SBIROpen

Compact Battery Operated Mid-wave Infrared (MWIR) Hyperspectral, High-Definition, Real-Time Video Camera Integrated with Photonic Crystal

Solicitation ID26.BZ
Agency
DOD
NAVY
Deadline
Jun 3, 2026
4 days left
Posted Date
Apr 13, 2026
Classification
SBIR
Phase: BOTH

SBIR Opportunity Analysis

The U.S. Navy, through the DoD SBIR program, is seeking proposals to develop a compact, battery-operated mid-wave infrared hyperspectral video camera for mobile sensor platforms. The work centers on on-chip photonic multiplexing and a photonic crystal-integrated focal plane array approach to produce real-time hyperspectral imaging in a much smaller, lower-power form factor than conventional systems. Key targets include the 3 to 5 micron band, spectral resolution below 5 nm, threshold array performance of 1280 by 1024 pixels, and the ability to support high-bandwidth hyperspectral video capture with up to 500 spectral bands. Phase I emphasizes feasibility of the design approach, while Phase II calls for optimization of polarization insensitivity, wide field-of-view, and broadband performance, followed by experimental real-time imager demonstration. The topic is DON26BZ01-NV011 under solicitation 26.BZ, opened May 6, 2026 and closing June 3, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET.

SBIR Documents

1 Files
1776211343885.pdf
PDF75 KBMay 11, 2026
AI Summary
The DON26BZ01-NV011 project seeks to develop a compact, battery-operated mid-wave infrared (MWIR) hyperspectral imaging (HSI) video camera for mobile sensor platforms. Traditional HSI systems are large, slow, and suffer from low signal-to-noise ratios. This project aims to overcome these limitations by using on-chip photonic multiplexing, leveraging large-scale simulations, machine learning, and data-driven design. The goal is to achieve real-time HSI video capture with high spectral and spatial resolution (3-5 microns, <5nm spectral resolution, 1280x1024 pixels threshold) in a compact form factor (7.5 grams, <4.9 cm³), consuming low power. Phase I focuses on demonstrating the feasibility of this design approach, aiming for 100x faster acquisition and 10x improved spectral resolution. Phase II will optimize the design for polarization insensitivity and broadband performance, culminating in a real-time MWIR HSI imager demonstration. Phase III will focus on manufacturability and commercialization for dual-use applications in chemical, photometric, and biological sensing, offering superior performance compared to existing multi-spectral cameras.

Related SBIR/STTR Opportunities

Opportunity Snapshot

Source SystemOfficial Link
Program Type
SBIR - BOTH
Agency
DOD / NAVY

Key Dates

Release DateApr 13, 2026
Open DateMay 6, 2026
Application DueJun 3, 2026
Close DateJun 3, 2026