SBIR Signal

OPEN - Proliferated Low-Altitude Detection for C-sUAS

SBIR topic from SpaceWERX, solicitation 26.BX. Closes 2026-10-21 (42 days left).

Component (WERX)
SpaceWERX
Agency
USAF
Program / Phase
SBIR
Solicitation #
26.BX
Topic #
DAF26BX06-DP027
Status
Pre-release
TPOC Q&A window
Open until 2026-09-23 — sponsors accept direct questions during pre-release.
Pre-release date
2026-09-02
Open date
2026-09-23
Close date
2026-10-21 · 42 days until close · Add to calendar · See all deadlines
Set-aside
—
NAICS
—
Pre-release topic brief

Topic brief

This SBIR topic is in pre-release. Use the TPOC Q&A window before proposals open — that is the highest-value intelligence window on DAF26BX06-DP027.

Pre-release focus: Prioritize TPOC Q&A before the open date. Proposals open 2026-09-23.

Who this is for

  • Firms that already have a draft capability narrative ready to adapt
  • Teams that can ask sharp technical questions without revealing proprietary IP
  • Companies tracking a monthly DSIP / WERX release cadence

Capture playbook

  1. Read the full topic text and note must-have vs nice-to-have requirements
  2. Submit clarifying questions to the topic author / TPOC before Q&A closes
  3. Map prior winners in the same component and tech domain (see related awards)
  4. Run a free readiness scorecard and decide go / no-go before open day
  5. Set a deadline alert for 2026-10-21 so you do not miss close

pWin cues

  • Clear alignment between past performance and stated technical objectives
  • Ability to field a prototype on the implied timeline
  • No hard requirement you cannot evidence (facility, clearance, TRL)

Watch-outs

  • Q&A ends when the topic opens — late questions often go unanswered
  • Incumbents from prior topic families may already be drafting
  • Pre-release text can still change; re-read on open day

Peer open topics

Topic brief FAQ

What is pre-release on SBIR/STTR topics?

Pre-release is the window after a topic is announced but before proposals open, when you may contact the topic author/TPOC with questions.

Should I start writing before the topic opens?

Outline and evidence mapping yes; final page-limited drafts wait until the official open text freezes requirements.

How do I track this deadline?

Save the topic on SBIR Signal and set a deadline alert, or use the deadline calendar export.

Readiness scorecard Capability match Monthly open-topic digest All topic briefs

Go / No-Go decision pack

One-click pack: competitive field, conversion signal, related awards, and (Pro) a full GO / MAYBE / NO-GO verdict against your capability.

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Incumbent detector

No adjacent award history found for this topic yet. Use the decision pack and scorecard to build your own go/no-go case, and re-check after the next data refresh.

Description

Innovations in Counter-UAS sensor technologies, data processing, and networking to solve the "sneaky drone" problem by improving the detection, tracking, and identification of small, low-altitude, terrain-masked, and RF-silent Group 1-3 UAS. The system must detect targets from 1 meter up to 300 meters (threshold), 500 meters (objective) off the ground, with individual sensor nodes detecting targets at a horizontal range of at least 100 meters. The nodes must integrate to create at least 10km of combined linear boundary coverage. The final system must cost less than $100k at full-rate production.

View / apply on DoD DSIP ↗

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