The Department of Defense, specifically the Army, is seeking small business concerns to participate in the xTechOverwatch Open Topic under the SBIR program, aimed at developing advanced autonomous unmanned systems. The objective is to create systems such as uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs), and sensor networks that can perform dynamic overwatch positioning, adapt to terrain, and operate collaboratively with minimal human intervention. This initiative is crucial for enhancing situational awareness and mission effectiveness in military operations, leveraging technologies like AI, robotics, and secure communications. Interested parties must submit proposals by May 21, 2025, with funding available up to $2 million for an 18-month performance period, and further details can be found at the provided source link.

OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Trusted AI and Autonomy; Integrated Sensing and Cyber; Advanced Computing and Software OBJECTIVE: Develop an advanced autonomous unmanned system (uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV), uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV), and/or sensor network) capable of dynamic overwatch positioning, terrain adaptation, and collaborative autonomy. · Small business concerns (SBC) with expertise in specific technical areas (listed below) are encouraged to apply, even if they do not provide a full-spectrum solution. · Collaborations between SBCs and between an SBC and another entity is encouraged for submissions to this topic. The submitting organization must be eligible in accordance with section 1.4 Eligibility and Performance Requirements of these instructions. · SBCs selected may have opportunities to collaborate during the course of the competition and following the competition to integrate their technologies into comprehensive autonomous systems. · SBCs should be prepared to engage with and potentially enter collaborative partnerships with the Army’s research laboratories and engineering centers for potential integration with existing government developed intellectual property (IP). · Solutions should employ modular approaches to segment proprietary elements while contributing to the broader effort described below. · The Army plans to iterate prototype solution combinations developed under this topic with a designated Army formation during their training cycle and culminate with a training exercise for final testing and evaluation. DESCRIPTION: This topic seeks innovative autonomous systems capable of conducting overwatch and terrain-shaping tasks by leveraging advanced AI, robotics, secure networking, and real-time data processing. The focus is on autonomous unmanned platforms (UAVs, UGVs, and stationary sensors) that can identify and occupy advantageous overwatch positions, adapt to terrain constraints, and execute mission objectives with minimal human intervention. These systems must integrate multi-modal sensor fusion, AI-driven target recognition, secure communications, and adaptive decision-making to enhance situational awareness and mission effectiveness. Proposals are not required to address all technical areas listed below. However, it is the objective of this topic to provide selected SBCs opportunities to collaborate with additional selected SBCs, other Army partners, and Army research laboratories and engineering centers to cover any technical areas not addressed within their proposal. The key technical areas of interest and their corresponding technologies include: Autonomous Unmanned Systems (UAVs, UGVs, Stationary Sensors) · Technology: Autonomous aerial, ground, and fixed-position sensing systems that provide persistent situational awareness, threat detection, and environmental monitoring. This includes: o UGVs with self-adjusting mobility, real-time terrain navigation, and automated repositioning for optimal overwatch. o UAVs with adaptive flight control for ISR and dynamic mission execution. o Stationary sensor networks with low-power, persistent surveillance capabilities, capable of integrating with mobile platforms for distributed intelligence gathering. · Requirement: The system(s) must autonomously identify, occupy, and adjust overwatch positions based on mission parameters and terrain constraints. Stationary sensors must provide long-duration situational awareness and integrate with mobile platforms for enhanced intelligence-sharing. Sensor Fusion, Data Integration, and AI-Driven Target Recognition & Classification • Technology: AI-powered sensor fusion systems that integrate data from sensor systems such as EO/IR, LiDAR, acoustic, and RF sensors to detect, classify and track threats in real time. • Requirement: Solutions must provide robust multi-modal sensing, real-time analytics, and adaptable recognition capabilities in cluttered, low-visibility, or GPS-denied environments. Secure Communications and Networking • Technology: Encrypted, resilient, and scalable communication systems leveraging technologies like software-defined radios (SDRs), mesh networking, and low-power long-range protocols. Includes solutions for network redundancy and self-healing architectures. • Requirement: Secure, adaptive networking solutions must enable real-time data sharing and collaboration across multiple autonomous systems without reliance on traditional infrastructure. Human-Machine Interface (HMI) for Effective Decision-Making • Technology: Advanced visualizations such as augmented reality (AR), and AI-driven decision-support systems to reduce cognitive burden on operators. Adaptive UIs can tailor information based on mission context and operator workload. • Requirement: Systems must present critical data in a user-friendly format, enhancing situational