SBIR / STTR #SOC26BZ06-DV006

SOCOM SBIR Solicitation for Resilient Photonic Transport for UAS in Denied Environments

SOCOM is seeking innovative solutions for resilient photonic transport in denied environments, specifically targeting Group 3 unmanned aerial systems (UAS) operating without GPS access. - Government Buyer: - United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), Department of Defense - Solicitation Details: - SBIR Direct to Phase II program (SOC26BZ06-DV006) - Focus on jam-resistant photonic communication and navigation systems - Prototype development for free-space optical mesh networks spanning 200-300 nautical miles - Products/Services Requested: - Research, development, installation, and demonstration of a prototype photonic crosslink system - Feasibility study, prototype fabrication, and multi-hop relay chain demonstration - Unique Requirements: - Solutions must enable precise navigation and communication in GPS-denied environments - Emphasis on jam-resistance and cooperative navigation for UAS formations - Non-proprietary documentation, data rights ownership, and compliance with export control/ITAR regulations - Contract Structure: - Firm-fixed-price Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) - Maximum award value of $1.525 million - 18-month period of performance - No specific OEMs or vendors are named; open to small business innovators

Description

This solicitation is for the Resilient Integrated Photonic Transport In Denied Environments (RIPTIDE) under the SBIR program. It is issued by the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and focuses on developing resilient photonic transport technologies for denied environments. The solicitation is in pre-release status and is part of the 2026 SBIR cycle. Proposals are accepted for multiple phases including D2PII, II, and SPII.

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