This solicitation closed on June 3, 2026

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DAF26BZ01-NV003CancelledSBIR

Low-Cost Modular Payload Vehicle for Agile Electronic Warfare Swarms with Ground Launch Capability

Department of DefenseUSAF

AI Overview

This RFP seeks a low-cost, modular small unmanned aircraft system with standardized payload interfaces designed for rapid electronic warfare deployment. The platform must support ground launch, accommodate 3-10 unit swarms, carry 5+ lb payloads for 45+ minutes at 100+ km range to enable flexible, quickly-reconfigurable missions.

This summary is AI-generated from the official solicitation.

Key Details

Agency
Department of Defense
Funding Amount
Release Date
March 2, 2026
Due Date
June 3, 2026 (Closed)

Official Description

The effective deployment of electronic warfare (EW) capabilities relies on agile and adaptable platforms that can rapidly integrate and deploy a variety of payloads. Current sUAS platforms often lack the modularity and flexibility required to support the rapid evolution of EW technology. This topic addresses the need for a low-cost, versatile sUAS platform specifically designed to accommodate modular payloads and designed for ground launch, enabling rapid deployment in diverse operational enviro...

Change History

Opportunity RemovedJun 3, 2026 at 4:01 PM

Low-Cost Modular Payload Vehicle for Agile Electronic Warfare Swarms with Ground Launch Capability

Opportunity DAF26BZ01-NV003 no longer available

Q&A UpdatedMay 21, 2026 at 3:01 PM

Low-Cost Modular Payload Vehicle for Agile Electronic Warfare Swarms with Ground Launch Capability

**Key Change Summary:** **Q1 Answer Updated:** Clarified that while EW is the primary mission driver, the platform must be truly "payload agnostic" — supporting rapid integration of diverse payloads (ISR, comms, EW) across defense and commercial sectors, not just EW applications. All other Q&As (Q2–Q7) remain unchanged.

Q&A UpdatedMay 20, 2026 at 5:02 PM

Low-Cost Modular Payload Vehicle for Agile Electronic Warfare Swarms with Ground Launch Capability

**Summary of Q&A Changes:** One new question added (Q1) asking whether rapid payload integration should target modular EW payloads specifically—no answer provided yet. All previously unanswered questions (original Q3-Q6) now have complete answers. Key clarifications: performance values are threshold requirements; cost target <$10k is suggested not mandated; no max weight/volume specified; VTOL acceptable; CLIK interface viable; offerors define range profile, launch sequencing, operator control depth, and swarm autonomy levels.

Q&A UpdatedMay 18, 2026 at 2:18 PM

Low-Cost Modular Payload Vehicle for Agile Electronic Warfare Swarms with Ground Launch Capability

# Q&A Changes Summary **New Answer Added:** - **Q1 (Cost Target):** Previously unanswered placeholder question now clarified. Government confirms <$10k per unit is "suggested, not mandated" as cost target; offerors may propose alternatives with justification. **Answer Upgraded:** - **Q2 (Threshold vs. Objective KPPs):** Previously unanswered; now explicitly states all performance values (100km range, 45-min endurance, 5 lb payload, 3–10 swarm size) are **minimum threshold requirements**, not objectives. **No Changes:** - Q3–Q6 answers remain identical to previous version.

Q&A UpdatedMay 15, 2026 at 8:34 PM

Low-Cost Modular Payload Vehicle for Agile Electronic Warfare Swarms with Ground Launch Capability

**Summary of Q&A Changes:** Added 2 new questions: Q1 asks about the Phase II unit cost target and production quantity (previously a placeholder); Q2 asks whether performance values (range, endurance, payload capacity, swarm size) are threshold or objective requirements. Both remain unanswered. All other questions were renumbered but retained identical answers.

Q&A UpdatedMay 7, 2026 at 8:35 PM

Low-Cost Modular Payload Vehicle for Agile Electronic Warfare Swarms with Ground Launch Capability

**No changes detected.** The Previous and Updated Q&A sections are identical. All four Q&As (Q1-Q4) and their answers remain unchanged.

