ARM26BX02-NV004ActiveSBIR

Scalable Agile Manufacturing of Launched Effects

Department of DefenseARMY

AI Overview

This RFP seeks scalable manufacturing processes for low-cost, tube-launched unmanned aircraft airframes capable of mass production at 10,000 units monthly. Proposals must demonstrate agile, modular manufacturing approaches using cost-effective materials that enable rapid design adaptation while maintaining structural performance for demanding operations.

This summary is AI-generated from the official solicitation.

Key Details

Agency
Department of Defense
Funding Amount
Release Date
May 6, 2026
Due Date
June 24, 2026

Official Description

Uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) are expected to play an increasingly significant role on the future battlefield. Launched Effects (LEs) are UAS launched from a tube either from air or ground platforms and can perform a variety of missions. The attritable or optionally recoverable nature and desire for “swarming” of LEs means the Army will need large numbers of them produced at high rates and for low cost, and a rapidly changing battlefield will require an agile manufacturing process.

Current ai...

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Change History

Status ChangedMay 27, 2026 at 1:02 PM

Scalable Agile Manufacturing of Launched Effects

Status changed from Pre-Release to Open

Q&A UpdatedMay 22, 2026 at 10:03 PM

Scalable Agile Manufacturing of Launched Effects

# Q&A Changes Summary **One new question added (Q1):** Clarifies that the topic accepts either design-for-manufacturing OR manufacturing process solutions; evaluation will assess the entire approach's reasonableness; and tube-launch capability is important but preliminary designs don't need complete fielding engineering. **All previously answered questions retained** with identical responses. No answers were updated or clarified further.

Q&A UpdatedMay 21, 2026 at 1:02 PM

Scalable Agile Manufacturing of Launched Effects

# Q&A Changes Summary **New Q&A added (Q1):** Four clarifications on key evaluation criteria: - Cost ($2K) and rate (10K/month) targets are **aspirational, not hard thresholds** for Phase I - Design-change reconfiguration can be achieved via software or physical tooling changes - No prescribed structural performance floor; evaluation based on improvement over state-of-the-art - Phase I emphasis on demonstrating Phase II feasibility; relative weight of process maturity vs. modeled approach depends on technology maturity and complexity **Previous Q&As (Q2-Q6):** Renumbered without substantive changes.

Q&A UpdatedMay 19, 2026 at 4:12 PM

Scalable Agile Manufacturing of Launched Effects

Added new Q2 clarifying airframe scope (structural features only, no non-structural systems design required), tube geometry (offeror-defined), and design-change adaptability evaluation criteria. Renumbered subsequent Q&As accordingly.

Q&A UpdatedMay 19, 2026 at 2:04 PM

Scalable Agile Manufacturing of Launched Effects

Added 1 new Q&A clarifying material and manufacturing flexibility: thermoset composites allowed, no material type restrictions, and partnership with qualified LE-SR vehicle not required. Existing Q&As (design specs, $300K Phase I limit, tube-launch requirement) renumbered but unchanged.

Q&A UpdatedMay 11, 2026 at 10:30 PM

Scalable Agile Manufacturing of Launched Effects

Added 1 new Q&A (Q3) clarifying that the aircraft must be designed specifically for tube-launch, with manufacturing considerations across the entire vehicle structure.

Q&A UpdatedMay 11, 2026 at 3:15 PM

Scalable Agile Manufacturing of Launched Effects

Added 1 new Q&A (Q1) providing technical guidance on feasibility study design parameters: clarifies that performance metrics should be appropriate to airframe size rather than prescriptive dimensions/weights, identifies major load cases (launch, aerodynamic, handling), and notes no public reference designs available. Previous typo correction (Phase I $300K limit) moved to Q2.

Q&A UpdatedMay 8, 2026 at 2:45 PM

Scalable Agile Manufacturing of Launched Effects

This Q&A clarifies that Phase I submissions have a maximum cost limit of $300,000 (not $3,000,000 as stated in the original document due to a typo) with a performance period of 1-6 months.

Opportunity AddedMay 6, 2026 at 12:52 PM

Scalable Agile Manufacturing of Launched Effects

New opportunity: Scalable Agile Manufacturing of Launched Effects

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