FIGHT TONIGHT
ID: FA875022S7001Type: Presolicitation
Overview

Buyer

DEPT OF DEFENSEDEPT OF THE AIR FORCEFA8750 AFRL RIKROME, NY, 13441-4514, USA

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715)

PSC

NATIONAL DEFENSE R&D SERVICES; DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE - MILITARY; APPLIED RESEARCH (AC12)
Timeline
    Description

    The Department of the Air Force is soliciting innovative research proposals through the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) FA8750-22-S-7001, titled "Fight Tonight," aimed at enhancing air operations planning using artificial intelligence (AI) and interactive gaming technologies. The primary objectives include significantly reducing the Air Tasking Order planning cycle by leveraging AI-driven simulations and interactive environments to facilitate rapid development and evaluation of combat plans. This initiative is crucial for improving the agility and adaptability of military air operations in contemporary combat scenarios, ensuring the U.S. maintains operational superiority. The total funding available for this five-year program is approximately $99 million, with individual awards typically ranging from $3 million to $40 million. White papers will be accepted until November 30, 2026, and interested parties can direct inquiries to Lt Col Sean Carlson at sean.carlson.1@us.af.mil or Amber Buckley at amber.buckley@us.af.mil.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    Amendment No. 7 to Broad Agency Announcement FA8750-22-S-7001 updates the security and protection requirements for proposals submitted to the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). It outlines a comprehensive Security Risk Review process aimed at identifying potential foreign influences on Department of Air Force Science and Technology (S&T). Proposals must include specific documentation, including a Research and Related Senior and Key Person Profile and a Security Program Questionnaire, alongside a privacy statement for each Covered Individual. The document details mandatory actions for both applicants and covered individuals regarding transparency in disclosing current and pending research support. The document also elaborates on the evaluation process for submitted white papers and proposals, emphasizing the roles of government employees in review, the importance of security assessments, and the potential categorization of proposals as selectable or not. Additionally, it stipulates that any security risks identified during the review can lead to declinations for funding, maintaining a focus on safeguarding U.S. technological advancements. This amendment demonstrates the government's commitment to maintaining national security while ensuring compliance with applicable policies in federally funded research initiatives.
    The Amendment 1 to BAA FA8750-22-S-7001 modifies the original Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) by revising various sections, including eliminating proposals for Phase II, updating content related to the funding estimate, and reaffirming that submissions should only address Phase I. The main focus of this BAA is to solicit innovative research for enhancing air operations planning through the integration of AI and gaming technology to streamline the planning process within the Air Force Research Laboratory. The anticipated results include multiple award opportunities, with a total funding of approximately $99 million allocated across several fiscal years until 2026.
    This amendment to Broad Agency Announcement FA8750-22-S-7001 pertains to the "Fight Tonight" program, initiated by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to enhance air operations planning through advanced technologies, particularly leveraging AI and gaming environments. The total funding available for this BAA is approximately $99 million, targeting development phases that typically last around 30 months, with individual awards ranging from $3 million to $40 million. The announcement emphasizes an open, two-step approach where initially only white papers will be considered, with formal proposals solicited later from selected applicants. The technical areas focus on interactive plan refinement and plan gaming to improve the efficiency of combat planning processes. The context reflects a significant shift in air combat planning, necessitating rapid adaptability due to evolving threats. The document outlines the program's structure, detailed requirements for the technology needed, and the anticipated outcomes, which include faster plan generation and assessment times. Phases include initial demonstrations and evaluations aimed at fostering continuous improvements based on user feedback. Overall, the Fight Tonight program signifies the government’s commitment to modernizing military planning through innovative, technology-driven solutions.
    The amendment to Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) FA8750-22-S-7001 updates submission deadlines for proposals and adds requirements for the protection of intellectual property, controlled information, and key personnel. The Air Force Research Laboratory seeks innovative solutions to improve air operations planning through the integration of AI and interactive gaming technologies, with a total estimated funding of approximately $99 million for this endeavor. Contractors are encouraged to participate in a phased approach to collaborative planning, with evaluations conducted throughout the phases to ensure effectiveness and operational transition.
