DIU CSO #PROJ00687

DIU seeks mature USVs integrated with aerial drones for maritime threat detection and defeat (SWAP-USV Prize Challenge)

The Department of War Innovation Unit (DIU) is launching the Suitable Warfighting Adaptive Payloads (SWAP-USV) Prize Challenge to rapidly field advanced maritime threat detection and defeat capabilities. - Government Buyer: - Department of War Innovation Unit (DIU), Department of War - Opportunity Overview: - Soliciting mature, market-ready Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) fully integrated with at least two mature, production-ready Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs) - Focus on detecting, identifying, tracking, and defeating asymmetric maritime threats (e.g., explosive USVs, unmanned aircraft, smuggling boats, semi-submersibles) - 12-month Prize Challenge with up to $100 million in available funding, divided into three sprint cohorts with rolling submissions - Technical Requirements: - USV must have a minimum operational range of 200 nautical miles and sustained cruise speed of at least 10 knots - Must carry, launch, and control at least two UASs, including one with a 2kg+ kinetic payload - Emphasis on persistent area search, tracking, and operational effects - Open architecture and modular integration required - Proven manufacturing capability and scalability are critical - Participation: - Open to established maritime manufacturers, autonomy developers, sensor manufacturers, and UAS developers - No specific OEMs, part numbers, or vendors are named; the government seeks complete, integrated solutions - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Vendors must be ready for in-water testing within 29 days of down-selection for Sprint 1 - Solutions must be affordable, scalable, and production-ready - Operator training curriculum and support for government evaluation events required

Description

The Department of War Innovation Unit (DIU) seeks mature, market-ready Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) integrated with two or more mature aerial drones to detect, identify, track, and defeat asymmetric maritime threats. The program aims to develop affordable, scalable maritime systems capable of persistent search, tracking, and operational effects against threats such as explosive USVs and unmanned aircraft systems. The competition is a 12-month Prize Challenge with up to $100 million in funding, divided into three sprint cohorts with rolling submission windows. Selected systems must demonstrate capabilities including persistent area search, UAS system operations, mature system readiness, and open architecture integration.

View original listing