This is an SBIR/STTR contract topic from the Air Force for US small businesses (500 or fewer employees) building AI/ML for Space Force missile warning, tracking, and multi-sensor fusion. It is for defense-adjacent tech firms doing R&D and proof-of-concept work, not for companies looking for general small-business funding. Nonprofits and businesses outside defense tech should not bother applying.
| Industry | Estimated fit |
|---|---|
| Technology & SoftwareMatches your industry (tech, sbir, sttr) | 80 |
| Healthcare & BiotechLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses | 54 |
| Energy & Clean TechLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses | 52 |
| Transportation & LogisticsMatches your industry (transit) | 49 |
| Food & BeverageLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses | 45 |
| ManufacturingLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses | 45 |
| Industry | Estimated fit |
|---|---|
| Retail & E-CommerceLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses | 45 |
| Housing & Real EstateLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses | 44 |
| Agriculture & FarmingLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses | 43 |
| Finance & BankingLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses | 43 |
| Construction & InfrastructureLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses | 41 |
| Arts & CultureLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants. | 0 |
| Education & TrainingLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants. | 0 |
| Environment & ConservationLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants. | 0 |
| Social Services & NonprofitLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants. | 0 |
These are our matcher’s estimates for a typical business in each industry. A real match depends on your size, your state and what you need the money for — check your own fit.
SBIR Phase I/II contract topic for US small businesses (500 or fewer employees) to develop AI/ML solutions for Space Force missile warning: multi-sensor fusion, real-time tracking of hypersonic and maneuverable threats across GEO/MEO/LEO satellites, with feasibility studies and proof-of-concept demos transitioning to the OPIR Tap Lab testbed.
The purpose of this topic is to address a critical need within the U.S. Space Force’s Missile Warning, Tracking, and Response mission by advancing the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies to improve multi-sensor fusion, missile tracking precision, and real-time situational awareness within a multi-orbit satellite framework (GEO, MEO, and LEO). Current technologies face challenges in fusing large volumes of disparate data across multiple sensing modalities, tackling latency in data processing, and accurately tracking increasingly sophisticated threats such as hypersonic and maneuverable missile systems.
This effort seeks to develop and validate advanced data processing techniques including AI/ML solutions for both ground-based and satellite-based multisensor fusion capable of real-time processing for advanced OPIR Missile Detection, Warning, Tracking, and Reporting. These solutions will enable enhanced detection, tracking, and reporting of advanced missile threats by leveraging novel algorithms for target identification, data association, and real-time 3D tracking across multi-orbit platforms. Initial solutions should target feasibility studies and technical proof-of-concept demonstrations with the goal to transition the capability into the OPIR Tap Lab or similar testbed to build and test solutions in an operationally relevant environment. The advancements made on this effort have the potential to significantly contribute to the Space Force’s mission of persistent global surveillance, improved defensive decision-making, and sustained space superiority.
Program: SBIR, Phase I and Phase II Agency: Department of War, Air Force Topic number: DAF26BX06-NV510 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/13009. 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.
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