Affordable IR Sensors for Proliferated LEO Missile Tracking Constellation
SBIR Opportunity Analysis
The United States Space Force, through the Space Development Agency, is seeking an SBIR Phase II solution for affordable midwave infrared sensors to support the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture and other missile warning and tracking missions. The work focuses on developing and fabricating engineering prototypes for space-based missile detection, along with test and verification data and a cost-reduction analysis covering materials, fabrication processes, and supply chain tradeoffs. The sensors must operate in the 3–5 µm band, tolerate radiation for at least five years in low Earth orbit, fit smallsat SWaP-D constraints, and reach TRL 5 by the end of Phase II, with emphasis on manufacturability and scalable production. This topic is restricted under ITAR with disclosure of foreign national involvement, and proposals are due by May 13, 2026 at 4:00 PM UTC.