individual page that explains the technical objectives, who should apply, key requirements, and funding details so you can judge whether the opportunity fits your technology roadmap.
One change worth planning around: effective October 1, 2026, DoW limits proposals on a per-topic basis, so firms should put their effort into one strong proposal per topic rather than several variations. Release 2 is scheduled to pre-release on November 4, 2026.
BW&CO reviews every new federal funding opportunity and helps companies pursue competitive SBIR and STTR awards. Browse the Release 1 topics below, find the ones that fit your innovation, and schedule a consultation if you want help evaluating fit or preparing a competitive proposal before the deadline.