Rapidly Deployable Aerial Interdiction Cluster

The Missile Defense Agency is soliciting novel solutions for a Rapidly Deployable Aerial Interdiction Cluster under solicitation MDA27BZ02-DV002. This Phase I SBIR effort, set aside for small businesses with fewer than 500 employees, seeks a low SWaP-C system capable of transitioning from standby to autonomous, sustained operations for close-in defense. The proposed cluster must feature continuously cycling elements capable of surveillance, discrimination, electronic warfare, and attack modes to interdict threats such as hypersonic vehicles, glide vehicles, drones, and low-flying aerial objects. Key technical requirements include the ability to maneuver and loiter, the use of modular cargo bays for payloads, and a resilient mesh-node architecture with multiple communication pathways. Award selections will be based on a best-value trade-off analysis, prioritizing technical approach, investigator qualifications, and commercialization potential over cost. The project requires integration with the JANNAF Plume/Wake/Hypersonic Flowfield and Hardbody Signature Prediction Suite. Performance will be verified through a demonstration of function and performance, with Phase III requirements necessitating verification in a realistic environment using a system-level test-bed. Contractors must adhere to strict cybersecurity standards, including CMMC and DFARS 252.204-7012, and comply with rigorous technical document marking and export control regulations under the Arms Export Control Act. Proposals must be submitted via the DSIP portal, with Phase I performance typically spanning six to twelve months.