The Department of Defense, through the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), is seeking innovative solutions for a Low Cost Divert and Attitude Control System (DACS) under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The objective is to develop affordable DACS technologies that utilize moderate chamber pressures and combustion temperatures, aiming for a system cost of less than $100,000 per unit while ensuring a 10:1 ratio of divert thrust to weight and a 20-year shelf life. This initiative is crucial for enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of missile defense systems. Proposals for Phase II are due by February 5, 2025, with the opportunity opening on January 8, 2025. For more details, interested parties can visit the official solicitation page at [dodsbirsttr.mil](https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/topics-app/).

## Description

Divert and attitude control systems (DACS) utilize rockets to control a vehicle&rsquo;s path and orientation. Recent advances in manufacturing processes could reduce the cost of DACS utilizing moderate chamber pressures and combustion temperatures. This topic seeks technologies to minimize the cost of DACS with a target system cost of less than $100,000 per DACS using 1.3 hazard class propellants. Proposed solutions may be individual components for DACS, but must show awareness of entire DACS system. DACS must have 10:1 ratio of divert thrust to weight of DACS. Solutions must allow 20 year shelf life, for simple transportation, and logistics, and maintain a constant ready status.

## Objective

Develop affordable divert and attitude control system technologies.

## Phase I

Phase I-like proposals will not be evaluated and will be rejected as nonresponsive. &nbsp;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. &nbsp;Proposal must show, as appropriate, a demonstrated technical feasibility or nascent capability. &nbsp; 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. &nbsp;Documentation should comprise all relevant information including, but not limited to, technical reports, test data, prototype designs/models, and performance goals/results. &nbsp;Feasibility = maturity and what have you already done/validated. &nbsp;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. &nbsp; (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. &nbsp;The documentation provided must validate that the proposer has completed development of technology in previous work or research completed.) &nbsp;IRAD work: &nbsp;Documentation should include the most relevant information including, but not limited to: &nbsp;technical reports, test data, prototype designs/models, and/or performance goals/results. &nbsp;Work submitted within the feasibility documentation must have been substantially performed by the proposer and/or the principal investigator (PI). &nbsp;

## Phase II

Conduct DACS system level trades to identify requirements of components. Demonstrate performance of DACS and/or components in relevant environment. Proposers must demonstrate scalability of the proposed manufacturing process to achieve cost requirements at high production rates and survivability of the components in a relevant environments.

## Phase III: Dual Use Applications

Produce a DACS by processes which minimize cost when scaled to full production rate, and test the developed system in a simulated environment.

Low Cost Divert and Attitude Control System

SBIR Opportunity Analysis

SBIR Documents

Related SBIR/STTR Opportunities

Opportunity Snapshot

Key Dates