AQWEST, LLC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: SF222-0023
AQWEST, LLC — SBIR Phase I award from Department of Defense.
Phase I SBIR feasibility signal
- Phase I awards fund proof-of-concept work. For capture teams, they mark early interest from Department of Defense in a technical approach.
- Watch for Phase II follow-ons from the same firm/topic family — that conversion path is where budgets and transition pressure rise.
- Obligated amount $149,947. Cross-check similar awards in the same agency and technology tags for going-rate context.
- Topic code SF222-0023 links this award to a solicitation family — search the same topic stem for incumbents and recompete timing.
- Amount
- $149,947
- Agency
- Department of Defense · Air Force
- Program / Phase
- SBIR · Phase I
- Topic
- SF222-0023
- Solicitation
- 22.2
- NAICS
- —
- Place of performance
- CO
- Period
- 2022-12-15 → 2023-09-21
Description
Aqwest proposes to develop hardware solution that improves resiliency of satellites to directed energy threats. Our solution is a low-weight and cost-effective add-on, which is compatible with existing typical satellite systems, components, and modes of operation. In Phase I, we will define requirements for the technology to survive and operate within intended space, spacecraft, and DE threat environments. We will perform modeling to estimate effectiveness of the technology and conduct DE exposure testing on relevant scale to validate our approach. We will generate plans for execution of Phase II and for technology transition to end users. In Phase II, we will design, analyze, build, and ground test the technology, showing capability to survive and perform in the space, spacecraft, and DE threat environment. If necessary, space qualification testing may be performed so that Aqwest would be prepared to sell the product to the space market at the end of Phase II. In Phase III (Dual Use Applications), Aqwest will design, build, deliver, and support an experiment to allow the USSF to demonstrate the technology in a combined effects environment.