Sensing to Measure and Validate Corrosion in Naval Systems
STTR Opportunity Analysis
The Department of Defense’s Navy is seeking an STTR solution to develop an AI-enabled sensing tool for monitoring and assessing corrosion in Navy ship systems and subsystems. The work is intended to identify corrosion modes, estimate component life, and support maintenance planning by combining advanced sensing with analytics for ship materials and operating environments. Phase I emphasizes downselecting non-destructive and electrochemical technologies, with a preference for non-contact methods, while demonstrating the ability to detect corrosion degradation mechanisms including pitting and stress corrosion cracking and to assess measurement quality, spatial resolution, and speed. Phase II extends testing to larger coated and uncoated coupons, includes collaboration with a Navy laboratory, and calls for further validation in Navy-relevant field environments. The opportunity is open under number DON26TZ01-NV012, with applications due June 3, 2026 at 4:00 PM UTC.