Air Force researchers asking for new air-to-air and air-to-ground combat identification software algorithms

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio – U.S. Air Force researchers are asking industry for new ideas in air-to-air and air-to-ground combat identification for F-16 and F-15 combat jets.

Officials of the Sensors Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, issued a solicitation (FA237725RB008) last week for Call 2 of the Combat Identification Automated Target Recognition Technology (CATCH) project.

The contractor chosen will explore the next generation of combat identification software algorithms to improve today's combat identification performance. The program will include single- and multi-platform combat identification research in relation to fielded systems.

Air-to-air combat identification development will be through feature fusion engines in joint multi-platform advanced combat identification (JMAC), and will include any new or promising air-to-ground combat identification ideas that warrant exploration.

Proposals due by 9 June 2025

Companies interested should email 35-page proposals no later than 9 June 2025 to the Air Force's Christina Seas at [email protected] and Omar Eldadah at [email protected]. The program's value will be about $15 million, and only one contractor will be chosen.

A contractor should be chosen by October 2025, and foreign participation is not authorized.

Email technical questions to the Air Force's Kameron Grubaugh at [email protected]. Email contracting questions to Omar Eldadah at [email protected]. More information is online at https://sam.gov/opp/e163ec12c6e94de6ada28721d61e06a9/view.