Rapidly Deployable Aerial Interdiction Cluster

SBIR topic MDA27BZ02-DV002 (U.S. Department of Defense – Missile Defense Agency), Phase I and II. Open to U.S. small businesses. Opens: December 2, 2026. Closes: January 6, 2027. The Missile Defense Agency seeks novel solutions for a rapidly deployable aerial interdiction cluster for close-in defense against evolving threats to national security assets, including counter-air; counter-drone; electronic warfare; and force protection. The proposed cluster should be capable of transitioning from a standby state to a deployed state and be capable of autonomous, sustained operations. Cluster should contain a number of continuously cycling elements capable of multiple modes of operation (i.e., surveillance, discrimination, electronic warfare, attack). The cluster should contain a high volume of elements that are low size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C). The assets should be capable of maneuvering and loitering. Assets should be able to host various sensors and/or effectors capable of interdicting various threats (i.e., hypersonic vehicles, glide vehicles, drones, low-flying aerial objects). Modular cargo bays capable of carrying payloads are desired. System should employ a resilient mesh-node architecture and utilize multiple communication pathways. Official solicitation: https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/topics-app/