The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is seeking innovative technologies for interceptor seekers that enhance missile defense capabilities in the space domain through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The objective is to develop advanced seekers that can effectively detect missile threats, withstand the rigors of space launch and operation, and transition from standby to active states rapidly, all while being compact and cost-effective. This initiative is critical for the MDA's mission to protect the United States and its allies from missile attacks, emphasizing the need for disruptive technologies in a contested environment. Proposals are due by July 23, 2025, and must demonstrate prior technical feasibility and readiness for Phase II development, with further details available at the provided solicitation link.

OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Microelectronics; Space Technology; Advanced Materials 

 

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws. 

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop innovative seekers for future interceptors capable of providing missile defense in the space domain. 

 

DESCRIPTION: The mission of the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is to develop and deploy a layered Missile Defense System to defend the United States, its deployed forces, allies, and friends from missile attacks in all phases of flight.  Critical to meeting this mission is the continued development of disruptive technologies that enable missile defense in the contested space domain.   

An on-board seeker helps an interceptor “see” a missile threat in order to inform course corrections.  This hardware would need to survive space launch, long-duration standby, high-accelerations during interceptor maneuvers, and operation within space and (potentially) the upper atmosphere.  This hardware would be required to go from a stand-by state to a ready state within seconds and must be capable of acquiring a missile threat at long ranges in a noisy and/or cluttered background.  Finally, this hardware must be compact, affordable, and manufacturable.  MDA is seeking innovative interceptor seekers that meet these attributes.  

Singular technologies and/or components would be considered, but higher levels of assembly are highly desired. 

 

PHASE I: Phase I-like proposals will not be evaluated and will be rejected as nonresponsive. For this topic, the Government expects the small business would have accomplished the following in a Phase I-like effort via some other means, e.g., independent research and development (IRAD) or other source, a concept for a workable prototype or design to address, at a minimum, the basic capabilities of the stated objective above. Proposal must show, as appropriate, a demonstrated technical feasibility or nascent capability. The documentation provided must substantiate the proposer’s development of a preliminary understanding of the technology to be applied in their Phase II proposal in meeting topic objectives. 

Documentation should comprise all relevant information including, but not limited to, technical reports, test data, prototype designs/models, and performance goals/results. Feasibility = maturity and what have you already done/validated. 

Proposers interested in participating in Direct to Phase II must include in their responses to this topic Phase I feasibility documentation that substantiates the scientific and technical merit and Phase I feasibility described in Phase I above has been met. 

(i.e., the small business must have performed a proof of concept like “Phase I” component and/or other validation in a relevant environment, and/or at a much higher TRL level (5 or higher) and describe the potential commercialization applications. The documentation provided must validate that the proposer has completed development of technology in previous work or research completed.) 

IRAD work: Documentation should include the most relevant information including, but not limited to: technical reports, test data, prototype designs/models, and/or performance goals/results. Work submitted within the feasibility documentation must have been substantially performed by the proposer and/or the principal investigator (PI). 

 

PHASE II: Proposed technologies should start at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 (breadboard tested in a laboratory environment) and reach TRL 5 (brassboard tested in a relevant environment) within 2 years.  This Phase II solicitation requires UNCLASSIFIED proposals, with the expectation that most if not all of the work completed would be done at the SECRET or higher classification level.  Please submit proposals that are based on your best skills, experience and capability to deliver innovative technology to support the MDA mission. 

 

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Phase III work would likely involve the development of a prototype seeker assembly, proto-qualification of that prototype, and then a space launch to flight demonstrate the prototype and reach TRL 6/7.  Performers are encouraged to partner with non-traditional integrators in order to accelerate the transition of their seeker into a fielded interceptor. 

 

REFERENCES: 

Executive Order No. 14186, “The Iron Dome for America”, 27 Jan 2025, accessed on www.whitehouse.gov 

Solicitation No. HQ0860-25-S-0001, “Missile Defense Agency - Multiple Authority Announcement”, 27 March 2025, accessed on www.sam.gov 

 

KEYWORDS: Space; Missile; Intercept; Seeker

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