    The amendment to Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) FA8750-22-S-7001 outlines updates relevant to the “Fight Tonight” initiative conducted by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) aimed at enhancing air operations planning through innovative technologies. This open, two-step BAA, effective until November 30, 2026, is soliciting white papers for two technical areas: Interactive Plan Refinement (TA1) and Plan Gaming and Outcome Analysis (TA2). Proposal deadlines for specific submissions are set, with funding anticipated around $99 million for multiple awards that generally range from $3 million to $40 million. Key goals include employing AI-driven planning and interactive gaming environments to streamline the Air Tasking Order planning cycle. The initiative emphasizes rapid research and development, requiring offerors to collaborate in an iterative design process to create flexible planning tools capable of dynamic adjustments in response to battlefield conditions and threats. Proposals must address various technological challenges, including interactive user interfaces and automated behavior models for both friendly and adversary forces. Overall, this program seeks to bridge human insight and AI capabilities for an agile and responsive air combat planning process.
    Amendment 4 to BAA FA8750-22-S-7001 reissues the original announcement with updates to sections related to proposal formatting and applicable provisions but does not introduce any major changes. The Department of the Air Force is seeking innovative research to enhance air operations planning through AI-driven planning combined with interactive gaming, aiming to significantly reduce the Air Tasking Order planning cycle over a five-year period with a total of approximately $99 million in funding. Only white papers will be accepted until November 30, 2026, with individual awards ranging from $3 million to $40 million, and multiple awards anticipated across two technical areas focused on interactive plan refinement and plan gaming analysis.
    The amendment to Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) FA8750-22-S-7001 by the Department of the Air Force seeks innovative solutions for revolutionizing air operations planning through a combination of artificial intelligence (AI) and interactive gaming. The program, titled "Fight Tonight," aims to significantly reduce the Air Tasking Order planning cycle by allowing human-guided AI to generate and evaluate multiple combat plans rapidly. The BAA will accept white papers until November 30, 2026, for research related to two main technical areas: Interactive Plan Refinement and Plan Gaming and Outcome Analysis. The total funding available is approximately $99 million, with individual awards typically ranging from $3 million to $40 million. Proposals should address challenges such as real-time analysis of planning options, automated execution using AI, and user-centered interfaces for planners. An Industry Day will be hosted to discuss the program further, and the BAA encourages dialogue between prospective offerors and government representatives. This initiative is critical for improving the agility and adaptability of air operations in contemporary combat environments.
    Amendment 5 to Broad Agency Announcement FA8750-22-S-7001 revises the original announcement to include updates on various sections and clarify submission details, with the overall focus on research that leverages AI for air operations planning. The Air Force Research Laboratory is soliciting innovative research to improve the Air Tasking Order planning cycle through the development of tools that enable human-AI collaboration in a gaming environment. The total estimated funding for this five-year BAA is approximately $99 million, with multiple awards anticipated for different technical areas.
    The document is an amendment to the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) FA8750-22-S-7001 by the Department of the Air Force, aimed at advancing air operations planning using a combination of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and interactive gaming. The Fight Tonight program seeks innovative solutions to reduce the Air Tasking Order planning cycle through rapid prototyping and evaluation of AI-driven tools. The BAA, effective until November 30, 2026, is structured for a two-step proposal submission, with three key technical areas: Interactive Plan Refinement, Plan Gaming, and Outcome Analysis. Total funding of approximately $99M is allocated, with individual awards ranging from $3M to $40M. The document emphasizes the need for collaboration between human planners and AI to enhance decision-making under complex combat scenarios. Proposals are encouraged to demonstrate how their solutions will enable efficient planning and assessment of combat missions, improving response times and operational readiness. Notably, all foreign participation is prohibited. The amendment details necessary technical and procedural requirements, offering various timelines and deliverables for the evaluation phases of the project. This initiative reflects the Air Force’s commitment to leverage advanced technologies for military operational effectiveness.
