Military researchers approach industry for low-SWaP-C antennas to help detect and track elusive targets

April 29, 2024
DARPA is seeking new antenna designs, materials, manufacturing, or processing to help overcome shortcomings in today's persistent sensing systems.

ARLINGTON, Va. – U.S. military researchers are asking industry for ideas in next-generation antennas to find difficult, elusive targets of interest.

Officials of the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in Arlington, Va., issued a solicitation on Wednesday for the Bringing Classified Innovation to Defense and Government Systems (BRIDGES) Topic Area Addendum 1 – Next Generation Antennas project.

Finding, tracking, and engaging targets requires the ability to detect, track, and maintain that track across different sensors for air, land, and space applications, researchers say.

Related: Space Force approaches industry for SWaP-C-constrained antennas for future satellite and spacecraft missions

Today's sensors have shortcomings that limit their capabilities in high-quality persistent sensing at low-cost and low-power. Instead, DARPA is seeking new antenna design, materials, manufacturing, or processing with significantly increased performance and substantial reduction in size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) for air and space applications.

Companies interested should email proposals no later than 12 July 2024 to [email protected].

Email questions or concerns to [email protected]. More information is online at https://sam.gov/opp/f8e712ad896e424e8a4ce5747921fb82/view.

About the Author

John Keller | Editor-in-Chief

John Keller is the Editor-in-Chief, Military & Aerospace Electronics Magazine--provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronics and optoelectronic technologies in military, space and commercial aviation applications. John has been a member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since 1989 and chief editor since 1995.

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