Optimally Packaged Assembly for Laser Systems (OPALS)

The Air Force requires light weight, compactly packaged optical systems to perform critical beam control functions for airborne high energy laser systems. The purpose of this topic is not to develop new outer moldlines or turret designs for airborne systems but rather focus on optimizing the packaging and performance of the internal optical system required to perform the core beam control functions. A canonical layout of such system is available in Reference 1. The Government expects the designed beam control system will perform all functions laid out in the canonical design - or that any deviations are thoroughly understood and technically justified. Additionally, designs should prioritize ease of alignment and component replacement, potential for line replaceable units, beam path conditioning, and material free of shedding contaminants which could lead to foreign object damage. In order to achieve these objectives, the Government anticipates investigations into the following areas, although this list is informational and is intended to be neither proscriptive nor comprehensive:Ruggedized Optical Design and MaterialsRobust Packaging and Assembly TechniquesNovel Optical Architectures: Explore and develop innovative optical designs inherently tolerant to vibrations, shocks, and thermal gradients.Advanced Materials Selection: Investigate and characterize advanced materials with superior thermo-mechanical properties. This includes exploring specialized glasses, ceramics, and composites for optical elements and mounting structures.Advanced Manufacturing and Assembly Processes: Investigate and implement advanced manufacturing techniques, such as additive manufacturing and precision micro-assembly, to fabricate intricate components and achieve high-precision alignment and bonding of optical elements.Athermalized Design Strategies: Implement passive and active athermalization techniques to mitigate the performance degradation caused by temperature fluctuations. This involves optimizing material choices, employing thermal compensation methods.

Program: SBIR, Phase I and Phase II Agency: Department of War, Air Force Topic number: DAF27BZ01-NV002 Solicitation: 27.BZ Released October 7, 2026; proposals accepted from October 28, 2026 Closes November 25, 2026. Check the official solicitation for the exact due time. Award type: contract, not a grant. Official solicitation: https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/topics-app/ Listed on SBIR.gov: https://www.sbir.gov/topics/13026. SBIR.gov copies agency solicitations and can lag behind them; the official solicitation is the final word.

Small businesses only: a for-profit US business with 500 or fewer employees, including affiliates.

More than 50% owned and controlled by US citizens or permanent residents (some agencies also accept majority ownership by venture capital, hedge fund or private equity firms; the solicitation says).

SBIR: the principal investigator is primarily employed by the business. STTR: the business partners with a US nonprofit research institution or university, which does at least 30% of the work.

Registered in SAM.gov before submitting.

Check the official solicitation for its own conditions, proposal limits and security review.