awareness and rapid decision-making while minimizing distractions. Edge Computing for Onboard Processing • Technology: High-performance, low-power embedded AI accelerators for real-time onboard processing of sensor data, AI inference, and decision-making in the absence of network connectivity. • Requirement: Solutions must support onboard processing for low-latency threat detection and terrain analysis while operating in disconnected or contested environments. Resilient Robotics for Adaptive Terrain Navigation • Technology: Mobility adaptation solutions, including variable tire inflation systems, articulated suspensions, and AI-driven path planning to navigate challenging terrain. Biomimetic robotic adaptations may also be explored. • Requirement: Systems must demonstrate terrain-aware decision-making, with adaptive locomotion capable of handling obstacles, mud, snow, and unstable ground conditions. Automated Self-Recovery Mechanisms • Technology: Self-righting mechanisms, robotic manipulator arms, and cooperative recovery protocols using swarm-based assistance (e.g., one UGV assisting another). AI diagnostics for predictive maintenance. • Requirement: Autonomous fail-safe capabilities must allow systems to recover from rollovers, entrapment, or hardware failures, ensuring sustained operational effectiveness. Collaborative/Mission-Focused Autonomy • Technology: Decentralized AI-based mission execution using multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL), distributed decision-making, and swarm robotics. Includes AI models that enable agents to dynamically assign tasks. • Requirement: Systems must coordinate autonomously, executing mission objectives with minimal human intervention while optimizing resource allocation across platforms. UGV and UAS Payloads • Technology: Modular ISR payloads for real-time reconnaissance, deployable terrain-shaping tools (e.g., automated barrier placement, excavation), and electronic warfare (EW) payloads for disrupting adversary sensors and communications. • Requirement: Payloads must support mission-critical functions such as target detection, threat deterrence, and terrain modification while being compatible with modular architecture frameworks. Modular & Open Architecture • Technology: Plug-and-play hardware/software interfaces following Army IOP, NATO STANAGs, and other interoperability standards to ensure future upgrades and cross-platform compatibility. Includes standardized data protocols and API-based integration. • Requirement: Solutions must be modular and allow seamless integration with existing military platforms and future autonomous technologies. Examples Below: o Army Ground Interoperability Profile (IOP) o NATO Standardization Agreement (STANAGs) Repository o Army Open Innovation Lab Standards & Specifications o Modular Mission Payload Standard IMPORTANT: xTechOverwatch will be used to identify small business concerns that meet the criteria for award. Winners selected from the xTechOverwatch prize competition will be the only firms eligible to submit an SBIR proposal under the topic listed above. Proposals submitted to the topic listed above by non-winners of the xTechOverwatch competition will not be evaluated. See the full competition RFI here: https://www.xtech.army.mil/competition/xTechOverwatch/. Interested to learn how you can participate in xTechOverwatch? Register for this event by 11:00 a.m. ET, Tuesday, April 9, 2025 to receive an exclusive link to join the virtual event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/xtechoverwatch-informational-webinar-tickets-1284820285059?aff=oddtdtcreator. PHASE I: This topic is for Direct to Phase II (DP2) submission. Department of the Army will accept Direct to Phase II proposals for the cost of up to $2,000,000 for an 18-month period of performance. In order for proposers to submit a DP2 proposal, they must provide the justification documentation to substantiate that the scientific and technical merit and feasibility described above has been met and describes the potential military and/or commercial applications. Documentation should include all relevant information including, but not limited to: technical reports, test data, prototype designs/models, and performance goals/results. (DIRECT TO) PHASE II: Produce prototype solutions that will be easy to operate by a Soldier. These products will be provided to select Army units for further evaluation by the soldiers. In addition, companies will provide a technology transition and commercialization plan for DOD and commercial markets. • Develop several iterative prototypes and conduct field trials. • Validate system performance in realistic operational scenarios with a transformation in contact unit of the Army. • Refine AI/ML algorithms and optimize autonomous behaviors. • Demonstrate self-recovery and adaptive terrain capabilities. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Complete the maturation of the company’s technology developed in Phase II to TRL 6/7 and produce prototypes to support further development and commercialization. The Army will evaluate each product in a realistic field environment and provide small solutions to stakeholders for further evaluation. Based on soldier evaluations in the field, companies will be requested to update the previously delivered prototypes to meet final design configuration. REFERENCES: https://www.xtech.army.mil/competitions/ KEYWORDS: Autonomous Systems; AI-Driven Robotics; Sensor Fusion; Secure Communications; Human-Machine Teaming; Human-Machine Interface; Human-Machine Integration; Edge Computing; Resilient Robotics; Terrain Adaptation; ISR Payloads; Modular Integration; Modular Design

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