    The Department of the Air Force's amendment FA8750-22-S-7001 aims to enhance air operations planning through a two-phase Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) titled "Fight Tonight." The amendment introduces Phase II requirements, specifies funding of approximately $99M, and outlines a closed, two-step submission process focused on Technical Areas (TAs) 1 and 2. The program seeks innovative research leveraging artificial intelligence and interactive gaming to optimize combat plan development, transitioning from a lengthy, expert-led process to a rapid, AI-assisted one within four hours for planning Air Tasking Orders. Successful proposals will develop interactive tools that enable real-time collaboration between human planners and AI, facilitating the exploration of multiple planning scenarios against various adversary strategies. The program emphasizes quick integration of existing technologies into testable prototypes, with an emphasis on user-friendly interfaces for military planners. White papers are currently accepted, with full proposals invited only from those selected based on white paper evaluations. Ultimately, "Fight Tonight" aims to revolutionize military air planning efficiency and adaptability in dynamic combat environments.
    The Department of the Air Force's Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) titled "Fight Tonight" (BAA Number: FA8750-22-S-7001) seeks innovative research to enhance air combat planning through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and interactive gaming technologies. This open BAA, effective until November 30, 2026, invites submissions of white papers for two focused technical areas: Interactive Plan Refinement (TA1) and Plan Gaming and Outcome Analysis (TA2). The goal is to reduce the Air Tasking Order planning cycle, allowing for rapid development of combat plans through AI-driven simulations. A total of $99 million is allocated for this five-year initiative, with awards typically ranging from $3 million to $40 million over periods not exceeding 54 months. Proposals should leverage insights from commercial gaming technologies to create intuitive user interfaces and support collaborative, real-time planning under uncertainty. The program's phased approach involves a strong emphasis on evaluation and integration of new capabilities with existing air force systems. Offerors must ensure compliance with eligibility criteria, including restrictions on foreign participation. Overall, Fight Tonight aims to revolutionize military air operations planning by integrating AI and gaming techniques to improve decision-making during modern combat scenarios, ensuring the U.S. military maintains operational superiority against peer adversaries.
    The Department of the Air Force is announcing an Open, 2 Step Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) focused on advancing air operations planning through innovative research combining Artificial Intelligence (AI) and interactive gaming. This solicitation, effective until November 30, 2026, will accept only white papers for initial submissions, aiming to develop prototypes that enhance the planning and assessment of combat strategies, with an estimated funding total of $99 million. The Fight Tonight program intends to streamline the Air Tasking Order planning cycle by integrating AI-driven analysis with an interactive game environment, facilitating rapid and efficient military decision-making.
    The Phase II BAA (Broad Agency Announcement) FA8750-22-S-7001 focuses on developing a robust demonstration of the Fight Tonight system to aid Air Force operations planning. The government aims to award a single contract for this phase, with white papers due by December 16, 2024, and proposals by January 23, 2025. This 27-month phase emphasizes the integration of human-centered AI in creating a Master Air Attack Plan capable of managing numerous missions efficiently while considering essential planning factors. Key milestones include a program kickoff, quarterly reviews, integration workshops, principal investigator meetings, and a capstone demonstration, culminating in a live showcase of the fully functional system. Collaboration with the Air Operations Center and iterative testing is expected, focusing on usability and operational transition. Successful proposals will demonstrate technical feasibility, scalability, and the ability to integrate with existing Air Force systems. This initiative reflects a strategic push to modernize air operations through enhanced technology and joint experimentation in planning methodologies.
    Lifecycle
    Title
    Type
    FIGHT TONIGHT
    Currently viewing
    Presolicitation
    Similar Opportunities
    ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND NEXT GENERATION DISTRIBUTED COMMAND AND CONTROL
    Active
    Dept Of Defense
    The Department of the Air Force is seeking proposals for research and development under the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) FA8750-23-S-7006, focused on advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Next Generation Distributed Command and Control (C2) capabilities. The initiative aims to enhance decision-making and operational agility in military operations through innovative AI applications, addressing challenges such as real-time adaptation of AI models in dynamic battlefield conditions. With an estimated funding of approximately $99 million available until August 30, 2028, interested parties are encouraged to submit white papers by specified deadlines, with awards typically ranging from $200,000 to $20 million for successful proposals. For further inquiries, contact Mr. Gennady Staskevich at gennady.staskevich@us.af.mil or Ms. Amber Buckley at amber.buckley@us.af.mil.
