Software Defined Radio for Link Diversity

The contract seeks the design and development of a software defined radio system optimized for multi-band operation across S, X, and Ka bands, intended as a drop-in or near drop-in replacement for existing interceptor radio systems to significantly enhance communication capabilities. The radio must include independent RF chains capable of rapid frequency hopping and adaptive frequency selection based on real-time signal-to-noise ratio measurements, with make-before-break handover functionality to ensure uninterrupted communication. Precise timing is required through temperature-controlled crystal oscillation, and the system must continuously sense, rank, and schedule available frequencies within the designated bands to optimize performance under dynamic conditions. Survivability in the extreme environments of interceptor flight is mandatory, and the radio must support concurrent communications with both ground and space-based assets without degradation. The system is to be developed under a Small Business Set-Aside, exclusively for small businesses with fewer than 500 employees, as mandated under SBIR/STTR programs. The solicitation is issued by the Missile Defense Agency under the Department of Defense, with a response deadline of July 22, 2026, and a posting date of July 1, 2026. Specific communication band parameters and performance metrics will be defined after award, but the design must be flexible and robust enough to accommodate those requirements without major architectural changes. The goal is to deliver a hardened, high-performance communication solution that enhances situational awareness and link diversity for interceptors operating in contested and austere environments.