Ground and Air Launched Drone Swarms Create a Self-Protecting Perimeter Using Autonomous AI

Mobility Air Forces aircraft serve as the logistical backbone of the Department of War and operate as high-value assets in modern contested environments that can be significantly augmented with enhanced organic self-protection and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities to maintain operational overmatch. Similarly, forward operating bases can bolster their security posture by leveraging rapidly deployable, autonomous perimeter defense networks. The objective of this project is to adapt mature, readily available autonomous drone swarm technology to enhance capabilities across these dual domains. By integrating hardware-agnostic, artificial intelligence-driven swarm control software, this innovative concept aims to drastically augment the operational capabilities of the DoW by transforming mobility airframes into adaptive, force-multiplying launch platforms and providing defenders with a rapidly deployable swarm for base security. At project start, the core readily available technology sits at a Technology Readiness Level of 5 or more. The target at the end of this Direct to Phase II research and development effort is Technology Readiness Level 7, representing a military-adapted system prototype demonstrated under operational conditions. To achieve this R&D objective, proposed methods include upgrading readily available communication links to integrate secure military protocols and developing the autonomous behaviors necessary to seamlessly transition from aerial deployment to ground-based perimeter defense. Vendors should propose methods for initial capability demonstrations of a fully integrated swarm capable of secure military communications, showcasing high-altitude deployment and autonomous perimeter establishment, alongside the comprehensive technical reporting required to transition the capability to subsequent defense acquisition phases or operational fielding.

Program: SBIR, Phase I and Phase II Agency: Department of War, Air Force Topic number: DAF26BX06-DV026 Solicitation: 26.BX Released September 2, 2026; proposals accepted from September 23, 2026 Closes October 21, 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/13010. 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.