Q&A UpdatedMay 6, 2026 at 3:03 PM

Low-Cost Modular Payload Vehicle for Agile Electronic Warfare Swarms with Ground Launch Capability

Added 5 new questions to Q1 covering: platform weight/volume limits, acceptable launch methods (canister, tube, RATO), EW payload RF specifications for EMC design, operator control requirements during flight, and swarm operational autonomy vs. human management. Previous Q&As (now Q2-Q4) remained substantively unchanged.

Status ChangedMay 6, 2026 at 1:47 PM

Low-Cost Modular Payload Vehicle for Agile Electronic Warfare Swarms with Ground Launch Capability

Status changed from Pre-Release to Open

Q&A UpdatedApr 30, 2026 at 2:52 PM

Low-Cost Modular Payload Vehicle for Agile Electronic Warfare Swarms with Ground Launch Capability

Q1 received detailed answers addressing 5 sub-questions: range flexibility (100km one-way or out-and-back), 5-minute deployment for single system with swarm sequencing in proposal, recovery documentation discretionary, payload power supply architecture left to offeror design, and antenna approach (integrated vs. independent) determined by system architecture.

Q&A UpdatedApr 27, 2026 at 5:37 PM

Low-Cost Modular Payload Vehicle for Agile Electronic Warfare Swarms with Ground Launch Capability

Added Q1 with 5 new sub-questions clarifying: mission range (one-way vs. round-trip), launch time applicability across multiple sUAS, recovery operations requirements, payload power supply/transformer options, and antenna integration flexibility.

Q&A UpdatedApr 23, 2026 at 6:37 PM

Low-Cost Modular Payload Vehicle for Agile Electronic Warfare Swarms with Ground Launch Capability

Q1 received a new answer clarifying that CLIK is a viable payload interface, but the Government does not mandate it—proposers must define and justify their standardized interface (electrical, mechanical, software) in Phase I deliverables.

Q&A UpdatedApr 23, 2026 at 2:56 PM

Low-Cost Modular Payload Vehicle for Agile Electronic Warfare Swarms with Ground Launch Capability

Added Q1 regarding Picatinny CLIK specification viability as a payload interface for this application. Q2 (previously Q1) answer on VTOL acceptability remains unchanged.

Q&A UpdatedApr 17, 2026 at 11:23 PM

Low-Cost Modular Payload Vehicle for Agile Electronic Warfare Swarms with Ground Launch Capability

Q&A section updated

Description ChangedApr 14, 2026 at 3:02 AM

Low-Cost Modular Payload Vehicle for Agile Electronic Warfare Swarms with Ground Launch Capability

Content updated: description, objective, phase_2_description, phase_3_description

Date ChangedApr 14, 2026 at 3:02 AM

Low-Cost Modular Payload Vehicle for Agile Electronic Warfare Swarms with Ground Launch Capability

Close Date changed from 2026-04-22 to 2026-06-03

Date ChangedApr 14, 2026 at 3:02 AM

Low-Cost Modular Payload Vehicle for Agile Electronic Warfare Swarms with Ground Launch Capability

Open Date changed from 2026-03-25 to 2026-05-06

Status ChangedApr 14, 2026 at 3:02 AM

Low-Cost Modular Payload Vehicle for Agile Electronic Warfare Swarms with Ground Launch Capability

Status changed from Removed to Pre-Release

Opportunity RemovedMar 3, 2026 at 4:25 PM

Low-Cost Modular Payload Vehicle for Agile Electronic Warfare Swarms with Ground Launch Capability

Opportunity DAF26BZ01-NV003 no longer available

Opportunity AddedMar 2, 2026 at 11:14 PM

Low-Cost Modular Payload Vehicle for Agile Electronic Warfare Swarms with Ground Launch Capability

New opportunity: Low-Cost Modular Payload Vehicle for Agile Electronic Warfare Swarms with Ground Launch Capability

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