SBIR / STTR #DAF27BZ01-DV013

U.S. Air Force SBIR research for advanced weapon-system reserve power sources

The U.S. Air Force is seeking Direct-to-Phase-II research and development of advanced reserve power sources for weapon systems. - Government buyer - Department of War Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program, through the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC). - The technical topic is issued by the U.S. Air Force Armament Directorate. - What is requested - Develop and demonstrate an advanced reserve power source, such as a thermal or other battery, for weapon-system applications. - No commercial product, part number, purchase quantity, or named OEM/vendor is specified; this is an R&D opportunity. - Performance and technical requirements - Store for at least 20 years, activate to full voltage within 600 milliseconds, and operate for at least 5 minutes. - Match or exceed current reserve batteries, targeting at least 40 Wh/kg specific energy (goal: over 100 Wh/kg) and 2.5 kW/kg for 60 seconds (goal: over 5 kW/kg). - Withstand weapon operating environments. Lithium-based technologies must demonstrate no venting under NAVSEA S9310-AQ-SAF-010 conditions. - Phase II work includes performance and safety testing, a prototype demonstration, characterization of energy density, power, temperature range and safety, captive-carry and free-flight shock and vibration testing, and a manufacturing assessment. - Other notable requirement - CMMC Level 2 (Self) is specified. - OEMs and vendors - No OEMs or vendors are named in the opportunity.

Description

The solicitation topic is titled “Advanced Reserve Power Source Technologies” and is offered through the SBIR program as a Direct to Phase 2 (D2) opportunity. The listed component is USAF and the command is AFMC. The topic response deadline is November 30, 2026, at 17:00 UTC; the source also lists a question period of October 7–November 11, 2026. CMMC Level 2 (Self) is specified.

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