ERIS Shopping Notice: High Duty Cycle High Energy Lasers (HEL) for SWaP-Constrained Systems

DARPA’s Strategic Technologies Office is actively seeking innovative, post-competitive solutions through the ERIS Marketplace for high-energy lasers operating in the 100W to 20 kW power range with high duty cycle capabilities, specifically designed for integration into Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP)-constrained military platforms such as Stryker vehicles, Collaborative Combat Aircraft, and other unmanned aerial systems. The solicitation, identified as DARPA-SN-26-82 and posted on June 4, 2026, with a closing date of November 30, 2026, is not a traditional procurement but a market research effort aimed at identifying breakthrough technologies that advance the state of the art in laser systems under austere conditions. Proposals must demonstrate a clear understanding of current technical limitations, particularly regarding thermal management, beam coherence, and sustained firing capability, while proposing novel architectures that enable scalable power generation, phase control for beam tuning, wavelength flexibility, and efficient heat exhaust to maintain operational readiness. Solutions must be submitted as video presentations via the DARPAConnect ERIS Portal, titled in the format “DARPA-SN-26-82: [Your Solution Title],” with a mandatory confirmation email sent to eris@darpa.mil containing the submission title and date. Both new proposals and existing awardable solutions on ERIS may be submitted, with existing providers able to flag prior submissions for consideration. Evaluation is based on four core, equally critical factors: the depth of problem definition and comparison to the current state of the art; the potential for significant technical innovation in generating high-power lasers for compact platforms; the demonstrated expertise and vision of the proposing team; and the broader impact on tactical defense systems such as counter-UAV and counter-rocket applications as well as potential commercial use cases. Submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the government retains the right to make one or more awards before the official deadline, meaning early submission is strongly encouraged. There are no specified pricing structures, delivery schedules, or contract clauses, as this is a research and discovery effort under ERIS; all participants are directed to the established ERIS Master Solicitation for standard procedures. The effort falls under NAICS code 541713 and is managed by DARPA from its Arlington, Virginia office, with all inquiries and submissions routed through the designated ERIS coordinator.