SBIR / STTR #DAF27BZ01-NV002

SBIR research and development for an airborne high-energy laser beam-control subsystem (OPALS)

The U.S. Air Force is seeking small-business research and development proposals for an airborne high-energy laser beam-control subsystem called OPALS. - Government buyer: Department of the Air Force, within the Department of War’s SBIR program; the topic is associated with Air Force Materiel Command and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). - Opportunity: Optimally Packaged Assembly for Laser Systems (OPALS), topic DAF27BZ01-NV002, under the 2027 DoW SBIR Broad Agency Announcement. - Requested work: Research, design, and development of a compact, rugged, environmentally stable optical beam-control subsystem for airborne high-energy laser systems. No commercial OEM, vendor, purchasable product, part number, or unit quantity is specified. - Development phases: - Phase I: Develop and model a concept, estimate size and weight, and conduct design trade studies. - Phase II: Build, integrate, demonstrate, and test a prototype using a government-furnished laser of up to 20 kW; conduct ground and airborne laboratory testing and deliver the system and documentation to AFRL. - Phase III: Scale the subsystem for operational aircraft integration and a laser of at least 300 kW, with AFRL and a transition partner. - Notable technical requirements: Favor platform-agnostic concepts where feasible; emphasize packaging, ruggedness, environmental stability, and beam-control performance. Aircraft outer-moldline and turret design are outside the topic’s focus. - Program requirements and timing: The announcement seeks proposals from eligible small businesses. CMMC Level 2 (Self) is specified. General SBIR guidance describes Phase I as typically 6–12 months and Phase II as typically 24 months; no topic-specific start or end dates are provided.

Description

This is a pre-release SBIR topic under the DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, solicitation 27.BZ, for the USAF. The topic is identified as Optimally Packaged Assembly for Laser Systems (OPALS); further details on the scope of work are not included in the provided source. The response deadline is December 25, 2026. The source lists CMMC Level 2 (Self) and provides topic contacts Arthur Hassall and Stephen Stumpf.

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