    COMPOSABLE COLLABORATIVE PLANNING
    Active
    Dept Of Defense
    The Department of the Air Force is soliciting innovative research proposals through a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) titled "Composable Collaborative Planning," aimed at enhancing military operational planning capabilities. The primary objective is to develop a framework that addresses the complexities of logistics planning, particularly in contested environments, by enabling parallel planning and improving dependency tracking to reduce overall planning time. This initiative is critical for optimizing resource allocation and operational readiness in military operations, with an estimated funding of approximately $24.5 million available for awards typically ranging from $500,000 to $2 million over a maximum duration of 24 months. Interested parties should submit white papers by February 28, 2026, and may direct inquiries to Aaron McVay at aaron.mcvay.3@us.af.mil or Amber Buckley at amber.buckley@us.af.mil for further information.
    FOUNDATIONS OF TRUSTED SYSTEMS
    Active
    Dept Of Defense
    The Department of the Air Force is announcing a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) titled "Foundations of Trusted Systems," aimed at fostering innovative research in secure and resilient hardware and software for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) and Cyber technologies. The initiative seeks to establish trusted foundations for information processing systems, with a focus on areas such as trusted computational systems, assured software, and the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This BAA is critical for enhancing national security and is open until December 4, 2028, with an estimated funding amount of approximately $99.9 million, where individual project awards typically range from $100,000 to $5 million over a 36-month period. Interested parties should submit white papers and direct inquiries to Esteban Garcia at esteban.garcia.1@us.af.mil or Amber Buckley at amber.buckley@us.af.mil for contractual questions.
    MULTI-SOURCE, MULTI-DOMAIN DATA EXPLOITATION FOR BATTLESPACE AWARENESS AND DECISION SUPPORT
    Active
    Dept Of Defense
    The Department of the Air Force is issuing a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) titled "Multi-Source, Multi-Domain Data Exploitation for Battlespace Awareness and Decision Support" (BAA Number: FA8750-21-S-7004). This initiative seeks innovative technology solutions that enhance battlespace awareness through the processing and exploitation of multi-source, multi-domain data, leveraging non-traditional software development methodologies and DevSecOps practices. The BAA is critical for advancing military operations by improving decision support capabilities and ensuring compliance with federal regulations, with an estimated funding of approximately $49 million allocated for awards ranging from $500,000 to $5 million over a duration of up to 48 months. Interested parties must submit white papers electronically by January 30, 2026, and can direct inquiries to Carolyn Sheaff at Carolyn.Sheaff@us.af.mil or Amber Buckley at Amber.Buckley@us.af.mil.
    AERIAL LAYER NETWORKING & TRANSMISSION TECHNOLOGIES
    Active
    Dept Of Defense
    The Department of the Air Force is seeking innovative solutions through Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) FA8750-23-S-7002 for advancements in Aerial Layer Networking and Transmission Technologies. The objective is to transition from rigid, pre-planned aerial networks to dynamic, self-forming, and resilient structures that enhance interoperability and operational capabilities in contested environments. This initiative is critical for improving military communication systems, with an estimated funding of approximately $99.5 million available over five fiscal years, allowing for individual awards typically ranging from $1 million to $10 million. Interested parties must submit white papers by September 30, 2027, and can direct inquiries to Peter Fitzgerald at peter.fitzgerald.1@us.af.mil or Amber Buckley at amber.buckley@us.af.mil for further information.
