Long-Range, Expendable Autonomous Air Vehicle for Distributed Effects in Contested Environments

SBIR topic DAF27BZ02-DV020 (U.S. Department of Defense – Air Force), Phase I and II. Open to U.S. small businesses. Opens: December 2, 2026. Closes: January 6, 2027. Future contested operations may require the ability to generate large numbers of distributed airborne effects at ranges beyond those achievable by many existing Group 2/3 UAS.The desired system should combine sufficient aerodynamic efficiency, propulsion performance, autonomous mission execution, modular payload integration, resilient navigation, and low-cost manufacturing to enable operations at ranges between approximately 400 and 1,200 NM. Solutions should emphasize a modular vehicle architecture allowing Government or third-party payloads, autonomy, navigation, and communications components to be integrated without redesigning the entire aircraft. Range and Mission Performance ≥400 NM threshold to 1,200 NM with demonstrable varying ranges under a clearly defined mission profile.Document payload/range/endurance trade space.Characterize representative payload, launch conditions, altitude, speed, propulsion configuration, and mission profile.Demonstrate sufficient aerodynamic and propulsion efficiency to achieve long-range operation at acceptable recurring cost. Autonomous Mission ExecutionAutonomous launch and transition to mission flight.Autonomous navigation and mission execution.Autonomous terminal mission functions appropriate to the proposed concept.Continued mission execution during intermittent or extended loss of command-and-control connectivity.Deterministic and configurable lost-link behavior.Mission-planning interfaces that minimize operator workload.Architecture capable of incorporating Government-provided autonomy.Resilient NavigationMaintain useful navigation during representative GNSS degradation, denial, interference, or loss. Characterize navigation performance, accumulated error, availability, and recovery. Support integration of complementary navigation sources. Collaborative…