Gambit

Background
The Gambit program seeks to develop and demonstrate a Rotating Detonation Engine (RDE) propulsion system that enables standoff strike of time-critical targets from 4th generation fighters at campaign scale. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative proposals in the technical areas of air-to-ground weapons and rotating-detonation engines. Current weapons propulsion technologies include conventional rockets, ramjets, and gas turbine engines, each with limitations in maximum range, speed, and/or affordability that hinders its ability to address time-critical targets at campaign scale from standoff ranges. Given the limitations of existing propulsion technologies, Gambit is focused on developing ram-RDEs as a new class of propulsion to enable standoff strike of time-critical targets from 4th generation fighters at campaign scale.

Work Details
Phase 1 of the program is anticipated to last 18 months and result in awards to two performers. Phase 1 performers will conduct conceptual design of an Operational System (OS) that meets the objectives specified in the classified addendum and a preliminary design of a Demonstration System (DS) ram-RDE propulsion system that meets requirements derived from the performer’s OS. To substantiate the preliminary DS design, Phase 1 performers should execute RDE combustor testing and inlet testing.
Phase 2 is expected to last 18 months with a down-select to a single performer. Phase 2 performer(s) will complete detailed design of the DS, fabricate the DS, and culminate in full-scale testing of the weapon-traceable DS at flight conditions.

Period of Performance
Phase 1 of the program is anticipated to last 18 months with Phase 2 expected to last an additional 18 months.