The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is seeking innovative small businesses to develop advanced firing solution technologies for missile defense in the space domain under the SBIR program. The objective is to enhance missile defense capabilities through improved firing solution architectures, sensor data fusion algorithms, and target discrimination techniques, which are critical for defending the United States and its allies from missile threats. This opportunity is particularly significant as it aims to advance disruptive technologies necessary for effective missile defense operations in contested environments. Proposals are due by July 23, 2025, and interested parties can find more information and submit their applications through the official SBIR website at https://www.sbir.gov/topics/12181.

OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Trusted AI and Autonomy; Advanced Computing and Software; Microelectronics; Space Technology 

 

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws. 

 

OBJECTIVE: Provide novel and innovative firing solution technologies for Missile Defense in the Space Domain. 

 

DESCRIPTION: The mission of the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is to develop and deploy a layered Missile Defense System to defend the United States, its deployed forces, allies, and friends from missile attacks in all phases of flight.  Critical to meeting this mission is the continued development of disruptive technologies that enable missile defense in the contested space domain. Specific to this topic, the MDA seeks improved firing solution architectures, raw sensor data fusion algorithms, high capacity processing architectures, target discrimination, and algorithms for target movement prediction.   This solicitation seeks to identify advanced space firing solution technologies that enable the MDA mission. 

 

PHASE I: Phase I-like proposals will not be evaluated and will be rejected as nonresponsive. For this topic, the Government expects the small business would have accomplished the following in a Phase I-like effort via some other means, e.g., independent research and development (IRAD) or other source, a concept for a workable prototype or design to address, at a minimum, the basic capabilities of the stated objective above. Proposal must show, as appropriate, a demonstrated technical feasibility or nascent capability. The documentation provided must substantiate the proposer’s development of a preliminary understanding of the technology to be applied in their Phase II proposal in meeting topic objectives. 

Documentation should comprise all relevant information including, but not limited to, technical reports, test data, prototype designs/models, and performance goals/results. Feasibility = maturity and what have you already done/validated. 

Proposers interested in participating in Direct to Phase II must include in their responses to this topic Phase I feasibility documentation that substantiates the scientific and technical merit and Phase I feasibility described in Phase I above has been met. 

(i.e., the small business must have performed a proof of concept like “Phase I” component and/or other validation in a relevant environment, and/or at a much higher TRL level (5 or higher) and describe the potential commercialization applications. The documentation provided must validate that the proposer has completed development of technology in previous work or research completed.) 

IRAD work: Documentation should include the most relevant information including, but not limited to: technical reports, test data, prototype designs/models, and/or performance goals/results. Work submitted within the feasibility documentation must have been substantially performed by the proposer and/or the principal investigator (PI). 

 

PHASE II: MDA seeks rapid firing solutions technologies that support the MDA mission as applicable to operating within the space domain.  This Phase II solicitation has multiple themes and would consider UNCLASSIFIED proposals submitted against any of these identified focus areas, with the understanding that most if not all of the work completed would be done at the SECRET or higher classification level.  Please submit proposals that are based on your best skills, experience and capability to deliver innovative technology to support the MDA mission. 

 

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Phase III work could apply to providing proliferated low earth orbit rapid firing solution systems and space based processing that allows the effective and efficient distribution of overhead sensor data to expedite the kill chain, improving the industrial base to provide more effective space based firing solution technologies and architectures. Phase III would also likely involve a prototype demonstration of the proposed technology in a space environment.  Performers would be required to support spacecraft integration efforts by sharing technical details (e.g. form, fit, function, and interfaces) regarding their prototype payload with one or more spacecraft integrators chosen by the government. 

 

REFERENCES: 

Executive Order No. 14186, “The Iron Dome for America”, 27 Jan 2025, accessed on www.whitehouse.gov 

Solicitation No. HQ0860-25-S-0001, “Missile Defense Agency - Multiple Authority Announcement”, 27 March 2025, accessed on www.sam.gov 

 

KEYWORDS: Space Systems; Space Sensors; Intercept; Edge Processing; Data Fusion; Firing; Track Management; Track Hand-off; Multi-domain sensing; Kill-Chain

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