Potential Application of Very Large Array (VLA) over Transmission Infrastructure

The Missile Defense Agency is seeking innovative solutions to enhance the resilience of the nation’s missile defense system by leveraging existing power transmission infrastructure to detect anomalous signals from unknown sources. This initiative proposes the potential application of the Very Large Array (VLA) technology to monitor and interpret subtle power anomalies that could indicate emerging threats, aiming to create additional layers of detection without requiring new dedicated infrastructure. The effort is part of a broader strategy to expand surveillance capacity using adaptive, low-profile methods that integrate with current systems to improve early warning capabilities against complex and evolving missile threats. The solicitation, identified as MDA26BZ04-NV004, is exclusively open to small businesses as a Total Small Business Set-Aside under the SBIR/STTR mandate, restricted to entities with fewer than 500 employees. It was posted on July 1, 2026, with responses due by July 22, 2026, and is administered by the Department of Defense through the Missile Defense Agency. While detailed location information for performance or contact is not provided, the opportunity is accessible through the official SBIR portal, emphasizing a focus on technological ingenuity from small business innovators capable of integrating advanced signal detection methods into national defense systems.