    ADAPTIVE FUSION, & REASONING OF MULTI-SOURCE DATA (AFAR)
    Active
    Dept Of Defense
    The Department of the Air Force is seeking innovative research proposals under the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) titled "Adaptive Fusion, Analysis & Reasoning of Multi-source Data" (BAA Number: FA8750-23-S-7008). The primary objective is to enhance capabilities in Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) and Cyber Science through the fusion, analysis, and reasoning of multi-source data across three key research areas: Adaptive Knowledge and Information for Target Analysis (AKITA), Enhancing Moving Target Engagement at Scale (EMoTES), and Publicly Available Information Ensemble Fusion (PEF). This initiative is critical for advancing military analytical operations and improving decision-making processes in complex environments. The total estimated funding for this BAA is approximately $37 million, with individual awards typically ranging from $500,000 to $1.5 million for efforts not exceeding 36 months. Interested parties must submit white papers by specified deadlines, with the first submission due by September 12, 2023, for FY24 funding. For further inquiries, contact John Spina at john.spina@us.af.mil or Amber Buckley at amber.buckley@us.af.mil.
    CAPABILITIES FOR CYBER ADVANCEMENT
    Active
    Dept Of Defense
    The Department of the Air Force is issuing a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) FA8750-21-S-7001 titled "Capabilities for Cyber Advancement," aimed at developing innovative technologies to achieve cyber superiority for military applications. The initiative seeks white papers that propose next-generation solutions focusing on cybersecurity, resilient infrastructures, and effective command and control in cyberspace, with an emphasis on enhancing mission assurance across air, space, and cyberspace domains. With an estimated funding ceiling of approximately $975 million available until December 1, 2025, interested parties are encouraged to submit their proposals while adhering to federal regulations and eligibility criteria, particularly regarding foreign participation. For further inquiries, contact Todd Cushman at afrl.riga.baa@us.af.mil or (315) 330-4895.
    ADVANCED RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT (ARA) TITLE: ADVANCED TRACKING ARCHITECTURE USING AI (ATA-AI)
    Active
    Dept Of Defense
    The Department of the Air Force is seeking innovative research proposals through the Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) FA8750-24-S-7004, focused on developing advanced tracking architectures utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI). The initiative aims to design, develop, test, and evaluate next-generation target tracking technologies that leverage AI, Machine Learning (ML), and High Performance Computing (HPC) to process diverse data sources effectively. With an estimated funding of approximately $99 million available until July 12, 2029, individual awards typically range from $1 million to $10 million for projects lasting up to 48 months. Interested parties should submit white papers by the specified deadlines and may contact Carolyn Sheaff at Carolyn.Sheaff@us.af.mil or Amber Buckley at Amber.Buckley@us.af.mil for further inquiries.
    EXTREME COMPUTING
    Active
    Dept Of Defense
    The Department of Defense, through the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), is soliciting white papers under Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) FA8750-23-S-7004 for research and development in the field of "Extreme Computing." The initiative aims to advance technologies in computational diversity, machine learning, artificial intelligence, nanocomputing, and robust computing architectures, with a focus on enhancing the capabilities of Air Force platforms. This BAA has an estimated total funding of approximately $497.9 million, with individual awards typically ranging from $1 million to $3 million for projects lasting up to 36 months. Interested parties are encouraged to submit white papers by September 20, 2028, with recommended submission dates aligned with fiscal year funding timelines, and can direct inquiries to Dr. Nathan Inkawhich at nathan.inkawhich@us.af.mil or Amber Buckley at amber.buckley@us.af.mil for further information.
    AWGER: ADAPTIVE WAVEFORM GENERATION FOR EXTREME RF
    Active
    Dept Of Defense
    The Department of the Air Force is issuing a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for research on Adaptive Waveform Generation for Extreme RF, designated as BAA Number FA8750-22-S-7006. This initiative seeks innovative approaches in cognitive waveform generation, network control, and scenario evaluation within diverse RF environments, emphasizing the importance of advancing military capabilities through cutting-edge technologies. The total estimated funding for this BAA is approximately $49.9 million, with individual awards typically ranging from $300,000 to $3 million and lasting up to 36 months. Interested parties must submit white papers by September 30, 2027, and can direct inquiries to Gerard Wohlrab at gerard.wohlrab@us.af.mil or Amber Buckley at amber.buckley@us.af.mil for further information.