SBIR / STTR #DAF27BZ02-DV020

USAF SBIR seeks long-range expendable autonomous air vehicle development and flight demonstration

The U.S. Air Force is seeking a Direct-to-Phase-II SBIR effort to develop and demonstrate a long-range expendable autonomous air vehicle for contested environments. - Government buyer: U.S. Air Force (USAF), under the Department of War’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program; the initial notice also identifies Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC). - Opportunity: Solicitation DAF27BZ02-DV020 seeks research, development, integration, testing, and flight demonstration of an affordable autonomous one-way-attack air vehicle. - Key performance goals: At least 400 nautical miles of range, with progress toward 1,200 nautical miles; autonomous operation; resilient navigation in degraded or denied GNSS; and operation with degraded command links. - Scope and requirements: Validate propulsion and range, integrate at least one representative Government-relevant payload or approved surrogate, and conduct an integrated mission-relevant flight demonstration. Include modular payload integration and plans addressing manufacturing, affordability, cybersecurity, and transition to use. - OEMs and vendors: No product manufacturers, OEMs, or commercial vendors are named. No specific product models, part numbers, or purchase quantities are requested. - Notable requirement: CMMC Level 2 (Self) is identified in the initial notice. The broader SBIR announcement describes Phase II as generally 24 months; the topic does not specify its own performance duration.

Description

This USAF SBIR topic is a Direct to Phase 2 opportunity under the DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 2. It concerns a long-range, expendable autonomous air vehicle for distributed effects in contested environments. The topic is in pre-release status, with proposals due January 6, 2027. The source lists CMMC Level 2 (Self) and provides topic-specific and program attachments.

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