Survivable & Affordable Lens Technology (SALT)

The Department of Defense, under the Small Business Innovation Research program, is seeking proposals to investigate whether low-cost alkali-halide optical materials can serve as moisture-resistant, cost-effective alternatives to traditional infrared lens materials for attritable unmanned drone vehicles. Selected contractors will design, analyze, and eventually manufacture protective-coated lens assemblies optimized for military-grade uncooled infrared sensors, using platforms like the Odd Systems Kurbas-640 as a baseline. The scope requires Phase I optical design, environmental durability analysis, and cost comparisons, followed by Phase II hardware manufacturing, passive athermalization, and image performance validation per military specifications. Proposals must be submitted through the Department of Defense SBIR portal, with the application period opening on July 22, 2026, and closing on August 19, 2026, at 4:00 PM Eastern Time.