Top

Commercialization of Ultra-High Payload-to-Weight UAS Subsystems

Active

DPA26BZ05-DV022SBIR / STTR

Response Deadline08/26/2026, 04:00:00 AM UTC

Contract Overview

Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.

AI Contract Overview

The contract aims to overcome the current 1:1 payload-to-weight bottleneck in multirotor UAS by advancing two distinct revolutionary pathways: ultra-lightweight aerodynamic design and high-efficiency powertrain systems. Proposers must choose one of two tracks—Track A focuses on developing novel airframe and rotor architectures with extreme weight reduction while integrating commercialization-critical subcomponents like communications, autonomy, safety, and transportability, along with initiating certification pathways; Track B targets the transition of high-power-density propulsion systems into certified, mass-producible modules compatible with any platform. Each proposal must deliver a market-ready subsystem within 24 months, complete with a full technical data package and a viable path to certification, demonstrating not just technical innovation but also a scalable, commercially viable manufacturing and deployment strategy. Teams must include qualified personnel to manage the effort and build a ramp-up capacity to execute end-of-period readiness tests, ensuring the capability to design, manufacture, test, and certify at a commercially relevant scale. This Direct to Phase II SBIR solicitation is strictly limited to small businesses with fewer than 500 employees under a total small business set-aside and prohibits any firm from receiving more than one Phase II award on this topic. Proposals are due by August 26, 2026, and must align precisely with either Track A or Track B—no hybrid submissions are permitted. The initiative is driven by recent breakthroughs demonstrated in events like the DARPA Lift Challenge, signaling that payloads exceeding four times the vehicle weight are now feasible, and seeks to rapidly transition those prototypes into operational, certified, and scalable subsystems ready for real-world deployment. Success requires more than experimental prototypes; it demands a clear, executable plan for commercialization, including supply chain readiness, certification milestones, and integration pathways into existing or future UAS platforms.

General Info

Develop ultra-light airframes or high-efficiency powertrains for certified, scalable multirotor UAS with commercialization plans by 2026.

Agency

Department of Defense → Defense Advanced Research Projects AgencyView Agency

NAICS

336413 - Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment ManufacturingView NAICS

Place of Performance

Not specified

Set-Aside

SBA

Documents

(0)

No documents available

AI Contract Breakdown

Uniform Contract Format

No contract breakdown available.

Cannot generate Contract Breakdown because no documents were found from this contract's source.

Timeline

PhaseSolicitation

PostedAug 5

Solicitation

Response DeadlineAug 26

Submission deadline

Response Deadline

08/26/2026, 04:00:00 AM UTCin 20 days

Ready to pursue this opportunity?

Start your free trial to track this contract, build proposals with AI assistance, and manage your pipeline.

Organization & Contact Information

AgencyDepartment of Defense → Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency

ContactsNo contacts available

OfficeUS

Organization / Agency

Department of Defense → Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency

View Agency Profile

Office AddressUS

ContactsNo contact information available

Full Description

The current heavy-lift bottleneck limits most multirotor UAS payload-to-weight ratios to approximately 1:1. Recent events, such as the DARPA Lift Challenge, have demonstrated that at least a 4:1 ratio is achievable through aggressive weight minimization, advanced materials, and novel propulsion. This Direct to Phase II (DP2) SBIR seeks to capitalize on the momentum of these highly innovative concepts. There are two tracks (Track A and Track B) each with a unique set of end-of-period readiness tests and ultimate program objectives. Each proposal should contain a plan to accomplish all tasks, tests, and objectives for a single track. A proposing team may only submit one proposal per track. Note that in accordance with Sec 4(b)(5) of the Small Business Administration’s SBIR & STTR Policy Directive, no firm can be selected for more than one Phase II award on a given topic. Proposals must align with one of the following two tracks: • Track A: Revolutionary Aerodynamic Design: Focuses on ultra-lightweight structures, novel airframe/rotor configurations, and architectures that enable high-capacity lift, alongside the integration of essential commercialization subcomponents (communications, autonomy, safety, and transportability) and the initiation of certification pathways. • Track B: Revolutionary Powertrain Design: Focuses on transitioning high-efficiency, high-power-density propulsion systems into mass-produced, certified modules ready for integration into any platform. A successful proposal will not only outline a clear plan to meet the technical milestones but also demonstrate a credible path to commercialization. The program is designed to fund teams capable of delivering a market-ready subsystem, supported by a complete technical data package and a viable certification strategy, within a 24-month period or less. A successful proposal to Track A or Track B will outline key personnel to manage the overall effort and a ramp-up team to perform the end-of-period readiness test. The successful team will have expanded their capabilities to design, manufacture, test, and certify their subsystem at a commercially relevant scale.