Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) Thermal Management R&D

The contract seeks the development of advanced thermal management systems tailored for high-power directed energy weapons, focusing on efficient waste heat dissipation while maintaining strict beam stability and uninterrupted operational readiness. This research and development effort demands innovative solutions that can handle extreme thermal loads without introducing mechanical distortion, optical misalignment, or latency in system response, ensuring sustained performance under continuous or pulsed high-energy operations. The technologies must be scalable, integration-ready, and capable of operating in diverse environmental conditions typical of military deployments. As a subcontract under the Department of Defense, this effort is driven by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency with a target completion deadline of September 30, 2026, and an initial posting date of July 31, 2026. The project falls under NAICS code 332439, indicating a focus on specialized metal forging and stamping activities related to precision components for defense systems. While no set-aside provisions or specific point of contact are detailed, the place of performance and organizational structure remain undefined, leaving flexibility for qualified subcontractors to propose locations and teaming arrangements that best meet technical requirements.