MDA27BZ02-DV003 — High Speed Low Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) Radio Frequency (RF) Communications Systems for Space-to-Space and Space-to-Terrestrial Applications

Provide novel and innovative space communications technologies enabling improved defensive communication capabilities.

Specific to this topic, to support the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) mission of developing and deploying a layered Missile Defense System to defend the United States, its deployed forces, and friends from missile attacks in all phases of flight, the MDA seeks improved defensive communication capabilities by increasing bandwidth of new low size, weight, and power, radios and antennas to gigabyte speeds. Small form-factor (.1L) or less volume and low power (<10 W) RF radio utilizing Ku bands or higher (due to National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA) restrictions) capable of transmitting data at speeds of 1.5Gbps or greater in a natural space environment is desired. Technology should also be capable of burst transmission of data through the atmosphere to flight vehicles at speeds of 1 Gbps or greater. Communications system capable of meshed (self-forming, self-healing network, high probability of delivery network) High Assurance Internet Protocol Encryptors (HAIPE) interactions for inclusion into "Zero Trust" platforms and networks. Solutions should consider frequency diversity, antenna diversification, and advanced modulation and coding schemas for security and jamming prevention. At the end of the Phase II, two flight radio payloads would be the deliverables.

Phase I-like proposals will not be evaluated and will be rejected as nonresponsive. For this topic, the Government expects the small business would have accomplished the following in a Phase I-like effort via some other means, e.g., independent research and development (IRAD) or other source, a concept for a workable prototype or design to address, at a minimum, the basic capabilities of the stated objective above. Proposal must show, as appropriate, a demonstrated technical feasibility or nascent capability. The documentation provided must substantiate the proposer’s development of a preliminary understanding of the technology to be applied in their Phase II proposal in meeting topic objectives. Documentation should comprise all relevant information including, but not limited to, technical reports, test data, prototype designs/models, and performance goals/results. Feasibility = maturity and what have you already done/validated. Proposers interested in participating in Direct to Phase II must include in their responses to this topic Phase I feasibility documentation that substantiates the scientific and technical merit and Phase I feasibility described in Phase I above has been met. (i.e., the small business must have performed a proof of concept like “Phase I” component and/or other validation in a relevant environment, and/or at a much higher Technology Readiness Level (TRL) level (5 or higher) and describe the potential commercialization applications. The documentation provided must validate that the proposer has completed development of technology in previous work or research completed.) IRAD work: Documentation should include the most relevant information including, but not limited to: technical reports, test data, prototype designs/models, and/or performance goals/results. Work submitted within the feasibility documentation must have been substantially performed by the proposer and/or the principal investigator (PI).

Complete radio payload(s) incorporating government performance and physical requirements. Coordinate with the Government during payload design, development, and testing to ensure that the delivered products would be relevant to an ongoing missile defense architecture and data types and structures.

Facilitate insertion into proliferated warfighter space architecture programs. Collaborate with satellite integrators and unmanned aerier vehicle operators for demo platforms. Participate in DoW field exercises and satellite demonstrations to validate operational effectiveness and build end-user confidence. Utilize partner labs for environmental testing (thermal, vacuum, vibration).