The Department of Defense, specifically the Department of the Air Force, is seeking innovative solutions through a Special Notice for Research and Development (R&D) focused on Next Generation Aircraft Protection Technologies. The objective is to identify qualified vendors capable of developing a modular, upgradable aircraft protection system that adheres to open architecture standards, addressing capability gaps and advancing technological capabilities in areas such as system architecture, sensing, processing, and countermeasures. This initiative is critical for enhancing the operational effectiveness of the United States Air Force, with a five-year period for submissions and the potential for amendments to areas of interest. Interested parties can contact the primary representative at AFLCMC.HNJ.CSOReply@us.af.mil for further details, and must ensure compliance with NIST assessments for access to controlled unclassified information.